Category Archives: Genesis

Genesis 50 – The Egyptians and Jacob’s Family Mourn for Jacob

07 Saturday Nov 2015

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Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. Genesis 50:1-3

In anticipation of his death, Jacob had sent for all of his sons to gather around him. Joseph remained the entire time that his father blessed the tribes and gave orders about his funeral. After he had passed, Joseph laid his own face to the cold face and pale cheeks of his dead father. Joseph expressed his love for his father with kisses and displayed the grief of the loss of his father with tears.

In ancient Egypt the embalmers were a separate and distinct class. Since Jacob was not an Egyptian, Joseph ordered the court physicians instead of the embalmers to embalm his father. Joseph ordered his physicians to embalm his father, not merely because it was the custom of the Egyptians, but because it was necessary to preserve his father’s corpse since his father was to be interred in Canaan.

The cost of embalming could be up to a talent of silver which would be around $15,000 in today’s market. The method of preparing mummies in Ancient Egypt has been elaborately described, both by Herodotus and Diodorus Sieulus. The brain was first extracted through the nostrils by means of a crooked piece of iron, the skull being thoroughly cleansed of any remaining portions by rinsing with drugs; then, through an opening in the left side made with a sharp Ethiopian knife of agate or of flint, the viscera were removed, the abdomen being afterwards purified with palm wine and an infusion of aromatics; next, the disemboweled corpse was filled with every sort of spice except frankincense, and the opening sewed up; after that the stuffed form was steeped for seventy days in natrum or subcarbonate of soda obtained from the Libyan desert, and sometimes in wax and tanning, bitumen also being employed in later times; and finally, on the expiration of that period, which was scrupulously observed, the body was washed, wrapped about with linen bandages, smeared over with gum, decorated with amulets, sometimes with a network of porcelain bugles (tubular beads), covered with a linen shroud, and, in due course, transferred to a mummy case.

When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, ‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’”

Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.” Genesis 50:4-6

Joseph may have let his hair and beard grow as a sign of mourning and could not enter the king’s presence without being both shaven and shorn. Therefore, Joseph did not directly address Pharaoh but spoke to the court officials and asked them to intercede in his behalf.

Pharaoh respected the oath that Joseph had made to his father and gave Joseph permission to bury his father in the land of Canaan.

So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt—besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company.

When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim. Genesis 50:7-11

Joseph, attended by a great company, took his father’s body out of Egypt, and at the first village across the Canaanite border held the customary funeral rites. The locality where they observed seven days of mourning was called “the threshing-floor of Atad.” The hard, level location of Atad’s threshing floor was probably a more suitable site for setting up their tents than the surrounding stony fields.

The Hebrew word, “atad” means “thorn” or “bramble.” Abel-Mitzraim, which is Hebrew for “the mourning of the Egyptians,” was located in the Northern Negev on the road coming from Egypt.

A very significant account involving a threshing floor is recorded in 2 Samuel Chapter 24.

Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel. 2 Samuel 24:1-4

King David took an unauthorized census of the number of fighting men in Israel. According to 1 Chronicles 21:1, it was Satan that moved David’s heart, to the numbering of the people. The LORD burned with anger against Israel, so God allowed Satan to tempt David. Instead of trusting in the LORD for protection and victory against the enemies of Israel, David gave into temptation and fell victim to the sin of pride by trusting in the arm of flesh.

David later realizes his sin and confesses. God, through the prophet of Gad, gives David a choice of punishments: seven years of famine, three months of being chased by enemies, or three days of plague. David chooses the plague and so the destroying angel begins to work, killing 70,000 people.

David pleads for mercy with God, stating that he should really be the one to suffer from the plague, and not the people. The angel stops at the threshing floor of Araunah, a Jebusite, located on the top of Mount Moriah, and gives a command through Gad for David to erect an altar there (1 Chronicles 21:18). David asks to purchase the site to build the altar and offer burnt offerings. Arunah offers to give David the site, and the animals for the offerings, but David states that he would not “offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.”

When Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. 2 Chronicles 3:1

The threshing floor on the summit of Mount Moriah that David purchased was used as the location for the building of the LORD’s temple. The site where the destroying angel ceased striking down the people and God’s wrath was appeased became the location where sacrifices would be offered up to make atonement for sin.

 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3:16-17

First, cut stalks of grain were spread on the threshing floor and a threshing sledge was pulled over the stalks by oxen. A threshing sledge was made of logs and had sharp flints embedded in the under surface. When the oxen dragged the sledge over the stalks of wheat on the threshing floor, the stones ripped the husk away from the grain. Threshing the wheat could also be accomplished by having the oxen walk over the stalks or by beating the stalks of wheat with heavy sticks.

The grain is heaped and then winnowed by the farmer whose winnowing fork is in his hand. The winnowing fork is a several-pronged pitchfork and is used to toss wheat against the breeze to free it from chaff and crushed straw. Since the grain is heaviest it falls straight to the ground. The straw is blown a short distance and collects in another heap, while the chaff is completely scattered by the wind.

John the Baptist proclaimed that Jesus the Messiah would come to gather his wheat into his barn but would burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. Jesus used the term wheat as a symbol for his true followers – the elect in Christ. He also spoke of the master’s barn as a picture of heaven. The chaff burning in unquenchable fire symbolizes the unregenerate sinner who will suffer eternal torment.

So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father. Genesis 50:12-13

Abraham needed a burying-place for Sarah. He bought the field of Machpelah for the price of four hundred silver shekels from Ephron the Hittite. The field was located near Mamre which was in Hebron. At the end of the field was a cave which served as a tomb. This cave became the family burying-place. Sarah was the first to be buried there. Later on Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob were placed there.

After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father. Genesis 50:14

Not only did all of Pharaoh’s officials return, but Joseph and his eleven brothers returned as well because they had left their children, flocks and herds in Egypt.

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. Genesis 50:15-17

Despite how well Joseph had treated his brothers after he had revealed himself to them, they were still were anticipating that once Jacob had died, that Joseph would be vengeful towards them. So they fabricate a story that their father had left instructions and send a message to Joseph that their father’s last wish was that Joseph was to forgive them.

Joseph’s brothers were well aware that they had sinned by treating him so badly. Therefore, they not only appeal to Joseph as brothers but as worshippers of the same God, the God of Jacob.

Joseph wept when he received his brothers’ message because of his deep love and attachment to his family and because he is grieved that they believe he is hard-hearted, unforgiving and vengeful.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. Genesis 50:18

Although Joseph’s weeping was a sign of his forgiveness and desire for reconciliation, it does nothing to alleviate his brothers’ guilt. Unable to accept Joseph’s weeping as a sign of his love, they abase themselves and cry out, “We are your slaves.”

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21

One of the most uplifting, encouraging and comforting verses in all the Bible is Genesis 50:20. It speaks of the sovereignty, love and power of God.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Joseph endured through rejection, jealousy, hatred, false accusations and suffering and was finally raised to a position of power and authority. Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers eventually resulted in the saving of not only the Egyptians from starvation, but the Canaanites and the Hebrews as well.

Even what man may mean for evil, God can use to accomplish His good and sovereign purposes.

This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Acts 2:23

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus endured through rejection, jealousy, hatred, false accusations, suffering and death and was finally exalted to the highest place and was given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Men acted wickedly by condemning Jesus, who was righteous and innocent, and put Him to death on the cross. But what men meant for evil, God used to accomplish his purpose – the saving of many souls.

Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. Genesis 50:22-23

Except for the first seventeen years of his life, Joseph lived the rest of his one hundred and ten years in Egypt. For thirteen years Joseph lived in Potiphar’s house and in prison. When he was thirty years of age he was brought before Pharaoh. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph was highly honored, made governor of Egypt and lived in prosperity for the next eighty years.

