Genesis 49:1-2
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.
Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
Genesis 49:19
Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
When Leah gave birth to this baby she exclaimed " A troop cometh" and called his name Gad. The name means "troop" or "crowd" and this prophecy become a play on that name. Mom meant the name as and expression of her praise to God for giving her this boy. Dad now sees the name as a portrait of the history and ultimate outcome of the tribe of peoples who will come from him.
Gad becomes a figure of what was and will be true of all of Israel and is also true of the saints of God today. Truly the people of God, whether Jews or Christians, have found themselves to be strangers and pilgrims in this world: and as such we have also been called to be soldiers for the cause of the Lord. As with any battle hardened people we experience both tides of conquering and being conquered. History has shown that to be the case with true believers. They have experienced success in reaching souls but they have also experienced terrible oppression and persecution. There have been times when those who have followed Christ were driven back so deeply that they are barely visible in the pages of history, but they have risen again to accomplish great things in the name of the Lord.
Jacob's prophecy is that the "troop" will overcome at the last. God's Word gives us the promise of ultimate victory over our enemies; the world, the flesh and the devil.
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.
Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
Genesis 49:19
Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
When Leah gave birth to this baby she exclaimed " A troop cometh" and called his name Gad. The name means "troop" or "crowd" and this prophecy become a play on that name. Mom meant the name as and expression of her praise to God for giving her this boy. Dad now sees the name as a portrait of the history and ultimate outcome of the tribe of peoples who will come from him.
Gad becomes a figure of what was and will be true of all of Israel and is also true of the saints of God today. Truly the people of God, whether Jews or Christians, have found themselves to be strangers and pilgrims in this world: and as such we have also been called to be soldiers for the cause of the Lord. As with any battle hardened people we experience both tides of conquering and being conquered. History has shown that to be the case with true believers. They have experienced success in reaching souls but they have also experienced terrible oppression and persecution. There have been times when those who have followed Christ were driven back so deeply that they are barely visible in the pages of history, but they have risen again to accomplish great things in the name of the Lord.
Jacob's prophecy is that the "troop" will overcome at the last. God's Word gives us the promise of ultimate victory over our enemies; the world, the flesh and the devil.
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