Israel’s Prophecy for Naphtali

 Israel’s Prophecy for Naphtali

Genesis 49:  ²¹ “Naphtali is a deer let loose;
He uses beautiful words.

 

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Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachels maidservant. Rachel referred to Naphtali as a “struggle” because she had a strong sibling rivalry with Leah. She named him Naphtali or “struggle.”

 

My Observations:

• Naphtali also hated Joseph and went along with the plot against his life.
• Israel mixed up the order of birth and went back to talking about Bilhah’s children.
• Israel’s blessing was brief and focused on Naphtali’s physical and verbal agility.

 

The tribe of Naphtali would eventually declare curses or warnings to all the tribes of Israel. Through these curses, the people of Israel would refrain from bad behavior. For example, “Cursed is the man who kills his neighbor secretly.”  Naphtali would indeed use beautiful words as Israel prophesied.

 

There were times when the tribe of Naphtali was brave and there were times, they were cowards. I can definitely relate! They would be featured in a son of Deborah and Barak because they risked their lives in a battle against the Canaanites. But unfortunately, this fight came from them being cowards and not wiping out the Canaanites in the first place. I can’t help but to notice Israel’s intentional order of his son’s blessing. Naphtali’s land would eventually become the land of the Gentiles. GOD did bless Naphtali.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about this brief, yet powerful blessing over Naphtali?
• What beautiful words has GOD given you to tell others?
• Are you able to fight your feelings enough to tell people that GOD is amazing and caring and powerful?

News of Value

News of Value

Genesis 30: ¹⁴ Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”

 

¹⁵ But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?”

 

And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”

 

¹⁶ When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.

 

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Reuben was old enough to go out a forage by himself. He was supposed to pick wheat, but he pulled up a plant with a strange root that looked like a human. He brought the strange plant to his mother and probably asked about it aloud. Rachel must have overheard the conversation between Reuben and Leah. She bargained for the mandrakes.

 

My Observations:

• This is the first time wheat and mandrakes were mentioned.
• Rachel believed the mandrakes could cure her infertility.
• Leah bargained with Rachel to have Jacob for a night.

 

Determined to have another child, Rachel and Leah seemed to become desperate. Rachel demanded that she be given mandrakes that were rare and believed to have medicinal power to cure almost anything. Leah used the mandrakes as a bargaining chip to “hire” Jacob.

 

After working in the field, Jacob was met by Leah. She told him, he was purchased for a night and explained the great price she paid. Jacob, having four wives, went in with Leah. She showed him the value. GOD saw this situation that I would label as “messed up” and used it for HIS purpose.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the bargaining between Rachel and Leah?
• Are you bargaining with GOD for something you want?
• If you have a desire, will you ask GOD to align it to HIS purpose?

Beginning of the Rivalry

Beginning of the Rivalry

Genesis 25: ²⁴ So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. ²⁵ And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. ²⁶ Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

 

²⁷ So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. ²⁸ And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

 

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During the birth of the twins, the first came out red and hairy. His name was Esau. But the second child grabbed his foot. Both parents noticed this and named him Jacob.

 

My Observations:

• Esau was wild in the womb, and Jacob was born with the desire to get what he wanted.
• Esau grew up as a hunter.
• Jacob may have figured out ways to not hunt, rather remain in the tent, cooking.

 

A rivalry began between Esau and Jacob before they were born. They wrestled in Rebekah’s womb, causing concern to her. She asked GOD what was going on and HE told her that two nations would be born from her and Esau would eventually serve Jacob.

 

This statement may have had an effect on her. She was told that Jacob would be the chosen one as a leader, so she catered to his every wish. Isaac may not have been aware of GOD’s words to Rebekah. He became enamored that Esau was a great hunter. Jacob would cook all the meals with the game Esau provided.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the details of the birth of the twins?
• Is there something you are wrestling with that has become your adversary?
• Will you give your struggle to GOD so you can gain peace today?