Lost tribes of Israel

[Benaiah468]

We take a close look at the tribes of Israel. Because they are not just history, they relate to our lives, to your life. And with them, we understand how the family of Israel can function:

It is a wheel with different spokes. And only if each spoke is stable and works can the wheel turn smoothly and pursue a goal.

These are not made-up stories. G-d himself designed it that way. Jacob and Moses paved the way with their prophetic words and thereby gave direction to the tribes.

In the last part, we took a closer look at Gad and Dan. The lioness and the lion. Both ready for battle. Anything but shy or frightened. And yet they have different roles:

Gad, like a lioness, is intent on the internal security of the country (the IDF, so to speak) and is prepared to fight battles to that end. Dan, the lion, on the other hand, is ready to move out. He is the pioneer who sometimes crosses borders (like the Mossad?!).

Today we look at two tribes who - like all the tribes of Israel - can also fight. But it is not their passion and focus. Rather, they are the harmonious, loving and soothing ones.

Let's take a look at Naphtali and Asher.

Naphtali and Asher were both second-born children of Jacob's concubines. At first glance, this doesn't seem like a great story. But in the family of Israel this has nothing to say. On the contrary, it only becomes more interesting as these tribes were wonderfully blessed as we will seen.

Naphtali and Asher shared a camp in the desert under the leadership of Dan. They were probably in good hands under him (the lion). And in the distribution of land, they were each given a strip of land in the north next to each other, which contained not only good mountainous land but also very fertile parts.

But this part of the Land of Israel is also beautiful, marvellous land. The coast of the Mediterranean, the Sea of Galilee, the mountains of modern-day Syria and Lebanon. A good and fertile land. Fitting for these tribes.

As already mentioned, Naphtali and Asher were not the typical fighters. Not that they couldn't. Israelites have that in their blood. But they have other tasks.

A man named Barak is a good example of this. Barak was a man from Naphtali who was called upon to lead a war. But war, and then leadership in such a war, was not his cup of tea. So, instead of responding to this call without hesitation, he asked for help in the judge Deborah:

And she [Debora] sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord G-d of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? Judges 4:6

Deborah went up with him (Jdg 4:10), but she also made it clear to him that Barak would not therefore receive the honour of victory.

The tribes of Asher and Naphtali could fight if they had to. No problem:

Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. Judges 5:18

And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them. Judges 6:35

And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.
Judges 7:23

But they received other blessings in order to be a blessing for the other tribes.

Let's take a look at the prophecies of Jacob and Moses about Naphtali and Asher:

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. Gen 49:21

And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the west and the south. Deu 33:23

Naphtali is blessed. ‘He can give goodly words'. That means he is blessed with talents. Songs, poems, beautiful speeches... These are things that make you happy when you can say or sing them. But they are just as much and even more of a blessing for those who hear them!

Who wouldn't want to receive such blessings from G-d: ‘satisfied with favour.’ ‘full with the blessing of the Lord.’

Israelites from Naphtali are blessed with marvellous gifts. This is what these prophecies describe.

Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention many people from this tribe. But one person illustrates this characteristic of Naphtali beautifully: Hiram.

Hiram was actually only half Israelite. His father came from Tyre, a coastal nation north of Israel. But his mother was an Israelite - from the tribe of Naphtali.

This Hiram was given a very special honour: he was the builder of the first temple! - and the Bible justifies this with his outstanding gifts:

And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work. 1 Kgs 7:13-14

As we see in Hiram, the tribe of Naphtali was richly blessed. Above all with marvellous good qualities. Not so that he would be well and enjoy it, but so that he would be a blessing to others.

The situation is very similar with Asser.

Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties. Gen 49:20

And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. Deu 33:24-25

Just as Naphtali was primarily blessed with good qualities and talents, so Asher was blessed with material things: Fat bread, royal delicacies, oil, iron and ore testify to a bountiful yield from the land.

And here, too, the principle applies: he was blessed in order to be a blessing for the other tribes.

It is interesting to note that Asher was blessed with wonderful children. Tradition says that many women from Asher became the wives of very special people in Israel. For example, some of the high priests had wives from the tribe of Asher.

And so we also find a very special woman from the tribe of Asher in the NT:

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; Lk 2:36

No wonder then that Asher became the ‘favourite of his brothers’. However, the many marvellous possessions certainly contributed to this.

Incidentally, the expression ‘dip his foot in oil’ from the prophecy of Moses is a Hebrew metaphor for abundance, wealth, plenty and prosperity.

Not bad, is it?

Blessed... and now?

It is obvious what we can take away from this part of the course for our lives. Naphtali and Asser were blessed: With talents and material things. And each of us has been given certain things with which we can be a blessing to others.

Some of us have been particularly richly blessed in certain areas. And this comes with a great responsibility: because we are blessed so that we can be a blessing.

And when that happens, the wheel of Israel can turn a little better again.

 

[Benaiah468]

 

[Benaiah468]

Today we come to the youngest, the baby of the family. Benjamin's story is fascinating and confusing at first glance.

What is he all about?

And what is his role in the family of Israel?

But let's start slowly and preferably at the beginning:

Benjamin is the last son of Jacob. According to the Bible, his mother was Jacob's favourite wife, Rachel.

Benjamin's life began with a fateful experience for the family: Rachel died in childbirth.

On her deathbed, she gave her son the name ‘Benoni’ (son of my distress). But Jacob changed it to ‘Benjamin’, which means ‘son of my right hand’. Jacob was therefore to become Jacob's ‘right hand’.

And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. Gen 35:18

We will see how this manifested itself.

We find interesting differences between Benjamin and the rest of the brothers:

Benjamin is the only one who was born in the territory of what would later become Israel.
Benjamin is the only one of the brothers who was not involved in Joseph's sale into slavery.
Benjamin is the only one of the sons who was able to comfort his father about Joseph's ‘death’ (Joseph was not dead, he was sold into slavery without Jacob knowing it).

For Jacob, Benjamin was the replacement for Joseph, so to speak. They were both sons of Rachel and so he let him leave his side as little as possible.

When the other brothers travelled to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Benjamin stayed at home. At least on the first trip. The second time they took him with them because the Egyptian ruler (Joseph) demanded it.

In Egypt, Benjamin is once again the centre of attention: the Egyptian ruler's golden cup is hidden with him and later found. He is now supposed to remain a prisoner in Egypt, but his brother Judah steps into the breach for him and wants to stay on his behalf. Only then does Joseph break the game of hide-and-seek.

Later in the wilderness wanderings, we see Benjamin forming a camp together with the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (Ephraim and Manasseh were Joseph's sons and therefore Benjamin's nephews). This shows their solidarity (only they were descended from Rachel).

Once in the Promised Land, Benjamin receives land that lies between Ephraim and Judah.

And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph. Jos 18:11

In particular, their tribal territory included Jerusalem, even though they did not conquer the city:

And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. Judges 1:21

Incidentally, the book of Judges has a lot to do with the tribe of Benjamin. First of all, the first judge we are told about was Ehud, a Benjamite. The last incident in this book is also primarily about the Benjamites: In a great Israelite war, all (!) the tribes of Israel march together against the tribe of Benjamin.

Benjamin is almost wiped out in the process. Only 600 men remain alive. They receive 600 women from the other tribes so that they can survive at all.

The history of Israel continues with the time of the kings. And here, too, we meet a Benjamite, one of the most famous: King Saul, the first king of Israel.

His son Ishbosheth also sits on the throne years later. Even if only for a few years and only over 11 of the 12 tribes (King David already ruled over Judah at this time).

When David becomes king over the whole of Israel, the Benjaminites initially join in somewhat cautiously, but later when the kingdom of Israel is divided (under David's grandson Rehoboam), it is the tribe of Benjamin that is the only one that does not join in the rebellion of the other tribes and remains loyal to the king.

Even during David's reign, there is a man named Shimei - a man from the tribe of Benjamin. He curses and blasphemes King David when he is persecuted by his son Absalom. Surely such an act would be enough to condemn him to death. But King David lets him live.

And that was probably a good decision, because one of Shimei's descendants is a man called Mordecai. He and his niece Esther (both logically from the tribe of Benjamin!) submit to the king of Persia and thus save the lives of the entire Jewish people (and therefore also the Benjaminites).

Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Esther 2:5

And finally, we meet another famous Benjaminite in the NT: Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.

It is amazing that we learn so much about this tribe. And we are still preoccupied with the question of what Benjamin's mission is in the family of Israel.

How do all these events fit together?

 

[Benaiah468]

The answer is: Benjamin is the glue - the one who is supposed to hold the family together. Even if you don't necessarily realise it at first glance, Benjamin is concerned about the unity of Israel. And he does this without being the leader or having any great authority. He is the youngest, but has been given a very responsible task.

Let's take a look at the biblical accounts to see how Benjamin fulfilled this task:

1. Benjamin in Egypt

Let's start in Egypt. 10 sons sell their own brother (Joseph). Few family stories could be more tragic.

But in the end, it is their brother Benjamin who restores unity. Joseph knows this and has him taken to Egypt.

When Benjamin's return - and therefore their father's life (he would die of grief) - is in danger, the other brothers stand up for him and Judah is prepared to give his life for him. In other words, the complete opposite of the approach with Joseph. The brothers are no longer envious of Rachel's sons.

Instead, they have learnt and humbled themselves. Benjamin plays a decisive role in this - even if he has no active part. But this restores peace to the family.

2. Benjamin and the sanctuary

Benjamin receives Jerusalem as an inheritance. Strictly speaking, Jerusalem is divided between Benjamin and Judah (interpreters and traditions agree on this). And the special thing about this is that the sanctuary, the temple, is in the territory of Benjamin.

This is highly interesting for our view of Benjamin. Because what is the temple there for? What does it achieve?

Unity among the people of Israel!

Three times a year, the people are to come together here to worship G-d. Jeroboam already knew why he forbade the ten tribes to continue travelling there (more on this in a moment).

In any case, it is no coincidence that Benjamin is given this holy spot of land. He is to bring about the unity of Israel!

Incidentally, Moses prophesied that the sanctuary would one day dwell in Benjamin's land:

And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. Deu 33:12

3 Benjamin and the judges

Ehud is the first judge of Israel (at least according to the chronology of the narrative in this book). But there is something else special about him: under him, the tribes of Israel fought together!

Because the big problem in Israel at the time of the judges was not only the recurring idolatry of the people (‘every man did that which was right in his own eyes.’), but also the ever-deteriorating unity of Israel!

Joshua left Israel as a unified people on a high spiritual level. But when this generation died out, this changed.

Already in the second judge, Deborah, the lack of unity comes out very strongly. Deborah clearly criticises this:

Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. Judges 5:14-17

The following judges do not always report which tribes went to war, but when they do, it is never all the tribes that are present.

In addition, there are disputes and even wars within Israel (e.g. Manasseh against Ephraim, cf. Jdg 12).

4. The suffering and royal Benjamin

The book of Judges ends with a very irritating and unusual story. Eleven tribes fight another. Benjamin is almost completely wiped out and his tribal identity only just survives.

Nevertheless, this incident has an interesting side effect - as tragic as the circumstances are: The people reunite (except for Benjamin)!

So Benjamin manages to create unity, at least among the other tribes. This sacrifice sounds very macabre, but there is no denying that it actually happens.

And when Benjamin is so decimated, the other tribes take pity on him. They provide him with wives and take him back into the community of Israel, so to speak.

As I said, this is a very bizarre way of creating unity - Benjamin certainly didn't plan it that way. And yet it is interesting that unity is created through Benjamin.

Incidentally, we can see here that Benjamin is extremely strong. The other tribes have great difficulty defeating Benjamin. And this despite the fact that they are outnumbered 15:1.

Nowhere is the fulfilment of Jacob's prophecy more evident than in this situation.

Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Gen 49:27

Benjamin has been given a difficult task. And for this they were given a great deal of courage and strength.

