9
19 Hapharaim, Shion, and Anaharath,
20 Rabbith, Kishion, and Ebez,
21 Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez.
22 The border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and their border ended at the Jordan; sixteen cities with their villages.
23 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.
Zebulun was Jacob’s tenth child, his sixth child born from Leah. He was younger than Issachar but cast the lot first. The lot cast the tribe of Zebulun was the third lot. The reason Zebulun cast the lot before Issachar was that it was prophesized as so by Jacob (Gen. 49:13). Also, even Moses prayed in this order in his blessing of Israel (Deut. 33:18). The territory of the Zebulun was an area west of the Sea of Galilee, between Naphtali and Issachar. It was not a wide territory.
Issachar was the fifth child born to Jacob and Leah. They gained an area from the south end of the Galilee to the east of the Jezreel Valley. It is a fertile and beautiful plain. The seven tribes of Israel investigated the land of Canaan with their own eyes, divided the land, and cast the lot themselves. However, the result was according to Jacob’s prophesy in Genesis Chapter 49. The fulfillment of God’s prophecy is amazingly precise. We, too, must listen to Bible’s prophecy, as all that was written will definitely be fulfilled. Blessed are those who determine life’s direction and make the effort with such conviction. Prophesies are not given to us so that we can be fatalists. They are given to us as hope, conviction, and strength to overcome trials. It is said in the book of Hebrews, “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Heb. 11:16). Let’s walk our earthly lives, looking forward to the eternal inheritance already prepared for us in heaven.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, Your promises always come true. Thank you for preparing our eternal inheritance in heaven. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.