Zebulon was one of the unfaithful tribes of Israel who did not drive the Canaanites from the land of Israel. They helped to bring test after test upon Israel because of this bad decision.
Today we will look in detail to how the tribe of Zebulon reacted to God’s commandment during the times of the second generation of Israelites living in Israel.
WELCOME
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THE SAD MISTAKE OF ZEBULON
Zebulon should have driven the Canaanites out of of the areas called Kitron and Nahalol. They only subjected them to forced labor. We know this from reading Judges 1:30; Neither did Zebulun drive out the Canaanites living in Kitron or Nahalol, so these Canaanites lived among them, but Zebulun did subject them to forced labor.
KITRON
Zebulun was one of the six tribes who had stood on Mt. Ebal during the days of Moses and pronounced the curses for disobedience to God. They had boldly promised to refrain from carving images or casting idols. Yet; these were the very things that the Canaanites were doing right inside of Zebulon’s back yard.
So here we see that Zebulon responded in such a way that showed they were willing to keep SOME of God’s ways in the new land, but not ALL of them. This wasn’t how the covenant was supposed to work.
AN ALL OR NOTHING FAITH
Can we see our own reflection in Zebulon’s mirror when we begin to consider the foolish actions they took toward obeying all that God had commanded? Which of the commandments of God do you favor for exceptions to the rule? We make the same sad choices that Zebulon did when we accept some of the law and place the rest of it aside.
As we move further into our study we will find that Zebulon is going to be more faithful in the days AFTER the Judges, but during this time which we study today that was not the case.
The land which Zebulon inherited was located in the spot that eventually was called Galilee (in northern Israel.) The prophet Isaiah later gave a prophetic message stating that Galilee (including the land of Zebulon) would be the first honored to hear the teachings of Jesus. Until Zebulon repented and turned though; they would have to suffer the unnecessary humiliation that results from continued disobedience.
God would eventually have to test the people of Zebulon at the hands of the Assyrians. It would not be a fun test.
A PATIENT AND COMPASSIONATE GOD
Here we see a God who is patient. He carefully disciplines his children until they learn and turn. Like all good fathers He knows that many of us have to learn the hard way.
Later He compassionately forgives the people of Zebulon and restores their blessings many times more than what they had originally. Only this happened in another time-period after they learned the lesson the hard way and decided to repent and be obedient to the God who knows what is best for them.
It is just the same with you and me when we belong to God’s Kingdom. No matter how horrible our past might be, if we simply humble ourselves before God, repent and turn around from our sins, He will forgive us and restore our inheritance. This is true even if we are slow and have to learn our lessons the hard way.
It is only the unrepentant that God will permanently punish. This was the case with the pagan Canaanites who had been given every opportunity for years and years to repent and turn and acknowledge God’s sovereignty. They would not. The wickedness of the Canaanites ran so deep that it could not be healed.
NAHALOL
The other location mentioned in relation to where Zebulon is located is a place called Nahalol. This location was assigned to the Levites. Within the Tribes of Levites Nahalol was then given over to the responsibility of the division of priests called Merarites.
Though never removed from the area of this particular location, the Canaanites who were left in the land were subjected to forced labor for the Israelites.
The men from Zebulun became landlords over them. They profited off of the Canaanites that were not removed. The Canaanites paid them tribute for use of the land. This wasn’t what God had commanded.
GREED IS A VERY DANGEROUS SIN
The human trait of greed ruled the day with the Merarites. We all have choices in life. These priestly Israelites of Zebulon now living in the promised land definitely made the wrong choices. They based things on their own prosperity instead of God’s will.
All choices carry consequences.
This failure of Zebulon brought sad consequences for the next generations of Israelites. It weakened a strong and faithful tribe of people. Some of the covenant curses that the founders from Zebulon had proclaimed from the mountain fell upon them.
There was leaven in the loaf in the lands of Zebulon.
Now it was becoming harder and harder to distinguish the people of the land of Israel from the other pagan nations.
THE QUESTIONS ABOUT CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Well, this was the Old Testament in the days of the Judges. Today we have looked at the actions of the tribe of Zebulon and the mistakes they made in obeying God’s commands for a holy nation, but what exactly does all of this mean for the Church today?
