07.07. Orders of the Twelve Tribes
WE have been taking up the history of the tribes in the order of their first father’s birth. But it is curious to observe in what great variety of order their names are giver in other places, as if the Lord would show impartial regard to each tribe, by putting one in the place of the other from time to time. We have the following varieties, twenty-one in all:- The order of their birth (Genesis 29:1-35, Genesis 30:1-43, and Genesis 35:1-28) Enumeration of Dan at Mamre (Genesis 35:23-26).
Enumeration of Dan on going down to Egypt (Genesis 46:8-19).
Enumeration of Dan in Jacob’s blessing (Genesis 49:1-33) Enumeration of Dan when the heads of tribes are named (Numbers 1:5-15).
Enumeration of Dan when the males above twenty years are named (Numbers 1:20-43). The order in which they pitched round the Tabernacle (Numbers 2:1-34) The order in which the princes offered (Numbers 7:1-89) The order in which thy marched (Numbers 10:1-36) The order in which spies from each tribe were selected (Numbers 13:1-33) The order in which they were numbered in the plains of Moab (Numbers 26:1-65) The order in which the princes who were to divide the land were appointed (Numbers 34:1-29) The order in which they stood on Ebal and Gerizim (Deuteronomy 27:1-26) The order in which they were blessed by Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1-29) The order in which the lot was cast for each (Joshua 13:1-33, Joshua 14:1-15) The order in which the lot fell for the Levitical cities out of each (Joshua 21:4-8). The order in which the names of these cities for each are given (Joshua 21:9-39). The order in which the same are given in the 1st Book of Chronicles (1 Chronicles 6:55-81). The order in which their future portion in the Lord is given (Ezekiel 48:2-28). The order in which the gates of the city that bear their names occur (Ezekiel 48:31-34). The order in which the twelve thousand scaled ones from each tribe are given (Revelation 7:1-17)
Sometimes reasons may be assigned for the special orders adopted; at other times we can see none. In the new division of the land in Ezekiel 48:1-35, Gad (the tribe we now come to speak of) is placed in the far south of Palestine, reaching to Kadesh-barnea. In Revelation 7:5, Gad stands third in order. The birth of the father of this tribe is related in Genesis 30:9-11. Leah seeing the success of her sister’s plan, and feeling herself neglected, adopts that very plan, and by her handmaid Zilpah gives Jacob another son. Her words on hearing of the birth of this son, have boon interpreted by some as simply meaning, "Good luck!" an exclamation of delight and satisfaction; but the better interpretation, which both retains the Masoretic reading of the text, and accords with Jacob’s reference to the name in Genesis 49:19, renders the words, "A troop cometh!" This is the sense given in the margin of our version. Leah probably intended to exult over her sister, Genesis 9:8. You must leave the field to me again; for see! here is "A troop coming to my help." Thus understood, Gad’s name tells of defeat repaired, of conquering when all seemed lost, of clouds breaking up and sunshine returning after rain.
How often in the scenes of every day life may we hear Gad’s name. A family is threatened with disaster; gloom overspreads every countenance; disease has assailed some beloved one, and death is hovering over the dwelling; but the Lord sends relief, perhaps in the way of leading the family to adopt a remedy which some other has tried. It is blessed; and lo! "A troop cometh;" relief and recovery have come, and drive the enemy from the field. Or the family is poor, care and dismal forebodings harass them; ruin stalks on the threshold. But means of relief are suggested, and found successful; "A troop cometh!" It may be in the shape of employment given, or money sent, or friends raised up. At any rate, the clouds are dispersed, and one says to another, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness!" Nor is it less often thus in the family of God. God’s children have dreaded their subjection to indwelling sin, for corruption has lifted its head. But" A troop cometh!" and the despairing believer sings, "I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord;" or it may be a host of outward evils assail-"tribulation, persecution, nakedness, distress, famine, sword." But soon there is heard the cry, "A troop cometh!" Paul and all his fellow-believers singing-"I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). Yes, even when Death, the last enemy, assails, this shall be the issue. With Leah’s battle-cry he shall drive him from the field. But let us see what Jacob said of his son Gad, in Genesis 49:19. He blesses him thus:- "Gad, a troop shall overcome him: But he shall overcome at the last." This may be rendered, preserving the alliteration of the original, and rendering very literally:
"The troop-tribe, a troop shall troop upon him; but he shall trop upon the heel."
