Deu 33:20-21 And of Gad he said, “Blessed be he who enlarges Gad! Gad crouches like a lion; he tears off arm and scalp. He chose the best of the land for himself, for there a commander’s portion was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments for Israel.”
The lion-like character of the tribe of Gad was shown by the fact that Gad furnished many fine troops for David. Gad held the central area of land among the Israelite tribes on the eastern side of the Jordan. (Guzik)
“Gad’s area was by far the largest and best, conforming well to its description as ‘the leader’s portion.’” (Merrill)
Teareth the arm with the crown of the head, i.e. utterly destroys his enemies; both the head, the seat of the crown, their dignity and principality, and the arm, the subject of strength and instrument of action; both chief princes, and their instruments and subjects. (Poole)
He dwelleth as a lion; bold and courageous, secure, and without fear of any of his enemies, though near him, on his borders, as the Moabites and Ammonites were; of the same spirit and temper were the men of the tribe of Gad in the times of David
The Gadites had promised this to Moses and the heads of the people; and this promise Moses regarded as an accomplished act, and praised in these words with prophetic foresight as having been already performed, and that not merely as one single manifestation of their obedience towards the word of the Lord, but rather as a pledge that Gad would always manifest the same disposition. (Keil)
I like how Keil said it above. Could you imagine if our lives were lived for Christ in like manner? “As if already performed”, “always manifest the same disposition”. The commitment so deep and strong, the desire to always perform, and the intentional choice ever before them should be more than fitting for us. The problem with being consumed by the busyness of life is that it draws away from our commitment to Jesus Christ. We allow shallow commitment through neglect of God’s Word, desire to study it, and certainly knowing how to apply it.
When being “lukewarm” is considered being “hot” there is a falling away. Confusion, worry, hate, fear, stagnation, division, darkness, boastfulness, arrogance, pride, greediness, self-worth, self-reliance, jealousy, and loneliness are close companions.
If you’re inclined to know, it is very easy to know if you’re “lukewarm”. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment in this. You will be amazed at how much of our lives are being consumed with the busyness of life that yields being lukewarm.