Joseph lived to see Ephraim’s great grandchildren and Manasseh’s grandchildren.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:24-26

When he saw his death approaching, Joseph comforted his brothers with the assurance of their return to Canaan according to God’s promise to the patriarchs. As a testimony of his own faith, Joseph charges his brothers to keep his remains unburied till that glorious day, when the twelve tribes would be settled in the land of promise. Thus Joseph, by faith in the doctrine of the resurrection, and the promise of Canaan, had them swear an oath concerning his bones.

Joseph’s servants, the physicians, embalmed him according to the preservation method of the Egyptians as his father Jacob had been embalmed. Joseph’s funeral would be conducted with all the pomp and circumstance afforded Egyptian nobility and his mummified corpse carefully preserved until the Exodus.

Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”Genesis 17:8

God promised Abraham that his descendents would be delivered out of the land of bondage and take possession of the land of Canaan. God not only confirmed his promise to Isaac and Jacob, but stated He would give their offspring the Promised Land as an everlasting possession.

Although the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were given the Promised Land as an everlasting possession, their continued disobedience to God would result in times of exile.

Then the Lord will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other. There you will worship other gods—gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your ancestors have known. Deuteronomy 28:64

The first exile was the Assyrian exile, the expulsion from the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) by Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria in 733 BC, and its completion by Sargon II with the destruction of the kingdom in 722 BC.

It continued with the exile of a portion of the population of the Kingdom of Judah in 597 BC with the Babylonian exile. The Babylonian exile ended after 70 years with Cyrus’ declaration that the exiled Jews would be allowed to return to Jerusalem and build the Second Temple.

Following the Siege of Jerusalem in 63 BC, the Hasmonean kingdom became a protectorate of Rome, and in 6 CE was organized as the Roman province of Judea. The Jews revolted against the Roman Empire in 66 AD during the period known as the First Jewish–Roman War which culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. During the siege, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple and most of Jerusalem. This event marked the beginning of the Roman exile when Jewish leaders and elite were exiled, killed or sold into slavery.

In 132 AD, the Jews under Bar Kokhba rebelled against Hadrian. In 135 AD, Hadrian’s army defeated the Jewish armies and Jewish independence was lost. As a punishment and in order to break the deep bond of the Jews to the land of Israel, Hadrian changed the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina, turned it into a pagan city and banned the Jews from living there. Judea and Samaria was renamed by Hadrian to Syria Palaestina.

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days Hosea 3:4-5

Hosea prophesied the Jewish diaspora. They were dispersed for over 1,900 years. After that time had elapsed they returned to their ancient possession as promised.

In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth. Isaiah 11:11-12

Israel, a nation that had not existed for over 2,500 years, was declared a new sovereign state by an act of the United Nations on May 14, 1948. The nation was born in a day.

Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Isaiah 66:8

In the not so distant future, there is a judgment coming against all the nations that will take place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Yehovah shall judge).

In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. Joel 3:1-2

The following is an excerpt from a statement by the Middle East Quartet (United Nations, Russian Federation, United States, and the European Union) that was issued on February 8, 2015:

The Quartet underlined the importance of the parties resuming negotiations as soon as possible, with a view to reaching a just, lasting and comprehensive peace on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the Madrid Principles, including land for peace, and the agreements previously reached between the parties. A sustainable peace requires the Palestinians’ aspirations for statehood and sovereignty, and those of Israelis for security to be fulfilled through negotiations based on the two-State solution.

In the 1967 war, Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria, the West Bank including East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt. Egypt regained the Sinai as part of the Camp David Accords of 1979.

The disengagement from the Gaza included the eviction of all Israeli residents and evacuation of associated security personnel from the Gaza Strip. It was completed by September 12, 2005. The eviction and dismantlement of the four settlements in the northern West Bank was completed ten days later.

In return for a promise of peace, Israel would have to give over the Golan Heights and the West Bank including East Jerusalem. In the southern theater (because of the demilitarization of Sinai) and in the northern theater (because Israel has resisted handing over the Golan Heights), Israel has two defensible borders.