The icing on the cake of this event comes shortly after the report from the last chapter of Judges. For the tribe of Benjamin is given an extraordinary honour in the following years: it is allowed to set the first king over Israel!

And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? 1 Sam 9:21

It is likely that all the other tribes wholeheartedly begrudged Benjamin - after what he had experienced a few years earlier. Perhaps it was also a kind of compensation!

But again we recognise the common thread: A Benjamite - King Saul - unites the people (all the tribes accept him as king)!

5. Benjamin and the king

When the new star David begins to shine (he was from the tribe of Judah), initially only the tribe of Judah accepts his rule. Benjamin is torn. On the one hand, their own husband still sits on the throne (Saul, later Ishbosheth), but the hand of G-d behind David is obvious.

For this reason, many Benjamites find their way to David. Why? Because they show the other tribes how unity can be restored.

Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. 1 Chr 12:1-2

And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. 1 Chr 12:17

And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul. 1 Chr 12:30

6. Benjamin and the two houses

Under the kings David and Solomon, Israel experiences its heyday: the people are doing well. All wars are won. Peace and prosperity soon reigned. Israel becomes a world power. And the spiritual state is at a high level.

But after these decades, things change. Under Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, the land is divided into two kingdoms: Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Ephraim takes the lead in the north, while Judah remains ruler in the south.

And for Benjamin, the question arises: what to do?

It is no coincidence that Benjamin's territory lies exactly between Ephraim and Judah. Benjamin is the glue that is supposed to hold these two tribes - and therefore the two houses - together. But in this situation, that is impossible.

They feel strongly drawn to Ephraim (and Manasseh). After all, they are the closest relatives and have the same mother (or grandmother) in Rachel. It is certainly no coincidence that Rachel is buried in the territory of Benjamin:

When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; 1 Sam 10:2a

However, the tribe of Benjamin, whose mission is the unity of Israel, does not go along with the rebellion of the ten tribes. It continues to subordinate itself to Judah and the king. What else should he do? Is it not wise to set a good example?

After all, we are talking about an authority appointed by G-d. Years later, Mordecai and Esther approach their challenge with the same example (submission to the appointed king). Two Benjamites who ensure the survival of the Jews.

The tribes in the north stop travelling to the feasts in Jerusalem (at least the majority of them). The temple in the territory of Benjamin should contribute to unity. But the ten tribes are no longer interested in this. They stop visiting it because their new king designates new holy places (Dan and Bethel).

Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. 1 Kgs 12:28-29

7. Benjamin and the great commission

Paul is one of the few people in the NT of whom we know that he is not from the tribe of Judah. After Paul recognises Jesus and agrees with Peter on their various missions, his mission crystallises: apostle to the Gentiles.

But it is not about just any Gentiles. It is about the ten lost tribes of the house of Israel.

Benjamin stayed with Judah. That was a blessing for them. And then - after Jesus opened the door - they were able to resume their huge mission: The unity of the family of Israel.

And this can come about when the ten tribes return to the covenant with G-d. Paul knew this and so it became his heart's desire, to which he gave himself body and soul.

Many obstacles. High costs. Much suffering... Benjamin. A tribe with a challenging but important task: the restoration of Israel!

 

[Benaiah468]

Jacob not only had 12 sons, but also a daughter: Dinah. You can imagine what it must have been like to grow up as a girl among 12 brothers. However, when the whole family moved to Canaan (later Israel), this one daughter suddenly took centre stage. Unfortunately!

In the 34th chapter of the first book of Moses, we read how Dinah (she was the daughter of Leah) went out to ‘see the daughters of the land’. She met a young man with disastrous results:

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. Gen 34:2

Shechem raped Dinah. And this had consequences for many people:

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; Gen 32:7

The twelve brothers are shocked by the latest events! To cut a long story short: It only takes a few days and then the whole city of Shechem lies in ruins. All the men have been slain and the rest taken as booty.

two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister. They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field, And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house. Gen 34:25b-29

Jacob's brothers take revenge. And Simeon and Levi play a special role in this: they kill all the men in the city. The brothers then plunder the city.

Their father is not particularly happy about this deed:

And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. Gen 34:30

Jacob has no sympathy for the city. He is worried about difficulties with the other inhabitants of the land. For this reason, he criticises Simeon and Levi.

But the two respond to him:

Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot? Gen 34:31

Jacob doesn't reply to this! But we can imagine what his thoughts were at that moment: You are right. That's certainly not acceptable. But massacring the whole city right away...?

In the end, it is many decades before Jacob addresses the situation again - it happens on his deathbed:

Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Gen 49:5-7

Note that Jacob is not cursing Simeon and Levi here, but their anger! That makes a difference, of course.

Simeon and Levi describe a very typical type of person: they are radical and know no compromise. They have a great sense of justice and often appear hot-tempered, choleric or impetuous. Yet we see that they - like Simeon and Levi here - often react with a righteous attitude. And yet every now and then a pinch of level-headedness is missing.

Married couples, for example, often complement each other well in this respect: one of them is somewhat hot-headed, while the other is calmer and more level-headed. One likes to get worked up quickly, the other urges calm and balances things out.

It is obvious what roles Simeon's and Levi's wives should play.

But - and this is important - this does not mean that this characteristic of Simeon and Levi is bad! Sure, in the situation with Shechem they lacked someone who would have calmed their anger somewhat. But it is just as important that there are people with this gift of showing initiative and a strong sense of justice. And just as everyone has challenges and tasks with their gifts, it is important to train certain mechanisms in such people so that they don't immediately blow up in extreme situations - or wipe out a city.

However, the city was wiped out and this had some consequences: Jacob no longer felt safe in the neighbourhood (and, according to tradition, had to fight several wars against Canaanite cities). Shechem and its city no longer existed. And Simeon and Levi were put in a very special situation by their father regarding the Promised Land because of this action:

Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Gen 49:7

Levi and Simeon were not given an inheritance in the Promised Land like every other tribe. This was certainly a punishment that had to be digested first.

While we don't learn much about the lives of some of Jacob's sons, there are a few very interesting things about Simeon:

For example, Simeon is not entirely uninvolved when Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. After Reuben tries to intervene and then disappears for a while, it is Simeon, as the second eldest, who bears the responsibility.

Even though the suggestion to sell Joseph comes from another side, it is Simeon who has the authority in this situation - but neither he nor anyone else intervenes. And so Joseph ends up in Egypt.

When the brothers appear there years later and Joseph has risen to become second in command under Pharaoh, it seems that Simeon will have to atone for his mistake: For it is he who must remain in Egypt as a hostage:

And he [Joseph] turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. Gen 42:24

Simeon had certainly imagined things differently. Like Joseph years earlier, he now ends up at the very bottom: In an Egyptian prison!

But - I believe - we come to a point here where we can catch a glimpse of Simeon's challenge and calling.

We'll take a closer look at this later.

But first, let's take a look at the descendants of Simeon.

And this is where things get very interesting during the wilderness wanderings.

 

[Benaiah468]

Some of you will remember the story of Phinehas, Aaron's grandson:

After Balaam failed to curse the people of Israel (Numbers 22+24), he gave Balak, the king of Moab, another tip on how he could do something against the Israelites. He knew that G-d would punish the people if they became involved with pagan women.

The Moabite king understood and set women from his people on the Israelites.

And so it wasn't long before many Israelites fornicated with Moabite (and Midianite) women (and were seduced into idolatry).

And it actually ‘worked’: G-d's wrath was kindled against Israel and a plague raged among the people.

This was only ended when Phinehas took radical action against it:

And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. Num 25:6-8

24,000 men died in this plague!

But what does this incident have to do with Simeon? A lot, as we will see in a moment.

Firstly, we can establish that the man whom Phinehas murdered was not just anyone. It was a leading man from Simeon!

Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. Num 25:14

Isn't it interesting that we once again encounter the two tribes mentioned at the beginning of this article? Phinehas, a Levite, kills Zimri, a Simeonite, and thus stops a plague from G-d.

Again, it is about two men who acted impulsively and rashly: One throws himself head over heels on a Midianite woman, bringing curse on his own people, the other reacts with holy fervour and ends this curse.

While Levite and Simeonite still act together uncompromisingly in the first story, they now act in opposite ways.

We can recognise the change that the tribe of Levi has already undergone up to this point. However, Simeon still seems to be acting very rashly and is not yet able to deal well with his hot-temperedness.

You could also say that he has not yet entered into his spiritual calling.

At this point, one or two people will ask themselves the legitimate question of why I am immediately extrapolating from one man (Simri) to an entire tribe (Simeon).

In some places in the Torah, it is easy to see that the Torah (the five books of Moses) is not always written chronologically. Likewise, nothing happened in the desert just like that. All events have a deeper meaning and can be useful for us today. And so it is no coincidence that the order of the accounts is the way it is!

So there is a reason why the story of Phinehas and Zimri is immediately followed by a section on the census of all the men of Israel who are fit for war! Incidentally, G-d personally arranges this.

About forty years after the first census in the desert, the second now follows:

And it came to pass after the plague, that the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel. Num 26:1-2

So could it be that there is a direct connection between the preceding report about Phinehas and Zimri and the subsequent census?

It is obvious! And if we look at a table comparing the numbers of the two censuses, this assumption is fuelled:

We see that the number of Israelite men fit for war has remained roughly the same (approx. 600,000). The generation that witnessed the Exodus from Egypt mainly died out naturally. Likewise, roughly the same number of descendants followed during these years.

But the individual tribes grew (or didn't grow) differently! If we take a look at Simeon, we see that there are an incredible 37,100 fewer men here!

Simeon is only about 37% of the size it was 40 years ago!

No other tribe had to accept such losses.

What happened?

We can't say for sure, but it seems very likely that it had something to do with Simri. There are two possibilities, which are the most likely but do not differ greatly in terms of the outcome:

Simri was a leading man among the Simeonites. He therefore had a lot of influence. And when a leader does something, many of his ‘sheep’ usually follow him. In this respect, the 24,000 men who died in the plague could primarily have been Simeonites. This would explain the shrinkage of 37,100.

This sounds very unreal at first - especially because the Torah makes no reference to it - but it could actually be true. Especially because Steve Collins surmises how the Simeonites might have developed (they became the Spartans - documents provide quotes in which they make reference to the people of Israel. More on this in Steve Collins' article "The missing Simeonites").

For us, however, it makes no difference at this point. The fact is that the number of Simeonites in the desert dwindled dramatically and the events surrounding Zimri could very well have played a role in this.

Just a few months later, Israel stands at the Jordan and is about to enter the Promised Land. Moses, whose journey ends here, concludes his books with special blessings for each individual tribe. We find them in Deuteronomy 33.

But what is it? One tribe is not mentioned!

Simeon is not blessed by Moses and one wonders why? Does it have something to do with the events surrounding Zimri? Or is it because Simeon does not receive a customary inheritance?

We remember: Levi and Simeon were punished by Jacob in that they would not receive a normal inheritance. And so the tribe of Levi received many so-called Levite cities throughout Israel. Simeon, on the other hand, received many cities in the tribal territory of Judah. (Most maps depict it as a contiguous area, but it is assumed that there were individual ‘patches’ in Judah's territory).

Perhaps it was also a certain protection that Simeon received in his decimated state. At least they were not in the immediate neighbourhood of enemies.

Subsequently (after Joshua died), each tribe was charged with conquering its tribal territory. Tradition says that Judah offered to fight together with Simeon out of compassion (Jdg 1:3-20), as Simeon was not in a position to do so alone.

However, it is certainly interesting that Simeon was given cities within Judah. For this later became a problem (not mentioned): when Israel was divided into the northern and southern kingdoms, the Simeonites joined the tribes in the north. They had therefore given up their inheritance in the south at this point!

The father of the tribe, Simeon, ends up in prison in Egypt.