He shall be a tribe much engaged in conflicts, and fitted for such warfare; so that he shall be found "trooping upon the heel," putting to flight and pursuing his foe. As a tribe, his geographical situation exposed him to invasion from many quarters, such as Moab, Ammon, and the sons of Ishmael; but for this warfare he shall be fitted. Accordingly, we find not only Bani, a Gadite, one of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:36), and even Levites, residing in it, "mighty men of valour" (1 Chronicles 26:31), but a great band, who are described as "men of might, men of the host fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions" (compare Deuteronomy 33:20), and who "were as the roes upon the mountains in speed" (1 Chronicles 12:8). And then, along with Reubenites and Manassehites, they of God came, "with all manner of instruments of war for the battle" (1 Chronicles 12:37), forming a band of 120,000 men. We suppose, too, that the incident in 1 Chronicles 5:18-22, where they join with Reuben and Manasseh against the Hagarites, and Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab, is but one of a hundred similar expeditions. Out go the troops, all of them "sons of valour," with buckler, sword, and bow, and dash upon the foe; but for a time the Hagarites and their allies "troop upon them" bravely, till "they cry to God in the battle, and He is entreated of them; because they put their trust in Him." Then God and his allies "troop upon the heel" of the fleeing foe, taking 100,000 captives, and immense booty. Nor is it unworthy of notice, that in these instances Gad comes on the field to help others, as his father may be said to have done when Leah cried, "A troop cometh." The same characteristic will again appear in what is said of him in the blessing of Moses (Deuteronomy 33:20-21). The Lord directed that Gad should receive a broad territory, the conquered kingdom of Sihon, where he might have ample room for development eastward, when his warlike propensities should impel him. T o this, "blessed be he that entreateth God" has reference; while Gad is described as a "lion" or "lioness, lying down," after tearing "the arm lifted up to defend the crown of the head." Then it is added:
"And he looked out for himself the first fruit," for he got his settlement among the very first of the tribes, thus acquiring what might be called "the first fruit portion." Yet there was no selfishness in this settlement, and therefore "blessed be He that gave him that ample portion."
"For , though ensconced, there, in a territory assigned him by the Lawgiver, He came (to join) the heads of the people; In fellowship with Israel, To execute the justice of the Lord, and his judgements." The reference here is to the memorable fact that Gad, along with Reuben and half-Manasseh, passed over Jordan with the other tribes, and took part with them in all their wars with the Canaanites. In this, Gad seems to have taken the lead very characteristically, for is it not as at his father’s birth, "A troop cometh" to aid in clearing the field and seeming triumph?
Jephthah was of this tribe, and in his own person certainly it might be said again, "A troop cometh," when he so triumphantly drove out the Ammonites, overcoming those who had overcome so long. Jephthah was a man of Gilead, and Gilead belonged to Gad. ’To Gad, also, belonged several places associated with remarkable events, Jabesh-Gilead, Ramoth-Gilead, Peniel, Mahanaim; but none more renowned than Mount Gilead, the hill of balsam-trees, the spot where Jacob and Laban made their covenant (perhaps under the shade of one of these groves) calling the spot "Galeed," the heap of witness. It has still traces of its former romantic beauty, but no one ever finds the balsam-tree. It has disappeared from Gilead, as it has from the valley of Jericho. This tribe, warlike as it was, no sooner joined in the idolatries of Israel than it felt itself powerless against Jehovah’s anger. It was one of the first portions of Israel’s land that fell under the power of Tiglath-pileser, who eventually carried away the inhabitants into captivity. The modern Nestorians are in part descended from Gad, for comparing 2 Kings 15:29 with 1 Chronicles 5:26, we find the region of Gilead was carried to the far-off mountains and rivers of Media and Persia, there described. Yes, Gilead, the very heart of Gad, was torn out of him, and left to the mercy of strangers, because Jehovah had been forsaken, and his covenant-grace rejected.
"Bless’d tribe of Gad, when Israel’s sick, Sought by physician’s skill, And found the balm which healed their wounds On fragrant Gilead-hill, "Troops of disease assailed thee then; To scale thy heights they passed; But Gilead’s balm gave health to all.
Gad overcame at last.’
"Now all in vain seek we for cure, O Gilead, on thy brow; For Him whose grace was Gilead’s balm Thy nation hateth now.
"Not even the types or health and joy Within thy land remain; The thorn and thistle have o’erspread The mountain and the plain.
"Messiah, He is Gilead’s balm, He poured for man his blood.
O Tribes or Israel, welcome Him, Welcome the Christ of God.
"Long have thy roes, troop upon troop, Their chains around thee cast; But welcome Him, and thou art free!
’Gad overcomes at last.’ "
ANON.