SECTION XVIII. Prophecy on Gad. "Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last." (v. 19.) SECTION XVIII. Fulfilment. The Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, possessed the land of Gilead. They were guilty of idolatry, "serving Baalim and Ashtaroth," " and forsook the Lord." "For this cause the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon." (Judges x. 3, 4.) Nevertheless, on their repentance, God raised up Jephthah the Gileadite, who "smote the Ammonites with a very great slaughter, and subdued them." (Judges xi. 33.) Thus, though Gad had been overcome, he overcame at the last." SECTION XIX. Prophecy on Asher. "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat; and he shall yield royal dainties." (v. 20.) SECTION XIX. Fulfilment. "The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher, and reached to Carmel westward." (Joshua xix. 24-31.) The valley of Carmel was peculiarly fertile-abounding in the richest fruits. The name "Carmel" signifies "fruitful fields." We read in Isaiah (xxxv. 2.) of "the excellency of Carmel;" and in 2 Chron. xxvi, of the "vinedressers and husbandmen in Carmel." |