Blessing in the Midst of Brokenness

From a sermon on Genesis 49

When we think of blessing, we often imagine a life free from pain, disappointment, or failure. But the Bible paints a far more compelling picture—one in which blessing often emerges from deep, painful brokenness. Genesis 49 is a striking example. As Jacob blesses his sons, we expect words of affirmation and encouragement. Instead, we find a mix of rebuke, prophecy, and hope—all wrapped in the reality of a deeply broken family.

A Family Marked by Brokenness

Jacob’s family is far from perfect. Reuben dishonoured his father by sleeping with his concubine (Genesis 35:22). Simeon and Levi acted in uncontrolled violence, slaughtering an entire city (Genesis 34). These failures aren’t hidden—they’re named in Jacob’s final words. Yet through this broken family, God would bring the greatest blessing: the Messiah.

God doesn’t sidestep brokenness. He works through it. The failures of these men didn’t thwart God’s plans; instead, they became part of the unfolding story of redemption. That’s a truth every believer needs to hold onto.

The Lion of Judah

Among Jacob’s sons, Judah stands out. In Genesis 49:9–10, Jacob calls him a lion’s cub. Lions are regal, powerful, and dangerous. This image of Judah as a lion, crouching in strength, paints a picture of quiet authority—of power at rest. Jacob prophesies that from Judah will come a ruler who holds the scepter until “tribute comes to him” or, as the ESV footnote says, “until he comes to whom it belongs.”

This is a messianic promise. It ties back to Genesis 3:15—the promise that one day a descendant would crush the serpent’s head. It moves forward to 2 Samuel 7:16, where God promises David an eternal throne. And it finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

Through Jesus, the obedience of the nations comes to pass (Revelation 7:9–10). This King doesn’t dominate with force but redeems with sacrifice. He is the one who stoops in humility—born in a manger, crucified on a cross, raised in glory—so that sinners like us might be lifted up.

Faith in the Promise

At the end of his life, Jacob commands his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah, alongside Abraham and Isaac. This act is not just sentimental—it’s theological. It’s a statement of faith. Jacob believes God will keep His promise to give the land to his descendants. Hebrews 11:21 describes Jacob bowing in worship as he blesses Joseph’s sons—a final act of faith rooted in a future hope.

Even in death, Jacob trusts God’s promises. He dies not in despair, but in hope—believing that God brings blessing through brokenness.

The Blessing of Christ

So what does Jesus do that is a blessing?

Jesus takes the sinner, justifies them through His sacrifice on the cross, and makes them co-heirs—sons and daughters of a holy God. Jesus brings the broken, the sinner, and brings blessing through salvation. In Christ, brokenness becomes the path to blessing—not because brokenness is good, but because God is good and brings good from it.

This is not just the story of Jacob’s family—it’s ours.

Paul captures it beautifully in Ephesians 2:1–10:
We were dead in our sins—broken and without hope. But God, rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ. By grace we have been saved—not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Christ has done. And now, we are His workmanship—rescued for a purpose.

From Brokenness to Blessing

The church is filled with people whose stories testify to this truth. If you’re in Christ, your life is a witness to God’s grace in the midst of brokenness. And if you think you’re too far gone—hear this: the God who worked through Jacob’s mess can work through yours. There’s no sin, no failure, no family dysfunction that God cannot redeem.

Let me tell you this: My God brings blessing through brokenness. He used the mess of Jacob’s family to bring the promised One—Jesus Christ—who crushed the head of the serpent and reigns as the King of kings.

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This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Knollwood Baptist Church and assembled with the help of AI.