2018 We continue our

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JACOB AND HIS SONS 9/7/2018

We continue our studies of Jacob and his sons. He has asked them to gather around his bed. Jacob is giving his final words of exhortation to each of them. I. THE FACTS THUS FAR ARE SEEN. A. Jacob worked seven years for Rachel

1. The years seemed; "to him but a few days." (Genesis 29:20) 2. Jacob was given Leah instead of Rachel. (Genesis 29:23) B. After seven more years Jacob was given Rachel. (Genesis 29:28)

1. Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. (Genesis 29:30) 2. The womb of Rachel was barren. (Genesis 29:31) C. Leah was able to bear children for Jacob and she bore;

1. Reuben, "see a son" (Genesis 29:32) 2. Simeon, "hearing" (Genesis 29:33)

3. Levi, "joined" (Genesis 29:34)

4. Judah, "praise" (Genesis 29:35) 5. Issachar. "hire" (Genesis 30:17-18) 6. Zebulum. "dwelling" (Genesis 30:19-20) D. Rachel gave to Jacob her maid, Bilhah. (Genesis 30:3)

1. Bilhan brought forth Dan. (Gen; 30:5-6)

2. The name Dan means; "judging."

II. THE NEXT SON JACOB ADDRESSED WAS GAD. (GENESIS 49:19)

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A. Leah followed the example of Rachel.

1. Leah gave Jacob her personal maid, Zilpah. (Genesis 30:9-11) 2. In time Zilpah brings forth Gad. (Genesis 30:9-11) 3. The name of Gad means "a troop"

B. Jacob recognized the conflict Gad would face in the future.

1. "A troop shall overcome him." (Genesis 49:19) 2. Gad will eventually be the victor. "He shall overcome at last." (Genesis 49:19) C. The position of Gad was a perplexing position.

1. Gad along with Reuben and half of Manasseh chose to lodge on the east side of the Jordan. (Joshua 13:24-28)

2. Hostile bands of Ammonites and Moabites bordered the territory. (Judges 10:8) 3. The tribe of Gad while facing the strongholds of the enemy learned how to defend themselves. D. Scriptures testify to the importance of their fighting abilities. 1. "And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains." (I Chronicles 12:8)

2. "The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war." (II Chronicles 5:18)

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3. "And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated: and he came with the head of the people, he executed the justice of the Lord, and his judgments with Israel." (Deuteronomy 33:2021)

E. Two famous men in the Old Testament were of the tribe of Gad;

1. Barzillai—(II Samuel 17:27)

a. Was a friend of David

b. Stood with David when his son rebelled against him. 2. Elijah—"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead" (I Kings 17:1) which is the same as Gad.

III. SOME PRATICAL LESSONS TO BE LEARNED from Gad. A. Gad graduated from the school of hard knocks

1. His history produced a toughness that only hard times can bring. 2. In the furnace of affliction God prepares us to come forth as gold; "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 1:7)

3. The Psalmist testified to this great truth; "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." (psalm 119:71) a. Suffering should drive us to the Word of God!

b. Suffering should also drive us to our knees! 4. Some of the most profitable lessons of life are not learned in the classroom but by undergoing the experience of suffering itself.

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5. Jesus addressed this position; "These things I have spoken unto you, that in my ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) B. Gad remained ready to face the enemy.

1. Modern day Israeli descendants must remain constantly ready to face hostile neighbors. 2. Every Christian must remain diligent because the enemy is constantly stalking our trail; "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (I Peter 5:8)

3. The fiery darts of the wicked one demands due diligence. (Eph: 6) C. The promise of Gad is that he will overcome at last. (Gen; 49:19b) 1. Each of the seven churches of Revelation received a promise to the overcoming Power of God. Note;

a. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7) (The church of Ephesus.)

b. "He that hath as ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Rev; 2:11) (The church of Smyrna) c. John teaches us how the overcoming life operates; "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (I John 4:4)

2. We have the promise; "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37)