To conclude the month of September we carry on with my series called The Twelve Tribes of Isreal. Ninth in line for the order of blessing was Jacob's eighth son, Asher.
The first video covers the Scriptures and poem section, the second video covers the study. I pray they can bless you this week. Much love, Lucy x
The Tribe Of Asher
Key Facts
Order of birth- Eighth
Order of blessing- Ninth
Mother- Zilpah
Meaning of name- Happy or Blessed
Character details- Jealous of his brother, Joseph. Had four sons and one daughter.
Tribe details- Known for their prosperity and fertile territory along the Mediterranean coast, blessed with an abundance of resources.
Symbol of tribe- The Olive Tree.
Land allocation- Fertile land in the northern region.
Relevant Scriptures
Genesis 30:9-13
“When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, “A troop comes!” So she called his name Gad. And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” So she called his name Asher.”
Genesis 49:1 & 20
“And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:
“Bread from Asher shall be rich,
And he shall yield royal dainties.’”
AsherThe first video covers the Scriptures and poem section, the second video covers the study. I pray they can bless you this week. Much love, Lucy x
The Tribe Of Asher
Key Facts
Order of birth- Eighth
Order of blessing- Ninth
Mother- Zilpah
Meaning of name- Happy or Blessed
Character details- Jealous of his brother, Joseph. Had four sons and one daughter.
Tribe details- Known for their prosperity and fertile territory along the Mediterranean coast, blessed with an abundance of resources.
Symbol of tribe- The Olive Tree.
Land allocation- Fertile land in the northern region.
Relevant Scriptures
Genesis 30:9-13
“When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, “A troop comes!” So she called his name Gad. And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” So she called his name Asher.”
Genesis 49:1 & 20
“And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:
“Bread from Asher shall be rich,
And he shall yield royal dainties.’”
Twelve tribes of Israel from twelve different brothers,
All the sons of Jacob, but from four different mothers.
Leah bore him six of them, while two came from Zilpah.
Rachel bore another two, and two more came from Bilhah.
Asher was the eighth in line; the Scriptures will attest.
Zilpah bore a second son whose very name means “blessed”.
It also could mean “happy”, for Leah made it known—
The credit for this baby’s birth she’d claim now as her own.
Scripture paints a picture of the status Leah sought.
It’s evident this woman cared about what others thought.
“I’m happy, for they’ll call me blessed!” was Leah’s proclamation.
Confident that Asher’s birth would bring her admiration.
In Jacob’s words of prophecy it’s very clear to see,
The theme of “blessing” reappears through great prosperity.
This tribe would be productive by Yahweh’s gracious hand.
Settling along the coast, amid a fertile land.
And yet his words go deeper, addressing every son.
Jacob speaks of Israel and what is yet to come.
He mentions “royal dainties” as more than just confection,
The tribe of Asher represents a time of God’s protection.
For through the tribulation the Lord will grant them grace.
He’ll keep them safe and lead them to a special, hidden place.
It’s here the “royal dainties” come as spiritual food.
This tribe will be evangelists and bring about much good!
Psalm 37:25
“I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.”
Insight to Asher
Mother-Zilpah, on behalf of Leah
At this point in the text, Leah has borne Jacob four sons. Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, has given him two boys, and now Asher is the second son to be born through Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid. As I mentioned in my last two studies, we don’t know anything about the thoughts or feelings of the handmaids through this situation, but it seems fairly clear that Jacob at least doesn’t seem to have a problem with this setup! The fact that both handmaids have provided him with two sons each certainly suggests Jacob was a relatively willing participant in this arrangement!
Here, at the birth of Asher, Leah declares, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” Knowing this child would legally be credited as hers, Leah expresses her joy at this elevation of “social status” amongst her peers. I think it’s an easily relatable feeling, as who among us doesn’t want to be thought of highly or well by others? It does give the impression, however, that Leah seems more interested in the status this child would bring her than the actual baby himself.