The tribe of Simeon loses two thirds of its members and has to make do with an inheritance that they first had to come to terms with.

In the end, he gave it up completely.

They did not even receive any blessings from the great leaders of the people. Jacob cursed their wrath, Moses doesn't even mention the tribe.

None of this sounds like a nice story, does it?

Does there have to be someone in the family who always fails? Is that also the case in the family of Israel?

But this matter is not over yet...

King Solomon writes:

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Prov 24:16

It is one of the great qualities a person can possess: Standing up!

And this is an important quality for the whole of Israel, but especially for Simeon. Simeon epitomises this important principle.

The whole Bible tells of G-d who can bring life from the dead. Jesus is THE example. And Israel also experienced it many times. Often enough, the people were at the end, on the verge of destruction, besieged, persecuted, ... dead! But G-d is a G-d who brings forth life. He keeps the people of Israel alive, he revitalises the Hebrew language, he revives Eretz Jisra'el!

And so we can marvel at how Simeon does not remain in prison either. When the brothers return to Egypt, he is released.

He sits at the royal table and is once again counted as a son of Jacob (after his father once said ‘Simeon is not’ cf. Gen 42:36).

There is also hope for the tribe of Simeon. Despite its numerical collapse, a remnant remains. They are counted as a tribe and even when they give up their inherited towns, some of them set out and return:

Many Simeonites did not remain in the northern kingdom, but switched sides:

And he [King Asa of Judah] gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his G-d was with him. 2 Chr 15:9

Perhaps they were even allowed to return to their old towns!

And finally, we will see how Simeon, just like the other tribes, will receive an inheritance in the promised Israel (Revelation also counts him among the tribes (Rev 7:7)):

And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion. Ez 48:25

G-d does not let Simeon fall. He was on the ground, but G-d lifts him up. He is like the prodigal son who is accepted again. He embodies this rising up and the determination to come back.

And so it is no coincidence that the majority of Simeon is among the ten lost tribes. He gives them the urge to turn back.

Everyone is important and everyone is needed. Simeon may have doubted this from time to time - just as some of us doubt it from time to time.

But Simeon gives us hope. He leads us to conversion, to repentance, back to the Torah, back to the land, to life from the dead!

Simeon - Back with passion!

 

[Benaiah468]

Which tribe would you like to belong to? Ephraim? Naphtali? Benjamin? Or another one?

A topic that is burning under the nails of many: If the ten lost tribes are scattered among the nations, where can the individual tribes be recognized today? Is it even possible to draw conclusions about which tribe I personally descend from?

We know the promise to Abraham:

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; Gen 22:17

And there is one highly interesting point that makes everything very exciting...

The prophecies of Jacob.

Jacob, the father of the 12 (or 13) tribes, blesses his sons on his deathbed. But he does so in a very special way. Because his first sentence reads as follows:

Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the days to come. Gen 49:1 (CSB)

Here we encounter a Hebrew word with an ambiguous meaning. While many Bibles translate this as in the days to come, the Hebrew can also say in the last days.

Some Bibles give this translation as a footnote, others - especially English-language ones - even translate exclusively as in the last days. Jewish Bibles also choose this translation and write end of days, for example. Incidentally, in parallel passages (in which the corresponding Hebrew word is used), the end-time variant is also frequently chosen.

We are therefore told of Jacob's blessings and prophecies, which were not only significant for the history of the tribes, but also for the end of time in particular.

So let's take a short break by not taking a closer look at any individual tribe, but rather let's devote ourselves to these end-time prophecies and explore what significance they have for today.

First, let's take a look at two statements that shed a whole new light on this passage:

1. Judah the warrior

Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? Gen 49:8-9

Judah is described here as a warrior who will triumph over his enemies. We remember that Gad was described as a lioness and Dan as a lion, which stands for defending and attacking martial arts.

Both are said about Judah: “like a lion” & “like a lioness”.

But the history of the last millennia of Judah is relatively well known. And we all know that Jews were not victorious over enemies most of the time.

The victory of the Maccabees describes one of the few high points after the time of the kings. This was followed by oppression, humiliation, fighting, pogroms, persecution and even genocide by the Romans, the Spanish, many other powers and finally the Nazis and Muslims.

But there was a turning point in the history of Judah: the founding of the state of Israel!

Since 1948, the establishment of the Israeli state, something has changed: Judah fights... and Judah wins! Judah is a lion who does not put up with everything and Judah is a lioness who looks after the welfare of the people.

The fact that the state of Israel still exists today and has even been able to expand is one of G-d's greatest miracles in modern times!

It is also THE confirmation that today's Jews actually include the descendants of the tribe of Judah (there are some who doubt this).

But it shows even more. Jacob spoke of the end of times in which Judah becomes a lion. It shows that the above prophecies about the tribes are actually intended for today!

And the state of Israel is therefore one of the greatest signs that the end of times has begun!

In the last part we have already heard that Jacob pronounced the scattering of Simeon and Levi:

Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. [...] Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

We know that Levites and Simeonites had already been scattered in earlier times. But the passage also says that this will be the case at the end of time.

What are the consequences of this?

What does this mean for the other tribes?

It means that they have not mixed with each other, but that a large core of each tribe can still be identified! Their characteristics must still be recognizable today - in the last days - among certain peoples!

So today we take a look at the history of the tribes and try to identify them today.

Even after the division of Israel into a southern kingdom and a northern kingdom, there was some mixing between the tribes. Most of the Levites, for example, moved to the southern kingdom of Judah (cf. 2 Chr 11:13-16).

Some also came to the house of Judah from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon:

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his G-d was with him. 2 Chronicles 15:9

The tribe of Benjamin fully aligned itself with the kingdom of Judah and did not follow the rebellion of the other tribes:

And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
1 Kings 12:21

They even adopted the later name of the House of Judah by officially calling themselves Jews:

Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Esther 2:5

Other people from other tribes were also “Jews”, although they came from a different tribe (cf. e.g. Luke 2:36).

In later years, this knowledge was increasingly lost, so that today we can assume that the House of Judah, i.e. the Jews, included any tribe. However, “Jewish” Levites can still be recognized as such and we can assume that the majority of Jews are actually descended from the tribe of Judah.

It must also be taken into account that the Assyrians, after taking the ten tribes in the north into exile (in three waves), also appeared on Jerusalem's doorstep. Although they were unable to take Jerusalem, we know that they captured a number of Jewish villages and towns and also took them into exile.

In this respect, we know that descendants of the tribe of Judah can be found among the ten lost tribes, as well as descendants of the ten tribes among the Jews. Nevertheless, we know from many historical reports that the individual northern tribes remained strongly united.

There is a lot of research on the tribes of Israel. I would like to recommend the website of Jair Davidi (britam.org) and Steve M. Collins
(stevenmcollins.com).

Most researchers agree that Parthians, Scythians, Saxons, Celts, Goths, etc., i.e. tribes from the East, from which there were strong migrations to Europe, are primarily of Israelite descent.

After the Assyrians took the tribes of the Northern Kingdom out of Israel into exile, they initially migrated eastwards. However, they first developed there, only to move northwards years later and from there to the west (700 - 300 BC).

If you read all the research and reports, you will be amazed. Entire empires - for example the Parthians, who defied the Romans for centuries - are descended from these tribes.

This can be seen, for example, in the word formation of the Scythians. In their early times they were called Sakae, Sakasonis and Sakasones. The proximity to “Isaac's sons” or “Isaac's sons” literally jumps out at you.

And rightly so. After all, it was prophesied that Isaac's name would also be passed on:

And he blessed Joseph, and said, G-d, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the G-d which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. Gen 48:15-16

Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. Amos 7:16

Incidentally, the Scythians developed into the “Saxonis” in Europe, who were then called “Saxons” and later “Saxons”. And it was the “Anglo-Saxons” who colonized England and shaped and dominated it in the following centuries.

It is interesting to note that one of the largest and most influential tribes within the Scythians were the so-called “Massagetae” - a clear reference to the tribe of Manasseh.

On the way to Europe, the tribe of Dan also clearly left its mark. This is significant in that they are considered pioneers and proved this by being among the first Israelite tribes to leave Israel (even long before the Assyrian conquest) and settle in Europe.

Thus we find the name of the tribe of Dan in many geographical names:

For example, the rivers that flowed into the Black Sea were called “Ister”, “Tyras”, “Borysthenes” or “Tanais”. But after the Scythians (and especially the Danites) arrived, they changed their names to Danube, Dnestr, Dnepr and Don.

Similarly, in Europe we find, for example, the Polish city of Gdansk and finally Denmark (“Danmark” in Danish). Incidentally, in Danish we also say “Danish” to the language and “Danes” to the Danes.

It is therefore assumed that the Danish people, among others, are descendants of the Dan tribe.

Let's take Great Britain. It is no coincidence that the Hebrew word “Brit” appears here (“Brit” means covenant). In Anglo-Saxon literature, the subject of the Red Sea and the Exodus from Egypt is also addressed several times:

Chronicles of the Anglo-Saxons:

Be kind to the strangers in your land and never forget that we too, through the Egyptians, were in bondage for four hundred years.

Interestingly, many historians of recent centuries confirm the Israelite origin of the British people.

We also find references to Israel in the Scots' Declaration of Independence.

It is very clear in the Dutch national anthem:

Maar G-d zal mij regeren als een goed instrument,
dat ik zal wederkeren in mijnen regiment...
Maar G-d heeft hem verheven, verlost uit alder nood,
een koninkrijk gegeven in Israël zeer groot...
Oorlof, mijn arme schapen die zijt in grote nood,
uw herder zal niet slapen,
al zijt gij nu verstrooid.

But G-d, I trust, will rate me His willing instrument
And one day reinstate me Into my government...
But G-d the Lord did save me From exile and its hell
And, in His mercy, gave him A realm in Israel...
Alas! my flock. To sever Is hard on us. Farewell.
Your Shepherd wakes, wherever
Dispersed you may dwell,

In making these observations, we must not forget that the tribes mixed with other peoples on their way to Europe:

Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Hos 7:8

This means that even if we identify the Danes, for example, as descendants of the tribe of Dan, not all Danes today are actual descendants. In addition to the tribes, Assyrians, Amalekites, Edomites and Ishmaelites also came to Europe. And of course there were already one or two other peoples living in Europe.

In this respect, it is important to examine prophetic aspects and typical characteristics of the tribes (and other peoples) together with historical findings and knowledge.

And if you do just that, it is impressive that you find very impressive parallels, because even if Danes are not completely (or demonstrably) descendants of Dan, Danish culture and history is still very Dan-ish!

In the following, we will look at the characteristics and prophecies (especially from Gen 49) of the individual tribes and relate them to today's nations. Of course, these connections are not mine personally, but are small insights into the very detailed work of Steve M. Collins. I recommend his books to anyone who has doubts about the subject or would like to know more about it (I got most of the information from his e-book).

By the way: Of course there were also movements of the tribes to the east or south. But the research of historians shows very clearly that most of the settlement flows of the ten lost tribes of Israel were to the west (Europe and beyond).

Steve M. Collins' conjectures and research are not set in stone and he gives no guarantees (“everyone check for themselves”). But when it comes to Ephraim and Manasseh, opinions are mostly undivided.

The modern nations descended from the Anglo-Saxons, England, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, overwhelmingly fulfill the prophecies of Ephraim and Manasseh.

This is confirmed not only by historical evidence - the Anglo-Saxons in England - but also by biblical prophecy:

Ephraim and Manasseh received very specific prophecies from Jacob even before the others in the course of the birthright (Gen 48). Jacob spoke the following about them:

he [Manasse] also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother [Ephraim] shall greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Gen 48:19b

The USA (Manasseh) is undeniably a great nation and it is interesting to note that the Kingdom of England (Ephraim) became a multitude of nations. In its heyday it contained colonies in every continent of the world. It was said to be a kingdom where the sun never set. And indeed, there has never been an empire on such a scale throughout history!

