The Tribe of Gad
26: 15-18
The tribe of Gad DIG: What does the Second Census tell us about Gad’s’ historical roots? Why did the tribe of Gad increase from the First Census? Why would the wilderness generation want to know they had common historical roots from their parents, but a completely separate identity from them?
REFLECT: What meaningful group (tribe) are you a member of? How does being a part of that group help to support you and make you grow spiritually? How does being a part of it enable you to help others? What can you do to make sure that the positive parts of your past are accentuated in your relationship with God?
Can we, like the tribe of Gad, stand strong and overcome in the face of the enemy?
1. The First Census in the past found the tribe of Gad being numbered at 45,650 (to see link click Ak – Numbering the Tribes). Gad was one of the tribes especially dedicated in the fight to conquer the Land as God commanded, and Jacob prophesied that raiders shall raid Gad (see the commentary on Genesis Lk – Raiders Shall Raid Gad, But He Shall Raid at Their Heels). Their territory was large and they were constantly under attack by the enemies of the Jewish people – the Ammonites and the Moabites who were the terrorists of their day (Jdg 11:1 to 12:7; 1 Sam 11). The Gadites had to be strong because of where they lived. But when Jacob prophesied: But he shall raid at their heels, they knew that they already had the victory. It was as if Jacob was saying: They think they are attacking you, but you will attack them! This is very interesting and we continue to see this being played out in our own day. We can rely on God’s Word that Isra’el will be victorious.
Why did ADONAI designate them as a tribe of warriors? We can read about some of the qualities of this elite military unit in First Chronicles. In describing Gad much later during the times of King David, we read: Some Gadites defected to David (as opposed to continuing to support King Sha’ul who had disobeyed the LORD) at his stronghold in the wilderness, or masada. They were brave warriors, [trained] for battle and [skillful] in handling the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift gazelles in the mountains (First Chronicles 12:8). What an amazing description. This was a tribe of brave warriors, an elite army unit, the Mossad of the tribes of Isra’el, if you will.
What does this mean for us today? Well . . . it’s both good news and bad news. The good news is that God is in control. But the bad news is that we are in the midst of a tremendous battle called life. We know that we already have the victory and that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37), but it is still a battle nonetheless. The spiritual walk on planet earth is not going to be easy. In fact, if it were easy to follow God everyone would be doing it. But Yeshua says, “If you make a decision to come to Me, you had better count the costs. If you come to Me, you have to die to yourself. If you come to Me, you need to pick up your cross and follow Me” (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Hq – The Cost of Being a Disciple). The question is this. Can we, like the tribe of Gad, stand strong in the face of the enemy?
2. The Second Census in the present: The descendants of Gad by their seven clans were: through Zephon, the Zephonite clan; through Haggi, the Haggite clan; through Shuni, the Shunite clan; through Ozni, the Oznite clan; through Eri, the Erite clan; through Arodi, the Arodite clan; through Areli, the Arelite clan. The Gadites lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its outlying villages, and on all the pasturelands of Sharon as far as they extended. All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel. These were the clans of Gad; those numbered were 40,500 (Numbers 26:15-18; First Chronicles 5:16-17), a decrease of 5,150 from the First Census (see Ai – The First Census: The Old Generation of Rebellion), or about eleven percent. Therefore, the population of Gad fell quite remarkably during the forty years in the wilderness. It is probable this clan, being warlike, suffered very much in their attempt to enter the land of Canaan contrary to the will of God, and were repulsed and defeated by the Amalekites (see Cc – Defeat by the Canaanites and Amalekites).
