12 sons…Gad…Asher…

 12 sons…Gad …Asher…

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:22b-26

When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 

Then Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. And Leah said, “Good fortune has come!” so she called his name Gad. 

Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. And Leah said, “Happy am I! For women have called me happy.” So she called his name Asher.

Genesis 30:9-13

Jacob’s blessings…

“Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels. 

Asher's food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies.

Genesis 49:19-20

Mose’s blessings … 

And of Gad he said, “Blessed be he who enlarges Gad! Gad crouches like a lion; he tears off arm and scalp. 

He chose the best of the land for himself, for there a commander's portion was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the Lord, and his judgments for Israel.” 

And of Asher he said, “Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil. Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.

Deuteronomy 33:20-21,24-25 

Gad meaning…

“What does the name Gad mean?

• The name Gad indicates a fortune for which a troublesome, invasive effort is made. There are plenty of words to indicate treasure or felicity, but Leah who named the son of her maid, chose this painful word גד, Gad.”

•

The meaning of the name “Gad” is: “Fortune; happiness

From Name Meanings…

Asher meaning… 

“Asher is a Hebrew name meaning “happy” and “blessed.” It’s derived from the Hebrew word osher, meaning “happiness.” Asher is also a biblical name from the Old Testament.”

Several years ago, some friends named their son Asher…I really never paid any attention to it, but took it at face value..and rejoiced with her…now, having read through the meanings, “ happy” …I again rejoice in her choice of names…

It is interesting that Leah named these two boys after happiness…they were birthed by her maid, claimed by Leah as more sons of Jacob…she must have been thrilled with two more sons, even through  surrogacy…they added to her “value” as an “unloved” wife…

Later the tribe of Gad joined with the tribe of Reuben in not taking land in the promised land, but as they had much livestock, they kept  land in the territory of Gilead…with the promise that they fight with their brothers to,conquer the land…which they did, returning afterwards to their families…

“and to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, the border of the Ammonites;

Deuteronomy 3:16”

Joshua 22 speaks of their return…their wealth, promises…

The tribe was later named in David’s  mighty men, officers…

And they are again listed in Revelation…

Asher…

Asher is listed in the tribal lists, the dividing of the land, etc..

This chapter in 2 Chronicles speaks of the tribe as well… King Hezekiah’ call to a Passover…while some made fun of the event, some of the tribe of Asher heeded the request..

“Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month— for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem— and the plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. 

However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:1-4, 11”

Most notable to me was Anna in Luke..

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. 

She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 

And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

Imagine her “happiness” at this moment…giving thanks that she saw the redemption in this child…her heart must have soared at this gift from God…

Take away…faithfulness in keeping promises, happiness in 

God’s gifts through the ages…and in everyday life…

Thank YOU…