The Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles are deeply connected in biblical theology, but they serve distinct roles and symbolize different aspects of God’s plan. One could say the Tribes and the Apostles are like Night & Day.
The Twelve Apostles were chosen by Jesus as his inner circle to govern the Church and spread the Gospel.
The tribes were a physical and national foundation, while the apostles are a spiritual and universal foundation.
The tribes were tied to the Old Covenant and the Promised Land, whereas the apostles are linked to the New Covenant and the heavenly kingdom.
Contrasting Dynamics
The Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles represent contrasting dynamics in biblical theology: one is insular and closed, while the other is inclusive and expanding.
Twelve Tribes of Israel:
- The tribes were rooted in a specific lineage (the descendants of Jacob) and tied to the land of Canaan, forming a closed, ethnically defined community.
- Their identity was geographically and culturally bound, with a focus on maintaining purity and separation from other nations.
- The tribes operated as a loose confederation, often independent and at times even in conflict with one another, reflecting an insular structure.
Twelve Apostles:
- The apostles were chosen to expand the message of Jesus beyond ethnic and geographical boundaries, embracing all nations.
- Their mission was universal, aiming to establish a spiritual community that transcended cultural and racial divisions.
- The apostles symbolized the New Israel, inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles, marking a shift from exclusivity to openness.
In essence, the tribes represent a closed, national identity, while the apostles embody an expanding, universal mission.
The differences between the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles are night and day, reflecting a profound shift in purpose, scope, and theology.
Key Contrasts:
- The tribes were earthly and exclusive, while the apostles were heavenly and inclusive.
- The tribes were tied to a specific land and people, while the apostles were sent to the ends of the earth.
- The tribes were fragmented and independent, while the apostles were unified and collaborative.
This shift marks a transformative moment in biblical history, moving from exclusivity to universality.
* Jonah 1:1-2 (chabad) וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה
| And the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying: |
| Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim against it, for their evil has come before Me. |
(* I wonder if God was using Jonah to foreshadow the Apostles? )
Fundamental Difference
The Tribes and the Apostles each represents fundamentally different concepts in human experience and theology, each with distinct characteristics and roles.
The Tribes - Knowledge:
Intellectual understanding involves the accumulation of facts, information, and skills through learning and experience. It is often associated with reason, logic, and the mind.
Knowledge can empower individuals to make informed decisions, solve problems, and achieve goals. It is essential for progress and innovation.
While knowledge is valuable, it can lead to pride or arrogance if not tempered by humility.
The Apostles - Love:
Love is an emotional and relational force that binds people together. It is often associated with the heart and involves compassion, empathy, and selflessness.
Love has the power to heal, forgive, and unite. It transcends boundaries and fosters deep connections between individuals and communities.
In Christianity, love (agape) is seen as the greatest commandment and the essence of God’s nature.
Key Differences:
Nature: Knowledge is cognitive and intellectual, while love is emotional and relational.
Purpose: Knowledge seeks to understand and master, while love seeks to connect and serve.
Impact: Knowledge can lead to progress and innovation, but love leads to harmony and unity.
In essence, knowledge and love are complementary. Knowledge without love can be cold and detached, while love without knowledge can be misguided. Together, they create a balanced and fulfilling human experience.
Opposite Dynamic
The Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles embody opposite dynamic: Protection versus Vulnerability.
Twelve Tribes of Israel -- Protective Role:
The tribes were tasked with guarding and defending their land and people. For example, the Tribe of Gad was known for its warrior spirit and readiness to defend Israel’s eastern frontier.
Each Tribes' identity was tied to a specific lineage and territory, focusing on preservation of their community and way of life.
Many tribes, like Gad and Reuben, were strategically positioned to act as first lines of defense against invaders, reflecting their protective nature.
Twelve Apostles -- Vulnerability:
The apostles were sent out with no possessions or security, relying on the hospitality of strangers. Their mission required openness and trust, as seen in Jesus’ teachings and their dependence on others for survival.
Their mission was to spread the Gospel to all nations, transcending boundaries and embracing universal outreach.
The apostles’ vulnerability fostered deep connections and trust, essential for building the early Church and demonstrating the transformative power of love and humility.
