Until Shiloh Comes - Day 25 Through the Bible

Historic Altapass Orchard - located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway - near Mt. Celo Church - heritage apples, clogging (NC dance), BBQ, local crafts for purchase, hayrides and more - preserving the past for future generations

My Lessons and Applications from Today's Readings

1) Heritage - The Blessing of a Patriarch to Future Generations - Israel (Jacob):  "Gather together that I may tell you what shall befall you in the future."  Gen.49:1  Most of this is not too surprising since the past will impact the future:

• Reuben, the eldest - Loss of blessing because of sexual sin  - Progeny:  Andrew, the apostle
• Simeon and Levi - Curse because of uncontrolled anger -   Levitic tribe has a blessing restored for their faithfulness in the wilderness.  Simeon's Progeny:  apostle Thomas; Levi's Progeny: Moses*, Aaron, Eli, and John the Baptist, apostle Matthew (*Note:  some dispute about the lineage of Moses - After the Davidic kingdom Judah, Benjamin and Levi form the southern kingdom of Israel.  The rest of the tribes form the northern kingdom.  More on this with our future readings.
• Judah - Great Blessing - "From the prey you have gone up"(v 9) - Progeny: David, Jesus Christ and Peter are of this tribe "The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver between His feet until Shiloh comes".  Messianic prophecies follow this (v 8-13)
• Zebulun - Blessing - Progeny: apostle Thaddeus
• Issachar - Loss of Blessing - Slavery -  Progeny:  apostle James A.
• Dan - Blessing - judge of his people - Progeny: Samson (*see note for others)
• Gad, Asher Naphtali - Lesser Blessings - Progeny: apostles James Z, John Z and Philip, respectively
• Joseph - Great Blessings - "By the hands of he Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),"  God used Joseph to preserve the line of Christ.  Progeny of Joseph: Joshua, Gideon and Samuel, apostle Simon (the Zealot); apostle Bartholomew from Manasseh
• Benjamin - Blessings - Progeny: Saul, Mordecai, Esther and Paul (*see note for other)

*Note:  The apostles Matthias and Judas (the betrayer) are listed with both the tribes of Dan and Benjamin in the source I used (see below).  

2) Evil/Adversity/Good - Joseph's great statement of faith to his brothers who sold him into slavery: "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good".  (Gen. 50:20)  What looks so hopeless in the world's eyes, God often uses for the greatest good.  Joseph's life is one example.  The life of Christ - his crucifixion and resurrection as the Substitute for our sins - is the greatest example.

3) Depravity of Man/The Need for a Savior (The Importance of Studying the Old Testament to Understand the New Testament) - Ps. 14:1-7) ..."all have turned aside, together they have become corrupt, none who does good, no not one...but the LORD is his refuge...oh, that the salvation of the Lord would come out of Zion, when the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad."

4) A Daily Reminder - Importance of Studying God's Word (Proverbs) - "give attention to...incline your ear to...do not let them depart...keep them (my words, my sayings)...they are life and health...keep your heart with all diligence for out of it springs the issues of life...put away deceit and perversity..."

5) Remember/Discern/Follow Christ - (Matt 16:1-8)  The disciples forgot Jesus' miracles right after they occurred.  Do I remember/recall His faithfulness to me when I am discouraged?  I am to discern the times - until Shiloh comes.  He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  His command to me as a follower: Deny myself, take up my cross, follow Him...it is no profit to gain the whole world and lose my soul..keep the eternal perspective...For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." (v 27)

O Jesus, if You do not come in person to Your waiting church today, then come through Your Spirit to my longing heart and make it "sing for joy."  (Ps. 67:4) Morning by Morning by Charles Spurgeon

Sources

12 Tribes of Israel and Their Important Descendants

Bible Tribes - 12 Apostles

Until the Lord Returns - Korean Christian vocalist So Hyang singing in Korean - the world awaits His return