If terrorist forces were to fire rockets and mortars from the West Bank as they are now doing from Gaza, the entire Israeli home front would be exposed to this threat. The West Bank overlooks Israel’s main cities from a distance of a few miles, and rockets, mortars, and antiaircraft missiles must be kept out of this territory.

Neither the 1967 lines nor the security-fence line can serve as a defensible border for Israel, and that only full Israeli sovereignty over all of the Jordan Valley as a security zone running along the Jordan River, serving as a border, can give Israel security.

If Israel were to give up the land captured in the 1967 war, her borders would be indefensible. All the nations of the world are pressuring Israel to divide the Promised Land for a false promise of peace.

What does Trump’s peace plan mean for Israel, the Palestinians and Jerusalem?

What does Israel get?

Its sovereignty over the Jordan Valley recognized by the United States. This is the most notable part of the plan, emphasized by Netanyahu but glossed over by Trump. Israel already has military control over the valley, which it considers to have crucial security value, but it doesn’t currently categorize it as part of Israel proper. Netanyahu told Israeli reporters after the speech that he would call a Cabinet vote on Sunday to annex the Jordan Valley – though it’s unclear if the Cabinet has the legal standing to do so because Israel is being run by an interim government in the months before elections.

Recognition as a Jewish state — but only if the Palestinian Authority wants to negotiate. PA President Mahmoud Abbas calls that a non-starter, though.

Unfettered access to its settlements in the West Bank, because that part of the future state of Palestine would have lots of isolated and gerrymandered areas in order to make sure Israeli territory is contiguous.

To keep restricting Palestinians’ access to their Arab neighbors. Except for the Gaza-Egypt border crossing, the Palestinian state will be connected to its borders through a series of Israel-controlled special roads.

What do the Palestinians get?

A contiguous territory in the West Bank … technically. There will be a lot of isolated and gerrymandered areas.

Not the capital they want, which would be in Jerusalem. Trump said that under the plan, Jerusalem will remain Israel’s undivided capital, but at the same time, Palestinians would get a capital in “eastern Jerusalem.” It’s possible that by this, Trump means an Arab suburb east of Jerusalem would be called “East Jerusalem.” It’s a real estate branding technique.

A tunnel to connect the West Bank and Gaza – likely the world’s longest. And they’d get some land from Israel in the Negev Desert for towns and industry.

A four-year promise from Israel not to build new settlements in the areas that would be the future Palestinian state.

A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. Zechariah 14:1-3

A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. Zechariah 14:1-3

Genesis 49 – Jacob Calls for His Sons to Assemble Before Him

03 Saturday Oct 2015

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Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come. “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob;   listen to your father Israel. Genesis 49:1-2

Under a prophetic anointing by the Holy Spirit, Jacob gathers his sons together before him to foretell events that will affect them personally as well as their generations after them.

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it. Genesis 49:3-4

Reuben was the firstborn. Instead of being steadfast, he was unstable as water. Reuben had forfeited the birthright due to gross sin. While Jacob was in mourning for his wife Rachel, who had died in childbirth, Reuben slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah who had been Rachel’s handmaiden.

“Simeon and Levi are brothers— their swords are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council,   let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel!
I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel. Genesis 49:5-7

Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi were indignant and very angry because Shechem had violated their sister Dinah. Because Shechem desperately wanted to marry Dinah, Simeon and Levi used the situation to deceive Shechem and the men of the city to enter into an agreement with them.

Because their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor. They said to them, “We can’t do such a thing; we can’t give our sister to a man who is not circumcised. That would be a disgrace to us. We will enter into an agreement with you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We’ll settle among you and become one people with you. But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.” Genesis 34:13-17

Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. They put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem’s house and left. Genesis 34:25-26

The consequence of their act of violence was twofold. First Simeon and Levi, who were next in line after Reuben, both forfeited the birthright. In addition their offspring, who would eventually enter into the Promised Land, would be dispersed in Israel. During the days of Joshua, the Levites did not receive an allotted territory but were scattered throughout Israel is designated cities. The Simeonites, on the other hand, received their inheritance within the territory of Judah.

