Thurs.'s Devo - Gad, Asher, and Issachar

Gad - Gad means "a troop cometh". It means to attack. Gad and Asher came from Leah's handmaid: Zilpah which means "to trickle like myrrh". In Gen 49:19 is says of Gad that a troop will overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last." They are the nurturers, care-takers, and comforters, but also the warriors in the end. Num. 32. Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh chose to stay on the other side of the Jordan river instead of crossing over because they thought their grass was greener. I wonder what would have happened if they had crossed over and taken the inheritance with the other tribes. God is so good that he will never leave us but he has great plans for those who are not afraid to go into the unknown and start new things. They missed the adventure. One of the cities in Gad was called Dibon which means "pining". So they moped around in their green grass wishing they had the courage to cross over and start again. We all know people like that who were meant for greater things but fell short of starting. We have all been this people. The comforting thing is that God never leaves us no matter where we are in him. In Deu 33:20 it says that blessed is the man that enlarges Gad. In other words who broadens Gad's perspective. Interestingly they were one of the tribes that read out the curses in Duet. 27:13.
Asher - Asher means "happy". These were the prosperous who loved the finer things of life (Gen 49:20). Many of the names of his sons had to do with bringing trouble. But their seemed to be a remnant that were blessed with children and pleasing. It was prophesied over him that his walk would be anointed. (Duet. 33:24) They were rebuked for staying on the sea shore. They seem to be like Christians who are content in their Christianity but don't want to get wet and go out into the sea where the fish are and clean them up. Church is a haven but we are called to the world. We have eternity to spend with "our kind". Right now we need to get out of our comfort zone and reach the fish still out to sea.
Issachar - Issachar means "he will bring a reward" or "he will lift payment". Jesus lifted the payment of our sin we owed and he gave us the reward of righteousness and eternal life. Gen 49:14 says that Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens. So picture a strong donkey sitting down to rest with a load on both sides of its back. He is loaded down but in the state of rest. Reminds me of "laboring to enter into God's rest". We are loaded down with sin and burdens but Jesus tells us to rest. It is not up to us to lift this burden.....he will. This is grace. All the tribes that were on the west were pictures of grace and the ones that will come into the kingdom in the last generations. One of the tribal leaders names meant "to redeem; to avenge." Another meant "deliverance of God". In 1 Chron 12:32 it says that the children of Issachar were men of understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do in their particular season. This last generation of warriors will understand their assignment and what to do to bring it about.
May we not be afraid to do what you have called us to do and get out into the sea where the fish are and rest in you.