At its height, the British Commonwealth ruled over Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, many African states, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, East New Guinea and many oceanic islands.

Just as Ephraim was blessed before Manasseh, Great Britain was a world power before the USA. And even though the USA is a world power, it never reached the size and expansion of the English.

The connection between the USA (Manasseh) and England (Ephraim) is also no coincidence. After all, Manasseh and Ephraim were brothers. In modern times, this cohesion can be observed in a number of wars - not least in the First and Second World Wars.

Their language and culture are also very similar. In general, they are considered brotherly nations.

The following verse is also very interesting:

The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. Isa 11:13

The relationship between Ephraim and Judah was already tense and not easy in biblical times. In contrast, we read nothing about problems between Judah and Manasseh.

And so we also find a tense relationship between England and the Jews in modern times (while the USA can be counted among their greatest supporters). England and the Jews fought several battles against each other before Israel was founded, as Palestine was an English mandate territory at the time. England did not want to give up its good relations with Arabs and prevented tens of thousands of Jews from entering the country and instead brought them to guarded reception camps in Cyprus. Some Jews fought back and fought the British.

It is interesting to note that the former inheritance of Manasseh was divided: one part to the east of the Jordan, the other to the west. In the same way, a large river divides the USA into east and west today - the Mississippi.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

I am not lost

 

[Benaiah468]

I am not lost

We are living in a time when prophecies are constantly being fulfilled and the favor of the Lord continues to rest upon His people, Israel.
All the biblical prophets spoke of the walls and gates of Jerusalem also, in connection to G-d’s faithfulness. The city is described as the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High (Ps 46:4).

Believers are told that G-d himself has “set watchmen upon thy walls” (Isa 62:6) and are commanded to pray for her peace. They are instructed to “give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa 62:7).

Unfortunately so many gloss right over the fact that united within the design of the city wall will also be the heritage of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The layout of the city's gates pictures G-d's favor on all His redeemed people, both those under the old covenant, and those under the new covenant.

Each of the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem is inscribed with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the enduring covenant between G-d and His people. The twelve tribes, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob, represent the nation of Israel, G-d's chosen people (Gen 49:28).

The gates allow for all to come in who have accepted and love the Messiah.

The names of the 12 tribes of the house of Israel, will be forever etched on the eternal gates

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Ps 24:7-10

No longer shall their names be diminished, forgotten, or tossed aside.

Their heads shall be lifted up in redemption. If we are planning on entering the Kingdom of G-d, we must walk through one of the gates of the tribes of Israel.

Which one do you plan on walking through?

 

[Benaiah468]

This is the second part of the post in which we trace the lost tribes of Israel. We are primarily following the work of Steve M. Collins.

The tribe of Reuben (France)

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. Gen 49:3-4

Reuben was a leader among his brothers, just as France has a leading role in world politics (and in Europe). Nevertheless, neither Reuben nor France has an absolute leading position.

Reuben fell short because he slept with his father's concubine. And the French are also said to have a certain sexual permissiveness.

Jacob said of Reuben (prophetic for the end times!) that he was of dignity and strength. This also applies very well to France, as it is a very proud but also powerful nation.

It is also interesting that Ephraim took over the firstborn role from Reuben and France (Reuben) and England (Ephraim) fought certain wars for supremacy in Europe.

The tribe of Zebulun (Holland)

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. Gen 49:13

Since the trace of Zebulun is also lost to Europe and this prophecy also refers to the end of time, we must look for a nation that lives on the coast of the sea and has moorings for ships.

Steve M. Collins has the Netherlands in mind. With its system of dams, it has taken the land from the sea, so to speak, and thus lives “on the coast of the sea” like no other country in Europe. The port of Rotterdam is also one of the largest in the world.

Moses' blessing over Zebulun also points in this direction:

And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand. Deu 33:18-19

The tribe of Asher (South Africa)

Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties. Gen 49:20

“Fat is his bread” describes a certain wealth. But since many states are rich, it is difficult to draw conclusions from this.

When Solomon needed precious materials for the temple, he sent ships halfway around the world to procure them. The early history of Great Britain testifies that many people from the tribe of Asher came to Great Britain and worked in mines there. In Genesis 26:45 we read that a grandson of Asher was called “Heber”. And so it is no coincidence that the former name of Ireland was “Hibernia”. We also find a group of islands off Scotland with the name “Hebrides”. One can conclude from this that a certain part of Asser came to Great Britain.

Furthermore, there is a certain connection between the tribes of Asher and Zebulun (Holland). In biblical times they had their inheritance next to each other.

Collins now takes this information and concludes that Asser colonized to South Africa. The work in mines, the connection to England and Holland (-> Afrikaans) and a certain amount of wealth would confirm this. The prophecy “royal delicacies” may also be a reference to the gold mines in South Africa, as the word “delicacies” can also be translated as “delights” or “delights”. Gold would of course fit very well here.

The tribe of Issachar (Finland)

One of Issachar's sons was called Tola. It is interesting to note that there is also a town south of Moscow that was called “Tula” for many centuries. Russia was a transit point for many tribes. The city of Tula is an indication that Issachar was heading north. Likewise, “Thule” is a presumed ancient name for Scandinavia.

Let's move on to the prophecy of Jacob:

Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. Gen 49:14-15

Finland is a country that acts relatively independently (“a bond servant”) and lies between stronger nations with influence (“between the hurdles”). This refers to Sweden and Russia.

Finland also loves “peace and quiet” and its “lovely country”.

If a nation is subject to frontiers, this means that it can only act to a limited extent, as it is controlled or influenced by stronger nations. This was often the case with Finland.

For a long time, Finland was a buffer zone between Russia and Sweden. Later, it had to find its place between Germany and Russia and managed to do so with strategic skill - even if it had to pay a certain price for this (“corvee”).

The tribe of Naphtali (Sweden)

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. Gen 49:21

We don't get much information about the tribe of Naphtali. But Steve M. Collins identifies Swedes as the descendants of Naphtali:

Loose describes a certain independence and freedom. Deer cows are very active, especially during the mating season. This could therefore describe a kind of lust that characterizes the Naphtali tribe at the end of time.

Swedes have a reputation for being sexually free-thinking. Blonde Swedes are considered very beautiful and often have special roles in films.

Naphtali's “beautiful words” could refer partly to Sweden's popular literature, but also to “beautiful speeches” at the Swedish-sponsored Nobel Prize awards. In this regard, it is also interesting, that Naphtali's characteristic is to bless and gift the other tribes. Perhaps they are doing that these days through Nobel Prize awards.

The tribe of Benjamin (Norway and Iceland)

We know that the tribe of Benjamin joined the southern kingdom, the House of Judah, after the division of Israel. However, when Jews returned to Israel after the Babylonian exile, only very few Benjamites came back. The majority of Benjamin migrated with the other tribes towards Europe.

Norway fits the profile of the tribe of Benjamin very well.

Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Gen 49:27

Like Benjamin, Norway also has a very small population. And just as wolves live primarily in northern climes, so does Norway.

In addition, Norway regularly had good relations with England (Ephraim) and the USA (Manasseh), which is fitting as Benjamin is the direct (and only real) uncle of Ephraim and Manasseh.

Since Iceland was populated by Norway, Iceland would therefore also be descended from Benjamin.

Interestingly, the Vikings were Norwegians - and they not only had a reputation for being “wolf-like”, but were also fought over by many other European nations. A clear parallel to the events in Judges 20+21, in which all the other tribes went to war against Benjamin (and almost destroyed them).

 

[Benaiah468]

The tribe of Dan (Ireland and Denmark)

As already mentioned, Denmark can be identified as a descendant of Dan. The references in the names are very significant.

In Judges 5:17 we read how Dan knew how to sail. Secular historical sources tell of a people with many ships in the eastern Mediterranean called “Dan”. Egyptian sources called them “Danauna” or “Tzakari” (the latter refers to the Hebrew version of Isaac, “Jitzchak”), Greek “Danaans”.

It is therefore not surprising that, according to historical sources, descendants of Dan appeared in Ireland over 700 years BCE. This and several other reasons suggest that the tribe left the land long before the conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians and settled to the north and west. It thus lived up to its pioneering role.

It is interesting to note that we read in the Book of Judges how Dan was divided. One part remained in the inheritance he received from Joshua (and built up his naval fleet there), the other moved north and spread out there (cf. Jdg 18).

And so historical finds and traditions testify to how one part of Dan found a place in Ireland by ship, while the other moved across Europe and settled in Denmark, so that the division continues here.

Let's move on to the prophecy of the end times:

Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord. Gen 49:17-18

Why is Dan a snake on the path? The special thing about a snake is that you can recognize its trail in the sand even when it has already disappeared. Exactly the same thing happened with Dan, who left his name in many cities and rivers in Europe.

Furthermore, a special kind of battle is expressed in this prophecy. This applies very well to the fighting style of the Irish (or the Irish Republican Army - IRA), which fought (successfully) for independence from England, sometimes with terrorist actions.

The tribe of Gad (Germany)

Germany plays a special role in this story. We all know what happened over 70 years ago and we will come back to this in a moment. The question is, of course, how can Germany represent a tribe that persecuted and murdered the Jewish people to such an extent?

Nevertheless, we will follow Collins' lead and look at his assumption that the descendants of Gad are to be found (in) Germany.

Historical records testify that among the Parthians who emigrated to Europe, one tribe was called “Germanii”. This shows a connection between the Germanic tribes and the Scythians.

We also note that the relationship with the Anglo-Saxons was and is very close. The English language is also very similar to German (same letters, many similar words). In this respect, we can assume that parts of Israel (or a part) are actually located in the German-speaking area.

Let's take a look at the end-time prophecy:

Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. Gen 49:19

Germany was indeed overwhelmed by war “troops” in the First and Second World Wars. Ultimately, Germany was able to free itself from this.

But that's a bit tenuous to make the connection between Gad and Germany. So let's look further.

About Gad he said:

“Blessed is he who enlarges Gad’s domain! Gad lives there like a lion, tearing at arm or head. He chose the best land for himself; the leader’s portion was kept for him...” Deu 33:20-21a

Gad needs space. This shows that Gad has a large population. This applies very well to Germany. Especially when you think of German-speaking people in Europe (Germany, Austria and part of Switzerland).

A tearing lion also fits very well into the picture for Germany - especially when you think of the wars in which they “tore apart” some states and the Jewish people.

And finally, Germany is clearly a nation with a leading character (“part of a leader”). Gad, like Reuben, Ephraim and Dan, was a firstborn.

But the question remains as to whether it is possible for one tribe (Gad) to so afflict another (Judah) and half wipe it out! The answer in this case is “no”! For we find no evidence of this in Scripture. Only with Benjamin do we observe something like this on such a scale.

So what is the Shoah all about?

Steve M. Collins shows that other peoples also came to Europe with the migration of peoples from Asia. And this includes Assyria in particular.

If you follow their descendants, you realize that they also settled in Germany. And so it is reasonable to assume that Germany is a mix of Gad and Assyria!

Traditionally, it can be said that Germany has a split “personality”. On the one hand, it is a nation that has produced very positive and “peaceful” things such as the printing press, literature, music and economic products. But there are also “fruits” such as Adolf Hitler and narcissism. Likewise, the military procedures are very similar to the historical Assyrian ones. Think, for example, of the deportation of other peoples, torture or the extreme fear that was engendered in the opponents.

We read about Assyria in the prophet Isaiah:

But this is not what he intends, this is not what he has in mind; his purpose is to destroy, to put an end to many nations. Isa 10:7

Germany's split personality comes to the fore here. While Germany can be, and often has been, an extremely productive nation peacefully, in times of war it has developed an Assyrian mentality that seeks to “kill and exterminate peoples, and not a few of them.”

Surely it is no coincidence that Germany was divided into East and West Germany for many years!

