Revelation 7:13 - And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

The 144,000 are a people whose beginnings were far from holy.  But they are going to finally stand pure and holy. How do they get there? They come out of great tribulation, and wash their robes, and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.

DARK BEGINNINGS

The sin of Jacob, and the train of events to which it led, had not failed to exert an influence for evil {PP 208.3}

What was the sin of Jacob? It was embezzling the birthright from his older brother. It was a sin that caused him to flee from home, and it unfolded a train of events which did not fail to exert an influence for evil.

. . . an influence that revealed its bitter fruit in the character and life of his sons. As these sons arrived at manhood, they developed serious faults. The results of polygamy were manifest in the household. This terrible evil tends to dry up the very springs of love, and its influence weakens the most sacred ties. The jealousy of the several mothers had embittered the family relation, the children had grown up contentious and impatient of control, and the father’s life was darkened with anxiety and grief. {Ibid.}

As they grew to manhood, the sons of Jacob had to be purged and cleansed from those serious faults.

Read Genesis 30:1-8

The tribe of Dan is not included in the 144,000. We want to know why Naphtali is, but Dan his older brother, is not.

You can see from the inspired record that there was real strife between the two sisters. This is a terrible situation for a family – two sisters being married to one man . . .  can you imagine the picture? And then, because one doesn’t have any children, she gives her maid to have her children for her. A form of surrogacy. What is written about jealousy, envy, and stubbornness?

Jealousy and stubbornness are the natural fruits of selfishness. {2T 545.1}

Selfishness was at the heart of this contest between sister and sister. Both vied for the love of Jacob, and the elder was upset because her younger sister was preferred above her. This caused jealousy. And as a result, two sons, Dan and Naphtali, were born from Bilhah, Rachel’s maid.

The conflict between the two sisters would be passed on to the children as their legacy. Isn’t this always the case? John Thiel relates that one of the most horrifying experiences of his life was the discovery that he was exactly like his father, the very one he despised the most. But it’s a reality we can’t get away from. What the mothers were, and what the father was, was passed on as a legacy to their children. Dan, and Naphtali, were born out of this conflict.

Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, and evil speaking are of Satan, and they effectually bar the way against the Holy Spirit’s working. {6T 42.1} 

So how much of the Holy Spirit was working in that family? One would think that nothing good could come out of such a dysfunctional household.

Dan’s legacy

What did Dan receive as a legacy from this atmosphere of envy and jealousy, of evil surmising and evil speaking?

Genesis 49:16 - Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.

Knowledge, wisdom, and quick discernment is required of a judge; and these are gifts of the Holy Spirit. However, these gifts can be twisted into something evil. Dan was a judge; he was given the abilities of a judge, but this giftedness was perverted, and led to eternal loss.

 

Genesis 49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse’s heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. 

 

Dan was as smart as a serpent; but the envy arising from the dysfunctional circumstance between the mothers, and especially with Bilhah, affected him. Can you imagine the kind of situation which existed between Rachel and Bilhah, and Leah and Zilpah? The children are growing up amidst this conflict and Dan is gifted with keen ability to discern and comprehend what is going on.

 

Read James 3:13-15

 If you combine a judgmental spirit with bitter envying and strife, what do you have? Something sensual and devilish.

 

He who opens his heart to the suggestions of the enemy, taking in evil surmising, and cherishing jealousy, frequently misconstrues this evil-mindedness, calling it special foresight, discrimination, or discernment in detecting guilt and fathoming the evil motives of others.

 

He considers that a precious gift has been vouchsafed to him; and he draws apart from the very brethren with whom he should be in harmony; he climbs upon the judgment seat and shuts his heart against the one he supposes to be in error, as though he himself were above temptation. Jesus separates from him and leaves him to walk in the sparks of his own kindling. {7BC 936}

Here we have a picture of Dan, who, with his clever discernment, and affected by the bitterness of his background, is now in the process of separating from Jesus.

