Sat.’s Devo - Birthing the Tribes of Israel

Read: Genesis 30:1-31:16; Matthew 10:1-23; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs; 3:13-15 When Rachel couldn’t get pregnant, she complained to Jacob who blamed it on God. Instead of going to God for an answer or help, Rachel gave him her maid as a concubine to have children for her. Through Bilhah (which means “timid”) Rachel had Dan which means “to judge”. Rachel believed that God had judged her and vindicated her. Bilhad had another son which Rachel named Naphtali which means “my wrestling”because she had wrestled with her sister and won. Leah, not to be outdone, gave Jacob her maid Zilpah (which means “to trickle like myrrh”). She had a son that Leah named Gad (which means “an invading troop”). Jacob now had children from four different women - imagine the dynamics of that household! Zilpah had another son and Leah named him Asher which means “happy and blessed”. Rueben found some mandrakes and brought them home to his mother, Leah. Mandrakes were called “love plants” and “Satan’s apple” because it possessed stimulating and narcotic properties. When Rachel found out about it she traded her night with Jacob for the mandrakes. Leah took it and got pregnant with another son she named Issachar which means “he will bring a reward”. He had been her reward for giving her mandrakes. Leah then had a daughter named Dinah meaning “justice”. God then remembered Rachel and she had her own son and named him Joseph which means “let him add”. This son did something to Jacob because he finally wanted to leave Laban and go back home to his own land. He went to Laban and asked for his wages. In Matthew, Jesus gave his twelve disciples authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness and disease. The twelve disciples were Simon Peter, Andrew his brother, James and his brother John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas Iscariot. He sent them to the city of the Samaritans and told them to find the Jews and preach to them that the kingdom of heaven was near. They were to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils and give as they had been given. They were not to take money or provision. The people of the places they went were to house them. If they didn’t receive them or their message then they were to shake the dust off their feet of that city and go to the next. That city would be judged at the judgment day. Jesus then looked far into the future even to us. When we are brought before the governors and kings for teaching about Him, the Holy Spirit will speak through us. Brothers will deliver up his own brother, and fathers will give up their own child. The children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. We will be hated of all men because of Christ. Those who endure to the end will be saved. We can see some of this happening right now but it is not close to how it will be in the end. Lord, may we preach your kingdom until the end. May we use the authority you have given us to heal the sick and raise the dead. May we have no fear.