The tribe of Gad had already been allocated its territory prior to the renewal of the covenant at Sinai. When Isra’el defeated the pagan kings east of the Jordan River (see the commentary on Deuteronomy At – Isra’el’s Conquest of the Transjordan), Gad took the “lion’s share” for themselves. For Gad, Moses said: Blessed is the one who enlarges Gad. Although the tribe of Gad already had possessed its territory, it still had responsibilities in the coming military conquest of Canaan. Like a lion he crouches, and tears off an arm or even the crown of a head. He chose the best land for himself; the leader’s portion was kept for him. When the heads of the people assembled, he carried out the LORD’s righteous will, and His judgments concerning Isra’el (Deuteronomy 33:20). Gad fulfilled its responsibilities, as is made clear by Joshua 22:1-6. The blessing indicates that Gad was to play an important part in the battle, and that as a result, the tribe would deserve a “lion’s share” of the fruit of victory.578
3. The Messianic Kingdom in the future: The lists of names and numbers are the material and tangible signs of God’s blessing, God’s faithfulness to past promises, and the surety of God’s future promise keeping (see Ae – Stars of Heaven, Grains of Sand, and the Promises of God). In conquering the Promised Land, he chose the best for himself, being one of the first tribes to choose their territory, but in the far eschatological future during the Messianic Kingdom, there will be a marked portion reserved for him, to the south of the Millennial Jerusalem (see the commentary on Isaiah Ge – Your Eyes Will See the King in His Beauty). At that time, Gad will also overcome the Ammonites and Moabites (see the commentary on Revelation Cr – Then I Heard the Number of Those Who Were Sealed). Jeremiah prophesied that in the end times the Ammonites will become a mound of ruins, and its surrounding villages will be set on fire. Then Isra’el will drive out those who drove her out (Jeremiah 49:1-2). In the Kingdom, just as the Ammonites and the Moabites possessed their territory, the Jews will end up possessing theirs. However, ADONAI will be gracious to them. Just as He promised the restoration of Ammon (Jeremiah 49:2 and 6), He also promises the restoration of Mo’ab (Isaiah 16:1-5; Jeremiah 48:12-17 and 47). Both will serve Isra’el for a thousand years in the Messianic Kingdom (see the commentary on Revelation Fk – Gentiles in the Messianic Kingdom).
Life is often associated with sorrow and hardship, but victory is promised to the faithful soldier, and to those who overcome, there are eternal spiritual blessings.579 Yeshua made seven specific promises to the overcomer. For everyone born of God overcomes the world. Our faith is the means by which we overcome the world. Therefore, who is it that overcomes the world? Only he or she who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God (First John 5:4-5). What will overcomers inherit?
Messiah said that the overcomer will be given the right to eat from the tree of life (Revelation 2:7), the overcomer will not be hurt at all by the second death (Revelation 2:11), will be given some of the hidden manna (Revelation 2:17), will be given authority over the nations (Revelation 2:26-28), will be dressed in white and never be blotted out from the book of life (Revelation 3:5), will be made a pillar in the Temple of God and Christ will also write on them a new name (Revelation 3:12), and will be given the right to sit with Christ on His throne, just as He overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne (Revelation 3:21). Are you, like the tribe of Gad, constantly under attack today? If you are living for Messiah, you are in a spiritual battle whether you like it or not. Therefore, we need to be brave spiritual warriors, having our priorities in order so that we can overcome the world and live with our Savior forever.
Dear heavenly Father, Praise You for being Almighty and for the peace that comes from knowing that you have conquered and won the Last Battle (Revelation 19:19-21)! When I face trials and problems that may lead to battles, what a comfort to know that You have promised to be there, helping and guiding me. For God Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” so that with confidence we say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear” (Hebrews 13:5c-6b). What joy that I do not need to go looking for You, for You are right there, living inside of me. Yeshua answered and said to him: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him (John 14:23).
Battles and problems are sure to come in this sinful fallen world, but they will soon be over compared with an eternity of joy with You our wonderful heavenly Father. I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). It is such a comfort to know that when I am going thru a battle that I am not alone; for You, our almighty and loving heavenly Father, who loves me so greatly, is right there with me. Nothing can separate me from Your awesome love! For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Praise You for Your almighty power and strength that is always with me. Someday, I will be with You in Your Promised Land of heaven. But until then, I am delighted to love and serve You with all my heart! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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