Let no one among you glory any longer against the truth by declaring that this spirit is a necessary consequence of dealing faithfully with wrongdoers and of standing in defence of the truth.

Such wisdom has many admirers, but it is very deceptive and harmful. It does not come from above, {7BC 936-7}

Such a spirit does not come from God. But in the church, it is often regarded as coming from God.  Those with this spirit think, ‘We have to deal with the heretics, with those who are sinning; we have to deal with them in a judgmental way, instead of in a harmless-as-a-dove way.’

Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Wise as serpents – a serpent has a smart way of dealing with things. In this story the serpent attitude of Dan is seriously negative, but we are to be as wise as serpents. It is good to be wise and discerning; but we are also to be harmless as doves. The two must be blended.

 

It (a judgmental spirit) does not come from above but is the fruit of an unregenerated heart. Its originator is Satan himself. Let no accuser of others credit himself with discernment; for in so doing, he clothes the attributes of Satan with the garments of righteousness. I call upon you, my brethren, to purify the soul temple of all these things that defile; for they are roots of bitterness. {Ibid.}

What an object lesson for the problems that are found in legalistic church fellowship. This is a serious matter. Observe this shrewd mindedness in the tribe of Dan. The whole tribe is affected by it.

Judges 18:1  - In those days [there was] no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

The tribe of Dan had been allocated land to dwell in, but they considered it too small for them.

Read Joshua 19:40, 47 to see how they dealt with this situation.

 

Judges 18:2 - And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their territory, men of valour from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it. They said unto them, ‘Go, search the land’.  So, they went to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.

 

Judges 18:26 - And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they [were] too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house. 27 And they took [the things] which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people [that were] at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword and burnt the city with fire. 28 And [there was] no deliverer, because it [was] far from Zidon, and they had no business with [any] man; and it was in the valley that [lieth] by Bethrehob. And they built a city and dwelt therein. 29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city [was] Laish at the first. 30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. 

 

We see here some very cruel behaviour. They destroyed the city of Laish which was far away from Sidon. They were smart. None could come to save the city; it was too far away. They also stole some carved images on the way and became idolaters.

 

They were a very skilful people. Read 2 Chronicles 2:1, 11-14

 

The descendants of these men inherited to a large degree the skill conferred upon their forefathers. In the tribes of Judah and of Dan there were men who were regarded as especially “cunning” in the finer arts. For a time, these men remained humble and unselfish; but gradually, almost imperceptibly, they lost their hold upon God and His truth. They began to ask for higher wages because of their superior skill. In some instances, their request was granted, but more often those asking higher wages found employment in the surrounding nations. In place of the noble spirit of self-sacrifice that had filled the hearts of their illustrious ancestors, they cherished a spirit of covetousness, of grasping for more and more. They served heathen kings with their God-given skill and dishonoured their Maker. {2SM 174.3}

Because of they were so skilful, the tribe of Dan demanded higher wages for their work, and they went to the world with their abilities. Here you get a picture of how a God-given skill, as the one possessed by the people of Dan, is perverted. Dan is smart, clever, and capable, but judgmental and selfish. How does God deal with people like that? See Romans 2:1-3 and James 4:11-12.    This kind of activity shuts out the Holy Spirit.

One who possesses skilful judgment but who relentlessly turns against God’s way becomes a backbiter. Like a serpent in the grass, he bites the heel of the horse and causes the rider to fall. This is what you call backbiting. Dan was a backbiter.

Psalm 101:5 – Whosoever secretly slanders his neighbour, him will I destroy. The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him will not I endure. 

Can you see now why Dan is left out? The people who are like Dan will not be among the 144,000. We don’t want to be Dan-like, do we? Judgmental, backbiting, wise in discerning the wrongs in others; but, as we read in Romans, doing the same thing ourselves. The fact is that we have all come from a sinful state of mind, and if we have the attitude of Dan, we will inadvertently fall into this sort of thing – that of jealousy and surmising and judging in a way that cuts us off from the Spirit of God.

