The Blessing of Being Absorbed By Christ

In the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles, the genealogy of Simeon follows Judah. This is interesting as Simeon was the second born son of Jacob and Judah was the fourth son. History has shown Judah will indeed be royalty among the tribes of Israel and the large portion of the text dedicated to it is understandable. But why is Simeon second? To answer that we should remember a bit of history about Simeon. 

First, the son of Jacob, Simeon was taken by Joseph as a pledge that his brothers would return with Benjamin back in Genesis 42. If we read that story we find out Judah promised on oath to safely bring Benjamin and Simeon back at cost of his own life when Jacob resisted the venture back to Egypt. 

Fast forward to the assignment of the plots of land in Israel after the conquest. We see that Simeon's territory overflows into the territory of Judah. We should remember back to Jacob's curse over Simeon and Levi that did not come to pass because of the territory of Judah. 

Genesis 49:7 (ESV) Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them (Simeon and Levi) in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Jacob said Simeon's descendants would be scattered among the other tribes but in fact, the only tribe Simeon's people overflowed into was Judah. 

Eventually, in the time of David, Simeon was largely absorbed as part of the political alliances of the Davidic kingdom. The Chronicler mentions this:

1 Chronicles 4:31 (ESV) Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until David reigned.

So we have this repeated intertwined relationship with Simeon in and among the tribe of Judah. Later in the chapter, we read this about the Simeonites who had been in the territory of Judah:

1 Chronicles 4:39–40 (ESV) They journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks, 40 where they found rich, good pasture, and the land was very broad, quiet, and peaceful, for the former inhabitants there belonged to Ham.

Simeon was absorbed into Judah and Simeon was abundantly blessed as a result. They enjoyed a broad and quiet land and rich and good pasture. There were benefits for Simeon's alliance with Judah. But let read the end of the chapter:

1 Chronicles 4:42–43 (ESV) And some of them, five hundred men of the Simeonites, went to Mount Seir, having as their leaders Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43 And they defeated the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

Simeon not only enjoyed the rich blessings of Judah, but they also thrived in military conquest as well. They even partook of defeating those pesky Amalekites who had been Israel's sworn enemy since Exodus 17. 

What does all this show us? Well, it completes a picture for us of the benefits of our salvation. Jesus commands us in the New Covenant to ABIDE in Him. That means to rest, remain and stay in Him. We are to let our lives be absorbed into His person. We are to let Him rule and reign over our territory. When we do, we are blessed as a result. We find good pasture and abundant living. Consider how Jesus put it:

John 15:4-5 (ESV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

And Jesus said to us in Matthew 11:
Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

When we surrender our lives into the territory of Jesus, when we rest in Him, He has a way of blessing our lives. In spite of the curses others may lay on us, Jesus' goodness is released in us and through us. Let us be Simeons indeed that Christ's rule may bring us the resources of heaven and eternal rest for our souls. 


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