Jacob's Story - God Growing Us

Reuben’s Story

Leah wasn’t beautiful –she even had an unappealing squint. Her name means “to make disgusted or tired and weary.” She knew that she was unattractive, past her youth, without a husband, and still living in her father’s house. Those were things that no woman wanted. She yearned for a husband who would love her.

When Leah gave birth to Reuben she said “The Lord has seen my affliction now my husband will love me.” (Genesis 29:32) His name comes from two words –meaning “to see” (referring to God seeing her need) and “one born” (His granting her wish for a son). Leah presumed that by having a son she had done her wifely duty and therefore she deserved Jacob’s love.

Reuben was Jacob’s first son –so he would have been the primary heir. But just as we’ve seen with the natural first-born sons before him, something went awry. In his case, he tried to take his father’s place by sleeping with Bilhah, Rachel’s servant (Genesis 35:21-22).

When Jacob was old he made a prediction regarding each of his sons –much like making a last will and testament. Those predictions describe the inheritance that they and their offspring would receive as heirs to God’s promises. Jacob said “Reuben, you are my firstborn; My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch” (Genesis 49:3-4).

After bringing that obstinate people out of Egypt and through the desert, it was time for Moses to pass on the task of leadership to another. His last act –before Joshua took them across the River Jordan– was to predict what would become of the tribes. He began by saying “May Reuben live and not die, Nor his men be few” (Deuteronomy 33:6).

Moses had assigned the general areas of land that the tribes would inherit. Then later, after Canaan was captured, Joshua refined those areas and told them to take possession. Reuben’s land was on the east side of the Jordan River where his forefathers wandered for forty years. It had a narrow border with Canaan on the west. Two other tribes also had lands on that side of the river –Gad and half of Manasseh.

Simeon’s Story

The ache in Leah’s heart was overwhelming. There was no one who loved her so she cried out to God with expressions of longing. He responded by giving her another son. When Leah gave birth to Simeon she said “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also” (Genesis 29:33). His name means “to hear” (referring to God’s listening) and “consider” (His granting another son).

As Jacob’s second son, Simeon should have been next in line as the primary heir. However, he and his brother Levi (both from Leah) vengefully killed the men of Shechem after one them raped their sister Dinah. That matter brought shame from the neighboring peoples.

Jacob’s words regarding the inheritance were “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel” (Genesis 49:5-7).

More than four hundred years later, when Moses spoke about the futures of the tribes as they were leaving him and entering the Promised Land, Simeon’s tribe is the only one he didn’t mention. Why? It’s because of what Jacob stated. Their significance in the community would be minimal after the attack on Shechem.

Moses and Joshua set Simeon’s land in the southern desert area –surrounded by Judah.

Levi’s Story

Leah did everything she could to gain Jacob’s affections –and God blessed her with another son. When she gave birth to him Leah said “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons” (Genesis 29:34). Levi’s name means “to unite and abide with” (voicing her desire for Jacob’s undivided love).

Levi was Jacob’s third son. Although the Levites are known for leading Israel with the Law in their priestly duties to the world, Jacob remembered him (and Simeon) for the shame they caused by the brutal attack on the men of Shechem. So he wasn’t the primary heir either.

Jacob’s last words for him (as we saw above) were “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel” (Genesis 49 :5-7).

Moses said about Levi, “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man, Whom You proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; Who said of his father and his mother, ‘I did not consider them’; And he did not acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For they observed Your word, And kept Your covenant. “They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob, And Your law to Israel. They shall put incense before You, And whole burnt offerings on Your altar. “O Lord, bless his substance, And accept the work of his hands; Shatter the loins of those who rise up against him, And those who hate him, so that they will not rise again” (Deuteronomy 33:8-11).

Levi’s Tribe wasn’t given a plot of the Land. Instead, their inheritance was God Himself (from Deuteronomy 18:1-2). They would live in the cities as ministers to the people there.

Dan’s Story

Leah was prolific –bearing Jacob’s first three sons– and it immensely frustrated Rachel. Since she hadn’t conceived yet, Rachel told Jacob to produce a son for her through Bilhah (her servant). At his birth Rachel said “God has vindicated me, and has indeed heard my voice and has given me a son” (Genesis 30:6). Referring to that vindication, she named him Dan –meaning “to judge” or “follow a straight course.”

Jacob’s prediction for his fourth^* son was “Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned snake in the path, That bites the horse’s heels, So that his rider falls backward. For Your salvation I wait, O Lord” (Genesis 49:16-18). Like those sons before him, he wasn’t the one to receive the main inheritance either.

