A Final Blessing

We find ourselves at the end of Genesis, specifically, at the death bed of Jacob. It is interesting that nothing is said about all those years. The one thing we learn is that Jacob has sent for Joseph as he is weak, sick and dying. You see this in the first verse: after this, Joseph was told, behold your father is ill. Jacob is preparing for his impending death and needs to extend the patriarchal blessings to his own children. He first will extend a special blessing to Joseph and his sons. The passage offers wisdom on finishing well in faith in one’s final days. I say this because out of his long and illustrious life, the writer of Hebrews records this story, as characterizing Jacob's faith: By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph bowing in worship over the head of his staff (Heb. 11.21). What can we learn from his death bed words?