12 Tribes of Israel #9 Asher-Bond Servants of God our best day is yet to come so we must watch what we eat!

Gen. 49:20
“Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.”
3 John 2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Genesis 30:12-13.
"And Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, 'Happy am I! For women will call me happy.' So she named him Asher."

Asher:-Happy-Deals with our health.  We must eat fuel to function.
 
The foods we put in our bodies must be given thought. When we mistreat food or our bodies with food, it is a sin. Emotional eating, over eating, under eating, fattening foods, diets, can all cut our lives short.
 
The land of Asher was known for its olive orchards. Asher produced such large amounts of oil that it became exceedingly wealthy. A big reason for Asher's wealth, coupled with its natural production of olive oil, was its proximity to the markets of Phoenicia. The tribe of Asher became a leader in the olive oil trade in Canaan. Rabbinical Literature, as pointed out by the Jewish Encyclopedia, supports this notion. It is believed that in times of scarcity and during the Rabbinical year, Asher supplied all of Israel with oil.

It was this wealth, however, which many scholars feel attributed to its aloofness.

Asher - The 8th Son of Jacob
Asher was born to Zilpah, Leah's maid. Previously, in verse 9, Scripture records that Leah had stopped bearing children. No reason is given, and any such attempt is pure speculation.
What is stated is that she gave Zilpah to Jacob, and they bore a son named Gad. Immediately following Gad's birth is the birth of Asher.

The implication seems to be Gad and Asher were born rather close apart, with Gad being the older. It is likely, thus, these two were close, though no evidence of such is given in Scripture. In fact, Scripture is silent as to the actions of Asher.

However, he may be implied as being involved in an incident with Joseph. Asher's name, like that of his brother Gad, is akin to happiness.

The tribe of Asher was one of only three tribes mentioned as answering Hezekiah's call. II Chronicles 30:11 records those tribes which choose faithfulness. Nevertheless, some men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem."

Once again these are not the actions of a distant and aloof tribe. Asher seems to have been keenly aware of the circumstances involved in the affairs of Israel.

The Northern Kingdom completely fell apart in 723 BC, with a large number of people deported and exiled.

Asher, however, seems to have escaped the brunt of the Assyrian deportation. Their presence in Israel is signified by their response to Hezekiah's call.

They saw the need for redemption and reconciliation, and humbled themselves before coming to Jerusalem. This was an act of faithfulness on the part of the men of Asher.

Despite their association with Phoenicia and Canaanite religion, a portion of Asher still remained true and faithful to God Almighty. As late as Hezekiah the tribe of Asher was still worshiping the God of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob.

The Tribe of Asher in the New Testament
A fascinating mention of the tribe of Asher is made in the New Testament book of Luke. This instance takes place in Luke 2 and involves a prophetess named Anna. Anna is said to have been the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

Luke 2:36-37 gives an account of Anna.
"And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers."

It just so happened that on this particular day a couple was bringing their young son to the temple to present him to the Lord, in accordance with the Law of Moses. This child happened to be none other than Jesus, with His earthly parents Mary and Joseph.Anna the prophetess was aware of who Jesus was. She, along with a righteous man named Simeon, recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and exclaimed to all of those around this fact. Verse 38 records Anna's response to the Christ-child.

"And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."

The tribe of Asher, thus, maintained its identity into the New Testament era. Many of the other tribes had been lost by this time. The Assyrian and Babylonian Exile had weakened Israelite nationhood.

The mighty Roman Empire was now in control. Yet, the tribe of Asher is represented by this incredible woman; clear indication they retained their tribal identity.

The tribe of Asher is certainly an enigmatic tribe. They are hard to pin down. On one hand, they merged in many respects into Phoenician culture and life. They were chastised by Deborah for their willful refusal to come to the aid of their Israelite brethren.
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Their abundant supply of olive oil led to a wealth which created a self-sufficiency, unique to the other tribes of Israel. Their association with the sea is further evidence they were different than the other tribes of Israel. Indeed, many scholars of today are quick to point these factors out, and claim that Asher remained distant and separate from the other tribes. Though these things are true, the tribe of Asher also provides one with enough evidence to support the theory they were important members of the tribes of Israel. Both Jacob and Moses had positive and encouraging things to say about Asher.

The Asherites supplied oil in times of need to all of the other tribes of Israel. They played a decisive role in Gideon's defeat of the Midianites, killing the two Midianite chiefs. They sent a large number of men to king David in Hebron, in support of his claim to the throne. 

The tribe of Asher, though their overall impact on the history of Israel is debatable, cannot be denied they played important roles at critical times throughout the history of Israel. The tribe is mentioned in Revelation 7, the only list of the tribes in the New Testament. In the days leading up to God's judgement, 12,000 men from the tribe of Asher will be sealed with the "seal of the living God" on their foreheads.

These sealed individuals, 12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel, are called the "bond-servants of our God." Asher's most glorious moment, therefore, is yet to come.
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Moses Blessing - Deuteronomy 33:24"And of Asher he said, 'More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, and may he dip his foot in oil. Your locks shall be iron and bronze, and according to your days so shall your leisurely walk be."

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ACTION STEP: Treat your body as the Temple of God that it is! Do not grow weary in well doing.  Beware of money and wealth taking you out. Ask God to deliver you from any spirit of greed or aloofness that would try to destroy you. Look forward to the coming of Jesus our Savior! Be faithful and humble yourself.