Gad - 7th Son of Jacob to Zilpah, the maid of Leah.
Genesis 27:2, “These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report."
Jacob's words of blessings:
Genesis 49:19, "Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last."
- Gad is a type of a person who is overcome by a troop of temptation but at last but finally awakens to the danger of his life and in the power from God, overcomes at last.
1 Chronicles 5:20, "They cried to God in the battle, and He was entreated of them; because they put their trust in Him."
Entreat -
Ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something.
Ask earnestly or anxiously for (something).
- The secret of the tribe of Gad of their victory is that during their battle, they put no confidence to self but they cried to God and put their trust in Him.
Apostle Peter, is a noted character who is a type of Gad:
Matthew 14:30, 31, "Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him."
Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
- The Holy Spirit is ready to make intercession for us and helps our infirmities.
The Lord's message to the backslider:
Jeremiah 3:12-14, "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
Jeremiah 3:12-14, “Go and proclaim these words…I am married unto you.”
- God's promises are conditional.
Acts 13:46, “It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”
- When nation Israel chose to reject the Saviour, God chose another as His chosen people.
Jeremiah 3:12, “…Return, thou backsliding Israel…Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God.. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD.”
Jeremiah 3:22, "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings."
God's promises to the repentant sinner:
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together: ... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Jeremiah 3:13, "Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God."
Hosea 14:4, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."
Revelation 7:4, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Summary:
| Positive Character | They are trustful in God |
| Negative Character | Overcome by a troop of temptation |
| Judgment | A troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. |
| Fulfillment | They were overcome by a troop of temptations but at last were awaken of their danger and by the power of God overcame |
| Why they be found in heaven? | They were overcomers |
John 14:15, “If ye love me keep my commandments.”