Gad means “troop”

Gen 49:19  Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

Jacob blessed his sons before he died. Concerning Gad, he alludes to his name, which signifies a troop, foresees the character of that tribe, that it should be a warlike tribe, and so we find (1Chron 2:8) the Gadites were men of war fit for the battle.

Gad was the son of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid. Leah already had four sons and when she saw her sister gave to Jacob her handmaid Bilhah and she bore two sons, she too gave her handmaid to Jacob. When Zilpah gave birth to the first son, she said: “A troop cometh” and named him Gad (Gen 30:11); she was so happy that another son was born and she wanted more, a troop of children, perhaps.

Gad means “troop:” and therefore, Jacob saw the Gadites were men of war fit for the battle. He saw also that the troops of their enemies would overcome them; yet, the Gadites were not discouraged by their defeats, and he saw them overcome at the last.

We find that the men of Gad were among the most valuable of David’s warriors. Of the Gadites, we read, " And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains,” (1 Chron 12:8).

What did David see in the Gadites?
1. Faithful – they “separated themselves unto David.” They stick to their king.
2. Rugged – they followed David “into the hold to the wilderness.” They were not men who sit in comfort while others were fighting.
3. Courageous – they were “men of might.” They were not afraid. They were brave soldiers.
4. Disciplined – they were “men of war fit for the battle.”  They disciplined themselves ready to fight.
5. Talents – they “could handle shield and buckler.” They did not just have one skill; they had two. They used their talents to serve their king.
6. Strength – they had faces like “the faces of lions.” They were strong. The strength of their character and their determination could be seen in their faces.
7. Fast – they “were as swift as the roes upon the mountains.”  They were strong as lions and quick as gazelles. They were not those who procrastinate but they get the job done; and fast.

The church needs people who possess the spirit of the Gadites. How many can you name in the church:
1. Who are faithful to the cause of Christ and the church? Matt 7:21
2. Who are not afraid to leave their comfort zones and serve Christ? Luke 9:23
3. Who are brave soldiers of Christ and are not ashamed to be called Christians? 1 Pet 4:16
4. Who are disciplined and set themselves to serve God? 2 Tim 4:5
5. Who are talented and use their talents to serve God? Acts 18:24-25
6. Who are strong and use their strength to serve God? 1 Tim 4:12
7. Who you can trust to give a work to and they will complete in the fastest time without you having to worry about it? Eccl 9:10

Do we have a troop of Gadites in our midst? The Gadites were not quitters. They might lose a few battles, but they would come back stronger and defeat the enemies. “Quitters never win; and winners never quit.” We need men and women who are faithful and remain steadfast in the faith.

The Gadites were brave fighters. We need to be good soldiers of Christ. They fought with David in the wilderness. We need men who are willing to step out of their comfort zones to go to places where no one wants to go to preach the gospel. We need men who are willing to endure hardship as a good soldier: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim 2:3).

Are you a Gadite? Are you a fighter or a quitter? God wants you to work. He wants us to be workers in the kingdom. On my death bed, the last words that I want to hear is: “He never quits” (Rev 2:10). And, the only words that I want to hear from God is: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:23).

Let us be a Gadite! “Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.”

Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.