Dying Declarations

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All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him. Then he charged them and said to them, “I am about to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite for a burial site.  There they buried Abraham and his wife Sarah, there they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there I buried Leah— the field and the cave that is in it, purchased from the sons of Heth.”  When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. Genesis 49:28-33 NASB

People often say very important words before they die. They are called ‘dying declarations’… and they even carry significant evidentiary weight in a court of law. More importantly, they reflect the unbridled belief of the declarant. Jacob (Israel) told his children what he believed was ahead for each. Tucked within his predictions that sometimes contained bad news, was a blessing as well. He was forecasting what God had planned. In some ways, Jacob really was a prophet. In his blessing of Judah, in particular, Jacob predicts the coming Messiah Jesus and His suffering servanthood. Amazing that God planned it all from the beginning.

“He ties his foal to the vine,
And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine;
He washes his garments in wine,
And his robes in the blood of grapes.
“His eyes are dull from wine,
And his teeth white from milk.” verse 11-12

What will I say on my deathbed? What can be said now, that would bless my children?

God, as this day begins- I see You at work in a mighty way. Would you continue to bless our school with financial donations. Do a mighty work in federal court as well. Thank you for your goodness and the blessing of children and lives they will live- hopefully for Your Son’s sake.

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