Did you ever have a strange dream that seemed so far from your normal life that it made it difficult to continue sleeping? That’s what happened to me this morning…although it was probably because I chose to attempt to “sleep in” and went back to bed after my alarm went off. But it wasn’t the dream that sat in my heart. It was a name – a question that I had after the dream and still had after I decided to start my day:
Who is Zebulun (Zebulon/Zevulun/Zabulon)?
My dream and this question were completely unrelated. I hadn’t heard the name for quite some time, didn’t know anyone with the name, wasn’t working on a study, and hadn’t come across anything that would cause me to think about this name, including recent shows. I literally had no clear reason for this question to be on my mind.
What I had been asking myself was about my purpose, how I contributed to a greater plan, and if I was doing what I should be doing. Coming fresh off the understanding of my quiet gifts, I needed to learn about Zebulun.
Quick overview:
Leah, Jacob’s first wife, was unloved. Jacob had worked for and intended to marry Rachel, the younger sister. Jacob was led to believe he was marrying Rachel but married Leah. He eventually got Rachel by working for a total of 14 years to have her. God blessed Leah with multiple children, including six sons who would make up the 12 tribes of Israel. Among them were Levi, who would be the father of the lineage of priests, and Judah, who would be the father of the lineage of kings and the Messiah.
Leah had hoped that with each child, Jacob would be pleased and draw closer to her. (There’s a lesson in that story that many today still don’t see.) “19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. 20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.” – Gen 30:19-20.
Zebulun: honor; to dwell or reside
Jacob/Israel gave this prophecy: “13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.” – Gen 49:13
Jacob spoke over all of his sons, but this is the only one that includes a dwelling place. There is no consensus for a map of the exact locations and borders of Zebulon (ex. Did their land actually touch the water, or did it mean they were close enough to influence trade?).
FFwd: Zebulun did not have an easy conquest for their inheritance. However, God sent them guidance, and they prevailed. The tribe would eventually move forward in history as being strategically positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee, which saw many people groups along the trade route. They had fertile land for agriculture and thrived economically, becoming skilled craftsmen as well as people who were “go-betweens” or “middlemen” to connect people of different lands for commerce. While it did well for trade, it may not be looked upon as the ideal Jewish place to live. It was not near the religious epicenter or where many cultural activities took place, so it required more effort to participate (ex. days of travel). Additionally, its location made it an easier target for invasion from other countries.
It was in this land where people of all backgrounds would walk – Jews and Gentiles. This land would be part of another prophecy. We often sing the words in Isa 9:6 at Christmas time, but what about the verses that start the chapter?
“1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” – Isa 9:1-2
“12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matt 4:12-17
Do you see it?
Leah bore a son and named him Zebulun with the hope that her husband would dwell with her. Later, in the greater plan of redemption, Israel’s Husband (“Emmanuel” meaning “God with us” – Matt 1:22-23) dwelt among them. A greater Husband, Priest, Prophet, Teacher, Everything purposely moved to an area that doesn’t get much recognition for anything and began His ministry there. Leah longed for Jacob – a man who would never reciprocate her affection. Her descendants received Jesus – a Man Who would love, cherish, feed, heal, and teach His people and give up His life to save and reconcile us (people of all nations) to the Father.
Zebulun…would you have imagined that future for his descendants?
So, what did that information have to do with me? Or anyone else?
In my choices of work, I have crossed many paths. I have interacted with more people than I can remember. Most of the days, I have simply done my best at my jobs and tried to shine my light for those around me. I’ve never expected change on any miraculous level, but I have managed to see people grow. I will never know the full impact I’ve had on anyone, so I try to make interactions positive. However, when I see stories like this, I think about being blessed enough to be where I should be for God’s plan to work through me. Maybe it was to teach a student on Tuesday. Maybe finding a telephone number helped a mother get assistance to pay her electricity bill. Maybe the corny joke I said lightened someone’s mood.
Whatever I’m doing, I have to be “doing” and not avoiding.
It’s easy to convince yourself that you are insignificant and aren’t making any major contributions. But is that actually true? Likely not. If you don’t think your absence would be missed in the overall picture, spend a couple of weeks assembling a puzzle by hand. I bet you wouldn’t start over each day or place it in an area that’s easy for it to get broken (ex. people knocking it over). Does your happiness build as you see the image forming? Do you imagine completing it and looking back to admire the puzzle you’ve solved?
Now imagine you’re reaching for the final pieces, and they’re nowhere to be found.
“Zebulun by the Sea? Zebulun’s Mysterious Borders” – https://biblearchaeology.org/research/conquest-of-canaan/4518-zebulun-by-the-sea-zebuluns-mysterious-borders
“The Tribe of Zebulun: Merchants of Ancient Israel” – https://www.bibleanalysis.org/the-tribe-of-zebulun-merchants-of-ancient-israel/
“What Does Matthew 4:16 mean?” – https://www.bibleref.com/matthew/4/matthew-4-16.html
“The story of the tribe of Zebulun in the Bible: the sixth son of Jacob with his wife Leah”