Germany was defeated in the Second World War, but was able to “fight back” economically and economically, which confirms the biblical prophecy from Genesis 49. However, part of Germany fell by the wayside (which does not mean that it was the Assyrian part. It could rather be an expression of division).

So you can pray for Gadites to lead and guide the land and not descendants of the Assyrians!

Finally, it should be noted that it was definitely not only Gadites and Assyrians who shaped Germany (the German-speaking area). It is assumed that 5-10% of the people living in Germany are of Jewish descent.

Other European countries

Most Western and Northern European countries were already discussed. These are conclusions and assumptions based on biblical and historical writings and historical findings. They are highly interesting and anything but absurd, but they do not have to be one hundred percent correct!

Above all, one should not ignore the fact that there has been a great deal of mixing over the centuries. Peoples such as Edom, Ishmael and Amalek are also said to have come to the west. This explains the extreme hatred of Jews in particular.

Let's talk about a few other countries: Belgium and Switzerland, for example, are mixed nations that have their roots in other peoples.

Spain is said to have a close connection to the Phoenicians. Greece could have been strongly influenced by the Spartans. Steven M. Collins assumes that they are descended from the Simeonites. He wrote a whole book about this.

And finally, all these insights are interesting and revealing. They give us a completely new perspective on history, the present and the future (the return of all the tribes to Israel is prophesied several times in the Bible!) But ultimately, descendants of Israel are not better people! They count no more and no less before G-d for this reason. And even if you could/can prove with genetic tests that you are descended from one of the tribes (which can of course be exciting), this does not give you any advantages. Not even for any immigration ideas in Israel.

 

[Benaiah468]

In the last posts we saw how today's nations represent the heirs of the lost ten tribes of Israel. From this perspective, many historical experiences appear in a completely new light, as they are linked to prophecies and biblical events.

There are many excellent stories that could be used for this purpose. For example, Denmark (Dan) in the Second World War.

It is no coincidence that nations associated with the ten lost tribes played a special role in relation to Jews - including the “Lion of Dan”
(Deu 33:22).

On April 9, 1940, Germany attacks Denmark despite the non-aggression pact, which had been entered into a year earlier on Germany's initiative. Denmark is not equipped for a military defense.

And so Denmark is occupied by two infantry divisions and a rifle brigade. While motorized units march into southern Jutland on 9 April 1940, Ålborg in the north of the peninsula is taken by airborne troops.

Paratroopers also capture the strategically important bridge between the islands of Falster and Zealand. Landings are made from the sea in Copenhagen and the Baltic ports of Nyborg, Korsör, Gedser and Middelfart.

In an ultimatum, the Danish government is asked to recognize the invasion of the Wehrmacht as a protective measure against an imminent Allied invasion.

The occupation of the country met with no significant military resistance.

In view of the superior strength of the German troops and the threat of a bombardment of Copenhagen by the Luftwaffe, the Danish army declared its surrender one day later, on April 10, 1940.

King Christian X. (1870-1947) forced the Danish population to give up all resistance. In return, the German Reich guarantees Denmark political independence despite the establishment of an occupation regime. The army, navy and police remain under Danish command.

On the one hand, the Danish authorities try to cooperate closely with the occupying power, but the majority of the population is pro-English. However, everyone is aware that German supremacy in Europe must be prepared for.

However, only a few Danes fell for the National Socialists' advertising. (The NSDAP was never able to attract more than 2-3% of the Danish population. Only the German minority in the border region joined National Socialism on a massive scale).

The occupation by the Germans put the approximately 8,000 Danish Jews under severe pressure. Of course, it is known what has already happened in Germany.

The Danish government declares that it will oppose racial laws and discriminatory interventions. The synagogues, Jewish schools and other institutions are unobtrusively guarded by young Jews and connected to the Danish police's alarm center.

One action by the Danish King Christian X was unique: when the occupying forces ordered all Danish Jews to wear a Jewish star in 1943, the King addressed the public on an illegal radio station:

King Christian issued the following response from Amalienborg Palace to the German order that all Jews were to wear a Jewish star. The King declared that there was no difference between a Dane and a Jew. He himself will be the first to wear the Star of David, and he expects every loyal Dane to do the same.

The next day, almost the entire population of Copenhagen wears armbands bearing the Star of David.

One day later, the Germans revoke their order!

Stalingrad, El Alamein and the landing of Allied troops in Italy, major bombings of northern German cities - many of these events contribute to the mood in Denmark changing from one of compliance to defiance.

Illegal leaflets are distributed, German targets and businesses working for the occupying forces are sabotaged. The saboteurs begin to use explosives and make contact with England.

The collaboration of authorities and organizations is sharply attacked and the population rejects any further cooperation with the occupying power.

The general strike movement emerges.

Finally, on August 29, 1943, a military state of emergency was imposed on the whole of Denmark. SS-Gruppenführer Werner Best, supreme head of the occupying power from 1942-45, is berated by Hitler for his softness and begins to work on enforcing a “hard hand policy” against the Danes.

The systematic genocide of the Jews of Europe has been in full swing since 1941. 3 million Jews have already perished in the massacres and in the gas chambers of the extermination camps.

Now the time for the “Final Solution” in Denmark seems to have arrived.

On September 15, 1943, Hitler approves the deportation of the Danish Jews. Preparations begin immediately. German police units are set up and specialists from Adolf Eichmann's department arrive in Copenhagen.

On September 28, SS Werner Best received the final order from Berlin.

However, Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz (1904-1973), a member of the NSDAP since 1932, had long since turned his back on National Socialism by 1943 and had good contacts with leading Danish Social Democrats.

On September 29, 1943, Best informed him of the imminent deportation of Danish Jews via Germany to concentration camps on the night of October 1 to 2, 1943.

He informs the Chief Rabbi of Copenhagen via his Danish acquaintances among the shipowners.

It is the evening of September 29 - Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. And thus a “stroke of luck”, as Jews are together. The news quickly spreads among Jews throughout Denmark.

Meanwhile, Duckwitz secretly traveled to neutral Sweden and informed government officials there about the impending mass exodus. Vacation homes were made available at short notice for the expected refugees.

Over the next two days, 7,000 of the 8,000 Danish Jews and some Jewish German refugees were smuggled to Sweden via the Öresund, the Kattegat and the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. The geographical location is an important factor here. The distance between the Danish east coast and Sweden is only a few kilometers in places.

Danish fishermen played a central role in organizing the escape across the sea. They smuggled Jews past the German coastal patrols and risked being sent to prison or concentration camps.

But the Danish police and coast guard deliberately looked the other way. The Wehrmacht leadership in Denmark opposed the deportation of the Jews to the concentration camps so as not to jeopardize the largely harmonious cooperation between the Danish and German authorities.

The Nazis are only able to find a total of 481 Danish Jews and deport them to the Theresienstadt concentration camp.

The Danish government arranged for the Red Cross to visit the deportees in Theresienstadt.

The Danish king also lived up to his role and regularly checked on “his Jews” and their welfare!

The Danish-Jewish survivor of Theresienstadt, Salle Fischermann, reported in 2003:

'Spontaneously, many, many Danes took the initiative - everyone helped wherever they could to organize hiding places or escape routes: in ambulances, even in garbage trucks, anything that could drive. Hospitals and churches were also important hiding places. The Danes even collected money to pay the fishermen for the dangerous escape crossing. After all, they had no income during this time. Even those who were then deported did not forget them and collected money for aid packages to send to the camps. I would like to say that we only survived because of that.

“Only” 50 of the Jews deported from Denmark died in the concentration camp (plus two children born in the concentration camp). That was about 0.6% of Danish Jews.

This rescue operation alone explains the relatively low number of victims compared to other Western European countries, which lost at least 20% (France) to 84% (Netherlands) of their Jewish population.

In comparison:

Germany: 33% (165,000 out of 499,000)
Czechoslovakia: 91% (350,000 out of 385,000)
Poland: over 90% (over 3 million out of 3,350,000)

Beginning on April 13, 1945, the surviving Danish Jews from the Theresienstadt concentration camp were brought to safety in a convoy through Germany across the Danish border near Padborg to Sweden as part of the Swedish Red Cross White Bus rescue operation.

Biblical prophecies indicate that today's Denmark is primarily descended from the Israeli tribe of Dan.

The role of Dan is to fight for Israel, to go ahead and protect the other tribes when attacked.

During the Second World War, Dan fulfilled this role wonderfully!

 

[Benaiah468]

Israel - Jacob's new name - has not only been given 12 sons, but also a world-changing task from G-d. This must now be passed on to these sons. And that - as you can imagine - poses a certain challenge.

Jacob's previous experiences in dealing with his sons show how difficult this can be. He saw the great and high calling in his son Joseph, but envy and resentment from his siblings were not long in coming. This was followed by Joseph being sold into slavery, so that Jacob and Joseph did not see each other again until decades later.

However, his ancestors also experienced similar problems between brothers: Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, himself and Esau,... they all failed to keep the family peace!

However, now - Jacob lives with his family in Egypt - there is a ray of hope. Jacob sees how his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, keep the peace as brothers and do not cause strife.

When Jacob then blesses them in a very special way and includes them in his line of succession, he speaks remarkable words about them:

And he [Jacob] blessed them [Ephraim and Manasseh] that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, G-d make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Gen 48:20

What a tremendous blessing! “You are something special - all the people of Israel will bless their children to be like you!”

But why like Ephraim and Manasseh?

Because Ephraim and Manasseh were brothers who kept the family peace. This is not common in previous biblical history and it is what the sons of Jacob desperately need!

Jacob gave his descendants this blessing because he knew what a difficult task they had to fulfill. They were to carry the biblical faith into the world and this only works if there is unity in the family.

And something else: he had experienced how difficult it is when only one son is particularly blessed. Jacob learned from this and therefore divided up the blessings he had received from his forefathers and from G-d (as we will see later).

If each brother and his descendants fulfill their part, their task, then the mission given by G-d can be fulfilled.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Ps 133:1

We are in the middle of a study of the tribes of Israel. We have already examined many of the tribes and worked out their mission. Most recently, we also gained fascinating insights into the situation of the tribes today.

Four tribes that we would like now to take a closer look at: Manasseh, Levi, Ephraim and Judah!

These four tribes were given special roles in the family of Israel. But it is not easy to recognize them, as there are many ambiguities and misunderstandings.

And so we need to distinguish the blessings that the forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob received and passed on in order to understand the characteristics and tasks of Manasseh, Levi, Ephraim and Judah.

So let’s examine these blessings and start an exciting journey that also includes some aha moments!

 

[Benaiah468]

If we understand the calling and election of Israel and see what mission Israel has as a people, we can also recognize which individual tasks are distributed among the tribes.

To do this, we start with Abraham, where it all began. While he came to Canaan and had to pass one test or another there, he was bestowed with many precious blessings.

The following table gives us an overview

These blessings are passed on to Isaac. In some cases, G-d even explicitly confirms them again

His brother Ishmael, another son of Abraham, also receives the blessing of many descendants:

And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. Gen 16:10

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. Gen 17:20


But with the sons of Isaac - Jacob and Esau - everything gets a little mixed up.

Let's take a look at a rough chronology of events:

Jacob buys the birthright from Esau.
Jacob steals the family blessing by betraying his father Isaac.
Isaac no longer has any blessing left for Esau.
Isaac blesses Jacob before he goes to Haran.

The following becomes clear in these events:

1. there is a birthright, which initially has nothing to do with the family blessing.

Birthright and family blessing are different things! It becomes very clear when Esau realizes that he will receive neither:

And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? Gen 27:36

This is important to understand!

2. the firstborn is normally the one who receives the birthright and the family blessing.

Both the birthright and the family blessing were intended for Esau. But Jacob received both.

3 Isaac already had the idea of distributing the inherited blessing among his sons.

That is very interesting!

From the very beginning, Isaac wanted to bestow a blessing on his son Jacob. Under no circumstances was this blessing to go to Esau.

