43_Lord_I_wait_for_your_salvation

16“Dan shall judge his people,
As one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan shall be a serpent in the way,
A horned viper in the path,
That bites the horse’s heels,
So that its rider falls backward.
18 For Your salvation I wait, Lord.

Billy Graham once recounted a profound meeting with Konrad Adenauer, the German chancellor who helped rebuild his shattered country after World War II. Adenauer, a man of deep insight and conviction, asked Graham a startling question: “Mr. Graham, do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?” Graham affirmed his belief without hesitation, and Adenauer responded, “Outside of the resurrection of Jesus, I do not know of any other hope for this world.” This statement echoes through time, resonating with the human heart’s cry for a salvation that transcends the brokenness of our world. It is the same hope that Jacob clung to when he beheld the future of his children, marred with failures and fraught with tragedies. His cry, “For Your salvation, I wait, Lord,” stands as a beacon of faith amidst uncertainty.

Dan, one of Jacob’s sons, was born to Bilhah, Rachel’s maid, during a time of personal turmoil for Rachel. Unable to bear children herself, Rachel saw Dan as a symbol of vindication and justice. His name, meaning “he judged,” reflected her sense of relief at being freed from the stigma of infertility. However, as time unfolded, the tribe of Dan came to embody a complex and often troubling legacy.

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the tribe of Dan was allotted territory near the Mediterranean coast. Yet, they struggled to secure their inheritance, hemmed in by stronger foes like the Philistines. Dissatisfied with their lot, they sought new territory, ultimately migrating north and seizing the peaceful town of Laish. Along the way, they stole idols and adopted idolatrous practices, demonstrating their cunning but also their disloyalty to God. Judges 18 paints a vivid picture of their descent into spiritual apostasy, as they set up graven images and followed a path of idolatry that would mark their history.

The Danites’ fall can be traced to two key failures. First, they were discontent with God’s sovereign provision. Instead of trusting in His goodness and fighting in His strength to claim their inheritance, they relied on their own might and cunning. Their unwillingness to submit to God’s authority left them spiritually impoverished and vulnerable to idolatry. Second, they failed to repent when faced with frustration and adversity. Rather than examining their hearts and returning to God, they persisted in their self-will, leading to their eventual exile and downfall.

This pattern stands in stark contrast to the example of Caleb from the tribe of Judah. Caleb, filled with faith and courage, took possession of the mountain of Hebron, overcoming formidable foes to claim his inheritance. His victory was not just physical but spiritual, as Hebron became a city of refuge and a place of fellowship with God. Caleb’s story underscores the power of faith and obedience, while the Danites’ story serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when we rely on our own wisdom and strength.

Jacob’s prophetic words about Dan are sobering. He likened Dan to a serpent that strikes the horse’s heel, causing the rider to fall. This imagery captures the tribe’s subtle but destructive influence, leading others astray through cunning and deceit. It also reflects the serpent’s role in Eden, where human wisdom apart from God led to the fall. James 3 contrasts earthly wisdom, which is marked by envy and selfish ambition, with heavenly wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy. Dan’s history is a tragic illustration of the former—a wisdom that ultimately leads to strife and destruction.

Amidst this grim forecast, Jacob’s prayer rises like a ray of hope: “For Your salvation, I wait, Lord.” This is the first mention of salvation in the Bible, and it points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ. Jacob recognized that human scheming and strength could not bring about lasting redemption. He looked to the Lord, confident in the promise given to Eve that her seed would crush the serpent’s head. This hope in divine salvation is the thread that weaves through the tapestry of Scripture, culminating in the person and work of Jesus.

Samson, a judge from the tribe of Dan, offers a glimpse of the tribe’s potential. For 20 years, he delivered Israel from their enemies, using the gifts God had given him. Yet, like the tribe itself, Samson was marked by failures and self-will. His victories were short-lived, and his life serves as a reminder that human strength, unyielded to God, is ultimately futile. Jacob’s hope was not in human deliverers like Samson but in the Messiah, whose name means “The Lord saves.”

As believers, we can find immense comfort in this truth. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. This assurance speaks to the depth and permanence of Christ’s salvation. He saves to the uttermost—reaching into the darkest corners of our sin and failure—and He always lives, ensuring that His intercession on our behalf never ceases.

This reality has profound implications for our daily lives. When we face the frustration of repeated failures, we can rest in the knowledge that Christ’s intercession is ongoing. His grace is sufficient for every weakness, and His salvation is complete. This is not a license to sin but an invitation to live in the freedom and joy of knowing we are fully redeemed.

Like Jacob, we must learn to wait for God’s salvation. This waiting is not passive but active—a posture of trust and obedience as we navigate the challenges of life. When we are tempted to take shortcuts or rely on our own wisdom, we must remember that true deliverance comes only from the Lord. Our hope is not in our ability to fix our circumstances but in the One who has already secured our victory through His death and resurrection.

The story of Dan reminds us of the dangers of self-reliance and the consequences of turning away from God. Yet, it also points us to the hope we have in Christ—a hope that is steadfast and sure, even in the face of human failure. As we wait for His salvation, we can move forward in confidence, knowing that His grace is sufficient and His promises are true. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and live as people who are marked not by fear or failure but by the joy and peace that come from trusting in Him. God bless.