Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds." Psalm 149:5
Text: Genesis 49:1-33
THE SONS OF THE MAID-SERVANTS
The blessings of the Lord also came upon the sons of the maid-servants! That must surely testify to the magnificent grace of God. Dan was the son of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid. She was given to Jacob with the hope that she would bear children on Rachel’s behalf.
A TROUBLED STATEMENT
Jacob’s prophetic declaration concerning Dan may be read as a troubled statement.
“Dan shall judge his people
As one of the tribes of Israel.
Dan shall be a serpent by the way,
A viper by the path,
That bites the horse’s heels
So that its rider shall fall backward.
I have waited for Your salvation, O Lord!”
GENESIS 49:16-18
1. Dan would indeed become a full-fledged tribe in years to come
Dan, as his name suggests, would rise up to become like a “judge”. That statement may be read as a blessing. Each and every tribe possessed the potential to become a significant group of people!
2. Dan’s integrity as a tribe would be questionable
Issachar was compared to a donkey. That may not be the most wonderful comparison to make, but a donkey is certainly better than “a serpent” or “a viper”. Dan was given a warning concerning its future.
Vipers are poisonous. Their venom is deadly. The picture painted in this text is of a treacherous snake attacking a horse. The horse rears up after it is attacked and throws its rider. The unspoken part could be imagined easily. The snake would probably attack the fallen rider too.
Sin lay at the door of Dan’s heart. Sin must be overcome or in time it would utterly corrupt the sinner! Dan must pay heed to this word of warning to him. He and his descendants were awkwardly predisposed towards waywardness and wickedness! To be forewarned was to be forearmed!
3. Possible to have salvation (deliverance) from the Lord yet!
Jacob saw the danger that lurked sinisterly in the future. The only Person who could help Dan in his hour of great need was the Lord Himself. The only way out was to plead with the Lord to spare Dan. However, that deliverance may take a while! Jacob would have to “wait” for the Lord’s salvation to be given to Dan!
How Jacob must have wished that he didn’t have to say such words. However, he was speaking as the Lord directed him. He had to declare the whole truth, nothing less!