Genesis 49:5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers—their swords are weapons of violence.
Reading commentary for these verses reminds me of all that occurred earlier in Genesis. All the brothers have had mistakes and missteps, even Judah, whose line will eventually lead to Jesus. What that tells me, personally, is: Don’t be too quick to give up on people (or on yourself).
Genesis 49:6 Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.
It’s easy to give up on others, to judge them because of their mistakes. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t write us off. I won’t lie–I still struggle with how to deal with this. My trust, once broken, isn’t easily restored. Jesus, help me to love Your children (myself included) regardless of mistakes and missteps.
Genesis 49:7 Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.
Precious Savior, I know that we are all precious to You, that You want us each to return to You, that we are never so far gone that You don’t rejoice when we find our way back to You. Help me know how to love and pray for others who are struggling. Help me to love myself when I am struggling, too. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 49:8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.
Have a blessed day.