Home of the Twelve Tribes

The Old Testament tells us of the story of the dividing of the land called Israel into twelve tribes. This land is named after Jacob, whom the Lord baptized as Israel or 'prince of God' as He made a covenant with him that he and his family will be a part of the Israel nation, while the twelve tribes are the sons of Jacob to his three wives. Israel divided the land to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Zebulun, and Judah, born to Leah; Naphtali, born to Bilhah; Gad and Asher, born to Zilpah; and Issachar, Manasseh, and Benjamin, born to Rachel.

During this time the tribes of Israel lived in separate units and came together only in crisis or war times for mutual defense. The leaders of each group are called a 'judge' who are called by God to be leaders of the people. Some of these tribes' judges' biographies are written in the book of Judges in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, the series of events that took place those times were an abomination to the Lord because the peoples of Israel gradually forgot about God and started worshipping idols made of brass, gold, silver, or wood and all other considered religious arts. Also, clamour and war raged against each tribe which caused racial discrimination and more slavery. As consequence, Israel was overthrown by foreign troops. External enemies during this age drove the peoples' need of a central government. Thus, a monarchy was established. The great Kings of this time were Saul, David, and Solomon.

Today, Israel is known as the embodiment of Jewish continuity. It is the only Asian nation on earth that inhabits the same land, bears the same name, speaks the same language, and worships the same God that it did thousands of years ago. Evidences of ancient Israel are continuously being discovered in this holy land where God once made a covenant between Him and His beloved servant.