The Tribe of Gad

Gad the seventh born son of Jacob is receiving understanding regarding a latter day prophecy as it pertained to his tribe.

“Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.” Genesis 49:19

Gad was advised that there will come a time in the future when a “troop” will conquer and overcome them. Now, some say that this was the United States Cavalry in their conquering of the Native American Indians. The problem with this is that there were various wars some of which the Native Americans helped the British fight under Tecumseh in the war of 1812 (Wikipedia - Tecumseh). The Native Americans regularly made allies with Esau (the so-called white man) under the identity of the British, French and Spanish (History.com - American Indian wars). They were victims of their own demise trusting in the enemy:

“When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.” Proverbs 26:25

It is untruthful to say it was only the US Calvary that took them out, there was a series of wars and events and double crossings being done by the European nations that ultimately lead to the demise of the Native Americans. Also, for proponents of this understanding the Seminole Tribes (who some believe to be the Tribe of Reuben) were also conquered by a “troop(s)” and forced to sign treaties (1830-60 Indian Treaties) so how or why are they not affected by this judgment?

To truly understand what Jacob was telling Gad, we must stay with the scriptures. True indeed it is believed and understood that the Native Americans and Seminoles are descendants of the Tribes of Israel, however, to say what tribe they are exactly is speculation. Let’s examine the scriptures regarding Genesis 49:19.

“And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.” II Samuel 23:13

A troop is simply an army or a military unit. All kingdoms had “troops,” however Jacob is speaking of a specific army that would overtake the Tribe of Gad and lead them to destruction and captivity.

“And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.” 1 Chronicles 5:26

Due to the wickedness of the northern Kingdom, the Most High sent the Assyrian King and his army to conquer the Gadites. This was one of the last captivities of Gad until they were removed from Northern Israel (II Kings 17:1-6, 18-24; II Esdras 13:40-46). This is what Jacob was letting Gad know, that at a later time his tribe would be overcome by an army.

“When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without. [2] And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.” Hosea 7:1-2

Gad was part of the Kingdom of Ephraim or the Northern Kingdom which fell heavily into idolatry, adultery and other acts of wickedness. The Most High sent a “troop” to spoil them and put them in captivity.

“...but he shall overcome at the last.” Genesis 49:19

The Tribe of Gad is prophesied to overcome their transgressions through repentance and be reconciled back to the Most High (Revelations 7; Revelations 2:26-27; II Chronicles 7:14). They will overcome in the conquering of our oppressors and rejoice in the salvation of the Lord.

“And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.” Deuteronomy 33:20

Gad was to be enlarged with a substantial portion of land. Gad along with Reuben had vast amounts of livestock which they needed much land for.

“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; [2] The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, (3] Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, [4] Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: [5] Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.” Numbers 32:1-5

Gad and Reuben made a pact with Moses and later with Joshua to stay east of Jordan and posses the lands of Moab and Ammon. After driving out their enemies they abode in the land promised to them. Gad promised to be there to help their brethren gain their lands and go to war with the Caananites.

“And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, [13] Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. [14] Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;” Joshua 1:12-14 (also read Numbers 32:6-19)

“he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.” Deuteronomy 33:20

Gad dwelling as a lion, exemplifies the Spirit within the Tribe. Fierce warriors of valor, strength and pride. Gad were known warriors and excellent in all manners of warfare. Tearing of the arm and the crown was a metaphor of showing the manner in which they fought and took down the Caananites and other nations in route to gaining the inherited lands of Israel. Some Israelites teach that this was a “blood brother” symbolism of Indian Chiefs taking the feathers of their headdress and cutting themselves making a blood covenant or pact with other tribes. This, however, cannot be accurate according to this prophecy. Many cultures did the same practice most of which were heathens. In places like East Asia, Scandanavia, Russia, Greece, Montenegro were among some of the peoples that practiced this. Although Native American tribes did do this, there simply isn’t enough evidence to show this hedonistic and unlawful practice is enough to say the Native Americans are the Tribe of Gad. To read more about this practice and why it’s unlawful you can read excerpts from the book Blood-Brotherhood and Other Rites of Male Alliance By Jack Donovan, Nathan F. Mille

“And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains; [37] And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.” 1 Chronicles 12:8,37

“The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.” 1 Chronicles 5:18

The Tribe of Gad was highly skilled in all instruments of war, so they were comfortable in any situation of war.

“And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.” Deuteronomy 33:21

The “first part” was speaking of the land inheritance as previously covered. The portion of a lawgiver is meaning a judge or to govern. Gad would govern their land in righteousness and teach his children to keep the commandments of Moses.

“Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, [2] And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you: [3] Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God. [4] And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side Jordan. [5] But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. [6] So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.” Joshua 22:1-6

This is how Gad was a “lawgiver” to his people.