“Of Dan [Moses] said, ‘Dan is a lion’s whelp, That leaps forth from Bashan’” (Deuteronomy 33:22). Bashan is an area east of the Jordan.

His tribe was large and powerful yet Dan’s land was quite small. And that tribe isn’t listed as one of twelve that comprise the 144,000 witnesses in Revelation.

Judah’s Story

Leah had another son –Judah. He was Jacob’s fifth^* son and Leah’s fourth. She named him saying, “This time I will praise the Lord” (Genesis 29:35). His name means, “celebrate” or “praise and thanksgiving.” Then she stopped bearing children for a while.

Jacob said “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. He ties his foal to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine; He washes his garments in wine, And his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are dull from wine, And his teeth white from milk” (Genesis 49:8-12).

“And this regarding Judah; so [Moses] said, ‘Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people. With his hands he contended for them, And may You be a help against his adversaries’” (Deuteronomy 33:7).

The large size and relative position of Judah’s land shows his importance in the family. Yet, as great as that was, he didn’t receive the primary inheritance either.

Naphtali’s Story

Bilhah had one more son for Rachel. Referring to Leah (her archenemy), Rachel said “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have indeed prevailed” (Genesis 30:8). And accordingly, Naphtali’s name means “wrestle” or “morally struggle.” (Incidentally, the word “mighty” in “mighty wrestlings” comes from Elohim –as in “Almighty God.”)

Naphtali was Jacob’s sixth son. Early in the book of Judges he’s noted for failing to drive out the Canaanites when Israel entered the Promised Land. But later he’s portrayed as brave in battles against their enemies. Being a warrior so aptly fits what Rachel named him –after having her own struggles with Leah.

Jacob’s prophetic last words about him were “Naphtali is a doe let loose, He gives beautiful words” (Genesis 49:21). Although this is a wonderful commendation, the primary heir was yet to come.

“Of Naphtali [Moses] said, ‘O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the Lord, Take possession of the sea and the south.’” (Deuteronomy 33:23) Moses was referring to the Sea of Galilee which forms part of the eastern border of Israel. Only Napthali’s land bordered it.

Gad’s Story

Leah continued in her quest for Jacob’s love. But she stopped having children so she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob to produce another son. When he was born “Leah said, ‘How fortunate!’ She named him Gad” (Genesis 30:11). Gad’s name means “invade or overcome” as in troops winning a battle (referring to her battle with Rachel).

Gad was Jacob’s seventh son. The prediction for him was “As for Gad, raiders shall raid him, But he will raid at their heels” (Genesis 49:19). He wasn’t going to be the main heir either.

“Of Gad [Moses] said, ‘Blessed is the one who enlarges Gad; He lies down as a lion, And tears the arm, also the crown of the head. ‘Then he provided the first part for himself, For there the ruler’s portion was reserved; And he came with the leaders of the people; He executed the justice of the Lord, And His ordinances with Israel’” (Deuteronomy 33:20-21).

After Canaan was sufficiently conquered Joshua gave permission for the two-and-a-half Trans-Jordan tribes (Gad, Reuben and half of Manasseh) to return to the land that Moses gave them on the east side of the river. It was away from their brothers –so before crossing they built a symbolic (non-functioning) copy of the altar of burnt offerings. It was a reminder to those other tribes of their commitment to God and to the community as a whole (from Joshua 22). However, they would be less protected and subject to raiders over there.

Asher’s Story

Leah hadn’t given birth since Judah (her fourth). Even Rachel’s servant Bilhad had borne two sons. So Leah had another through her servant. He was Zilpah’s second and last son. At his birth Leah said “Happy am I! For women will call me happy” (Genesis 30:13). She named him Asher –meaning “go forth blessed.”

Jacob’s words were “As for Asher, his food shall be rich, And he will yield royal dainties” (Genesis 49:20). And no, he’s not the primary heir either.

“Of Asher [Moses] said, ‘More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, And may he dip his foot in oil. Your locks will be iron and bronze, And according to your days, so will your leisurely walk be’” (Deuteronomy 33:24-25).

Asher’s land was the most northern of Israel’s tribes –and its western side was on the Mediterranean Sea. (Tyre and Sidon are two of its cities.)

