临死前的话总是很重要的，意识到时间的短暂让我们的谈话聚焦在最重要的事情上。
雅各给他的儿子们临别前的话记录在创世记 49:3-27；虽然这一章中有些部份看起来很模糊，我们依然可以感受到雅各先是分析了他儿子们的品格，然后责备和纠正他们，同时带给他们鼓励和盼望。雅各的话被称作“祝福”，这是一份礼物，呼召这些儿子们进入与神更深的相交关系。
在这交代后事中，雅各对他的安葬做出了指示；这表达了他的信心，相信神所应许给亚伯拉罕的土地将来有一天必然会成为他后代的家园。
经过了一辈子的挣扎，雅各已经看到神是如何做成祂的工，达成祂的应许。如今，当他提醒他的家庭神的应许之后，他就可以入土安息了。
我们所能传承给那些跟随我们的人最大的祝福就是：确信神正在我们的生命中工作，使得我们在基督里被救赎和恢复。无论你在世的时间是长是短，你是否考虑过如何去分享这份祝福？
圣灵啊，求你赐给我们话语去讲述你对我们这些罪人的恩典和良善；惟愿我们与人的交谈常常提及耶稣和祂的救恩，愿荣耀归给天父。阿们。
创世记 49:1-2, 28-33
1雅各叫了他的儿子们来，说：“你们都来聚集，我好把你们日后必遇的事告诉你们。
2雅各的儿子们，你们要聚集而听，要听你们父亲以色列的话。
28这一切是以色列的十二支派。这也是他们的父亲对他们所说的话，为他们所祝的福，都是按着各人的福分为他们祝福。
29他又嘱咐他们说：“我将要归到我列祖那里。你们要将我葬在赫人以弗仑田间的洞里，与我祖我父在一处，
30就是在迦南地幔利前麦比拉田间的洞。那洞和田是亚伯拉罕向赫人以弗仑买来为业，做坟地的。
31他们在那里葬了亚伯拉罕和他妻子撒拉，又在那里葬了以撒和他妻子利百加，我也在那里葬了利亚。
32那块田和田间的洞原是向赫人买的。”
33雅各嘱咐众子已毕，就把脚收在床上，气绝而死，归到列祖那里去了。
"All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him." - Genesis 49:28
Last words are always important. Being aware of the shortness of life can often focus our conversations on the most important things.
Jacob's parting words to his sons are recorded in Genesis 49:3-27. Though some parts of this chapter may seem obscure to us now, we can see how Jacob assesses his sons' character and that he offers some rebuke and correction as well as some encouragement and hope. His words are described as a "blessing," a gift that should call each of these sons to seek a deeper relationship with God.
As a final instruction, Jacob issues details about his burial. This is an expression of confidence that the land God had promised to Abraham would someday be the home of Jacob's descendants.
Through a lifetime of struggle, Jacob has seen how God has worked out his purposes and promises. And now, after reminding his family of God's promises, he can die in peace.
The greatest blessing we can pass along to those who follow us is the assurance that God is at work in our lives to redeem us and restore us in Christ. Whether your remaining time on earth is short or long, have you considered how to share that legacy?
Holy Spirit, give us words to speak that tell of your grace and kindness despite our sin. May our conversations speak of Jesus and his salvation, to the Father's glory. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
