Israel Part 7: Forgiving Dan

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The Gate of...

 Leshem...
Abraham...
Dan...

 This gate been called many things over the years.  It is now being excavated in Tel Dan (the Hill of Dan), which is located in the far North of the State of Israel.  

 The city of Leshem is where the tribe of Dan settled after "the territory of the the children of Dan slipped away from them" (Joshua 19:47).  

 So, what about this visit made me "forgive" Dan...and why had I been holding a grudge?  

 First, let me say that I have been in the wrong on this grudge...and God used the visit to Tel Dan to set me straight.  I am so thankful for His loving correction!  

 My grudge stemmed from these issues:

 1) Dan did not conquer their tribal land. 
2) Because of this, Dan moved to Leshem...a place that they were never intended to have been. (Joshua 19:47)
3) When the Kingdom split into Judah (south) and Israel (north), Dan became a place of idolatrous worship where a festival was put in place that "imitated the Festival that is in Judah." (1 Kings 26-33)
4) Dan is not listed in Revelation 7.

 So...in my mind...Dan is a disobedient son.  Thus, the grudge.

 My problem, however, is that I mistakenly think that I would have done things differently.

 After visiting Tel Dan, and seeing what a beautiful place it is...

 I. Get. It.

 I would have moved there, too!  Think Lookout Mountain with beautiful flowers and streams fed from springs.  

 Tel Dan is BEAUTIFUL!   Who would not desire it?

 And isn't that the way it is with sin...

 Our enemy lures us with "greener grass" and beauty.  That is what happened with Dan.  Taking the land that he had been given was difficult, but this "greener grass" was there for the taking, and oh, so attractive.  

 So Dan headed North and paved the way for the division of The Kingdom, which would happen many years later.  Due to this division, the Northern Kingdom was marched off by Assyria in 722 BC...and to this day...it has not been returned.

 The Bible, however, tells us that the Northern Kingdom of Israel has not been forgotten:  

 For the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples (Micah 5:7).

 And then...

 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger will turn away from him.  I will be like dew for Israel.  He will blossom like a lily, and thrust out his roots like Lebanon (Hosea 14:5-6).  

 So, who am I to hold a grudge?  

I realize that I am no different.  I have often taken the path of least resistance, just as Dan.  

God used my visit to Tel Dan to show me that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness...and to leave others and their needs for forgiveness in His very capable hands.  The hands that created ALL.  He is able to do all things without my help.  

 Lesson Learned.  I wiill continue to learn as long as I seek.

 Come Seek with Me!
Check out the other blogs in this Israel series:












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