We see this in the situation when Esau asks his father “Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?” (Gen 27:36). Jacob answers in the negative, although some time later he blesses Jacob (again)!

4 Isaac had intended Jacob's first blessing for Esau!

But just as Isaac had reserved a blessing for Jacob, he also intended to bestow a blessing on Esau. (After all, he was the firstborn.)

Jacob steals the family blessing by pretending to be Esau and going to his father.

Jacob is therefore blessed twice by his father. However, one of these was originally intended to go to Esau (magenta in the diagram).

The second time, Isaac blesses Jacob in the knowledge that it is actually Jacob (yellow in the diagram)

Let's start with the second, the yellow blessing: Isaac transmits to Jacob:

many descendants,
that he should become a multitude of peoples,
the promised land of Israel and
the remaining blessings of Abraham that have not yet been forgiven!

These blessings were never meant to go to Esau from the beginning! Isaac had saved them for him. Even after Jacob had betrayed him and Esau was left empty-handed.

Instead, Esau should have received the following (the contents of the first blessing; magenta in the diagram):

Royal descendants
Material blessing
Special status in relation to other peoples (blessed are those who bless you, cursed are those who curse you!)
Leadership in the family (i.e. over Jacob!)

These royal blessings are the typical blessings that normally accrue to the firstborn (although this has nothing to do with the birthright!).

Let's take another look at this red, royal blessing: what is the purpose of this blessing?

We find the answer from one of the greatest kings in Israel's history:

It is the glory of G-d to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Prov 25:2

The royal blessing is (also) about exploring the Scriptures and the mysteries of faith.

It is no coincidence that every Israeli king has to make his own Torah scrolls and read them daily:

And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his G-d, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. Deu 17:18-20

In principle, it is about what King David and King Solomon did. They bequeathed huge treasures by leaving behind books (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,...) of inestimable value.

It is said that Solomon in particular wrote countless other words of wisdom in books, which have unfortunately been lost.

G-d blessed Abraham and Isaac with this royal blessing. They were given an important task from which the whole world was to benefit. And Isaac had planned to pass it on to Esau.

But Jacob stole this blessing - although another blessing was intended for him...

What happens when you become many, many descendants and a multitude of peoples?

You spread over the whole earth!

And that was what Jacob was supposed to do. (In particular, he - and only he! - was to receive the promised land).

And this is where a wonderful picture of an interplay begins to emerge: One brother explores the treasures and wisdom of Scripture and the other takes these findings and brings them to the whole world.

G-d's people are to be light in this world - and Isaac's plan was for Esau to have a (leadership) role in it.

But Jacob, Rebekah and G-d had a different plan: Jacob received all the blessings and therefore also a huge responsibility!

This realization of the different roles is not only interesting, but also important to understand the roles of the tribes of Israel!

Because what Isaac failed to do (because he was tricked by Jacob), Jacob then did: he distributed these tasks to different backs!

 

[Benaiah468]

In the following, we look at how this has affected the different tribes. In particular, of course, we have the above roles in mind.

We see here a table in which the blessings of Jacob to his sons (grandsons) are listed:

Blessings that Abraham, Issac or Jacob already received reappear here and are passed on to one or more sons.

Most of the blessings can be assumed to apply more or less to all tribes. For example, the blessing of the land of Israel is reserved for all. But “victory over enemies”, “blessing for others” or “many descendants” also apply to every descendant of Jacob. After all, they applied to all descendants of Abraham.

However, there are blessings that are only reserved for some tribes, or individuals are blessed to a particular extent in one area.

For example, Joseph's descendants are explicitly blessed with descendants. The blessing of victory over enemies is also explicitly pronounced over Judah, Joseph and the two warlike tribes of Dan and Gad.

But now it gets interesting: if we look specifically at the tribes of Joseph and the tribe of Judah, we recognize a familiar picture!

Exactly the same blessings that Esau should have received from Isaac pass almost completely to Judah!

And the blessings that Isaac had intended for Jacob go to Ephraim and Manasseh!

Judah receives the royal leadership role, a very special position in the family and material blessings.

Ephraim and Manasseh receive the blessings of many descendants and also material blessings (which also has to do with the birthright).

And this gives us a wonderful insight into the tasks of Judah and Joseph - and thus for the two houses: the house of Judah (under the leadership of Judah) has a royal leadership task. They are to search the Scriptures and bring forth the treasures from them. And the house of Joseph (the ten tribes under the leadership of Ephraim!) is given the task of bringing such things into the world.

So it is no coincidence that Jews are known for studying the Torah and that it was the descendants of the ten tribes (ostensibly today's Christian nations) who translated the Word of G-d into hundreds of languages and brought it into the world!

We will take a closer look at this later. At this point, we will examine the role of the firstborn so that the right conclusions can be drawn.

Anyone who has siblings or even several children of their own can well understand that the role of the firstborn is not an easy one. All the younger siblings look to the eldest for guidance and so the first-born usually automatically receives a stricter upbringing. He has to fight more and work hard to achieve many things. The first-born is like a pioneer in the family.

For this reason, the firstborn is granted a special right in the Bible: the so-called birthright! This right was a promise of a double inheritance. This makes sense: the firstborn had more work, had to fight for more, so he also receives double the inheritance.

In other words, if a father had five sons, the inheritance was divided into six parts. The firstborn then received two parts, the others one.

There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan. Joshua 17:1

Thus saith the Lord G-d; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance. Ez 47:13-14

If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. Deu 21:15-17

Jacob wanted to give this double blessing to his son Joseph. So that he could do this, he adopted his son's children as his own, so to speak:

And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Gen 48:5

Normally, the firstborn also got the royal leadership role and all the other blessings, but - and this makes it a bit opaque in Jacob's family - the blessings were distributed by Jacob.

But it is important that we see that this right of the firstborn has nothing to do with a leadership role, rulership or leadership!

If you are the firstborn, you are not automatically the leader. Normally, this happens automatically because, as already mentioned, all siblings look up to the eldest. But here in the family of Israel we have a special constellation, as the children of Jacob did not look up to Ephraim or Manasseh in the typical sense.

First and foremost, the birthright to Joseph is about the double blessing that Jacob wanted to bequeath to his son.

The right of the firstborn was a physical blessing. It includes material things, land ownership and a blessing for many descendants. But since Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were showered with many other blessings, the double portion also included a double share in other areas.

It is important information that we must not forget at this point: Every firstborn belongs to G-d!

For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself. Num 8:17

Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. Ex 13:2

But we also read how all the firstborn of the Israeli people - who were supposed to belong to G-d - were/are redeemed. Instead, the tribe of Levi was entrusted with the tasks that were intended for the firstborn:

Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. Num 3:45

G-d claims all the firstborn for himself. This means that the first of the harvest, the first of the animals and the Levites belong to G-d.

And this also applies explicitly to the people of Israel:

Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: Ex 4:22b

So when G-d says that something is a firstborn, He is explicitly saying that this is HIS property.

The people of Israel are G-d's property and everyone would do well not to speak against Israel, fight against Israel, etc.

And finally, we also see that Ephraim has a special firstborn role:

Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Jer 31:8-11

This means that although Ephraim seems scattered and lost, G-d has his eye on him, He cares for him and will bring him “home”.

Ephraim is G-d's property. And everyone knows that you take special care of things that belong to you.

It is an encouragement that is important and can give courage.

 

[Benaiah468]

Why did G-d bless Manasseh to such an extent and what is his role in relation to Ephraim or Judah? And - perhaps you have already asked yourself - why was his tribal territory actually divided?

With Manasseh, we are looking at a very interesting tribe today. We will look into the question of what the role and task of this tribe is.

Isn't it a fascinating detail that Joseph disappeared from family life for 22 years after being sold to Egypt by his brothers? His father thought he was dead, but after more than 2 decades he was allowed to see him again - together with his two sons born in Egypt: Manasseh and Ephraim.

Perhaps it is no coincidence (and is even related to this) that the modern nations of England and America - said to be primarily descended from descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim - only appeared on the scene many centuries after the scattering of the ten lost tribes and rose to great power.

Incidentally, this is not the first time that these two tribes became leading nations. They also left their mark on world history in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (after the division of Israel following King Solomon) or as Parthians and Scythians.

But - and here we come to an extremely important detail - although Manasseh and Ephraim have leading functions “in the world”, they did not become the leading tribe within Israel.

Interesting, isn't it?

It's like Joseph. He was second under Pharaoh and ruled the kingdom of Egypt. But he did not become the leader in the family of Israel. The roles are distributed differently there.

And it is obvious why Jacob ultimately did not give Joseph the leadership in the family: Joseph aroused jealousy among the brothers. When he received a fine, colorful coat from his father, his brothers became envious and even sought to kill him!

This was certainly due to his lineage (his mother was his father's favorite wife) or his clumsy handling of his dreams, but - or precisely because of this - he was not supposed to be the one to lead Israel.

Incidentally, the colorful coat expresses Joseph's vocation: It symbolizes the many peoples who descend from him and those on whom he will have great influence.

You can sense an enormous tension here with an uncanny potential for conflict. As Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim have the task of leading, ruling and exerting influence. But not so much within Israel, as there is another tribe, Judah, which is supposed to hold the sceptre in its hands.

In the last part, we saw what an enormous task Israel has been given - to research the Scriptures and bring the faith to the world - and we can guess how these leadership roles are to complement each other.

While Ephraim and Judah explicitly have these leadership roles, Manasseh has a more specific role: you could say that Manasseh is a kind of foreign minister!

Let us first look at the sibling relationship between Ephraim and Manasseh. We have already seen that these two were different from previous brothers in the Bible. They had different roles to play and they were good at leaving each other standing.

And we should give them - and Manasseh in particular - credit for this. He was the firstborn, but as so often in the family tree of the forefathers, the younger brother was preferred:

And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. Gen 48:14

And Ephraim was also given the greater blessing:

And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Gen 48:19

It is not impossible for there to be quarrels and wars between brothers. This is also the case in the story of Manasseh and Ephraim (e.g. in Judges 12 or between England and the USA).

And yet they share a brotherly love and a special relationship. When one has problems, the other comes to his aid and vice versa. This can be observed particularly well in the history of the Parthians (see Steve Collins' book: Parthia: The Forgotten Ancient Superpower And Its Role In Biblical History).

However, this close brotherly relationship can also be difficult for Manasseh. Especially when he has to decide between the leading tribes of Ephraim and Judah. More on this later.

We have already heard that Ephraim and Manasseh were given special physical blessings.

This can be observed relatively quickly in the history of Manasseh, as they soon needed more land than other tribes due to their many descendants.

And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon. 1 Chronicles 5:23

And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong. Joshua 17:17-18

Let us now turn to the question of the division of the tribe of Manasseh in the Promised Land:

After the people of Israel had conquered land on the east side of the Jordan after 40 years of wandering in the desert, two tribes - Reuben and Gad - approached Moses and asked him for the conquered land:

Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, Numbers 32:1-2

Moses replied and demanded that Reuben and Gad should nevertheless go to war on the west side of the Jordan:

And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? Numbers 32:6

Reuben and Gad agreed. They would get the land if they first conquered the Promised Land with the other tribes:

And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the Lord hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. Numbers 32:31

While the whole time it is only about the tribes of Reuben and Gad, something strange happens at the end when the decision is made:

And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about. Numbers 32:33

Why does half the tribe of Manasseh suddenly enter the scene? Or in other words: why does Moses say that part of Manasseh should settle on the other side of the Jordan?

Here we come to an area of responsibility for Manasseh that is similar to that of Benjamin. One of the latter's missions is to keep the tribes together and above all to form a bridge between the two houses (the house of Judah and the house of Israel).

But what about Manasseh? In the 22nd chapter of the Book of Joshua we get an explanation.

There we read how Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh return to their tribal territory east of the Jordan at the end of the conquest. On the way there, they set up an altar by the Jordan.

