01-106 The Testament of Israel—Part 2
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
Genesis 49:13-33
Genesis 49:13-33
Our time in Genesis is quickly winding down and I trust that your hearts have been encouraged by studying the beginning of God’s revealed truth to mankind. At the end of this book, we’ve been looking at “the Joseph narrative” describing how the people of Israel came to be in Egypt and how 430 years later, they would be led out of Egypt in the Exodus by Moses. And right now, we see Jacob/Israel on his deathbed, with his dying words he is blessing his sons:
28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.
Now, the first 3 sons are given blessings (b/c they represent prophecy for each tribe)—but there is a sadness on account the ungodly actions of Reuben, Simeon and Levi. Jacob then moves to bless Judah which would become the kingly tribe—looking ahead to the One who is the King of kings. Jesus Christ is the perfect fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy regarding Judah (the lion tribe—which would be known for its great leadership and conquerors). The 1st coming of Jesus fulfilled this and many other Scriptures and in His 2nd coming—the nature of His kingdom would be marked by great abundance and extravagance.
Moving on…
4) The Trader
4) The Trader
13
Zebulun is Jacob’s 6th son by Leah (10th son overall). His birth is recorded in 30:19-20 and at that time, Leah was anguishing b/c Jacob did not love her. Zebulun means “dwelling” she thought that now Jacob would dwell with her.
Jacob’s prophecy regarding Zebulun indicates that the tribe would become prominent traders b/c of their tribal allotment. “Zebulun will dwell at the seashore”, though they weren’t actually a coastal town a little better translation is “dwell toward the seashore”. In fact they would live near the seas (pl.) being situated b/t the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Seas. The exact location was in the western end of the Jezreel Valley along a very important trading route in Bible times known as the Via Maris (way of the sea). This was a trade route that passed right thru Zebulun’s territory and they would later take great advantage of this location—trading produced great wealth. Moses would later bless this tribe:
19 “They will call peoples to the mountain; There they will offer righteous sacrifices; For they will draw out the abundance of the seas, And the hidden treasures of the sand.”
Jacob also notes that Zebulun’s flank would be toward Sidon. Sidon was one of the most important Canaanite cities and would later be called Phoenicia which is located in Lebanon today. Will Varner notes (Jacob’s Dozen): “According to the tribal allotments, Zebulun’s territory was separated from Sidon by the tribe of Asher (Josh. 19:24–31). Asher, however, was never able to dislodge the Canaanites who dwelt in that coastal area north of Mount Carmel and Haifa Bay. Evidently, according to this prophecy, Zebulunites in later days began to filter into this coastal area bordering Phoenicia, thus fulfilling the prophecy.”
The most famous Zebulunite was a judge named Elon who judged Israel for 10 years (Judges 12:11-12). The tribe itself is given honor following the battle with Sisera in Judges 4. That battle took place in the Valley of Jezreel (right in the middle of their territory). Zebulun was one of the tribes that volunteered to go into battle.
18 “Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.
The greatest praise for the tribe is found in
33 Of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David with an undivided heart.
The could draw up in battle formation as experts in war. They were capable soldiers b/c they had “an undivided heart.” Zebulun was successful, brought stability and boldness in battle to Israel. This is a profound lesson of courage in the face of conflict b/c of an undivided heart.
5) The Laborer
5) The Laborer
14-15
Issachar is the 5th born to Leah and the 9th overall. Jacob describes him as “a strong donkey.” The donkey was an extremely valuable service animal and so this is not derogatory but a blessing of praise. Even kings rode on donkeys in biblical times. Issachar wasn’t afraid to carry a burden. The tribe was known to be hard working people, devoted to the soil. The land assigned to him was “the fertile eastern end of the Jezreel Valley. His boundary on the north was Mount Tabor and on the south Mount Gilboa. Thus, these two mountains served as the large “burdens” on the sides of Issachar.” Jacob’s point is that they had chosen to live as serfs in a fertile location than to be free in a less-fertile region. So they became laborers. The most prominent member from that tribe was a judge named Tola who judged Israel 23 years and was a brave leader.
32 Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.
This has great encouragement for us today to be those who not only know God’s Word but know and understand God’s world. As believers, we should understand the times we live in. Jesus rebuked the pharisees for lack of insight:
1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 “And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
Be a laborer in God’s kingdom.
