The Twelve Tribes of Israel (Part 3) Levi, Benjamin, Joseph, (Manasseh, Ephraim)
“And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together,
that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” (Genesis 49:1)
Intro: We continue to look at the sermon series titled “The Twelve Tribes of Israel”
We have talked about The Tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, and Asher.
(Remember God made a covenant with Abraham…,
an agreement that God would make Abraham the father of a great nation,
and in return this great nation would become the people of God.)
And so through Abraham, his son Isaac, and Isaac’s son Jacob…
God changed the name of Jacob to Israel…
Now Israel…, Jacob is dying…, and on his death bed,
he calls each of children…
One by one and announces blessing and curses, judgments and promises about their destiny…
Today we are going to talk about the tribes of Levi, Benjamin and Joseph.
Let review all the names of the Twelve tribes…
1. Reuben Leah
2. Simeon Leah
3. Levi Leah
4. Judah Leah
5. Dan Bilhah
6. Naphtali Bilhah
7. Gad Zilpah
8. Asher Zilpah
9. Issachar Leah
10. Zebulon Leah
11. Joseph Rachel (Manasseh, Ephraim)
12. Benjamin Rachel
Jacob said…
I. Levi
"Simeon and Levi are two of a kind-- men of violence." Genesis 49:5 (NLT)
We talked in the first sermon of this series about the retribution
that Simeon and Levi handed out to the Hivites after the rape of their sister Dinah.
And how there was no blessing from Moses on the tribe of Simon
And for the most part the Tribe of Simeon passed away in silence (Deut. 33).
The book of Numbers describes God’s announcement and calling of Aaron to the roll of priest
And the tribe of Levi connected with the priesthood.
to assist in the performance of the sacred duties in the Tabernacle of the Covenant.
"The Levites must join with you to fulfill their responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle, but no one who is not a Levite may officiate with you." Numbers 18:4 (NLT)
Because of this sacred duty to the Tabernacle…,
When the 12 Tribes of Israel were at rest…
Or in other words when they were not on the move during the 40 years in the wilderness…
And the Tabernacle of God was set up.
And camp was made…
The Levites place in the encampment…
Was representative of the position that Jesus Christ takes between God and humankind.
Let’s get this…
the Levites stood between the sanctuary and the other tribes
to represent the fact that Jesus stands between God and us
so that God’s wrath falls on them before it falls on us.
But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony,
so that there will be no wrath on the congregation of the sons of Israel.
So the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the testimony. Numbers 1: 53
Learn this Lesson: God has a plan for your forgiveness of sin and your salvation.
"The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature.
But God put into effect a different plan to save us.
He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.
God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins." Romans 8:3 (NLT)
Billy Graham once said - "I find no pleasure in the knowledge of the fact of hell,
but I find it my solemn duty to remind you that the same book that proclaims the wonders of heaven also describes the terrors of eternal banishment from God."
We can know through the Holy Spirit that Christ has set us free from the punishment of sin and death, when we know and put our trust in Christ…,
we believe that our life will extend beyond this world…, into the next life of eternity bathed in the love of God.
What a great blessing!!!
Right now we may worry about: growing old… having wrinkles…, not being the best looking…,
not being the most popular…, not being the best dressed…., not being the wealthiest
not having the same talents or being endowed with great gifts like someone else….
(Did I hear someone say speak for yourself preacher? I’m not buying any of those things? LOL?)
BUT as a child of God your security is in the great love that God has for you.
Our acceptance does not depend on the approval of the world but on the Grace of God.
You don’t have to worry about - illness and death
- if you take ill = God is perfectly able to heal you
and if you are not healed for some reason or another as many aren’t
then you simply move from this life into your full promise and inheritance in Christ.
You don’t have to carry the weight of sin or even the guilt of past sin
- because of forgiveness: there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
There is a release and liberty when you discover that God loves you…, even though you don’t love yourself or when you feel so broken…, that you think others around you can’t love you…
There is a letting go…, a leaving behind of your past…, when you know that Christ died for you
You can add a whole lot of "Don’t have too’s" to your list
Don’t have to worry any longer
Don’t have to carry the weight of sin any longer
Don’t have to be afraid any longer…
Turn to the person beside you and say: I don’t have to… (worry anymore, carry my sin, be afraid, etc.)
God’s Son, Jesus Christ is the sacrifice for my sin
Jesus Christ is God’s plan and answer for my salvation!
I don’t have to save myself…, in fact I can’t save myself…God has even done that for me…
There is only one thing you have to do…, to get into heaven…
And that is receive the gift of God…, made possible by Jesus on the Cross…
Are you living in the joy of the Christian life today?