The other tribes react almost in panic and immediately gather for war because they think - and this is crucial - that Reuben, Gad and Manasseh have begun idolatry. But the misunderstanding is quickly cleared up and everyone relaxes.

And yet a concern becomes clear here: they were aware of the danger that Reuben and Gad could quickly drift into idolatry. Apparently this was due to various factors:

The local separation by the Jordan.
A certain inclination of these tribes and a lower spiritual maturity.
The less holy part of the land.

For this reason - according to the conclusion, the tradition and in accordance with Manasseh's profile - Moses sent half the tribe of Manasseh with the other two to the east side of the Jordan.

Manasseh acted as a link to the other tribes (reinforced by his own division) and as a leading watchman and admonisher over the other two tribes.

It is certainly no coincidence that both Manasseh and Reuben and Gad are “firstborns” who did not receive the firstborn blessing. Manasseh, who managed to deal with this well, conveyed an “I am one of you” message to the others, which enabled him to function even better as a link.

Manasseh has leadership qualities. But not only that, both he and Ephraim were born with a strong military force:

Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel ) Gen 49:22-24

His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. Deu 33:17


Furthermore, a special attraction to the land of Israel can be recognized. We see this, for example, in the daughters of Zelophchad. They were from the tribe of Manasseh and were very anxious not to lose their inheritance. The Torah honors this love for the land by mentioning Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah by name (Numbers 27:3ff; Joshua 17:3ff).

Likewise, the USA (Manasseh), as one of the greatest supporters of the nation of Israel today, has also distinguished itself as a champion of the land of Israel for the Jewish people.

When we take a closer look at the calling of Manasseh, we recognize his instinct for making strategic and wise decisions.

While there are people who are deeply rooted in the biblical scriptures and also have a lot of wisdom and a good spiritual connection, it is Manasseh who has more of a political understanding. He is an advisor on a worldly level.

Let's look at the events surrounding King David, for example. He is an up-and-coming hero who has even been anointed king. But the hostilities surrounding King Saul prevent his appointment as king.

However, this does not prevent many from Manasseh from joining the new, soon-to-be king:

And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh. And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host. 1 Chronicles 12:19-21

Manasseh had a sense of what was the right thing to do in this situation. Many foresaw the political events of the coming years and made wise decisions now.

Something similar happened after the division of Israel. Many in the northern kingdom recognized what momentous decisions Jeroboam made (setting up golden calves, etc.). It takes courage and wisdom to keep a spiritual perspective in such a situation and, above all, to make good decisions.

Some of Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon were able to do this:

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his G-d was with him. 2 Chronicles 15:9

Many years later, the same thing happens. The northern kingdom is deeply involved in idolatry and a deportation by the Assyrians is imminent. The southern kingdom sent runners to the north to invite people to the Passover.

While most spurned this invitation, it was people from Asher, Zebulun and again Manasseh who saw and understood.

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 30:10-11

This turned out to be a blessing for them, as some were allowed to stay and found protection from Assyria:

And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of G-d, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 34:9

Manasseh has a strategic task for Israel. He has an eye for the big picture. He can analyze the future and make appropriate decisions.

We can see from the tension he finds himself in that things can get tricky from time to time. On the one hand, his relationship with Ephraim is immensely important, but he is also aware of Judah's leadership role. And this can occasionally lead to a balancing act.

For example, it is noticeable that he is one of the tribes that do not completely lose their connection to Judah even after the division of Israel. As we have seen, there were some defectors. However, due to its close ties with Ephraim, it did not manage to end the rebellion as a whole tribe and rejoin the kings of Judah.

The situation is different with the founding of the state of modern Israel. While England (Ephraim), which had the mandate over "Palestine" from 1917 to 1947 and did not want to give up this status, the USA (Manasseh) ultimately promoted the Jewish state (House of Judah) and thus acted against England (Ephraim).

Gideon is one of the most famous people from the tribe of Manasseh. He was a judge in Israel and inflicted a great defeat on Israel's enemies in a special battle.

The story of Gideon begins (Judges 6-8) with a visit from an angel and the destruction of Gideon's father's idol. Later, Gideon blows the shofar, calls together men fit for war and wants to go to war against the Midianites, Amalekites and the sons of the East.

However, Gideon (or G-d) sends many warriors from this assembled army back home, so that in the end only 300 brave, fearless men remain. With divine plans, the enemies are defeated (or they kill each other). But the boldness and divine strategy is what characterizes this story and is credited to Gideon of the tribe of Manasseh.

This incident so beautifully expresses what the “foreign minister” of Israel is all about. Manasseh has an eye for the course of time and for current politics. He has the wisdom to make the right decisions.

The aim, of course, is to ensure that Israel remains united, that Israel can continue to live in its land and that Israel is represented to the outside world in a healthy manner - and if necessary, this can also mean taking up arms.

The reference to the non-Israeli world is clear. Just as a foreign minister cultivates relationships with other peoples, Israel also needs a strategist Manasseh.

 

[Benaiah468]

The tribe of Levi is probably one of the best known of the 12 tribes of Israel. It has a special role and it is generally known that the Israeli priests were Levites, i.e. from the tribe of Levi.

Levi is one of the tribes that undergo a powerful process in the course of biblical history. They were blessed with a wonderful - but also challenging - potential and they were able to develop this in many incidents.

But let's start at the beginning...

Levi, the third son of Jacob, became famous through a story that “changed” his whole life - and that of the tribe later on: After Dinah, the sister of the 12 brothers, was raped and kidnapped, Levi decided to take revenge together with his brother Simeon. In doing so, he not only freed Dinah, but also killed the entire city of Shechem (cf. Gen 34).

This is the first time we encounter Levi's (and Simeon's) radicalism and uncompromising attitude. He recognizes right and wrong and has a strong sense of justice. We went into this incident in more detail in the section on Simeon.

But - and here we see a decisive difference to Simeon - Levi managed to use these qualities in a positive way early on. We'll come to that in a moment.

First of all, it should be mentioned that Jacob put curses on Simeon and Levi because of the story of Shechem. And these were to have a major impact on the two of them:

Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Gen 49:5-7

That is the situation. Like Simeon, Levi was not to receive an inheritance in the Promised Land. It was probably with mixed feelings that these two tribes made their way through the desert after the exodus from Egypt.

But then something happened that would decisively change Levi's role: The sin of the Golden Calf on Mount Sinai (Ex 32)!

Moses is on the mountain to receive the commandments of G-d. But then G-d suddenly sends him back:

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy g-ds, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. Ex 32:7-8

The people have made themselves an idol as a mediator. But not everyone participated in this sin!

Just as Manasseh has strategic insight on a political level, Levi has it on a spiritual level. He does not take part in this grievous sin:

And when Moses saw that the people were naked; […] Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. Ex 32:25-26

The Levites quickly recognize the sinfulness of worshipping the golden calf, and with this spiritual insight, they take a radical path and secede.

Incidentally, the same thing happened again many centuries later:

After the division of Israel into northern and southern kingdoms, it is the northern kingdom under Jeroboam that once again sets up golden calves (this time two):

Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy
g-ds, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. 1 Kings 12:28-29

And again it is the Levites who want nothing to do with it!

They leave the northern kingdom and move south to the house of Judah:

And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the Lord: And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord G-d of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord G-d of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 11:13-16

The Levites separate themselves from sin. And for this reason, G-d separates them from the rest of the people by blessing them in a very special way:

But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance: Josua 18:7a

Normally, the firstborn of the families were the ones who had to carry out the priestly duties. However, G-d chose the Levites instead of the firstborn:

Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. Numbers 3:45

This not only gave them the special task of serving the shrine, but also gave them a spiritual role of authority:

[The Levites] have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. Bless, Lord, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again. Deu 33:9b-11

Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do. Deu 24:8

Levi was faithful. And G-d likes to reward faithfulness.

The tribe is given a very special task in the family of Israel: to teach the people the Torah and support each individual in living in relationship with G-d.

It is ingenious how G-d transforms a curse into a blessing at this point. For we remember that the Levites were not granted a tribal territory by Jacob. But G-d takes advantage of this and turns it into a blessing for the people.

The Levites are given many cities throughout the land and so every Israelite has Levites in their immediate vicinity - and thus the opportunity to learn the Torah from them!

However, this situation also entails a great responsibility for the whole nation. For the Levites - as they were not given any land - also had no “income” in the sense of crops or livestock that they could have grazed.

Their task was not so much to carry out everyday tasks, but to serve in the temple and to study and teach the Torah. In this respect, they had to be provided for in a different way.

(Also) for this reason, the principle of tithing existed in Israel. Every Israelite was responsible for faithfully tithing his produce in order to provide for the Levites.

It is a simple but fascinating principle! The tithe describes a cycle that - as long as there is no interruption - works wonderfully:

The people give their tithe and thus also provide for the Levites.
This frees up the Levites to work in the temple and in researching and teaching the Scriptures.
The people now benefit from the Levites' teaching. They can grow spiritually as a result and are much less likely to fall away from the ways of the Torah.
The people are blessed (because they live according to the Torah) and give back their tithe from this blessing.

This cycle is a “blessing” and “being blessed” that often makes sense in a figurative sense even today (though there are currently no Levites in ministry).

 

[timothyu]

Moses was also a Levite by birth.

 

[Benaiah468]

Next, let's take a look at some special Levites from the Bible:

Among the Levites we find a number of outstanding personalities. And some of them express this holy uncompromisingness wonderfully.

The best known among them are certainly Moses, Aaron and Miriam. They lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and it is they who shape the years in the desert. The miraculous thing is their faith in the miracle of the Exodus. Despite all opposition, they hold on to the promises - even against the unbelief of their own people.

With a holy, radical love, Moses also stood before the people of Israel at times so that G-d would not destroy them. The Bible testifies that Moses was the most humble man.

That too is a kind of uncompromising devotion!

(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) Numbers 12:3

There are also many prophets from the tribe of Levi. Samuel, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, for example. And they fit the profile of Levi perfectly.

They are spiritual signposts and powerful voices that give hope and direction for the future. They have shaped the history of Israel like few others and their prophecies are still wonderful points of reference today.

Levites such as Ezra, who led the rebuilding of Jerusalem (he is even a descendant of Aaron), or Barnabas in the NT (he trained Paul) were also outstanding people with spiritual insight:

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Acts 4:36

We will look at two Levites in more detail below: Korah and Pinchas.

Korah and Pinchas are prime examples of Levites. They wonderfully express the two versions of Levi: On the one hand, Korach in the not-yet-sanctified Levi role, and on the other, Pinchas as the sanctified version.

Both of them have a great sense of justice. Both have a spiritually positive motivation and both are full of passion. And yet one dies at the end of the story (Korah), while the other is praised and saves the lives of many of the people (Pinchas).

Let's look at Korah first (Numbers 16). He instigates a rebellion because he would also like to serve as a leader at the tabernacle (he wants to serve as high priest like Aaron). The motivation is certainly not wrong, as he is striving for a higher spiritual office. However, the manner and rebellion against the leadership shows a lack of spiritual maturity.

In the end, he and the group around him are judged and killed by G-d.

On the other hand, we have Pinchas (the incident takes place only a few months after Korah's rebellion; cf. Numbers 25).

Many of the people commit a great sin by fornicating with Moabite and Midianite women.

G-d punishes the people with a great plague. And this is only stopped when Pinchas, with passionate zeal, kills a leader of the people of Israel who is involved in sin!

An inner holy fire drives Pinchas to hate sin so much that he brings judgment.

G-d rewards this zeal and stops the plague.

Levites have a deep sense of justice. They are strongly anchored in the Bible and therefore know about right and wrong.

Furthermore, we see here very impressively that a tribe (or individuals from a tribe) can live in the sanctified calling of the tribe - or not.