6) The Avenger
6) The Avenger
16-18
The next 4 sons that Jacob addresses are children born to the maids of Leah and Rachel. As such, it is possible that each of them thought there was no part for them like the other sons feeling inferior. But Jacob affirms that each of them are legitimate children of his and then goes to prophesy what will become of each as true tribes of Israel.
vs 16— “as one of the tribes”
Jacob begins “Dan shall judge.” This is what the name Dan means—judgement. It was given to him by Rachel when she gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob to bear children thru her. She felt vindicated by the birth of the child (God has judged her (during time of barrenness) and had given a son.)
The greatest descendant of Dan was a judge by the name of Samson. He was the strong man who would deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. So Samson was a judge or avenger of his people. Judges 13-16 describe how Samson accomplished his nontraditional warfare against Philistines. Jacob prophesied this as Dan would be a serpent in the way…” (vs 17). While not a negative characteristic, the serpent was cunning, crafty, and wise.
Jesus instructed His disciples
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
But the picture of the serpent is also reminiscent of the Garden where Satan deceived Eve. Revelation confirms the serpent was indeed Satan.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Jacob’s prophecy would hint at the satanic influence over the tribe of Dan. Notably, the problem of idolatry was rampant in Dan. There was a time when Dan conquered the defenseless people of Laish. They renamed the city Dan and set up an image in the territory showing they weren’t fully devoted to the Lord (Judges 18:1-29). Then King Jeroboam set up one of his golden calves (never learned) to prevent pilgrimages to the south in Jerusalem.
28 So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 29 He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan.
But despite the error of idolatry, Jacob looked ahead to the promise of the salvation of the Lord. He longed for that salvation and in similar ways, we have the same mind. We live in a world under satanic influence. We live in a godless society where there are godless rulers who promote antichristian values. This is oppressive, discouraging, and causes us to long for the appearing of LJC—we say with Jacob “For Your salvation I wait, O Lord.” Now, our God is capable of caring for us while we wait and He will accomplish His divine purposes as this world is set on its course to the end. In the meantime, we have the message of the hope of the gospel to share with those who are blinded by the powers of darkness and have no spiritual discernment. For this reason the church needs to stand up and boldly proclaim the Word of God in this and every generation. Let me remind you that you are the church. This is a great task that has been entrusted to all of us who know JC.
7) The Victor
7) The Victor
19
Jacob prophesies that Gad would be harassed by hostile enemies which at first would raid the tribe but eventually Gad would get the upper hand and repel their advances. This happened b/c of the readiness of Gad and they developed the reputation of being fierce warriors who watchfully defended their land and so became victors. It is a spiritual lesson for believers to on the alert:
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
8) The Oiler
8) The Oiler
20
Asher was the 8th son of Jacob born to Zilpah. When he was born, Leah said:
13 Then Leah said, “Happy am I! For women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher.
Asher means happy and would be a preview of good fortune that Asher would enjoy in his life. Jacob repeats this when he says “his food shall be rich…royal dainties.”
Since the tribe of Asher wasn’t able to drive out the inhabitants of their territory (Jud. 1:31–32), they settled down to be an agricultural people, taking advantage of the fertile land God gave them (Josh. 19:24–30).
This would fulfill what Jacob spoke “food rich.” That term rich can be translated “fat” but it is also the general word for oil. There have been some who maintain that Jacob prophesied Asher would be rich in oil—petroleum. That has led to oil exploration in the territory of Asher though it has proven to be unfruitful. Jacob wasn’t referring to petroleum but to olive oil. That is what this word is often describing.
24 Of Asher he said, “More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, And may he dip his foot in oil.
Moses said that Asher was “most blessed,” referring to its wealth of olive oil and the security of its cities. One of Asher’s fertile valley is called “The Valley of the Olive.” There is fulfilment in this making Asher the Oiler.
Thinking about abundance, Xns today who are likewise blessed should learn not to hoard wealth for ourselves:
28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
9) The Rhymer
9) The Rhymer
21
Naphtali is the next son addressed and there are at least 6 different ways this verse has been translated. ESV/NIV have similar ideas and differ from NASB/KJV:
21 “Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
Apparently this imagery of the doe is a description of swiftness and surety of foot. David praises God for His help when he was able to flee hunters in the wilderness (especially Saul):
33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places.
The last phrase would represent a particular giftedness with Naphtali’s descendants: beautiful words.
