Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward. “I look for your deliverance, Lord.". (Genesis 49:16-18)
We have looked at:
- 1st born Reuben. Turbulent in character lacking self control and lacking in command to protect his younger brothers thus losing his father's trust.
- 2nd and 3rd born Simeon and Levi. Lacking wisdom and having an untamed anger. Vengeful with devastating aftermath.
- 4th born Judah. A leader, protector, negotiator, mediator and reconcillor. He had the gift of persuasion and knew the right buttons to press. He was a royalty and he lived and acted like it.
- 6th born Zebulun. A haven of of rest for voyagers battered by life's storms. He was a safe harbor for those tossed by the strong winds in the seas. He also portrayed a conduit for the great commission, being the port of entry exit to other nations.
Today we examine 5th born Dan (born of Bilha). Dan was born at a time of intense jealously between Rachel and Leah. “When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” (Gen 30:1)
Dan means 'Judged'. Then Rachel said, "God has vindicated me, and has indeed heard my voice and has given me a son." (Gen 30:5). The term vindication implying a clearance from accusation.
According to the testament of patriarchs, it is claimed that Dan was among the brothers that hated Joseph for his dreams and is credited to having invented the idea of smearing Joseph’s coat with blood to deceive his father. Hatred coming from the judgemental attitude that Joseph was having it all and the rest were getting a raw deal.
The tribe of Dan produced judges like Samson. Endowed with physical strength but disobedient to God. He pursued his own interests in settling personal scores with Philistines rather than focusing on the entire bigger picture (rescue Israel from Philistines). That seed of hatred and jealousy between Rachel and Leah that led to the birth of Dan played itself again.
Remember his last prayer before he brought the temple down? "Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." Judges 16:28. This punctuates what Jacob predicted in vs 18 above, "I look for your deliverance Lord". Defeated and blind, finally Samson looks up to the Source of his strength and remembers the mission before him.
Are you God’s appointed Nazirite on a mission to rescue humanity? Do you have special strength (or gift) and under instruction to use it only for the mission ahead? Are you walking in obedience or has the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and pride of life overtaken you like Samson?
Jer 17:7-8 ““But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
We have looked at:
- 1st born Reuben. Turbulent in character lacking self control and lacking in command to protect his younger brothers thus losing his father's trust.
- 2nd and 3rd born Simeon and Levi. Lacking wisdom and having an untamed anger. Vengeful with devastating aftermath.
- 4th born Judah. A leader, protector, negotiator, mediator and reconcillor. He had the gift of persuasion and knew the right buttons to press. He was a royalty and he lived and acted like it.
- 6th born Zebulun. A haven of of rest for voyagers battered by life's storms. He was a safe harbor for those tossed by the strong winds in the seas. He also portrayed a conduit for the great commission, being the port of entry exit to other nations.
Today we examine 5th born Dan (born of Bilha). Dan was born at a time of intense jealously between Rachel and Leah. “When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” (Gen 30:1)
Dan means 'Judged'. Then Rachel said, "God has vindicated me, and has indeed heard my voice and has given me a son." (Gen 30:5). The term vindication implying a clearance from accusation.
According to the testament of patriarchs, it is claimed that Dan was among the brothers that hated Joseph for his dreams and is credited to having invented the idea of smearing Joseph’s coat with blood to deceive his father. Hatred coming from the judgemental attitude that Joseph was having it all and the rest were getting a raw deal.
The tribe of Dan produced judges like Samson. Endowed with physical strength but disobedient to God. He pursued his own interests in settling personal scores with Philistines rather than focusing on the entire bigger picture (rescue Israel from Philistines). That seed of hatred and jealousy between Rachel and Leah that led to the birth of Dan played itself again.
Remember his last prayer before he brought the temple down? "Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." Judges 16:28. This punctuates what Jacob predicted in vs 18 above, "I look for your deliverance Lord". Defeated and blind, finally Samson looks up to the Source of his strength and remembers the mission before him.
Are you God’s appointed Nazirite on a mission to rescue humanity? Do you have special strength (or gift) and under instruction to use it only for the mission ahead? Are you walking in obedience or has the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and pride of life overtaken you like Samson?
Jer 17:7-8 ““But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
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