AND Are you ready for tomorrow?
Could you wake up in heaven in the morning?
Let’s look at the next Tribe
II. Benjamin
"Benjamin is a wolf that prowls. He devours his enemies in the morning,
and in the evening he divides the plunder." Genesis 49:27 (NLT)
The last born to Jacob is Benjamin: whose name means “son of my old age”.
We learn in Genesis 35:17-18 that Rachel had a very hard delivery and died in child birth of Benjamin…
"Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named him Ben-oni;
the baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin." Genesis 35:18 (NLT)
Matthew Henry’s commentary on the tribe of Benjamin says:
that he was “Warlike, strong and daring, enriching themselves with the spoils of their enemies.”
Some notable Bible descendents from the tribe of Benjamin are:
1. King Saul
2. Jonathan, son of Saul
3. Mordecai
4. Esther
5. Saul of Tarsus/Apostle Paul
In preparation for next week’s sermon…
I want to introduced to you the idea of Ten Northern tribes which make up the northern kingdom:
(1) Reuben, (2) Simeon, (3) Issachar, (4) Zebulon, (5) Dan,
(6) Gad, (7) Asher, (8) Naphtali, (9) Manasseh, (10) Ephraim [Joseph and Levi excluded]
Judah and Benjamin represent the two tribes of the southern kingdom.
The Ten Northern Tribes are eventually defeated by the King of Assyria…
Which leave a weakened people of Jacob…
Which is followed by the Babylonian captivity…
Only the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin emerge from the Babylonian captivity
to form what is commonly known as Israel. (As I said we will talk about this next week.)
The significance of the Tribe of Benjamin can be seen in the blessing given by Moses
"Moses said this about the tribe of Benjamin: "The people of Benjamin are loved by the LORD and live in safety beside him. He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm." Deuteronomy 33:12
Here’s the question – if our faith is based on the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ
– why do we have the Old Testament?
I mean, isn’t it just a bunch of laws and prophecies of destruction focused on the nation of Israel? Did God reject the Jews when they rejected His Son Jesus?
From Genesis through Malachi God gave a picture of a savior, he told about a savior, he promised a savior…
– and at just the right time the savior came, But He was rejected and killed by His own people.
In fact, there was a great controversy about whether Gentiles could even be a part of this New Covenant.
BUT God revealed to the Apostle Peter (Acts 10:15) "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." And it was made clear that the door was opened to the gentiles.
But the more time went on, the more opposition arose from the Jews.
"But when the Jews opposed him and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his robe and said, "Your blood be upon your own heads--I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Acts 18:6 (NLT)
One thing led to another, and pretty soon the Jews were rioting against Christians
– Jews who became believers were thrown out of fellowship and out of families.
Learn this Lesson: God didn’t reject His people, But many of His people rejected Him.
The Apostle Paul asked in Romans chapter 11 “Did God reject his people?”
By no means! Paul said, I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
The word “reject or rejected” appears about 120 times in the bible.
When you run the references you find
“they rejected God’s law”
“they rejected the Word of the Lord”
“Jesus must suffer many things and be rejected”
The (only) places where you read about God rejecting
are in connection with judgment…, announced by God…, as a result of sin by the people.
When you are having a difficult time finding God
Ask yourself the question… who moved?
Is it you who has strayed away from God?
God doesn’t neglect us or forsaken us…
His love is unconditional.
Our relationship with Him will result in a commitment to being present at church to worship God
Our relationship with Him will result in a loyalty in service and doing good deeds in the world I live. A relationship with Christ will result in my promise to pray and study and fellowship with other believers!
The Tribe of Benjamin did at times struggle with rejecting God. Yet along with Judah there was a “remnant.” Some who remained faithful and were carried over to be counted among those who became the nation of Israel.
III. Joseph
"Joseph is a fruitful tree, a fruitful tree beside a fountain. His branches reach over the wall." Genesis 49:22
Joseph was indeed fruitful, with some heroic descendants such as:
Joshua who led the Israelites into the Promised Land
Deborah who was a great woman leader and judge over Israel
Gideon who God made a great warrior and deliverer from the Midianites and Amalekite armies…
Samuel the prophet...
The story of Joseph is best described…, beginning in Genesis chapter 37
and goes all the way to the end of the book of Genesis chapter 50.
So we have the last 14 chapters of Genesis… devoted to how God uses Joseph to fulfill His plan to save Jacob and deliver Joseph’s eleven brothers and all their families and all of the people of Israel.
Most of you remember the story of the coat of many colors
is one of the most told stories of the twelve sons of Jacob.