The worldling is ever on the watch to criticize and accuse those who serve God. This will reveal itself in the querulous complaining of professed Christians, who have never been transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ. {TM 266.1}

Dan needed to be transformed; but was he?

They are deadly enemies to those who believe. They despise the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and if they can, they make it appear that those who are striving to obey the commandments of God are faulty. . .  but his (Satan’s) cruel thrusts will do little harm if the professed believers stand true to the words of Christ, and be doers of His word and not hearers only . . . To unite with the fault-finding element, to be accusers of the brethren, to take up the reproach they lay at your door is seconding the work of the enemy by playing yourself into his hands to make his work a success. {Ibid.}

This fault-finding element in the church will be used by Satan and the world against us. Those in the church who have Dan’s mentality will be used by Satan to be the accusers of the brethren, to lay complaints, and to take up a reproach.

What does it mean to take up a reproach? When someone is telling someone else, ‘Look at this or that condition in the church,’ and the other person agrees and adds his bit to the story, he is taking up a reproach. And he thinks he is wise; he can deal with this. This is all so foreign to the way of God.

 

For your soul’s sake, my brethren, have an eye single to the glory of God. Leave self out of your thoughts as much as possible. We are nearing the close of time. Examine your motives in the light of eternity. I know you need to be alarmed; you are departing from the old landmarks . . . Do not trust to your own wisdom. I tell you; your souls are in imminent peril. For Christ’s sake, search and see why you have so little love for religious exercises. {5T 97.1}

The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as severe and critical with your own defective character as you please; but be kind, pitiful, and courteous toward others. Inquire every day: Am I sound to the core, or am I false-hearted? Entreat the Lord to save you from all deception on this point. Eternal interests are involved. While so many are panting after honor and greedy of gain, do you, my beloved brethren, be eagerly seeking the assurance of the love of God and crying: Who will show me how to make my calling and election sure? {5T 97.2}

Can you actually hear the Spirit of God appealing to the Danites here? He is pleading for them to change their attitude and become members of another tribe, because the Danites are shut out.

Psalm 15:1 - LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (Zion) 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 

Rev 14:1 – Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

 Danites cannot be on God’s holy hill. There is no place for Dan among the 144,000.

 

 

 

NAPHTALI

The Bible records a direct contrast between the two tribes despite the terrible beginnings of both.  Naphtali responded in a different way. How is he described?

Genesis 49:21 - Naphtali [is] a hind let loose:

What is a hind like? If you come across its path, what does it do? It’s timid, it scurries off. It fears you.

The timidity that developed in Naphtali can be a negative condition. Timidity is also the fruit of self-protective selfishness, a legacy from birth. But look how it can be overcome. Timidity, like judgment, is a good thing if correctly handled. Dan did not overcome the negativity in his judging ability, but Naphtali was timid, and he did overcome his timidity.

 

God has chosen you for a great and solemn work. He has been seeking to discipline, to test, to prove you, to refine and ennoble you, that this sacred work may be done with a single eye to His glory which belongs wholly to God.

 

What a thought that God chooses a man and brings him into close connection with Himself, and gives him a mission to undertake, a work to do, for Him. A weak man is made strong, a timid man is made brave, the irresolute becomes a man of firm and quick decision. What! Is it possible that man is of so much consequence as to receive a commission from the King of kings! Shall worldly ambition allure from the sacred trust, the holy commission? {2SM 167.2}

 

A timid man, under God’s discipline, will become resolute and brave. To be a deer is precious; a deer is a lovely creature; and it can become strong in God’s school. Timidity is something that Naphtali inherited from his experience in that dysfunctional family; but under God’s tuition he could develop other traits of character.

 

Sister Pierce has not much self-esteem and self-confidence. She has many fears yet does not come under the head of the fearful and unbelieving, who will find no place in the kingdom of God.

