ZILPAH, GAD AND ASHER

SERIES: THE 12 STONE MEMORIAL

TEXT: GENESIS 30:9-13.

Today we look at the sons born to Zilpah-Gad and Asher. We consider the need for the army of God to arise and the power of being blessed of God. These are sons number 7 & 8 born to Zilpah Leah’s handmaid.

In response to Rachel giving her handmaid to Jacob and bearing sons through her, Leah now does something with her handmaid.

The last son Leah had born prior to this was Judah, which we found means “praise.”

We find here that Leah soon forgot how to “praise” when circumstances did not seem to be in her favor.

Rather than continue in her praise and be content with what God had provided, Leah decided to copy what worked for her sister.

Competition can get so heated that it doesn’t leave room for true victory at all. Let us learn:-

ZILPAH

• The name Zilpah means a trickling or a trickle down like honey.
• Zilpah was Leah’s handmaid, she now becomes a retaliation to Rachel’s handmaid bearing sons for Jacob.
• Zilpah can represent one of the more dangerous times for the church.
• This is where it seems sweet and nice, but a trickle will never bring the river of God that He desires to bring.
• Leah herself found her happiness through Zilpah to a degree and thought finally this would ne who her husband would love her.
• Zilpah is the time of the church where we feel good about what we have accomplished and can get to the place where it is enough, even when it is a trickle down.
• Let us look at Zilpah’s sons.

I. GAD

• Gad means “troop” or an assemble army, an army parade. It can also mean “good fortune.”
• Leah names Gad, declaring that she had been shown good fortune in that an army had assembled through her.
• About Gad.

“About Gad Moses said “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad’s domain! Gad lives there like a lion, tearing at an arm or head. He chose the best land for himself; the leader’s portion was kept for him. When the heads of the people assembled, he carried out the Lord’s righteous will and his judgements concerning Israel”-Deut. 33:20-21.

• The above was Moses blessings to Gad.
• Gad was in the front, leading the army of Israel as they crossed the Jordan to go into battle-Joshua 4:12.
• This is the hour when God’s army must rise and lead the church into this last days battle into victory unlike anything ever seen before.
• The Gadite heritage of being a warrior did not stop with the death of Gad himself.
• During the times of King David, these gadites were army commanders. The last was a match for a hundred and the greatest for a thousand.
• It was they that crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was over flowing all banks and they put to flight everyone living in the valleys to the east and to the west-1^st 12:14-15.
• As for us at First Baptist Church-Athi River God has out you in the army and therefore you are a fighter and you are needed.
• If you are still breathing, there are still plans that God has for you.
• God has not and will never give up on you. He views you as important.
• Although the battle is the Lord’s, the battle plan of the Lord always includes people.
• And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force-Matt. 11:12.
• The kingdom of God is about God expressing Himself powerfully in all things. He does that through you and me.
• Experiencing the kingdom of God and all its blessings requires earnest endeavour and constant war. A fight of faith accompanied by a strong will to resist satan, sin and an often corrupt society.
• Why is it that the warriors don’t arise?
• Fear of failure.
• Double mindedness.
• Lack of understanding and knowledge.
• Lack of commitment.
• Peer pressure.
• When people leave a church when they are not supposed to, they will never be able to fulfil God’s plan for their lives completely.
• Hear the prophetic declaration to return to the army-Jer. 49:1-2.

III. ASHER

• Asher means “happy” or “blessed.”
• Leah names Asher declaring that now she is happy and that others will call her happy as well.
• The blessings of God are invaluable, the fortunes of this world cannot compete with the blessing of the Lord.
• About Asher Moses said, “most blessed of the sons is Asher; let him be favoured by his brothers, and let him be favoured by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days”-Deut. 33:24-25.
• Blessings is not something to be measured by earthly possession. Blessing is an eternal truth.
• Never sacrifice your eternal blessing for temporal, earthly possessions.
• Because of sin all us have come from bad family line like Asher, but God has shown us mercy in Christ.
• God has filled us with His Holy Sp[irit.
• God gives us victory over the devil-Luke 10:19.
• “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement you shall condemn”-Isa. 545:17.
• We are invincible when we are obedient under the blood.
• As your days, so shall be your strength. Asher was to be strong, even in old age.
• Don’t worry about tomorrow because “As your days, so shall be your strength be”-John 16:33.

CONCLUSION

• Today choose to be a Gadite, a soldier of the cross.
• Today choose to be Asher, “happy” filled with the Holy Spirit, victorious for as your days so shall your strength be.