Issachar’s Story

Leah said “God has given me my wages because I gave my maid to my husband” (Genesis 30:18). She presumed that she had earned Jacob’s affections by providing him with two sons through Zilpah (Gad and Asher). In hopes of gaining even more of his favor, Leah bribed Rachel to exchange their scheduled romantic evenings so that she might have yet another son. The result was Issachar. His name means “brought forth wages.”

(As to the bribe, it consisted of some mandrakes. They were considered an aphrodisiac and fertility enhancer. Reuben had gathered them for his mother while he was at the wheat harvest. Rachel was hopeful that they might put an end to her barrenness.)

Jacob said “Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between the sheepfolds. When he saw that a resting place was good And that the land was pleasant, He bowed his shoulder to bear burdens, And became a slave at forced labor” (Genesis 49:14-15). The greater part of the inheritance that Jacob would pass on didn’t go to Issachar either.

Moses spoke of Issachar and Zebulun together. “Of Zebulun he said, ‘Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going forth, And, Issachar, in your tents. 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’” (Deuteronomy 33:18-19).

Issachar’s land is on the west side of the River Jordan –just south of the Sea of Galilee. Parts of it were flat and fertile –good for farming and raising cattle. In other parts, the terrain was treacherous. Life in that land was contentious with recurring attacks from invaders and from nearby Canaanites who maintained strongholds there.

Zebulun’s Story

When Leah had her last son she said “God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons” (Genesis 30:20). Zebulun means “to dwell with.”

Jacob’s words about the inheritance were “Zebulun will dwell at the seashore; And he shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon” (Genesis 49:13). Yet he’s another who’s not the anticipated heir.

We saw above that Moses spoke about Issachar and Zebulun together. “Of Zebulun he said, ‘Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going forth, And, Issachar, in your tents. 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’” (Deuteronomy 33:18-19).

What’s said about Zebulun’s land implies that it’s next to the sea. There’s mention of the seashore, it being a haven for ships and its side toward Sidon (on the Mediterranean) –but it’s actually landlocked. Understanding these references comes through the meaning of his name. It’s where he “dwelled” –it’s not the location of his allotted land.

Joseph’s Story

Yes, he’s the heir that we’ve been waiting for.

Like Sarah and Rebekah before her, Rachel waited what seemed a very long time to have her first son. At his birth she said “God has taken away my reproach” (Genesis 30:23). Joseph’s name means “abundance.”

Jacob had this to say about his favorite son. “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a spring; Its branches run over a wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, And shot at him and harassed him; But his bow remained firm, And his arms were agile, From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), From the God of your father who helps you, And by the Almighty who blesses you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers” (Genesis 49:22-26).

“Of Joseph [Moses] said, ‘Blessed of the Lord be his land, With the choice things of heaven, with the dew, And from the deep lying beneath, And with the choice yield of the sun, And with the choice produce of the months. ‘And with the best things of the ancient mountains, And with the choice things of the everlasting hills, And with the choice things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let it come to the head of Joseph, And to the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers. ‘As the firstborn of his ox, majesty is his, And his horns are the horns of the wild ox; With them he will push the peoples, All at once, to the ends of the earth. And those are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And those are the thousands of Manasseh’” (Deuteronomy 33:13-17).

Joseph didn’t inherit any of the land –but in a way he received twice as much. His sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were each given a land of their own. Jacob’s inheritance for those two grandsons in found in Genesis chapter 48. It tells that in effect he adopted them as his own sons and then repeated the “skipped inheritance” by giving the greater blessing to the younger –Ephraim.

Manasseh’s land was divided –half was far to the west –on the shore of the Mediterranean. The other half was far to the east –with Reuben and Gad on the other side of the Jordan. Ephraim’s land was high up on a ridge –figuratively making all of the other tribes look up to him (the “crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers”).

Benjamin’s Story

Rachel ‘s last son was Benjamin. Not long before he was born, God restated the promise that He made to Abraham and Isaac –impressing that Jacob was indeed in line for that inheritance. Then He changed Jacob’s name to Israel(Genesis 35:9-15).

Rachel died giving birth (Genesis 35:16-20). She named him Ben-Omi (“son of my sorrow”), but Jacob named him Benjamin –meaning “my strong right arm.” The midwife told Rachel, as she was dying, “Do not fear, for now you have another son” (Genesis 35:17).

Jacob vividly pictured him saying “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he devours the prey, And in the evening he divides the spoil” (Genesis 49:27).

Of Benjamin [Moses] said, “May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, And he dwells between His shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).

In the very heart of Israel lies Benjamin’s land.