As Jacob was about to die, his children gathered about him to receive his blessing, and to listen to his last words of advice to them. He forgave his children for all their unfilial conduct, and for their wicked treatment of Joseph, which had caused him many years of grief as he had reflected upon his supposed dreadful death. As he spoke with his children for the last time, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon him, and he uttered prophecies concerning them, which reached far in the future. While under the spirit of inspiration, he laid open before them their past lives, and their future history, revealing the purposes of God in regard to them. He showed them that God would by no means sanction cruelty, or wickedness. He commenced with the eldest. Although Reuben had no hand in selling Joseph, yet previous to that transaction he had grievously sinned. His course was corrupt, for he had transgressed the law of God. Jacob uttered his prophecy in regard to him: “Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power; unstable as water, thou shalt not excel.” {1SP 154.2}

Da Jakob var nær ved at dø forsamledes hans børn omkring ham for at modtage hans velsignelse, og for at lytte til hans sidste advarsler og råd. Han tilgav sine børn al deres usømmelige opførsel, og deres ondskabsfulde adfærd mod Josef, som havde forvoldt ham så mange års bedrøvelse, idet han havde tænkt på hans formodede, forfærdelige død. Herrens Ånd hvilede på ham, medens han talte med sine børn for sidste gang, og han ytrede profetier om dem som nåede langt ind i fremtiden. Medens han var under Åndens indflydelse åbnede han deres forbigået liv for dem og deres fremtidige historie, og åbenbarede Guds planer med hensyn til dem. Han viste dem at Gud på ingen måde ville sanktionere grusomhed eller ondskab. Han begyndte med den ældste. Selvom Ruben ikke havde nogen del i at sælge Josef, så havde han dog syndet bedrøveligt førend dette skete. Hans handlemåde var fordærvelig; thi han havde overtrådt Guds lov. Jakob udtalte en profeti om ham: "Ruben, du er min førstefødte, min magt og min første kraft. Ypperlig i værdighed og ypperlig i styrke. Letfærdig som vandet, du skal ikke være ypperlig." 1. Mos. 49,3.4.