阅读经文 

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四十九章三至二十七节；虽然这一章中有些部分看起来很模糊，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？

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?