Here is something cool to think about.
About Zebulun he said: “Zebulun, rejoice as you go out and Issachar, in being inside your tents. They will call the peoples to the mountain, and there they will offer righteous sacrifices, for they’ll draw from the abundance of the sea and from the hidden treasures of the sand.”
(Deu 33:18-19)
About Asher he said: “May Asher be blessed, along with his descendants, may his brothers be pleased with him, may he dip his feet in oil, may your bolts be made of iron and bronze, and may your strength be sufficient for each day you live.”
(Deu 33:24-25)
I am often struck with wonder when I realize something that God has done has happened right before me. For one, He never does something in quite the way I think it should be done. It is always done in a better way. What is more, there are always multiple reasons for a thing that is done. Sometimes I can see them, sometimes not. I imagine that even when I do see something done and can see more than one reason for it, there are likely even more reasons I don’t see. I wouldn’t be suprised to find that out, at any rate.
I am not talking about miracles here. Though some might call them that. I would categorize most of what people label a miracle as simple providence. That is, through natural means, God provides. True miracles are extremely rare and I can not say I have actually seen one myself. We expect them to come with flashy special effects since that is how hollywood would do them. I suspect they don’t come with any such thing. They must, however, fulfill a requirement to defy natural law. Many times science attempts to explain miracles described in the bible only to miss an important fact that the bible clearly states that puts a hole in their theory.
For instance, the explanation of walking on water has been described as possible on certain days when the weather is calm over the sea of galilee. Apparently an ice layer forms just under the surface in such circumstances that may explain how someone can appear to walk on the water.
That sounds like a great theory. There is only one problem. Read these passages (for a thing must have two or more witnesses to be established).
When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, while he was alone on the land. He saw that his disciples were straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he came to them, walking on the sea. He intended to go up right beside them, but when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and began to scream. All of them saw him and were terrified. Immediately he told them, “Have courage! It is I. Stop being afraid!” Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped blowing. The disciples were utterly astounded,
(Mar 6:47-51)
By this time the boat was in the middle of the sea and was being battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and cried out, “It’s a ghost!” And they screamed in terror. “Have courage!” Jesus immediately told them. “It’s me. Stop being afraid!” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come on!” So Peter got down out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, save me!” At once Jesus reached out his hand, caught him, and asked him, “You who have so little faith, why did you doubt?”
(Mat 14:24-31)
You’ll notice one important fact that I am sure is written there for this very reason. The sea was not calm.
So, what do the two quotes at the top of this article have to do with what I have been writing about?
When I read those parts of the bible, in my own mind, I imagine it is well wishing to the Jacob’s sons that their descendants will enjoy the abundance of the sea and the land. They will have good crops, enjoy good seasons of fishing, that sort of thing. Dipping of ones feet in oil seems to be something cultural that I barely understand not being from that culture. Perhaps having to do with olive oil.
They may well have been these things. Israel enjoys a good aquaculture industry as well as an increasing agricultural industry. There is also apparently more to these prophetic blessings. A more literal level of meaning than one might have been able to imagine until last year.
* On December 29, 2010, Noble energy announced the find of the largest natural gas deposit off the shore of Israel near the port of Haifa.
* Givot Olam Oil ltd. is currently planning the develpment of the Meged-5 oil field in northern Israel.
This will place Israel in a position to supply its own energy needs as well as having plenty to export. “for they’ll draw from the abundance of the sea and from the hidden treasures of the sand.” Indeed.