Gen. 49:1 “And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. 2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.”

In the last day of Jacob’s life on earth, he called unto his sons and had them gather themselves around him as he spoke to them on his deathbed.  Jacob was blessed of God to prophecy concerning the “last days.”  While I am uncertain as to the meaning of the phrase “last days,” in this text, yet, there are things in this passage that speak to us of some events that surrounded the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus into the world the first time.  There are also some things that Jacob said that seem to resonate with us in this gospel day in which we live. 

The prophecy seems to be adumbrated, i.e., to have more than one application.  However, it does not seem to have the application to the individuals, but unto their tribes and then, further beyond the end of the law dispensation with the children of Israel.  There is much concerning this prophecy I readily admit that I do not have understanding on. 

I will take the prophecy concerning each son and his tribe and attempt to glean what I can from its teaching.