TRIBE OF SIMEON

And she conceived again and gave birth to a son; and said, Because the LORD has heard that I was hated, he has therefore given me this son also; and she called his name Simeon. Genesis 29.33

Simeon means = “I have been heard, hearing. One who hears and obeys.”

It is one thing to hear the Lord but we must have the will to obey what we have heard. Once you hear something it becomes your responsibility to discern if it is truth. That is what coming out of Babylon is all about. Are we going to continue to follow the “traditions of men” or learn the truth of God’s word and obey it? Once God shows us these things in His word will we walk away and continue as we have been--or will we obey and change? The decision has eternal consequences in the form of rewards and positioning (it is not about salvation).

The tribe of Simeon is called upon to hear the word of God and to act on it. This character trait is developed through their rebellion and suffering (Hebrews 5.8). Isn’t that how we all must learn to walk with God? It is a process. God wants us to be able to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying and to follow through. The Lord is tired of having to constantly repeat Himself to a people who refuse to obey--He’ll find somebody else who is willing!


INSIGHTS INTO SIMEON’S CHARACTER1. Simeon’s anger a weapon of justice (in this case by his own hand not God‘s). Genesis 34.1-34

2. Simeon’s relationship with Joseph (Simeon had a hateful and jealous spirit toward Joseph; Gen 37.1-36; Joseph held Simeon in prison while allowing brothers to return; Gen 42.1-24).

3. Rebellion in family history (Numbers 25.1-18). Josephus the Jewish historian confirms; ref: Antiquities of the Jews, Book IV, chapter 6.6-13.

4. Linked with Judah in warfare (Judges 1.3, 17). Judah recognized Simeon’s powerful consecrated sword in warfare.

5. Simeon in times of revival (2 Chronicles 15.9; 2 Chronicles 34.6) Simeon heard and responded.

　

JACOB’S PROPHECY TO SIMEONSimeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of injustice are their weapons. Let my soul not enter into their secret; nor let my honor join their assembly; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their own will they dug down a wall.

Cursed be their anger, which is strong, and their wrath, which is hard; I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. Genesis 49.5-7This prophecy refers to Genesis 34 when Simeon and Levi destroyed the city and people of a town named Shalem in the area of Shechem. The son of Hamor, Shechem saw Simeon’s sister Dinah and “took her, and laid with her and defiled her.” The narrative says Shechem loved Dinah and spoke kindly to her.

Dinah was the only daughter of the family and her brothers would have been protective towards her. When this happened Jacob was not sure how to resolve the issue. Hamor, Shechem’s father suggested they intermarry and share the land and possessions therein. This sounded like a good idea but would have marred the inheritance of Israel.

Jacob’s sons worked out a cunning plan saying they could not marry into an uncircumcised family. Once Hamor’s family was circumcised, and recovering, Simeon and Levi took their swords and slew all the men taking Dinah back home with them. Afterwards the rest of the brothers came and looted the town and took all the remaining people captive.

This was bad timing and disobedience on both Simeon and Levi’s part. They did not have permission from their father to act in this deceitful manner and Jacob was very upset. It was also not God’s timing for Israel to wipe out the Canaanites and take possession of the land. They were acting ahead of the Lord.

Simeon wants to fight God’s battles but he must learn to wait for God’s timing and instruction. They acted in secret and in the spirit of anger. He and Levi, who is practiced at offering up sacrifices, needed to learn to wait on God. They were great fighters and fearless--God will use them after they learn to be obedient. None of us should be an instrument of God in our own anger, temper or passion. In that mode we can do great harm to God’s plan. God wants to “temper” us before He can use us effectively.


Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of injustice are their weapons...
Simeon and Levi are passionate warriors for God. It just seems that they are not well suited to work together. Some times we have a tendency to get into trouble when we pair up with certain individuals. We mean well but just have a way of doing the wrong things--our timing is bad. In this case it was God’s wisdom to divide them as we will see in this prophecy.


Let my soul not enter into their secret; nor let my honor join their assembly; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their own will they dug down a wall (And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.)Jacob was very upset with the fact that his sons acted in such a rash manner without his permission. Jacob knew his family did not need to be at war with the people of Canaan at this time. His entire family could have been wiped out in a premature war. The sons had acted in their own will--not the will of the Father!

Hamstringing oxen would be a very cruel way to treat an animal that provides the power to plow a field. In Hebrew the first letter is aleph and represents the Ox. The Ox represents the father, our Father God, in Hebrew. Hamstringing an ox then would be restricting or limiting God to our own desires or way of doing things.

 
Cursed be their anger, which is strong, and their wrath, which is hard; I will divide (scatter) them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. When the land was divided in the days of Joshua (Joshua 19.9) Simeon did not receive a separate territory but instead received a portion within the inheritance of Judah. The Levites also did not receive a land inheritance but were given 48 cities scattered throughout the tribes of Israel. Simeon and Levi were divided throughout the land thus fulfilling the prophecy of Jacob.

Moses did not have a prophecy for Simeon as there was nothing else for him to say.

　

SIMEON IN TODAY’S WORLD - The Bible says that Simeon would not have his own inheritance and therefore we can say there is no modern nation that would represent Simeon. The reference in Jacob’s prophecy to “hamstringing an ox” shows Simeon’s violent warlike character. If God had allowed them to become a modern nation they would most likely been a ruthless and militaristic country. You could say Simeon likes to “shoot first and ask questions later.”

If Simeon is scattered among the other tribes of Israel in the last days they would likely be the people who are most patriotic and ready to take action in war or against unjust governments. They might be identified as “red necks” in the USA. Their tolerance for violence and warfare would draw them to professions such as police or the military. These are the kind of guys you want in your foxhole during a battle.

There is some interesting evidence of who the Simeonites are related to in ancient times. The book of 1 Maccabees has a very interesting correspondence between the Jews and the Spartans from Greece. In the second century B.C. at the time of the Maccabee’s revolt from the Seleucids the Jewish leader, Jonathan, sent a letter to the Spartans:

And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them: And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places according to the same form…And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans: Jonathan the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting. There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest from Arius who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren (kinsmen), as the copy here underwritten doth specify….

We chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us. We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days, wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet, and becoming to remember brethren… But we have had many troubles and wars on every side, and the kings that are round about us, have fought against us…We have chosen therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them…to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood. And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto. 1 Maccabees 12.18, edited for length.

This incredible piece of historical evidence shows that the Jews looked upon the Spartans as “kinsmen,” from a related Israelite tribe! Here is the reply from the Spartans confirming:

And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias: Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the high priest, greeting. It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham. And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity. 1 Maccabees 12.19-22

The Spartan king confirms that they are “kinsmen” of the Jews and descendants of Abraham. The Jewish historian Josephus also referred to this in his historical writings. Amazing!

Sparta was a city-state of ancient Greece but differed from the other Greek city-states in its war like culture. This war like nature fits Simeon quite well as he was always ready to go to war with his brethren (Judges 1.3, 17).

In conclusion I will consider Simeon to be scattered among the nations as those patriots who are ready and willing to take up arms at any cost. The 300 Spartans saved Greece at Thermopyle when the Persians attacked them in that famous battle. Simeonites were participants in that battle. Simeonites who have yielded to the Lord will be mighty spiritual warriors in the days to come.

For more information on Israel’s Tribes Today see www.bibleblessings.net for the books by Steven M. Collins.