of Bilbnh, the mnid of Rachel; and concerning him the patriarch annonnces-(1) That though the child of n secondary wife, his descendants shoulrl attain to the position of an independent nnd self-governing tribe : " Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel"; (2) That if not ns a tribe, yet ns individuals, and if not permanently, yet occasionally, they should manifest the qualities of sudden, nnc:i.::- pected, and even treacherous attack that were so remarkably characteristic of the horned serpent; (3) '!'hat he should enjoy, in all the perils to which he might in future be exposed, the gracious succour of Jehovah-a thought which appears to elevate the speaker's soul to the contemplation of another and higher keeper, who was yet to come to heal the fatal bite of that great serpent the Devil, who had in- jected his mortal virus into the race. 2. The blessing on Gad. The firstborn of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, obtains the next place in the order of the sons, and concern- ing him it is declared with a threefold play upon his name, which signifies a troop, th11t-(l) He will be sore pressed on every side by troops of marauding foes; but that-(2) He will in the end prove himself to be victorious over the fiercest and the boldest. 3. The blessing on Asher. The happy one should be the occupier of a ter- ritory exceeding fertile, and capable of yielding rich and dainty fruits for royal tables. 4. The blessing on Naphtali. N aphtali was Bilhah's child, which Rachel named in honour of her triumphant wrestling or contending with her sister; and for him were reserved the gifts of a graceful exterior, agile movements, and attracti,·e speech both in eloquence and song. III. THE SONS OF RACHEL. 1. The blessing on Josiph. With a fulness and ten- derness of paternal emotion like that with which already he had spoken of Judah, the expiring patriarch declares the fortunes of Joseph, setting forth-(!) The general prosperity that awaited him, representing him as the son (or offshoot) of a fruit-tree planted by a well, and rushing up into such luxuriance of growth that its branches (or daughters) overhung the walls that gave it support; (2) The severe adversity to which in early years be had been exposed, and of which in future his descendants should have experience, comparing him to one whom the archers shot at and bated, nnd fiercely persecuted; (3) 'rhe heavenly succour which had enabled him to overcome his bitter trials, nod which would yet advnnce his children to safety, viz., the assist- ance of the mighty God of Jacob, the Shepherd and Stono of Israel, the God of hie fathers Abraham and Isaac ; ( 4) The wealth of Benediction that should descend upon the bead of him who bad been separated from his brethren, viz., blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that Iieth under, blessings of the breasts and of the womb, blessings that should surpnss those bestowed on any of his progenitors, or, according to the more correct rendering, that should outlast the everlasting hills. 2. The blesa- ing on Benjamin. Though latest born of Jncob's family, he should not be the least important, but should show himself possessed of a. warlike and adventurous disposi- tion, causing him with eagerness and animation to take the field against the foe, and to desist not from battle till he could lead back his legions as rejoicing conquerors, enriched with the spoils of glorious victory. Learn-I. That God is the great arbiter of human destiny. 2. That each mnn's sphere in life, as well as each nation's place on earth, is ndaptcd to his or its peculiar character. 3. That thoug·h fore-appointod nnd fore-known, the destinies of men and nut.ions are freely wrought out by themselves. And-4. That in Providence ns well o.s Grace, it often happens that tho first becomes last, nnd the last first.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ch. xlix.-Last words... Jacob's benediction on hi~ sons was n prophetic treasure, to be kept in store by future generations, and n foundation on which much faith could afterwards be built. It has been called "the Inst full bloom of patriarchal pro- phecy and theocratic promise." The central point, the blessing on tho royal tribe of ,Tudah. The corresponding eminence being given to Joseph. The Israel ble8sing to the one, tho Jncob blessing to the other. In each caso we di8tingnish-1. Tlie earthly basis of tlie blessing in tho tribe itself. 2. 'l'he nearestf11ljihnents of it in the temporal history. 3. 'l'hc symbolical import pointing to a remoter fullilmcnt. We may com- pnre the many dying scenes of the Bible with this; ns the last wor,ls of Isaac, J,{osea, hi 1u 2 532 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [lll .. XLIX. 1-33,