Genesis 49:13-15

“Zebulun will dwell at the haven of the sea.
He will be for a haven of ships.
His border will be on Sidon.
“Issachar is a strong donkey,
lying down between the saddlebags.
He saw a resting place, that it was good,
the land, that it was pleasant.
He bows his shoulder to the burden,
and becomes a servant doing forced labor.

This prophesy appears to describe what the whole nation of Israel is going through today. It says that Zebulun will be involved in imports and exports. Today Israel does quite well economically because of trade with the world. It is remarkable considering the very small size of the country. The Bible doesn’t record the Zebulun family living by the ocean. This makes me wonder if there is much more to this prophesy that has yet to come.

Issachar’s prophesy mixes good and bad. Although the land is good and the people are strong, they end up having to do forced labor like a donkey. Isn’t this exactly what is happening to Israel today? They have a beautiful land and they are a very strong people, especially for their size, but they are being forced to shoulder heavy burdens as a nation that most other nations don’t have to bear. They are often pressured into doing things by by other bigger countries like the United States. They can’t even choose what to do with their own property.

It isn’t wise for any country to mistreat Israel especially considering what is being discussed about the coming king as we learn more about in the next section. God has huge plans for Israel and someday it will be undeniable.