Watching the Sea

O.T. #109  "Watching the Sea"
August 19, 2013
Genesis 49-Part 5
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. Genesis 49:13

LET IT GLOW

There is something about sitting on the huge rocks and watching the waves come in at the edge of an ocean or a sea. It seems so peaceful to me. Of course, I don't get there very often. Living in an inland state doesn't give me contact with such a large body of water. I have a lovely picture taken with my family before the grandchildren came along. We are standing on gigantic rocks at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The stranger who took the picture snapped it just at the right moment. Behind us is a wave splashing up against another huge rock. I cherish that picture because of the memories of our fantastic vacation  which the six of us had together so long ago.

Well, Jacob's twelve sons would soon spend their last time together with their father and only share memories with their brothers.

In case you tuned in late, let me update you on what's happening. There was a 7 year famine. Joseph moved his family to Egypt so they could have the food needed during this time. It had been 22 years since he had seen them. His brothers had sold Joseph into slavery so he ended up in Egypt, and eventually became the second in command there. Now, his father Jacob was about to die, so he was predicting the future of his 12 sons and revealed their character.

Zebulun  was the tenth son in the birth order of Jacob's sons and the sixth son of Leah. What does Jacob say about him? Not much, actually.

Zebulun means dwelling. His tribe was to dwell toward the sea and that they did. Their land did not border any sea, but they were between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. They looked to the sea in the east and the west.

The tribe was situated to benefit from the important trade route traversed by sea traders moving through her territory. (MacArthur)

Do I minister to travelers that come in my area? Am I friendly to them? Do I offer help or information? Am I a good Samaritan to travelers in need? After all, I am only traveling through this land and time. I'm headed to another place where I will live eternally-heaven. What kind of memories will others have of me? Will they be good or not so good?

LET IT GROW

Issachar, which means reward, was the ninth son of Jacob and one of Leah's sons also.
What did Jacob predict about this son?

• He would be as a rawboned donkey lying down between two saddlebags.
• When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. (NIV verses 14-15)

Liberty Bible Commentary has this to say:

It was predicted that the tribe would be limited to domestic responsibilities. It would be more agriculturally and materially minded than politically involved. They received the beautiful tableland of Jezreel, the territory of lower Galilee, which allowed them to produce an abundance of food. They were brave warriors and were committed soldiers (Jud. 5:14-15, 18). Along with Zebulun, they were industrious by nature as the blessing of Moses makes clear in Deuteronomy 33.

Issachar was not skin and bones, but strong and robust. I Chronicles 12:32 tells about the military men of this tribe.
Looking at verse 15 NIV, we see that Issachar's tribe would:

• see how good is his resting place,
• see how pleasant is his land,
• will bend his shoulder to the burden,
• submit to forced labor. 

The major area of Issachar's inheritance was Jezreel. Without doubt, this is the most famous valley in the world. The Jezreel Valley is today the "breadbasket of Israel," being the most fertile valley in the Middle East. But it has not always been so.

This fertile land produces abundant corn, wine, and oil. The ploughing and sowing, reaping, and carrying fruits is here. This tribe chose to pay more tribute than rest (other tribes) so they abode at home and attended business of the fields, when others were called to go forth to war. (Gill)

What has happened in the Jezreel Valley?
Liberty Bible Commentary informs us:

1. Syria was invaded in this valley.
2. Gideon overthrew the Midianites here.
3. It has been the site of conflict involving the armies under the leadership of Saul, Deborah, Barak, Ahab, Jehu, Josiah, Omri, Azariah, Holofernes and Judith, Vespasian, Saladin, and Napoleon.
4. It was the scene of bitter fighting in the 1948 War of Independence.
5. Also, in June of 1967 Six Day War for modern Israel.
6. Most importantly, it will be the scene of the last great battle of history, the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).

It is here that the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, will ride into battle against the nations and will rule them with a rod of iron. (1 Tim. 6:15, Rev. 19:15)

I say, friends, He has it all worked out. Do you conclude with me that places are important to the Lord?
Are you and I in the right place? Are we where God wants us to be serving Him? Are we praying for our community, state, and country?


LET IT GO

Be a good Samaritan, helping travelers in need.

Pray for my community.