Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

prophetic blessing. (See Genesis 49.) The same occurred with Moses prior to his death near Mount Nebo. He spoke a major prophetic blessing to the individual tribes of Israel. (See Deuteronomy 33.) In Genesis 27:1, Isaac’s eyes were dim, and he assumed he was dying (v. 4), so he asked for a final meal of his favorite meat stew. Esau, Isaac’s oldest son, went hunting and, after returning home, discovered his brother, Jacob, had posed as him, tricking his father, Isaac, into giving Jacob Esau’s blessing (Gen. 27). When reading the “blessings” of Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33, the significance of the blessing becomes clear when observing that Jacob, Moses, and Isaac spoke not just a blessing such as, “May the Lord bless you all,” but within the words of their blessings are prophetic statements that reveal the future of the individual or the tribe. Thus, the blessing of the father was more than just a prayer ; it was also a prophecy. The most important person in the ancient patriarchal family was the firstborn son. He was marked as holy and set apart with the favor of the father, the family, and the additional spiritual blessing. This blessing also carried a heavy responsibility, as all blessings do. The firstborn was responsible to be the leader over the other children and to set the example to them. He was also to become the spiritual leader and provider in the event of the father’s death. Only if the firstborn son were to dishonor the family did he lose the birthright and blessing. This occurred with Jacob’s oldest son, Reuben. This firstborn