 

Those outside of the city are among the most confident, boastful, and apparently zealous ones who love in word, but not in deed and in truth. Their hearts are not right with God. His fear is not before them. The fearful and unbelieving, who are punished with the second death, are of that class who are ashamed of Christ in this world. They are afraid to do right and follow Christ, lest they should meet with pecuniary loss. They neglect their duty, to avoid reproach and trials, and to escape dangers. Those who dare not do right because they will thus expose themselves to trials, persecution, loss, and suffering are cowards, and, with idolaters, liars, and all sinners, they are ripening for the second death {2T 630.1}

But those who are timid can be made strong. When Moses was blessing Naphtali, these are the words he uttered:

Deuteronomy 33:23 - . . . O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.

 

What was Naphtali’s timidity? He would not push himself, but under God’s tuition Naphtali could develop bravery.

This is the story of Barak, who came from the tribe of Naphtali:

Read Judges 4:4-15

Judges 5:18 - Zebulun and Naphtali [were] a people [that] jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.

Barak was a very timid man. It was Deborah who had to say to him, Do I have to go out and fight with you? He was a very timid man, but he was exonerated in Hebrews 11:33-34, because he did go out and was strengthened by the Lord to be strong and fight the battles of the Lord.

 

Hebrews 11:32-34  -  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and [of] Barak, …  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

 

Genesis 49:21 - . . . he uses beautiful words. In this he was different from his brother Dan.

He giveth goodly words (KJV) – he doesn’t use judgmental and critical words. He is timid, he is careful, but he turns these characteristics into a blessing.  He chooses to use godly words, and not judgmental words.

 

Our ministering brethren are too often imposed upon by the relation of trials in the church, and they too frequently refer to them in their discourses. {5T 96.3}

Don’t refer to the trials in the church.

They should not encourage the members of the church to complain of one another but should set them as spies upon their own actions. None should allow their feelings of prejudice and resentment to be aroused by the relation of the wrongs of others; {Ibid.}

Be a Naphtali; choose not to allow your feelings of prejudice and resentment to be aroused by listening to a litany of the wrongs of others. Don’t take up a reproach.

. . . all should wait patiently until they hear both sides of the question, and then believe only what stern facts compel them to believe. At all times the safe course is not to listen to an evil report until the Bible rule has been strictly carried out. This will apply to some who have worked artfully to draw out from the unsuspecting, matters which they had no business with, and which would do them no good to know. {Ibid.}

To be among the 144,000 we should be like Naphtali and not allow brother Dan’s poisonous root of bitterness and judgmentalism take root in our hearts. We have here, clearly presented, the results of growing up in a bad environment, but letting only the good develop under God’s direct intervention.

We are not to be tattlers, or gossipers, or talebearers; we are not to bear false witness. We are forbidden by God to engage in trifling, foolish conversation, in jesting, joking, or speaking any idle words. {FE 458.1}

What of Naphtali? He spoke only goodly words.

We must give an account of what we say to God. We will be brought into judgment for our hasty words, that do no good to the speaker or to the hearer. Then let us all speak words that will tend to edification. {Ibid.}

Be a Naphtali!

Remember that you are of value with God. Allow no cheap, foolish talk or wrong principles to compose your Christian experience. {Ibid.}

The people of Naphtali are included among the 144,000. The church is called upon to heed the comparison between Naphtali and Dan. They were both brought up by the same mother, under the same circumstances; but one is assured a place among the 144,000, while the other is not.

This is a wonderful object lesson. May God help us to take hold of these lessons and let all these words from the Spirit of Prophecy sink in, so that we do not fall into Dan’s sin. Let us be of the tribe of Naphtali. And for those who are timid, who are of the nature of Naphtali, if you will overcome timidity, and be brave like Barak, be brave like God has said He will make you, then be assured there is a place for you among the 144,000. You will enter the glorious golden city through the gate of Naphtali.

May God bless us as we take these things to heart.