Modern Day Movie "The Lost" part 2

Today we will look at the tribe of Dan, as promised.

Dan was the fifth son of Jacob, and his descendants composed one of the strong tribes of Israel. Sixty-four thousand four hundred warriors were marshaled under the standard of Dan, as they entered the promised land. Numbers 26:42,43

For some reason, the large tribe of Dan was given one of the smallest portions of the inheritance, and in time, they pushed northward and fought against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. Joshua 19:40-48

Jeroboam set up his golden calves, one in Bethel in the territory of Ephraim, the other in the city of Dan; and the Danites were given over to idolatry. Even before the days of Jeroboam, we find the Danites worshiping graven images. Judges 18:30

When the tabernacle was built in the wilderness, God especially endowed Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan, with wisdom to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, Exodus 31:3-6 and also gave him ability to teach others the same art. Exodus 35:34. These gifts remained with the tribe of Dan, and were doubtless the reason why they were attracted toward the wealthy city of Tyre, and intermarried with its inhabitants. 1 Kings 7:13,14

Years afterward, when Solomon built the temple, Hiram, king of Tyre, sent a descendant of Dan, one still possessing the gifts given his forefathers by the Lord, to make the cunning work in gold, silver, and brass, for the temple, 2 Chronicles 2:13,14 in Jerusalem.

The tribe of Dan still kept its place among the Israelites in the time of David; 1 Chronicles 27:22 but after that, the name, as applied to the tribe, vanishes, and it is seldom mentioned, except when referring to the northern city by that name.

Samson is the only ruler furnished Israel by the tribe of Dan. He judged Israel for twenty years. Judges 13:2; 15:20

The blessing pronounced upon Dan by Jacob, portrays his character: Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. Genesis 49:16,17

Like the blessing pronounced upon Reuben, the first part portrays the character he might have possessed, if he had embraced the opportunities God placed in his pathway. What a contrast between a judge, respected and honored by all, and a serpent by the roadside, ready to fasten its deadly fangs into the flesh of every passer-by!

Dan was the first son born of the concubines, but the old patriarch gave him an honored place among the tribes of Israel. Naturally he was endowed with the quick, keen discernment that makes a good judge; but he did not exercise the gift as God designed; he used it in detecting the evil in others, instead of the good.

An adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward! What words could better describe the evil tongue that is set on fire of hell and is full of deadly poison?

James 3:6-8 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Dan represents the backbiter, for the adder strikes the heels of the horse. Such characters are hated by both God, and man.

The word of the Lord says, Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off. Psalm 101:5

The prophetic words of Jacob reveal why the tribe of Dan has no part in the eternal inheritance; God had decreed, long before they sealed their destiny by their wicked course, that no backbiter should ever stand on Mount Zion.

The psalmist asks the question, Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? In other words, Who will serve Thee day and night in Thy temple, and stand with Thee upon Mount Zion? He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up reproach against his neighbor, is the answer of Jehovah. Psalm 15:1,3

Reuben, by great searching of heart, overcame his natural character, which was unstable as water, until it could be said of him, Let Reuben live, and not die;

And Levi, by the grace of God, changed his father's dying curse into a blessing.

Judah, by the help of the Lord in his daily life, prevailed above his brethren to such an extent that the dying father could say, The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Gad, although overcome by a troop of temptations, gained the victory, and overcame at last.

Benjamin, from ravening as a wolf, learned to trust in God so fully, that of him it could be said, The Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders.

Asher learned to dip his foot in oil, and pass smoothly over the trials that, without the spirit of God, could never have been mastered.

Ephraim and Dan, with the same opportunities that their brethren had of overcoming evil traits in their characters, failed to gain the victory, and are not reckoned with the one hundred and forty-four thousand who will stand on God's holy hill and abide in His tabernacle.

In families all over the land today, the same story is being repeated. Brothers, reared by the same parents, surrounded by the same environments, are passing over the same experiences as are recorded of the sons of Jacob. Of them, like the wheat and the tares, the commandment is given, Let both grow together until the harvest. The same sunshine and storm that ripen the golden heads of wheat for the garner, ripen the tares for the final destruction; so the same daily blessings from the Father of lights, ripen one individual for the kingdom of God, and the other for final destruction. Each one is the architect of his own character.

To all the call is given, Look unto Me, and be ye saved. The one who will keep his mind stayed on God, by beholding will be changed. Day by day, a transformation will take place in the soul, which will cause angels to marvel at the work wrought in humanity.

The same Christ who once walked the earth, clothed in human form, will by His divine Spirit, dwell in every human being who will open wide the door of his heart, and bid Him enter. He who will meditate upon Christ, and study His sinless life, by beholding the glory of the Lord, will be changed into the same image from glory to glory.

Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple. It is possible for poor fallen humanity, through the power of God, to reflect the divine character. Christ covers the marred life with the spotless robe of His own righteousness. God, and angels, beholding the individual thus clothed, see only the perfect character of the divine Son of God; and throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, the redeemed will witness to the transforming power of the blood of Christ.
Steven N. Haskell "The Cross and The Shadow", chap. 50

I must say at this point, I am guilty of the same spirit. However, now that I know, I will pray to God, that His spirit be placed in me, the spirit of love and compassion for every soul that is within my reaches, so that I may not loose the blessings that is offered to me, through the death of His only begotten son, Jesus of Nazereth. And that blessing is, life eternal with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.