“Jacob’s Legacy” (Genesis 47-50)
Published 3 September 2025
Scroll down for “Lessons Learned…”
Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching
⚠️ Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Mistakes
- 1️⃣ Calling comfort ‘home’ — Goshen’s best muted the pull of promise (Gen. 47:27–28).
- 2️⃣ Temporary vows extended — “for a while” became years (Gen. 47:4; 47:28).
- 3️⃣ Culture drift — quick assimilation dulled covenant urgency (Gen. 47:27).
- 4️⃣ Optics over obedience — palace proximity overshadowed Canaan direction (Gen. 47–48 arc).
- 5️⃣ Delayed leadership return — Jacob remained though famine ended (Gen. 47:28; 50:5).
💥 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Failures
- 1️⃣ Failure to repatriate — leadership didn’t lead back when resources returned (Gen. 47:27–28).
- 2️⃣ Failure to foresee drift — grandchildren language/custom shift (Gen. 47:27, implied).
- 3️⃣ Failure to guard the story — Canaan felt distant; identity blurred (Gen. 47–49 flow).
- 4️⃣ Failure to measure ‘best’ — prosperity eclipsed promise (Gen. 47:6; 47:27).
- 5️⃣ Failure to prepare successors early — correction left to later generations (Gen. 48–50).
🚫 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Sins
- 1️⃣ Envy & hatred (historic) — the sale of Joseph still echoes (Gen. 50:15–18; cf. 37:27–28).
- 2️⃣ Deceit legacy — a long lie wounded the house (Gen. 50 subtext; cf. 37:31–35).
- 3️⃣ Suspicion & bias — separation at table reflects hardened hearts (Gen. 43:32 context to 47).
- 4️⃣ Self-protection — pleading cases before owning sin (cf. 50:15–17).
- 5️⃣ Withheld truth — deflection until mercy exposes reality (Gen. 50:19–21 reflection).
🏆 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Successes
- 1️⃣ Provision in famine — Goshen granted by royal favor (Gen. 47:5–6).
- 2️⃣ Fruitful increase — the family multiplies (Gen. 47:27).
- 3️⃣ Clear final wishes — “Do not bury me here… carry me out” (Gen. 47:29–30).
- 4️⃣ Patriarchal blessings — sons blessed in order (Gen. 49:1–28).
- 5️⃣ Honored burial — embalmed, returned, and buried at Hebron (Gen. 50:1–13).
🌱 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Spiritual Growth Lessons
- 1️⃣ Call home ‘home’ — Egypt is not ultimate; promise is (Gen. 47:29–30; 50:5).
- 2️⃣ Steward comfort without drift — prosperity serves purpose (Gen. 47:6; 47:27).
- 3️⃣ Teach the next generation — record names and covenant (Gen. 46:5–27; 49).
- 4️⃣ Finish well — speak blessings and leave clear instructions (Gen. 49:29–33).
- 5️⃣ Trust God’s continuity — “God will be with you” (Gen. 48:21).
🧭 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Leadership Principles
- 1️⃣ Integrate wisely — place people well while clarifying temporariness (Gen. 47:4–6).
- 2️⃣ Plan succession — bless, brief, and assign (Gen. 49; 47:29–31).
- 3️⃣ Align resources to mission — famine logistics serve life (Gen. 47:13–26).
- 4️⃣ Communicate identity — repeat “where you will be buried” to anchor belonging (Gen. 47:29–30; 50:13).
- 5️⃣ Lead across cultures — Joseph bridges palace and tent with integrity (Gen. 47–50).