Deuteronomy 33:22 “Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”
Genesis 49:16 – 18 “Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. He will be a snake by the road, a viper in the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward. I await Your salvation, O LORD.
The name “Dan” is short for “Daniel,” which means “God is my judge.” The Tribe of Dan eventually settled in the northeast part of Israel, near the Golan Heights. The Tribe of Dan helped protect their fellow Israelites; however, when Jeroboam rebelled against Rehoboam after the death of King Solomon, he built a huge altar in Dan, advising the Israelites that the journey to Jerusalem was too long for them, so they should worship at Dan instead. Dan was one of the tribes whose people were carried off in 722 B.C.
Deuteronomy 33:23 “Concerning Naphtali, he said: “Naphtali is abounding with favor, full of the blessing of the LORD; he shall take possession of the sea and the south.”
Genesis 49:21 “Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.” Both Moses and Isaac bless Naphtali abundantly. Later on, Naphtali is one of the tribes that comes to the aid of the prophetess Deborah when she and Barak fight the Canaanites under Sisera. Deborah specifically praises Zebulon and Naphtali for jeopardizing their lives. (Judges 5:18)
Deuteronomy 33:24. “And concerning Asher, he said: “May Asher be the most blessed of sons; may he be the most favored among his brothers and dip his foot in oil.
Genesis 49:20 “Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.”
The Benson Commentary tells us, “This prophetic blessing was remarkably fulfilled; for Asher’s portion abounded with the best and most remarkable oil, which was the most famed of all Canaan’s productions.” Asher’s portion was in the Galilean Highlands, an area famous for their high – quality olive oil. Here it is predicted that Asher will not only have sufficient oil for nourishment but there will be such an abundance of oil that the Asherites can even apply it to their feet, something nearly unheard of.
When we examine the list of tribes receiving blessings, one tribe is missing, the Tribe of Simeon. When Jacob was prophesying over his sons, he didn’t have anything good to say about Simeon. Genesis 49:5 – 7 “Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.”
As we discussed a few days ago, the Tribe of Levi redeemed themselves by standing with Moses at the time of the golden calf orgy. But the tribe of Simeon actually did wind up being dispersed in Israel. The land given to Simeon was surrounded by the land of Judah, and the people of Simeon were assimilated into the Tribe of Judah.
APPLICATION: The Tribe of Simeon disappeared as a separate group, perhaps as a result of their founder’s poor behavior. In the time of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and even of Moses, blessings or curses pronounced by a father were binding. When Esau sold his birthright because he was hungry, he couldn’t get it back again. And when Jacob deceived Isaac so that Isaac pronounced the rights of the first born to him rather than to Esau, that pronouncement was irrevocable.
There are such things as ancestral curses that can continue from generation to generation. For example, those who have never experienced effective fathering may be unable to perform well as fathers themselves. But praise God, we are NOT bound by all the junk that has come down through our families such as alcoholism, ragism, addition to gambling, etc.
When Jesus Christ went to the cross for the sins of the world, he also defeated the evil that could grip families from generation to generation. Can we overcome early conditioning or tendencies toward obsessive behavior such as alcoholism, ragism, gambling, etc? If we will pray confessing our need for redemption from these things, we can be free. Just because your parents didn’t know how to raise children properly does not mean that you are doomed to be a bad parent. There are tendencies that run in families; however, God can change us into His likeness, if we will ask and obey His Word.
PRAYER: Father God, help! Many of us feel trapped by the emotions and tendencies of our families. We want to be good parents, faithful spouses, and to live clean lives without addictions. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and that we cannot free ourselves. But we thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus to die for our sins, and that because of His sacrifice, we can be free to live holy and righteous lives. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
January 31, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Really good as awways. Thank you