Moses’ Blessing: Deuteronomy 33:18 – 19 “Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents. They will call the peoples to a mountain; there they will offer sacrifices of righteousness. For they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.”
Jacob’s Blessing: Genesis 49:13 – 15 “Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon. Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.”
In case you haven’t noticed, most of Moses’ blessings are far more positive than those pronounced by Jacob. When Jacob was speaking over his sons, he knew their personalities intimately and so was describing them as he knew them. But the blessings of Moses were more general. The Tribe of Zebulon was to settle by the seashore, where they would certainly have opportunities to travel, while Issachar would settle inland, where they would dwell in tents. But Moses blesses both tribes with abundance. What are the “hidden treasures of the sand?” In the territory given to Zebulon, there is a kind of sand particularly suited for making glass. Some authorities feel this is what is being referred to here. Others feel that the “treasures in the sand” might refer to things that can be collected on the bottom of the sea, such as oysters and pearls. Murex shells were used to manufacture a very costly kind of purple dye that brought its creators great wealth. There are still large quantities of empty murex shells at the site of ancient Tyre.
What is meant by the references regarding calling people to a mountain and worshiping? The idea is that the Tribe of Zebulon will witness to those with whom they trade, encouraging them to worship the One True Living God.
.
Moses’ Blessing: Deuteronomy 33:20 – 21 “Concerning Gad, he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head. He chose the best land for himself, because a ruler’s portion was reserved for him there. He came with the leaders of the people; he administered the LORD’s justice and His ordinances for Israel.”
Jacob’s Blessing: Genesis 49:19 “Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.”
The Tribe of Gad was a warlike tribe who helped lead the way during the conquests of Joshua. Here both Jacob and Moses are predicting complete victory with utter destruction of the enemies of God. The Gadites actually chose their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan but still helped lead the way during the conquest of the land on the west side.
APPLICATION: There is an old hymn, the first line of which reads, “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide.” This line was part of an anti – slavery poem written by James Russell Lowell, who was attempting to stir consciences in America.
Issachar and Gad were brothers, but they and their descendants were quite different. The Tribe of Issachar was willing to settle, and they did. Jacob predicted that the Tribe of Issachar would actually become servants because they were so passive. Eventually, most of the Tribe of Issachar was carried into exile in 722 BC and the tribe as such disappeared, although there were those who fled to Judah. The Tribe of Gad occupied land on the east side of the Jordan; this location made them more vulnerable to attack, hence Jacob’s prediction was completely accurate. The Gadites had to fight continually to protect themselves. Eventually, the Gadites also went into exile, but they probably put up a strong fight before doing so.
There has never been a time in history when it is safe to relax morally. Sometimes we feel that we really deserve a break, that we deserve some breathing space. But while we are concentrating on what we deserve, evil is triumphing. James Russell Lowell’s poem is still appropriate:
1 Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God’s new Messiah,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
Twixt that darkness and that light.
2 Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And ’tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.
3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calvaries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.
4 Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet ’tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong:
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above His own.
PRAYER: Father God, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives! Help us to stand for righteousness and refuse to compromise with evil. Bless all in authority that they may make right choices. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
January 30, 2022 at 6:58 pm
as always, really good