Benjamin, for example, has the task of keeping (or bringing) the tribes, or the two houses, together. This has happened several times in the course of history. But there was a difference between Benjamin doing this subconsciously, by being passively involved, and Benjamin becoming active and taking things by the scruff of the neck.

This is also the case with the Levites, who must channel their sense of justice and keen judgment into holy channels. This includes knowing, learning and teaching the Torah according to their calling. Then this uncompromising attitude will steer them and the rest of the people in a spiritually good direction!

There are some things we can learn from the Levites:

1. directing gifts in spiritual directions

Each of us has an individual personality. We are endowed with characteristics, gifts and weaknesses.

Levi can be a role model for us in terms of development. He managed to steer his quick-tempered disposition and radical attitude in a healthy direction. Discernment coupled with their spiritual vision made the Levites spiritual role models and leaders in the family of Israel.

While Jacob cursed Levi, a few centuries later under Moses they were blessed and given a very special role.

And it can be the same for us (and it should be our goal): When we use our attributes and gifts to give HIM glory.

2. blessing and being blessed

The cycle described in the text above is a logical principle of blessing and being blessed. It is still applicable today - even if not in its actual meaning, since there is no temple service and therefore no Levites in ministry.

But we are therefore allowed to benefit from Bible teachers, for example, because they were (in most cases) supported or even exempted by others. So we and others after us are also blessed when we support teachers of the Word.

3. their consistency and holy radicalism

And in this area, too, we can take an example. Levi managed to establish a spiritual uncompromisingness and use it for holy moments.

We are also called upon and challenged in this area: We are asked to make good decisions, to be consistent and to put G-d's opinion above other people's opinions.

Levites have set a good example many times in history.

4. that little bit extra

Finally, let's take a few Levi puzzle pieces and put them together to form a very ingenious and revealing picture:

We know that outstanding personalities were Levites. Among other things, they were the people who persuaded the people of Israel to return to the land of Israel: Moses, Aaron and Ezra!

Levites often have a strong spiritual view and also a deep knowledge of the Torah. And this knowledge of the Torah - which speaks from beginning to end about the inheritance of Israel - and the teaching on this subject is what brings the people of Israel back to the Promised Land! We read above that Israel was asked to listen to the teaching of the Levites.

This shows that a Torah teaching ministry must inevitably also have this perspective - the return to the land of Israel - in order to be balanced. After all, Torah and the land of Israel are inextricably linked.

 

[Benaiah468]

If you don't know the difference between Jews and Israel, seven eighths of the content of the Bible is closed to you. If you understand the difference between Judah and Ephraim, you have THE KEY to understanding the Bible at large.
Prof. CAL Totten (1851-1908) Yale University

You know how you read through the prophets and wonder what it all means?

Or: The parables?

I've read them a hundred times (and they're getting boring)...

That's changing now! Really! Understanding the divided kingdom of Israel and its historical significance opens up connections that are almost unbelievable. For years we have read Bible stories without realizing the prophetic depth they contain.

The story of Israel - and later Judah & Ephraim - runs like a red thread through the entire Bible. It is a love story between our G-d and His people.

Abraham (Abram) is one of the most outstanding men in the Bible. He overcame trials of faith for which he is still known everywhere 4,000 years later.

He was living in Ur in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq/Kuwait) when G-d met him:

Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Gen 12:1b

Abraham sets off and initially travels several hundred kilometers to Haran. Later, he continues on to Canaan

G-d chooses this man to create a people from him and to give him the land that G-d Himself calls His own (cf. Gen 25:23).

Abraham believes his Creator and follows His instructions, so that he receives wonderful promises:

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Gen 12:2-3

In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: Gen 15:18

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty G-d; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and G-d talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Through Abraham's wife Sarah (not Hagar), blessing is also to flow to all nations: Gen 17:1-4

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Gen 22:17-18

Through Abraham's wife Sarah (not Hagar), blessing is also to flow to all nations:

I will bless her, [Sarah] and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

This blessing is of course enormous. What does it include?

Many descendants
Inheriting the land (His land!)
Honor
Being a nation
Blessing and protection from G-d
Seed becomes nations
Kings in the descendants
Blessing for others

Incidentally, the covenant with Abraham - as befits a biblical covenant - was sealed with blood: The divided animals in Gen 15 and through circumcision in Gen 17.

All these promises and blessings that Abraham received are passed on to his son Isaac (whereby Ishmael also receives blessings and the promise of multiplication - cf. Gen 17:20).

G-d confirms this line of blessing again personally with Isaac:

And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the G-d of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake. Gen 26:24

And Isaac's son, Jacob, also receives this blessing - even though he is not the firstborn.

Jacob's brother, Esau, is the first-born son of Isaac. He would be entitled to the blessing. But Jacob denies his brother both the birthright (the double inheritance - symbolized by the laying on of the right hand) and the blessing (the royal leadership role in the family).

One of Esau's statements makes it clear that these are actually two different things:

And he [Esau] said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing.Gen 27:36a

This blessing that Jacob receives from Isaac sounds like this:

Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee. Gen 27:29

G-d abides by this decision of Isaac (although he had planned it differently). For when Jacob is on the run from his brother, G-d confirms the blessing to Jacob:

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Gen 28:14

The blessing that Abraham already received is repeated here.

Later we even read how G-d refers to Israel (i.e. Jacob) as his firstborn son - thus confirming the birthright:

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: Ex 4:22

Endowed with the blessing and the birthright, Jacob now goes through a period of testing. He goes through a school of character in which he ultimately learns to trust in G-d (cf. Gen 32:11).

When he is back in the land of Canaan, G-d blesses him again - and at this point something amazing happens:

And G-d said unto him, I am G-d Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. Gen 35:11-12

Once again, we recognize the blessings that Abraham also received. But one thing is different from before. The blessing that comes directly from G-d (!) now includes the passage “a nation and a company of nations”. And this is highly interesting - not only because we encounter it for the first time in this line of blessing!

It is said of Jacob's descendants that they will be a nation [Hebrew: goy] and a company of nations [Hebrew: goyim]. We should remember the words goy and goyim in particular. They are generally translated in the Bible as people, nation or even Gentiles. We should especially keep the last translation in mind, as we will often read about “the Gentiles”.

We continue the line of blessing. Jacob has both the birthright (double portion of the inheritance) and the royal blessing (leadership role in the family).

To which of his sons will he pass these on?

Jacob has two wives, Leah and Rachel. He also has a concubine, Bilhah and Zilpah. Rachel is the woman Jacob loves.

We now look at the sons and also the first-born (in the appropriate birth order; the first-born in bold):

Ruben (through Lea)
Simeon (Leah)
Levi (Leah)
Judah (Leah)
Dan (through Bilhah)
Naphtali (Bilhah)
Gad (through Zilpah)
Asher (by Zilpah)
Issachar (Leah)
Zebulun (Leah)
Joseph (through Rachel)
Benjamin (Rachel)

Reuben would therefore be the rightful firstborn. However, there are a few transgressions that cut Reuben off from this blessing:

He sleeps with his father's concubine (Bilhah) (Gen 35:22).
He does not take care of revenge for Dinah (that would have been his task - cf. Gen 34).
He has responsibility for the family when Joseph was sold (though he was not present at the sale).
He did not bring the family safely out of Egypt: Simeon had to stay there and they were only allowed to return if Benjamin came with them. This is a shock for Jacob (cf. Gen 42).
His offer that his sons could be killed if he did not bring Benjamin back is also not evidence of a good leader for the family (cf. Gen 42:37).

Reuben thus disqualifies himself for the birthright blessing. (According to tradition, he later repented and was considered honorable).

But the next in line, Simeon and Levi, also cut themselves off from the blessing:

By murdering and robbing the Canaanites (cf. Gen 34).
In addition, Simeon has the role of firstborn in the sale of Joseph (since Reuben was not there at the time). He therefore very probably has to pay his debt in Egyptian prison (he is the one who has to stay in Egypt while the others return home).

Next on the list is Judah. He too is about to forfeit his rights, as he initiates the sale of Joseph (he has the idea of selling him). According to the Torah, selling someone from among one's own people is a mortal sin (cf. Deut. 24:7).

It is not known whether he feels so guilty himself or whether he is being made a scapegoat by his brothers. But the consequence is that he leaves the family for a longer period of time (Gen 38:1). Next, he marries a Canaanite woman, which also does not help to put him in the limelight (Abraham and Isaac were very careful that their sons did not take Canaanite wives - for these were the descendants of Ham and “degraded” as servants of Shem and Japheth - cf. Gen 9:18ff).

But at this point, his fortunes turn. With the help of Tamar. Without going into too much detail about this story, it causes Judah to reconsider.

We recognize this by the fact that he begins to take responsibility for the family:

And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: Gen 43:8-9 (see Gen 44:16-34)

What is interesting at this point is his focus (life) in comparison to Reuben (sons may be killed).

What is very striking here, however, is that Jacob accepts this offer. He gives Judah permission to go to Egypt with his brothers and to take Benjamin with him!

Because something very decisive happens at this point: Jacob hands over the royal leadership role of the family to Judah!

And rightly so. Judah also presents himself to Joseph as a changed man. He stands up for his brother: Judah himself wants to work as a slave in Benjamin's place!

At this point, Joseph realizes how G-d has purified Judah. Judah has learned to take responsibility - even for his father's (new) favorite son. This overwhelms Joseph so that he makes himself known.

The royal blessing is now forgiven (unless Judah had allowed himself to be disgraced). But what about the birthright blessing?

Jacob's favorite wife is Rachel. And he has a favorite son, Rachel's firstborn, Joseph. He seemed to have seen something in him before. In Jewish commentaries, we find the indication that the coat Joseph had received from Jacob was the priestly coat of Adam, which was passed down through the generations.

So Jacob wants to pass on the blessing to Joseph. But there is a problem:

If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. Deu 21:15-17

It is against G-d's will to favor the firstborn of a woman whom one loves. The legitimate firstborn should also receive the firstborn blessing. (The situation with Abraham is somewhat different, because Ishmael was regarded as Sarah's son, since Hagar was Sarah's handmaid (Gen 16:2). It was the same with Bilhah and Zilpah (Gen 30:3), whose sons were regarded as the children of Leah and Rachel).

So what to do?

Something amazing happens next: Jacob finds a way to bless his son Joseph in a special way:

He accepts his grandchildren, Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons, as his own children. And he puts them in the place of Reuben and Simeon!

And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Gen 48:5

Jacob therefore adopts his own grandchildren and puts them in the place of Reuben and Simeon. This results in a new order of succession (Reuben and Simeon are not disowned as sons, but have merely fallen out of this order of succession):

Ephraim/Manasseh
Levi
Judah
...

So the inheritance is divided: Judah receives the royal leadership role and Epraim/Manasseh the birthright.

And thus Joseph receives the double blessing.

Thus saith the Lord G-d; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. Ez 47:13

When Jacob gives his son Joseph a blessing - by blessing his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh - something important happens. Jacob does not lay his right hand on Joseph's first-born, Manasseh, but on Ephraim. This happens as follows:

Ephraim and ManassehJoseph places his sons before Jacob, who wants to bless them. Joseph believes that the right hand - symbolizing the special blessing - will now be laid on his firstborn, Manasseh.

But Jacob has something else in mind. He crosses his hands and places his right hand on the younger of the two.

Ephraim is thus placed in the place of the first-born, Reuben.

We also read that Ephraim now receives this one blessing that Jacob received directly from G-d:

And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Gen 48:19

So there it appears again - “the multitude of nations”: this blessing passes to the seed of Ephraim!!!

The Bible also confirms the division of the blessing in other places:

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's 1 Chronicles 5:1-2

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Jer 31:9

And that brings us right to the heart of our topic. The family blessing of Israel is shared between two sons. And so the history of Israel is given a very special direction even before it really gets going. After all, what would a family be without conflict? And this time, too, it is not without them.