Dan is a Lion’s Cub
33: 22
Dan is a lion’s cub DIG: How is Dan likened to a lion’s cub? What did Jacob say about him? What questions does this chapter prompt, especially when compared to Jacob’s blessing in Genesis 49? Why wasn’t Dan included in the 144,000 of Revelation? What is different about the tribe of Dan during the Messianic Kingdom?
REFLECT: How have you gone from a lion’s cub to a lion in the Kingdom of God? How much have you grown? How are you growing now? How can you get to where you want to be? What will change about you when you are in the Messianic Kingdom?
On the day Moses died, he delivered his final blessing and then ascended Mount Nebo to view the Land of Promise from afar.
Comparing Dan to a lion’s cub suggests the timidity and youthfulness of the tribe, but it showed great promise and great strength in the future. A lion’s cub grows up to be a lion!
Dan had introduced idolatry into the nation of Isra’el as seen in Judges 17-18 (see the commentary on Genesis, to see link click Lj – Dan Will be a Serpent by the Roadside, A Viper Along the Path). That is why the tribe of Dan is not listed with the 144,000 during the Great Tribulation (see the commentary on Revelation Cr – Then I Heard the Number of Those Who Were Sealed, 144,000 from all the Tribes of Isra’el). But to this, Moshe answered prophetically: Dan is a lion’s cub leaping out of the Bashan. When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, there was no association of Dan and Bashan. It was in the Shephelah region of central Isra’el. Eventually, after being unable to evict the Canaanites, the tribe relocated to the far north region of Isra’el and conquered a community called “Laish.” The comparison of Dan to a lion may have been related to that conquest, since “Laish” is another Hebrew word for lion. And the reference might draw from the fact that lions were known to be found there.701 In the Messianic Kingdom, the tribe of Dan will be the most northern tribe once again, but without any idolatry (see the commentary on Isaiah Ge – Your Eyes Will See the King in His Beauty).
Dear Heavenly Father, You are Almighty and all powerful and greater than all the armies of the world (Revelation 19). When a situation comes before me that seems impossible, help me to remember that nothing will be impossible with You (Luke 1:37). When I look at the problem it seems big and God seems small; but when I look up to You, God looks big and the problem looks small. I will choose to spend time with You, listening to Your word, praising You, and exalting Your great name. I love to meditate on the stories in Your Word which help me understand how awesome You are! Thank You for always being with 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-6a). Praise You for helping me with problems that seem large to me- but are so small to You. I love You! In Yeshua’s holy name and His power of resurrection. Amen
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