The 12 Tribes
S - Scripture: Genesis 49:1-33
"For Your salvation I wait, O LORD." v.18
O - Observations:
Jacob is on his death bed and he assembles his 12 sons and speaks his final words to them. He probably felt blessed to see all 12 there around his death bed when for so long he thought one of them was "no more". Then he offered his sons their reproofs, counsels, and comforts.
Reuben - the first born lost his preeminence, although he does not disown nor disinherit him, because he defiled his father's bed (some 40 years prior) by sleeping with one of his concubines, Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden. (Genesis 35:22) No judge, prophet, nor prince, is found of that tribe, nor any person of renown except Dathan and Abiram, who were noted for their impious rebellion against Moses. His virtue was unstable; he had not the government of himself and his own appetites: sometimes he would be very regular and orderly, but at other times he deviated into the wildest courses. Note, Instability is the ruin of men’s excellency.
Simeon and Levi - both reproved for their anger and wrath referring to what happened in Shechem. They were passionate and revengeful, fierce and uncontrollable; their swords, which should have been only weapons of defence, were weapons of violence, to do wrong to others, not to save themselves from wrong. Note, It is no new thing for the temper of children to differ very much from that of their parents, not necessarily referring back to Jacob, but as a note of warning for us. Simeon and Levi, it is probable, were most active in the wrong done to Joseph. Simeon and Levi would not be advised by their aged and experienced father; no, they would be governed by their own passion rather than by his prudence. He does not curse their persons, but their lusts. We ought always, in the expressions of our zeal, carefully distinguish between the sinner and the sin, so as not to love nor bless the sin for the sake of the person, nor to hate nor curse the person for the sake of the sin. Jacob states one more thing that they would be divided or dispersed. For Levi this was a blessing because they were divided out among all tribes and became the Priestly line.
Judah - The Messiah is predicted to come out of the Tribe of Judah. Dying Jacob, at a great distance, saw Christ’s day, and it was his comfort and support on his death-bed. Glorious things are here said of Judah. Judah’s name signifies praise, in allusion to which he says, Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise, v. 8. God was praised for him (ch. 29:35), praised by him, and praised in him; and therefore his brethren shall praise him. There would be war, but only for the sake of peace. Out of this tribe would be milk for babes and wine to make the heart glad. This is what the gospel is for us today!
This blessing and prophecy is so much about our LORD! He is the lion of the tribe of Judah, as he is called with reference to this prophecy (Rev. 5:5). To him belongs the sceptre; he is the lawgiver, and to him shall the gathering of the people be, as the desire of all nations (Hag. 2:7), who, being lifted up from the earth, should draw all men unto him (Jn. 12:32), and in whom the children of God that are scattered abroad should meet as the centre of their unity, Jn. 11:52. In him there is plenty of all that which is nourishing and refreshing to the soul, and which maintains and cheers the divine life in it; in him we may have wine and milk, the riches of Judah’s tribe, without money and without price, Isa. 55:1.
Zebulun - speaks of him dwelling at the seashore and being a haven for ships, a merchant. This also speaks of his part of the inheritance in the land drawn by lot (Joshua 19:10-16). Note, The lot of God’s providence exactly agrees with the plan of God’s counsel, like a true copy with the original. God appoints the bounds of our habitation. It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our lot and to improve it. If Zebulun dwell at the haven of the sea, let him be for a haven of ships.
Issachar - inclined toward labor. Let us, with an eye of faith, see the heavenly rest to be good, and that land of promise to be pleasant; and this will make our present services easy, and encourage us to bow our shoulder to them.
Dan - said to be a judge.
Gad - said to be raided and be a raider, as to encourage them that though the may be overcome they will overcome and likewise we shall be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
Asher - would have rich food and royal dainties.
Naphtali - giver of beautiful words and a prevailer. Note, Among God’s Israel there is to be found a great variety of dispositions, contrary to each other, yet all contributing to the beauty and strength of the body, Judah like a lion, Issachar like an donkey, Dan like a serpent, Naphtali like a doe. Let not those of different tempers and gifts censure one another, nor envy one another, any more than those of different statures and complexions.
Joseph - Jacob closes with the blessings of his best beloved sons, Joseph and Benjamin; with these he will breathe his last. Joseph is said to be fruitful, strong to withstand and distinguished. Joseph, a type of Christ, in his father’s house, his brothers were very spiteful towards him, mocked him, stripped him, threatened him, sold him and thought they had been the death of him and yet his faith did not fail, but he kept his ground, and came off a conqueror. His other graces did their part, his wisdom, courage, and patience, which are better than weapons of war. Note, All our strength for the resisting of temptations, and the bearing of afflictions, comes from God: his grace is sufficient, and his strength is perfected in our weakness. He shall help thee in difficulties and dangers which may yet be before thee.
Benjamin - his posterity should be a warlike tribe, strong and daring, and that they should enrich themselves with the spoils of their enemies. Ehud the second judge, and Saul the first king, were of this tribe; and so also in the last times Esther and Mordecai, by whom the enemies of the Jews were destroyed, were of this tribe. Paul was of this tribe (Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); and he did, in the morning of his day, devour the prey as a persecutor, but, in the evening, divided the spoil as a teacher.
"When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed (as one cheerfully composing himself to rest) and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people." v.33
A dying men’s words are apt to make deep impressions, and to be remembered long: what he said here, he could not say when he would, but as the Spirit gave him utterance, who chose this time, that divine strength might be perfected in his weakness. ~ Matthew Henry
A - Application for me today:
I may not be able to tell my children what shall befall them or their families in this world; but I can tell them, from the WORD of God, what will befall them in the last day of all. Children should then diligently hearken to what their Godly parents say which should carry with it both authority and affection.
My application today comes from the wisdom found in all the tribes. To seek to demonstrate by God's power stability and control of my temper for the sake of my children. To pass on to them the milk and the wine of the WORD. To make full use of the lot I have been given and to improve on it like the parable of the talents, bringing in interest to my Master, looking towards my heavenly home as I bow to my work here. To seek to have good judgement according to His Wisdom. To learn how not to be overcome but to overcome by His power. To seek true riches and dainties which are not of this world. To be happy, satisfied and content in all circumstances whether in need or in abundance. To use my gift of writing and be like Naphtali giving beautiful words. To be like Joseph who withstood all that would try to break him and yet rise to the top like the cream in a glass of milk and finally to fight the good fight and finish with dignity and lay down to rest with those who have gone on before me with the His future and Kingdom before my eyes.
P - Prayer in response:
May I be apart of your people Israel. Learning from their mistakes and overcoming in all things finding the fulfillment of all things in Christ, the Lion of Judah through and for whom all things are made and are held together.
Amen & Amen.
The Love Dare Challenge
Day 19: Love is Impossible
Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. —1 John 4:7
TODAY’S DARE
Look back over the dares from previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him, and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.
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