13 “Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea;
he shall become a haven for ships,
and his border shall be at Sidon.14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,
crouching between the sheepfolds.15 He saw that a resting place was good,
and that the land was pleasant,
so he bowed his shoulder to bear,
and became a servant at forced labor.16 “Dan shall judge his people
as one of the tribes of Israel.17 Dan shall be a serpent in the way,
a viper by the path,
that bites the horse’s heels
so that his rider falls backward.18 I wait for your salvation, O Lord.
19 “Raiders shall raid Gad,
but he shall raid at their heels.20 “Asher’s food shall be rich,
and he shall yield royal delicacies.21 “Naphtali is a doe let loose
Genesis 49:13-21 (ESV)
that bears beautiful fawns.
Zebulun and Issachar
Jacob has been following birth order so far, which is the natural, cultural way. Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah are the sons of Leah. He now switches the order and jumps to 10th then 9th-born sons so he can finish out the sons of Leah the “unloved” wife. Then he continues with the others.
The prophecy for Zebulun (v13) was fulfilled 2-300 years later when the land of Canaan was divided by lot, and the border of Zebulun went up towards the sea, Jos 19:11. (wesley commentary)
Regarding Issachar’s prophecy: “The meaning seems to be that Issachar was strong, but docile and lazy. He would enjoy the good land assigned him but would not strive for it. Therefore, eventually he would be pressed into servitude and the mere bearing of burdens for his masters.” (enduringword.com quoting Leupold)
Dan
“Dan (vv. 16-18) would judge Israel. This prophecy came to reality, partially, during Samson’s judgeship. Dan’s victories benefited all Israel. Yet this tribe led Israel into idolatry (Judg. 18), and was therefore similar to “a serpent”” (planobiblechapel.org)
Pause
Time for a break. Take a breath. Jacob wants to tell his sons (us) where the real source of salvation lies. Not in the character or qualities in them (in us) but in the Lord. “Not from that source does he expect true salvation. Even when men help themselves, only then are they truly delivered if God helps them. On the latter help Jacob has grounded his personal salvation and every deliverance, hard though it was for him to learn that submission and trust. On that help he would have his sons ground their every hope.” (Leupold commentary) That, ultimately, is Messiah – for them and all mankind.
Gad, Asher, Naphtali
For short explanations of Gad (good at defending themselves), Asher (who will possess a fruitful land), and Naphtali (free roaming), check out this link from planobiblechapel.org or this one from Leupold’s commentary.
RЯeflection
- There’s a saying, “God helps those who help themselves” (and it’s not referring to eating). Will God help us if we won’t try to help ourselves, if we won’t even ask for help? “Even when men help themselves, only then are they truly delivered if God helps them.” (Leupold commentary)
- We also, like Jacob, need to remember that it’s not our own strength or abilities that save us. We’re only truly delivered through the Messiah.