Wiersbe suggests: the tribe was a poetic people who could express themselves well. Possessing the abilities to run like does and speak beautiful words, the people of Naphtali would make ideal messengers.
Poets/rhymers would become the tribe of Naphtali.
10) The Overcomer
10) The Overcomer
22-26
Jacob saves the last blessings for the sons of the wife he loved most. At his birth, Rachel rejoiced:
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb. 23 So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May the Lord give me another son.”
“Another” would be given in Benjamin but a little later. Jacob’s blessing of Joseph (uses bless 6x) expresses this: fruitful bough that would draw up water from a spring and run over the wall. The point is that Joseph would become a tribe that would grow and expand its territory. Joseph is the overcomer—obstacles could not hem him in.
Many writers have noted some interesting parallels between Joseph’s experiences and events in the life of the Lord Jesus. Consider the following that have been mentioned in many sermons and devotional studies. (1) Joseph was the delight of his father (Gen. 37:3); Jesus was the “beloved Son” of His Father (Mt. 3:17). (2) Joseph was rejected by his brothers (Gen. 37:4, e.g.); Jesus’ “own” did not receive Him (Jn. 1:11; 7:5). (3) Joseph was sold into Egypt (Gen. 37:28); Jesus fled there with His parents under duress (Mt. 2:14–15). (4) Joseph withstood temptation to sin (Gen. 39:7–12); Jesus withstood Satan’s temptations (Mt. 4:1–11). (5) Joseph was raised from the death of prison and exalted to the side of Pharaoh (Gen. 41:14–43); Jesus was raised from the dead and exalted to His Father’s right hand (Acts 2:32–33). (6) Joseph mercifully forgave his brothers for causing him to suffer (Gen. 50:15–21); Jesus prayed that the Father would forgive those responsible for His suffering (Lk. 23:34). (7) Joseph took a Gentile bride (Gen. 41:45); Jesus is calling out Gentiles to be part of His bride (Col. 1:24–27).
The archers is describing the suffering of Joseph and again, he was an overcomer. God strengthened him had used him greatly.
Be Authentic 4. The Sons of Rachel (Gen. 49:22–27)
The Stone [Rock] is another familiar image of the God of Israel (Deut. 32:4, 15, 18, 31; 1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:32) and also points to Christ (Ps. 118:22; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Cor. 10:4; 1 Peter 2:7). When you think of a stone, you think of strength, stability, and security, and God provided all of that and more to Jacob during his difficult earthly pilgrimage.
The God who cared for, made provision for, superintended the circumstances in Joseph’s life is the same God who does the same for us.
11) The Devourer
11) The Devourer
27
Benjamin is the youngest and Jacob praises the 2nd son born to Rachel for being a “ravenous wolf” (wolf that tears to pieces). This has been graphically fulfilled in the tribe of Benjamin—the one who devours his prey in the morning and divides…
One of the more prominent Benjamite was Ehud (2nd judge of Israel). He single-handedly assassinated Eglon (king of Moabites) who oppressed Israel for 18 years. Ehud’s left-handedness (man after my own heart), and a characteristic of the tribe at large.
15 From the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were numbered, 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men. 16 Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
Israel’s king Saul was the most famous and he was ferocious himself. Saul summoned the armies of Israel to attack the Ammonites at night and the result was that 2 of them were not left together (1 Sam 11:1-11).
The NT Saul was also a ferocious Benjamite. He wanted to so defend the honor of God that he went forth persecuting the church of JC—thinking they were blaspheming God.
13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;
It is a profound lesson in the ability of God to take a personality and mold it, transform it into that which is useful to Him for the expansion of His kingdom.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Having blessed his sons, he charged them with burying his bones in the same cave where he father and mother were buried and his grandfather Abraham. The final verse is end of a man whose life has been difficult and long. Now, his work was done, he breathed his last and died. As I have noted before “gathered to his people” is not only the epitaph on the one who was justified but also the great joy of the reward of life beyond the grave. Jacob was confident of this and every believer does well to share the same conviction that your life on earth is not all there is.
Many people live as though this is it. This is your best life now (as a popular book suggests). That is wrong. Your best life is coming—those of you who know LJC. If you don’t know Him, then now is your best, b/c eternal condemnation waits for all who have rejected the grace of God—in that place, Jesus said there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Don’t turn away from the Lord’s grace…trust Jesus today and find the joy of eternal life.