Genesis 49:1–13 ‘Excelling in honour, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel…’ (vv3–4)
As Jacob prophesies over his sons, we see judgment. Sin has consequences even when it is forgiven, and the sons of Israel bore those consequences. Reuben saw judgment because of sin. Yet at the same time we see grace and forgiveness. Judah’s behaviour was not exemplary, and yet Christ came from the tribe of Judah, the very greatest blessing.
As the seeds of a nation are born in the sons of Jacob, we see God being true to His character. Way back in Genesis is evidence of a God who does not change. He was and will always be judge because He is holy and righteous, and yet gracious and compassionate to all He has made.
We are called to a holy life, a righteous life. Forgiveness does not give us the right to carry on sinning, and yet when we do sin again
we can come to the God of all grace to be forgiven and live without condemnation. We can know that our sins are removed as far as the East is from the West and they are remembered no more.
In Christ we have the two sides of God’s perfect character fully displayed. His holiness demanded that sin had to be dealt with, but His incredible grace meant that we did not have to deal with it ourselves. God Himself did that for us.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord, help me to not cheapen grace by continuing in my sin, but to live a life full of gratitude and praise. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Choose righteousness over sin.
Scripture To Consider:
Ps. 103:10–13; Rom. 6:15–18; Eph. 2:4–8; Heb. 13:5–8
