Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King." Psalm 149:2
Text: Genesis 49:1-33
AMAZING INSIGHTS
It is humanly impossible for Jacob to have made one prophetic utterance after another, concerning his sons, without special divine aid! Each utterance contains at least two elements involving knowledge.
1. Present Knowledge
Jacob made astute observations about each son of his. That is well and good, for that meant that he was an observant father. Knowledge of this nature is consistent with what we know human beings are capable of.
2. Foreknowledge
Jacob’s knowledge of the future of his children is astonishing. Foreknowledge is not just shrewd application of the obvious. Foreknowledge is not the domain of man, but of God.
HUMAN POTENTIAL
It is amazing that a man can have twelve sons and each and every one is so different, one from the other. Each of the twelve sons would one day grow into a tribe! The way God made man is an awesome thing to ponder indeed.
“Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea;
He shall become a haven for ships,
And his border shall adjoin Sidon.”
GENESIS 49:13
Judah would be landlocked, but would produce kings. Zebulun on the other hand would dwell by the sea. This tribe was destined to be a sea-faring people! This is a striking prediction, for in all the travels of Jacob, they traveled mostly on land! Yet, one of his sons would end up as a sea-faring people.
Zebulun would probably not be as famous as the sea-faring people of Tyre and Sidon. But to be mentioned alongside Sidon was to say that Zebulun would do very well if they took up the shipping trade!
GOD’S PROVISION
It is important to understand and appreciate another great truth! God not only knows His children so well that He can predict their future, He also makes special provision for them so that they can realize their full potential!
How would Zebulun develop the tribe’s potential to be sea-faring people? How would they know how to be “a haven for ships”? They would have to learn how to build a harbour and provide facilities for people involved in the shipping business!
Where God is involved, the human potential is multiplied many times over! How blessed Israel was to have a Covenant-keeping God! The success of each tribe only points to the magnificence of God’s grace and glory!