Jacob and Leah are often considered to be in the category of “spiritual greats”, and yet their actions and attitudes throughout this whole scenario reveal faults and flaws which are common to the average person. I do appreciate the Bible’s candid openness when documenting the events that took place and how people behaved within them, even when it doesn’t necessarily paint them in the best light. It shows us that we’re all prone to struggling with the same weaknesses, failings and temptations. It highlights the truth that apart from Jesus, there really is no one righteous, no, not one, as we’re told in both Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:12.
How encouraging it is to consider, though, that God uses imperfect people to fulfil His perfect plans. It’s a comforting reminder that anyone can be used by God for His purposes, while also prompting us to recall the stark truth that the only thing we can boast in is Christ, and Christ alone.
Jacob’s Prophetic Blessing
Not much is said about Asher, personally, within the Bible, although we know that he was among his brothers during the jealousy-fuelled selling of his half-brother, Joseph. We also read in Genesis 46:17 that Asher had four sons and one daughter, with his tribe eventually growing into six clans. Numbers 1:41 documents that the tribe of Asher had 41,500 fighting men during the Israelites’ journey to Canaan, while one notable figure from the tribe of Asher was the prophetess called Anna. This lady was blessed to meet the baby Jesus just days after His birth, which we can read about in Luke 2:36.
When Jacob addressed his son Asher to give him his blessing, he declared,
“Bread from Asher shall be rich,
And he shall yield royal dainties.”
In essence, Jacob was blessing Asher and his descendants with a promise that they would possess good food and great riches. Asher’s tribe inherited land in Canaan along the coast, some of which contained some of the richest soil in all of that region. They produced much grain, wine, oil, and minerals, which meant that the tribe became known for its wealth and luxurious lifestyle. The tribe’s symbol of the olive tree represents prosperity and blessing, highlighting the prophetic truth of Jacob’s words, while also echoing the meaning of Asher’s name.
In Deuteronomy 33, Moses gave a final blessing to each of the tribes, with verse 24 saying,
“Asher is most blessed of the sons;
Let him be favoured by his brothers,
And let him dip his foot in oil.”
Once again we see this theme of prosperity and productivity come into play for Asher’s tribe.
When it comes to the end times prophecy element of Jacob’s blessing, what we see from the tribe of Asher is that they represent a time of protection. Through my studies of Jacob’s blessings so far, we’ve seen the nation of Israel go from being a disappointing people to a dispersed people, a delivered people, an exiled people, an exploited people, a poisoned people, and then a persecuted people. Now, with Asher, we see Israel become a protected people through a specific stage of the tribulation.
We know from Scripture that the Jews will come under great persecution from the antichrist during this time and, as a result, will flee into a place that God has prepared for them in the region of Bozrah, the rock city of Petra. This is a place where they will be hidden and protected from the enemy.
The book of Revelation mentions that 12,000 people from the tribe of Asher will be among the 144,000 sealed servants of God, and they will be the designated ones who will preach the Gospel during this time.
The “royal dainties” mentioned in Jacob’s blessing take on a spiritual connotation here, as the tribe of Asher will have the important role of being evangelists, bringing the “royal dainties” or “spiritual food” of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. The sealing of the tribe of Asher signifies their special spiritual function to proclaim the Gospel and bring others to faith in Christ during the turbulent and perilous end times.
Closing Thoughts
It’s encouraging to see the theme of God’s provision and protection shine through when studying the tribe of Asher. We can observe God’s bountiful blessings poured out on both Asher and his descendants, even in seasons of great hardship.
It brings to mind John 16:33, which says,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Scripture never promises the believer the absence of trial or hardship. What it does promise, however, is God’s presence, comfort, strength, and guidance through those times to sustain us. So let’s ask ourselves today,
Are there times in my own life when I can recall seeing God’s protection and provision sustaining me through a season of great difficulty? Have I thanked God for His faithfulness and for meeting my needs in each situation? If I’m currently going through a time of trouble, how can recalling God’s faithfulness in the past encourage me for my present situation today? Can I see God’s hand of provision and protection at work in spite of all the challenges?
What’s also incredibly reassuring about the words in John 16:33 is they are a comforting reminder that while our present troubles are not eternal, God’s victory is. May we take heart today that whatever life looks like right now, God is still sovereign, He is faithful to keep His promises, and just like with the tribe of Asher, He will always provide for us and meet our needs.