Members of the true Church are all saved by the blood of Jesus. Our sins have been forgiven and God does not remember them anymore. However; sometimes we still sin. God’s Holy Spirit living within the temples of our bodies remind us to repent of our sins. If we are faithful; we repent and seek God’s forgiveness again.
When this happens; Jesus pleads for us at God’s throne. God agrees to wipe our sins out of his book. He removes them as far as the east from the west.
Yet; there are churches with open sinners who never confess their sins. They commit atrocities right in the middle of congregational worship. What should be done when this happens?
THE SINS OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Perhaps they see themselves as gods, because they do not feel guilt, nor do they confess and repent. Like the Merarites in our story today; they make up their own mind instead of asking God.
When these things happen, Church discipline should come forth. Just as Israel had to remove the Canaanites because of their pagan ways; so too must the true Church discipline and/or remove the ways, acts and rituals of unrepentant sinners from the congregation. If the sin does not stop after discipline; the person causing the trouble must be asked to leave until they have changed.
This is for their own good. It is hoped they will meditate upon their circumstances, repent and turn. At that time they can be restored. In the meantime; the Church cannot live in the middle of false witness and please God. Many forget that the Church is designed to follow God; not to please mankind. Yes; we must love our brother at all times. Sometimes though, real love involved discipline and correction.
All repentant sinners can be restored if they humble themselves before God and believe that Jesus died for them. We cannot let anyone make a mockery of our LORD though. Some times we encounter modern-day Canaanites. All love, mercy and kindness must be shown. Patience must be exercised, but if that doesn’t work; God says to remove them.
Even the ancient Canaanites COULD have been restored. If the Canaanites who had witnessed the goodness of God for thousands of years had turned and repented; they would not have been removed from the land. If sinners in the Church turn and repent and mend their ways; neither will they be permanently removed. It is hoped that they will grow in God’s ways and flourish from learning how to overcome.
THE ISSUE OF FORGIVENESS
Christianity is all about forgiveness.
God forgives and commands His people to forgive.
However; if this fact is taken for granted and abused to the point that the gospel of Jesus Christ suffers from slander and abuse; action must be taken and the sinner must be removed from the congregation. This is because sin is like a cancer. If not removed; it seeps into the whole body of believers. Before you realize what is happening the gospel is perverted and a false message goes forth to the world. This is Satan’s plan; and definitely NOT from God.
GOD’S STANDARDS OVER MAN’S STANDARDS
God set the standard for such decisions long ago in the days that Israel was being ruled within the territories of each individual tribe. The pattern was set during the time when Israel was living within the land with no King or ruler. In those days God was their only source. He is always enough! Yet; people did not listen and obey.
The religious establishment (the Levites) should have been leading Zebulon in how to keep God’s ways and not allowing pagan ways to encroach upon the people of God.
The modern church should faithfully carry out the same mission. A sinful nation cannot be a godly nation; just as a perverted gospel is not the true gospel.
A CHURCH THAT IS TRUE
There is only one truth and that is the truth from God’s anointed scriptures and His Word. Anything else should not become common toward the witness the Church bears and lives out to the world.
If you feel unsure about any of this, perhaps because you are considering the fact that it happened during Old Testament times instead of New Testament times; I would encourage you to go back and read the advice of The Apostle Paul found in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 5. This passage will give you an alternative and New Testament view of this same fact. It reinforces what we have already discussed.
What do we living in God’s Church today need to learn in order to overcome today’s Canaanites who are still thriving in our lands? The answer is to pray for God to develop us spiritually so that we will stay strong to His truth and His causes.
The modern-day Canaanites must see our God living inside us. They must understand that He is the most powerful and only True God. Our witness must be stronger than the men of Zebulon living in the times that Israel was first settling the Promised Land. We must carry out God’s will for His people without question or hesitation.
We do not want to have to face the same tests that Israel had to endure because of their foolishness and unwise decisions.
Pray that all nations and the Church living within them turn and make the right choices to honor The One God of Heaven and Earth.