Jacob's Deathbed Prophecy - ASHER

 Read Genesis 49:20. Jacob foretold that the tribe of Asher would become prosperous, and this is exactly what happened. Asher's tribal allotment included some of the most fertile land in all Israel. (Deuteronomy 33:24) It also bordered on the Mediterranean Sea and included the wealthy Phoenician trading port of Sidon. However, Asher failed to drive out the Canaanites from the land. (Judges 1:31, 32) The bad influence of the Canaanites coupled with Asher's prosperity may have caused the tribe to be less zealous for pure worship. Asher did not respond when Judge Barak looked for volunteers to fight Canaanite coalition. As a result, the tribe missed out on sharing in the miraculous victory "by the waters of Megiddo." (Judges 5:19-21) It must have shamed Asher to hear Barak and Deborah's inspired victory song, which included the lyric: "Asher sat idle on the seashore." - JUDGES 5:17.

Son

Asher

Pronouncement

"Asher's bread will be abundant." - GENESIS 49:20. 

Fulfillment

Asher enjoyed prosperity in the Promised Land. - DEUTERONOMY 33:24.

What can we learn? We want to give Jehovah our best. To do so, we need to reject the world's view of material comforts and possessions. (Proverbs 18:11) We strive to maintain a balanced view of money. (Ecclesiastes 7:12; Hebrew 13:5) We do not allow the pursuit of unnecessary material things to hold us back in our service to God. Instead, we seek to give Jehovah the best of our time and energy now, knowing that a truly uncomfortable and secure life awaits us in the future. -PSALM 4:8. 

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