Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By Robert Burgess
Foreword
The following notes are from a study in a series on the Twelve Tribes of Israel;
This was originally done in 1995.. A more expanded version of this study, as well
as the remainder of the articles in this series will follow shortly (As time permits).
This study is based on the Prophetic Blessings of Jacob over his twelve Sons
(Gen 49:etc.), and Moses' Prophetic Blessing upon the twelve Tribes of Israel (Dt
33).
Jacob and his Twelve sons are a type of the "Tree of Life" bearing Twelve
manner of Fruit. We must realize that these sons of Jacob each represent a mini-
type of Christ, who is both the "True vine" and the "Branch" man (See Jn 15:1 &
Zech 3:8). The twelve Apostles of the lamb are also in view, for they are "The
Branches." Every born again believer has a position also as one of the branches
of the tree of life, and is therefore an heir to the blessings and promises made
concerning him as one of the "Sons of Jacob, the Israel of God (Gal 6:16)."
When we are born again, we are a Spiritual Son of Abraham; and as such, there
are certain "Spiritual Characteristics" of the Twelve Tribes that we bear. It is our
hope that the readers might discover more about their gifts, callings, and
placement as Spiritual "Sons of Jacob," as they study these articles.
At the outset, let us consider that the twelve sons of Jacob were not all born of
the same mother, in other words, all of them were really half brothers to some of
the others. Although they all had the same Father, they had different mothers;
this caused that some of the various traits were much different, and not always
the most beneficial in the overall. Some of the Sons were born of concubines,
and not to the married wives of Jacob at all. We will look more closely into these
kinds of relationships as the study progresses. The only two sons who were born
of Rachel (or, a Ewe-Sheep), Jacob s beloved wife, were Joseph and Benjamin;
As we pursue this study we will find out many things which lead us to realize that
there are many "Birthings" of certain of these characteristics which shall take
place in our personal lives at different points along the "Way" that leadeth unto
Life.
"And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I
may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves
together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father (Gen
49:1-3)."
These were the blessings of Jacob upon his twelve Sons; notice carefully that
these were "Prophetic Blessings" for the "Last Days;" In other words, these
blessings would be realized in the various characteristics which would surface
among the "Sons of Israel" during the Last days, also known as the "Church
Age." Since Christ was manifested and crucified in the "Middle of the (Prophetic)
Also in view is that fact that a person who is born-again must "Follow on to
know the Lord (See Hos 6:3)" if they are to escape the "Unstable as Water"
conditions that surround such an one. These are not yet Spiritual, but basically
Soulish; And as such they need desperately to realize the hazards of lingering
too long in the outer court, the "Born ~ again Realm."
If we refuse to go on unto perfection, and follow through in "Being Born Again (In
a continual "Series" of Spiritual Birthings)," we will fall into condemnation of the
Father, and lose our original birthright as did Reuben. "Being born again (a
Continual Process is in view), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the
word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Pet 1:23)."
Notice how James deals with this Unstable Nature of Reuben, called the
"Double-Minded man;" "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not
that man THINK that he shall receive ANY THING of the Lord. A double minded
man is UNSTABLE (A REUBENITE) in all his ways (James 1:6-8)."
"Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few (Deu 33:6)."
This passage is from the blessings of Moses upon the Sons of Jacob; It shows
that there will always be "Not a few" of these Reubenites around in the Kingdom
of God. They are destined to be a "Servant Company" in the Kingdom, to do
those things which pertain to earthly labors; They will not be entitled to sit on the
throne of Judgment with the rest of the saints who have overcome. There will
always be those who will despise their birthrights and do things which shall
eventually lead to their loss of inheritance; but he said "Let Reuben LIVE, and not