In essence, the tribes protected a specific people and land, while the apostles embraced vulnerability to share a message of hope with the world.
Contrasting Approaches
Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles embody contrasting approaches: capturing and possessing versus surrendering and giving.
Twelve Tribes of Israel -- Capture and Possess:
The Tribes were tasked with conquering and occupying the Promised Land, as seen in the conquest of Canaan. Their identity was tied to claiming and defending territory.
Their blessings and inheritance were often earthly and tangible, such as land, resources, and military strength.
Their mission was to preserve and protect their people and land, focusing on maintaining their distinct identity.
Twelve Apostles -- Surrender and Give:
The apostles were called to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, surrendering their possessions and security. Their mission was to give the message of the Gospel freely.
Their blessings and inheritance were heavenly and intangible, such as eternal life and spiritual unity. Their mission was to share the Gospel with all nations, embracing vulnerability and trust.
In essence, the tribes captured and possessed earthly territory, while the apostles surrendered and gave spiritual treasures. This contrast highlights the shift from a material to a spiritual focus in God’s plan.
Plan and Purpose:
The Twelve Apostles embody the principle of multiplication, whereas the Twelve Tribes of Israel focus more on possession and preservation.
The Twelve Tribes of Israel were tasked with maintaining their identity, land, and lineage. Their focus was on protecting and holding onto what they had been given.
Their blessings and inheritance were tied to a specific people and place, limiting their ability to multiply beyond those confines.
The Twelve Apostles were commissioned to spread the Gospel to all nations, leading to the exponential growth of the Church. Their mission was about reaching and multiplying followers of Jesus.
As a result, the message of Jesus multiplied across cultures, languages, and continents, far beyond the boundaries of Israel.
Blessings
The Twelve Tribes of Israel, while initially focused on their own identity and territory, ultimately played a profound role in blessing the world.
The Tribes Blessed the World with the Foundational Belief in One God. The tribes formed the basis of the Israelite nation, through whom God’s covenant and promises were established.
Jacob’s blessings over his sons (Genesis 49) contained prophetic elements that pointed to the future, including the coming of the Messiah. This Messianic promise, fulfilled in Jesus, has brought hope and redemption to the world.
Despite their conflicts, the Twelve Tribes serve as a model of God’s faithfulness and the potential for reconciliation among diverse peoples.
The Tribes paved the way for the Twelve Apostles, who expanded the message of God’s love and salvation to all nations, fulfilling the promise that through Abraham’s descendants, all the earth would be blessed.
The prophets repeatedly spoke of the restoration and gathering of the tribes, which is intrinsically linked to the Messianic era. For example, Isaiah 11:11-12 and Ezekiel 20:41-42 foretell the gathering of the tribes, a process that culminates in the Messiah’s reign.
Mission
The Tribes represent the people of God, and the Messiah’s mission is to redeem and restore this people. Without the Twelve Tribes, the concept of a "chosen people" and the Messianic role as their Redeemer loses its context.
The Tribes formation, exile and eventual restoration mirrors the spiritual journey of humanity from sin to redemption. The Messiah’s work fulfills this narrative, bringing closure to the tribes’ story and opening a new chapter for all nations.
Twelve Tribes + Twelve Apostles = 24
The combination of the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles symbolizes the unity of God’s people across the Old and New Covenants. Together, they represent the complete people of God, both Israel and the Church.
In the Book of Revelation, 24 elders are described as sitting on thrones around God’s throne (Revelation 4:4). These elders likely represent the totality of God’s redeemed people—12 tribes (Old Covenant) and 12 apostles (New Covenant)—united in worship and governance.
The 24 elders in Revelation symbolize perfect worship and divine order. They offer prayers and praises, embodying the fullness of God’s plan from creation to redemption.
In essence, the number 24 signifies the complete and unified people of God, bridging the Old and New Covenants and reflecting His eternal purpose.
Conclusion
Shema. Hear, O Israel: Adonai is our God, Adonai in One! Blessed is God's name; His glorious kingdom is for ever and ever!
ONE DAY by Matisyahu
Lyrics to One Day:
