ZEBULUN AND ISSACHAR GENESIS 49:13-15

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JACOB AND HIS SONSZEBULUN AND ISSACHAR

GENESIS 49:13-15 9/23/2018 The aged patriarch, Jacob, continued his series of pro-prophetic blessings on his twelve sons.

I THE BIRTH OF ZEBULUM IS SEEN. A. Zebulum's birth is recorded in Genesis 30:19-20.

1. The name "Zebulum" means "dwelling" 2. Leah is still trusting that after giving birth to six of Jacob's children he will love her as his wife. 3. Leah lived in hope that when Zebulum was born Jacob would dwell with her thus she called her son Zebulum.

B. At the births of each son meaning was attached to their names.

1. Reuben—"see a son" 2. Simeon—"hearing" 3. Levi—"joined"

4. Judah—"praise"

II. JACOB'S VISION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ZEBULUN A. Zebulun would be associated with maritime traders.

1. He will live near the sea. (Genesis 49:13) 2. According to Joshua 19:10-16 his tribe will live between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee.

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3. Their location was in the route of one of the great trading routes of antiquity. 4. Moses in blessing the tribe of Zebulun stated; ""they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand." (Deut; 33:19-B)

B. It is obvious that Zebulun was heavily involved in commercial ventures.

III. ZEBULUN WAS MEMORIALIZED IN THE "SONG OF Deborah and Barak." A. According to Judges 4 Sisera had invaded the tribe of Zebulun.

1. Each tribe had the opportunity to send a contingent of volunteers to the conflict. 2. The following tribes were condemned by the song because they did not respond to the battle: (Judges 5:16-17)

a. Reuben

b. Gilead c. Dan

d. Asher 3. Zebulun among other tribes was commended for their willingness to volunteer for battle. "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field." (Judges 5:18) B. Zebulun serves as a great example of those who are willing to risk their lives for the cause of Christ.

1. The Jerusalem Church had words of commendation for Paul and Barnabas who likewise risked their lives for Christ; "Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 15:26) 2. Tens of thousands such as Stephen and the Auca missionaries have willingly laid down their lives for the cause of Christ. (Jim Elliott)

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C. Chronicles enlightens us about why the tribe of Zebulun fought with boldness; "Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart." (I Chronicles 12:33)

1. They were not double minded but had loyal hearts. 2. They kept rank and faced the enemy without wavering.

3. May God give us more Zebulun's who are focused on the finish line! IV. JACOB ALSO FORETOLD THE FUTURE OF ISSACHAR. (GENESIS 49:14-15) A. Issachar was compared to a donkey. (Genesis 49:14)

1. Today calling someone a donkey would not be a compliment, unless he was a democrat. 2. In Bible times royalty rode on donkeys

3. King Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. B. The image here is showing that Issachar wasn't afraid to carry burdens

1. They were hard working and devoted to the soil. 2. They were content with their lot and made the most of it. C. This tribe produced no great heroes, but their everyday labor was a help to others. D. Other Scriptures pictures Issachar in a good light;

1. "They were valiant men of might in their generations." (I Chron; 7:2) 2. "And with them, by their generations, after the house of their father, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons. And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand." (I Chron; 7:4-5)

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E. One of the great statements about Issachar is found in I Chronicles 12:32— "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the head of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment."

1. They had knowledge of the Scriptures. 2. They had knowledge of the world in which they lived.

3. They understood the trends of the age so that they knew how to apply God's Word to life.

4. The only people who can understand the world are those who see it in the light of the Word of God! 5. Jesus condemned some Pharisees and Sadducees for their lack of insight into their age; "0 ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" (Matthew 16:3b) 6. The men of Issachar were to discern the times in which they lived and to know what the will of God was at any given period of time 7. The world today needs Men of Issachar;

a. In His church to stand up and be counted!

b. To be spiritual fathers who can discern the times and give spiritual counsel to those who seek it! c. Men who will stand against the gates of Hell with vigor and faithfulness.

d. Men who refuse to succumb to Satan's tyranny.

e. Men who will work while others whine! f. Men who will stand on the truth of the Word of God as the only truth worth defending.

g. Men who are convinced that Jesus is the answer for earth's problems!