Jacob had a special robe made for Joseph.
One day when Joseph goes to the field to deliver a message to his brothers
Joseph’s brothers become jealous
Joseph did not help himself by wearing his coat of many colors to the field
Where he shows off his best robe to his brothers who are watching the herds and flocks.
And Joseph taunts them by telling about how he dreams
That someday all the stalks of wheat will bow down to him.
That even the sun, moon, and eleven stars will bow low to Joseph…
They become so angry they want to kill Joseph and through him in a pit…
But Reuben…, knowing that he would be held responsible… because he was the oldest brother…
And the brother Judah (who we have not talked about yet…)
They say let’s sell Joseph to the band of Ishmaelite traders who were passing by
So they take Jacobs coat of many colors
They kill a lamb… and dip the robe in blood
And agree to tell their father that they found the coat of many colors in the field…
We need to note here how the plan of God to preserve and deliver Israel is taking place…
These Ishmaelite traders are on their way to Egypt…
It is no accident that Joseph winds up Egypt…
Where through an even more complex turn of events…
Joseph ends up standing before the Pharaoh of Egypt himself…
Interpreting dreams and being made an advisor and ruler, and manager of the entire land of Egypt…
It is this turn of events that bring God’s plans and provisions together…
There is a period of 7 years of bumper crops and harvest followed by 7 years of drought and famine…
Joseph has two sons… Joseph named his older son Manasseh,
for he said, "God has made me forget all my troubles and the family of my father."
Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering."
People from all over the land and seashore travel to Egypt
to try to find food to live during the 7 years of drought and famine…
Eventually Joseph’s own brothers show up in Egypt trying to buy food
Since Joseph was in charge of the sale of grain
His brothers have to bow low before him with their faces to the ground
Just as Joseph had seen in his dreams…
It is through this turn of events that Joseph is able to send for and bring his entire family
including his father Jacob to Egypt
so all the household of Jacob and all the twelve children of Jacob
are provided for and delivered from the 7 years of famine…
Sometime later when Jacob is old nearing his time of death…
Joseph brings his two sons
Manasseh, and Ephraim to his father Jacob.
Joseph says, look at these two sons that I have been born while here in Egypt…
And Jacob blesses Josephs’ two sons Manasseh and Ephraim…
And basically adopts them…, giving them the same blessing that God had given Abraham, and Isaac, and himself…
"The people of Israel will use your names to bless each other. They will say, ’May God make you as prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh." Genesis 48.
There are many twists and turns to the plot and story that I want to encourage you to read and study.
But the biggest lesson I learned from Joseph is that God is in control.
It may take years of famine and years of harvest…
It may take times of suffering and slavery
It may take generations to see all of God’s plan fulfilled…
I have learned that most of the time: that instead of God’s plan revolving around me and my life…I am most often just a tiny piece of much, much bigger story.
While God wants me to fulfill his plan,
And While my inaction may delay God’s blessings…
God is still in control.
And since God is in control I must trust him to provide whatever it is that I need.
I think too many times I try to tell God what I need.
Instead of trusting in God to give me what I need the most…
In 1907 William C. Poole wrote the words to Hymn number 175 in the old Cokesbury Hymnal…
Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Refrain
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
Never forsaking all the way through;
Giving for burdens pleasures anew,
Just when I need Him most.
As we talked last week, the Tribe of Manasseh seems to replace the idol worshipping tribe of Dan, who followed the false priests of the Levites…
and so Dan is not listed in Revelations chapter 7 but instead Manasseh is among those who are sealed, or given the “seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”
(This is the exact opposite of the “mark of the beast” as explained in Revelations 13:16
These two marks place the people in two distinct categories
Those owned by God and those owned by Satan.)
We see a glimpse of the fate the Tribe of Ephraim in Psalms 78.
It gives a summary of how that over and over the children of Israel claimed they would follow God. But then they turned away from Him.
The problem was they followed God with words and not with their hearts.
And so the Tabernacle which was once located at Shiloh (as the center of worship) in the land of Ephraim, Is later built on Mount Zion in the land of Judah.
"The Lord did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. He chose instead the tribe of Judah, Mt. Zion" Psalms 78:68
The Tribe of Ephraim does not become the greatest of nations that they could have been
And they suffer the judgment of God because of their utter rejection of God.
Closing: God has a plan for your forgiveness and salvation.
God’s love is unconditional, He doesn’t forsaken us…, but yet our relationship with Him results in a diligence and pursuit of being closer and closer to Him. God is in control of the universe, since he is able to control the stars, planets, rotation of the sun, and moon, do you trust Him to be in control of your life today?
