All About Naphtali
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Introduction
Introduction
We are continuing in our Journey through the tribes of Israel. The Descendants of Jacob that will change the world. Amazing when you realize how small that nation really is.
This nation Changed the world because God chose them. I know he has chosen you as well if you follow him or reject him, He can change your world. Because he Is bigger than any of us.
This week we are looking at the tribe of Naphtali
Joshua 19:32-39
Joshua 19:32-39
The sixth allotment fell for the children of Naphtali, for the children of Naphtali according to their families. Their border was from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, Adami Nekeb, Jabneel, up to Lakkum; it ends at the Jordan; then the border turns to the west, to Aznoth Tabor, and continues from there to Hukok, and it touches Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and Judah on the east at the Jordan. The fortified cities are Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth, Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor, Yiron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth-anath, Beth Shemesh; nineteen cities and their villages. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.
Map of Israel
Map of Israel
Naphtali is the sixth son of Jacob. In the time of Moses, Naphtali was divided into four Clans : the Jahzeelites, the Gunites, the Jezerites, and the Shillemites, named after Naphtali's sons (Numbers 26:48-49).
Naphtali was borne by Rachel’s maidservant, Bilhah. He was her second and last child. when Naphtali was born, Rachel said, I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won” (Genesis 30:8) Naphtali means, “my struggle.”
When Jacob blessed his sons, he said
Naphtali is a doe running free
that puts forth beautiful words.
That is a beautiful image. One who springs fourth with great speed and provides good news
And of Naphtali, he said,
“Oh, Naphtali, sated of favor,
and full of the blessing of Yahweh;
take possession of the lake,
and the land to the south.”
Later, Moses blessed the tribe. Deuteronomy 33:23
In the Joshua passage we read we learn that Naphtali's land was in northern Isreal, bordering Asher’s territory, and the Sea of Kinnereth (or Galilee).
They are not perfect by any means, they are one of the tribes that failed to remove the Canaanites from the land.
Humble
Humble
Naphtali is a group that doesn’t draw attention to itself. In fact you might over look them but there are there when you need them.
In Judges 4 we learn that Barak was a Naphtalite. He had been chosen by God to lead a military force of 10,000 of his tribe against their Canaanite oppressors. When it comes time to fight he refuses to go without Deborah. Some see it as fear and cowardliness, some see it as unsure, some see it as his knowledge that Deborah was the true called one. I don’t know. but the were there 10,000 of them. Naphtali will respond to Gideon’s call to repel the Midianites, Amalekites.
When the time came for David to assume the throne, the tribe of Naphtali provided 1,000 officers, together with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears,” along withe as caravan of food, to help him (1 Chronicles 12:34 - )
When Solomon was building the temple, he hired Huram, a mans who mother was a Naphtalite to do the bronze work (1 Kings 7:13-47)
Isaiah prophesied along with Zebulun if you remember
Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.
This group of people that just humbly went about doing there best to serve God. They don’t always get it right, but they are doing what they can.
By the time of Christ, the land of Naphtali was part of the Galilee, area. It was viewed by the Jews in Judea as a place of dishonor, full of Gentile pagans.
The honor found here in Isaiah 9 will come to them during the time of Jesus. All the disciples but Judas, who betrayed Him, hailed from Galilee, and much of Jesus’ ministry took place there.
If we are too learn from Naphtali. we must learn that we must follow the humble heart that springs fourth with great speed and provides good news
We must be the bearers of the Good news of Jesus Christ, With humility not lifting ourselves up, but not feeling or even actually working alone. You are not alone. Often when we hear the word You, we Americans here the 2 Person Singular. It’s all up to me. Like we are the center of the universe. We are not alone. We have people in our lives. In the end it isn’t about me, or you, but about God and that means we or you 2 person plural. need to be bearers of the Word of God. With Humility.
Next Step
Next Step
Humble - not about you
Follow the will of God
Pray
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure. All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”