Studies in Genesis

Studies in Genesis Presentation 72

Jacob’s Blessings 2. Gen 49v13-22 Presentation 72

Introduction We have begun to see the way in which God blessed Jacob's sons despite all their past history and marvelled at the way in which God could even bring blessing out of his judgement. God has a truly amazing capacity for using different people, with different personalities and gifts. We continue to examine in some detail the prophetic blessings conferred by Jacob upon his sons. Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar We begin with Zebulon and Issachar. Neither of these tribes were particularly prominent in Israel. In the history of these two tribes only 28 people are mentioned throughout the O.T. This is not to say that there are not valuable lessons to be drawn from Jacob's prophetic utterance concerning them. Zebulon was to live 'towards' the seashore when they entered the land of promise. The significance of the Hebrew language here is not that they would be a seafaring people - they were given no coastal territory - but that they would be in a position well situated for trade. Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar Again if you were to consult a map of Israel you would find that Zebulon lay not only on the trading super highway which ran North South connecting Egypt and Africa with Syria and Western Asia but lying towards the West were the great trading centres of Tyre and Sidon made famous by the Phoenicians. From Zebulon you could send your goods North, South and Westward. She was remarkably well positioned for trade [just as Glasgow was in the last century.] Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar You too, like Zebulon, may be placed by God in a highly advantageous position. Perhaps in the world of finance or commerce, where your work will give you unusual opportunities to succeed. If that day comes remember that it was God who placed you there and that you are responsible to him for how you make use of that position. Yours might be a position of influence a role model for others. Teachers, Sunday school teachers and church leaders have been placed by God in highly influential positions. God has his own super highway on which he strategically places individuals for the good of his kingdom. Do not waste these advantages or despise these opportunities. Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar Issachar is described as a raw boned donkey. Now to call someone a donkey today particularly in the Middle East is a great insult. But in Jacob's day donkeys were considered noble animals. They were highly valued. Kings rode on them. The patience and strength of the animal were highly rated. The O.T. shows that these qualities were present in the tribe of Issachar. In the days of the Judges it was Issachar along with Zebulon, who responded to the rallying cry of Deborah in Israel's struggles against the Canaanites. At that time a number of the other tribes were notably unresponsive. Time and again we find that Issachar proved herself strong and faithful in the nation's battles. Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar But there was a dark side to Issachar as Jacob indicates in v14... They had a capacity for complacency. They had little ambition, little drive. We have a picture of contentment where the descendants of this tribe would fail to rouse themselves to vigorous activity. As a result, says Jacob, the time will come when the tribe 'will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labour…’ The fertile lands of Issachar were often invaded and the people were forced into servitude. They complacently accepted their servile status. Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar It's easy to be like Issachar. In the early days of our Christianity we show ourselves to be keen in God's service and concerned to fight his battles and engage in spiritual warfare. But with the passing of the years we begin to take our ease. We compromise and accept situations, which would have caused our spiritual blood to boil in earlier years. We find ourselves 'going with the flow.' This passage should encourage us to press on in God's service throughout the whole of our lives rather than fall prey to the temptation that we ‘have done our bit’. If anyone could have argued, that he had done his bit for the kingdom, it was the apostle Paul…. Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar Think of Paul’s gruelling work schedule; his beatings, shipwrecks, deprivations, the constant opposition. Think of the disappointments with churches he founded, the intensity of his prayers as he brought the needs of others before God. At the end of his life, when imprisoned in Rome awaiting trial, you might think he would put his feet up. But no Paul was busy with his correspondence or witnessing to his Roman guards. cf Phil 1.13.... Paul refused to be at ease! Presentation 72

Zebulon and Issachar An elderly Christian lady came to me one day with a tear in her eye. She had been involved at the heart of the work of her church for a number of years. She had been thinking, 'Why should I continue to shoulder the burden of this work?' She had her resignation speech all worked out. But she was troubled by her decision. She became aware of the fact that God still had work for her to do. And this is what she said, 'I have discovered that there is no retirement from God’s work until God retires us'. Sometimes it is hard to press on, we may feel we are not appreciated and think we have done our bit. That attitude resulted in the men of Issachar exchanging freedom for bondage. When we rest at ease we soon find that we are less able to enjoy the inheritance which is ours. Presentation 72

Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali Jacob's next four sons Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali may have wondered if they would be included in this blessing since they were the sons concubines rather than of one of Jacob's wives. Many believers feel they do not deserve God’s blessing and that others are much more worthy. Oh they may have been taught that the blessings of God flow from his unmerited grace but that truth has never really mastered them. But there is no place for feelings of inferiority in the church. Whenever I have travelled by aeroplane I have wondered what it would be like to travel first class - all that legroom! Thankfully, there are no first class and second class citizens in God’s kingdom. And Jacob’s son’s were about to discover that God has no favourites. They all would be fathers of tribes in Israel! Presentation 72

Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali Dan, who was to bring justice to his people, is described as a serpent. We tend to think of serpents somewhat negatively. But the quality of the serpent linked to Dan is its subtle and effective way to strike from hiding, attacking when an attack is least expected. Both these characteristics, the ability to provide justice and striking like a serpent are seen in Samson the best known descendant of Dan. No Israelite was as bold as he. Even when blinded by the Philistines and paraded before them in Dagon’s temple, he pulled the whole structure down killing more Philistines in his death than in his life. Now when we are in a position of power and strength it is easy to presume too much. Presentation 72

Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali Samson displaced God as his first love for the love of a woman. His folly and the folly of many Christians was to assume that we are indispensable to him so that even if we deny God his rightful place, he will continue to bless us. Incidentally, the idolatry and presumption found in Samson contaminated the whole tribe. Dan was the first of the tribes to set up false idols and worship them cf Jud. 18.30 And in Amos 8.14 clear reference is made to her idolatry... The chastening captivity of Israel was something that Dan was instrumental in bringing about. We dare not think that our position and usefulness in the work of God will cause God to blink at our idolatry. Presentation 72

Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali The tribe of Gad settled on the exposed East bank of the Jordan River and was surrounded by some of Israel's deadliest enemies, Ammon and Moab. The land called Gilead which means 'pleasant‘, contained lavish pasture for their large herds of livestock. Unlike the majority of the tribes Gad at the time of the Israelite conquest, chose this land for themselves [Num 32] unaware of the surrounding dangers which meant they were almost always on a war footing. We need to guard against trusting in our own judgement or thinking we know better than God. It is always wiser to allow the Lord to choose for us! Despite their vulnerability and the frequency of the attacks made upon them, they were effective in repelling them. Many men from Gad defected to David during his outlaw years. Their bravery is commended in 1 Chron. 12.8. Presentation 72

Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali Asher is told in v20 that his food would be rich and he would provide delicacies fit for a king. Asher enjoyed the blessings of a seaport trade, The fertile coastal soil was watered by abundant mountain rains. ‘Asher’ means ‘happy’ or ‘fortunate’ and of all the tribes her inheritance was the most abundant. Now there are dangers attached to abundance. The Psalmist recognised this when he prayed that the Lord would neither bless him with abundance lest he should forget God nor poverty lest he should curse him. Asher wallowed in her luxury and is condemned in Jud.5.17 for staying put while her neighbours Zebulon and Naphtali were fighting Israel's battles. The abundant blessing of God is something which we need to attend with constant care lest in the enjoyment of the gift we neglect God and his work. Presentation 72

Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali Naphtali is described in v21 as ‘a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns’. This text has puzzled many for the best Hebrew text reads, 'Naphtali is a doe set free he utters beautiful words’. The second part of the sentence does not appear to agree with the first. A single dot in Hebrew is all the difference between 'words' and 'fawns'. But is this change really necessary. The first part of the sentence describes the unfettered spirit of the people of Naphtali while the second part of the sentence describes them, as a people who would be noted for their poetic speech. The famous song of Deborah in Jud. 5 was jointly composed and one of its authors, Barak, was a prominent Napthalite. Presentation 72

Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali Some think that the greatest fulfilment of this prophecy is found in the person of Christ. Who though not a descendant of Naphtali spent much of his public ministry there. cf Matt. 4.12 16. Jesus spoke beautiful words! Think of the testimony of the soldiers who gave as their reason for not arresting Jesus; 'No one ever spoke the way this man does.’ Jn 7.46 And no one ever will. You may have read the little plaques fixed to the walls of historical buildings such as ‘King Charles I slept here.' Naphtali had a greater claim to fame, their plaque would read: 'Jesus spent most of his public ministry here. He spoke beautiful words here. The despairing and dispirited people sitting in darkness first saw light here. And it was here that many discovered that 'the entrance of his word brings light’.' Presentation 72

Conclusion Churches can have all sorts of plaques on their walls, commemorating wealthy patrons, distinguished minister's, great historical events. There is surely one plaque we should covet more than any other. It would read: Of course the reality is more important than the plaque. We should pray that Christ’s Word would shed light upon those; sitting in darkness, in despair, in bondage and in despondency! God can use his living word to bless richly and royally in your church fellowship. Remember Jacob's sons - God blessed them not because they were worthy but because he is gracious. 'JESUS SPOKE BEAUTIFUL WORDS IN THIS PLACE' Presentation 72

Studies in Genesis