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Genesis 49:8-9

Judah means praise. There would be a double fulfillment of Jacob’s prediction that Jacob’s sons would praise and bow down before Judah.

In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. 2 Samuel 5:5

King David, who descended from the tribe of Judah, not only ruled over all Judah but eventually over all of Israel. King David defeated and subjugated the enemies of Israel. King David was a type of the conquering King Messiah and was the first fulfillment of Jacob’s declaration over Judah.

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:10

Shiloh is a messianic title. Messiah Yeshua, the King of the Jews, would descend from the line of King David.

A scepter is a staff or baton held by a king or ruler as an emblem of his authority.

“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” Esther 4:11

The scepter represents the power of the king to put someone to death or to spare their lives.

Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.  So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”

“If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”

Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”

“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. John 18:28-31

Although the Sanhedrin had declared that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy, they did not have the right to put him to death, but brought him to Pilate with a charge of sedition. The Sanhedrin had been deprived of the power of administering the death penalty by their Roman occupiers. The scepter or power of the Jews to put someone to death had departed from Judah because Shiloh (the Messiah) had come. Genesis 49:10 is yet another messianic prophecy that was fulfilled in the first coming of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine,  his robes in the blood of grapes. Genesis 49:11

The prophetic utterances of Jacob over Judah include the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem which was also spoken of by the prophet Zechariah:

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Not only does Jacob predict circumstances of the first advent of Messiah but also of His second coming.

His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. Revelation 19:12-13

His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk. Genesis 49:12

Onkelos, who translated the Torah into Aramaic, paraphrased this verse concerning Judah as applying to the abundance of his territory: “His mountains shall be red with his vineyards, and his hills shall drop wine, and his valleys shall be white with corn and flocks of sheep.”

“Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon. Genesis 40:13

When the tribe of Zebulun settled in the land of Canaan, the boundaries of the territory assigned to them extended from the Sea of Galilee on the east, to the Mediterranean on the west. This was done, not at the discretion of Joshua, or at the choice of this tribe, but by lot.

When Paul was in Athens he was taken to the Areopagus where he addressed the philosophers. He told them that when he walked around and looked carefully at their objects of worship, he found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Paul said that they were ignorant of the very thing they worshipped. Then Paul told them about the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. Acts 17:26

The prophetic proclamation of Jacob concerning where Zebulun would dwell and the fulfillment of this prophecy confirms that it is God who determines the appointed times of nations and the boundaries of their lands.

 “Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens. When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. Genesis 49:14-15

Issachar was allocated territory immediately north of (the western half of) Manasseh, and south of Zebulun and Naphtali. This region included the fertile Esdraelon plain. Established in the good land of the lower Galilee, the men of Issachar were involved in sheep herding and agricultural pursuits. Encompassed about by other tribes and dwelling in a pleasant and productive land, the men of Issachar preferred to pay tribute to the surrounding tribes to secure their protection, rather than leave their ploughshares and cast aside their shepherd’s crooks to join them in warring against their enemies.

“Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Genesis 49:16

Although Dan, whose name means “judge,” was the firstborn son of Rachel’s handmaid, Bilhah, he was considered as to be one of the tribes of Israel. It was prophesied that his offspring would provide justice for his people. This was fulfilled during the days of the judges when Sampson, who was from the tribe of Dan, took revenge upon the Philistines.

Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heel so that its rider tumbles backward. Genesis 49:17

Revelation 7:4-8 lists the 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel – 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. The tribe of Dan is not listed. The Danites were disobedient to the LORD’s command to possess their allotted portion of the Promised Land (Jdg 18:27-31), and they continued in idolatry until the time of the Assyrian captivity. Jacob’s blessing over his children includes a prophetic description of Dan as a serpent and a viper that bites the horse’s heels causing the rider to tumble backwards.

So the LORD God said to the serpent, because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15

Deuteronomy 33:22 contains the account of Moses’ prophetic blessing of Dan which describes Dan as a lion’s cub springing out of Bashan. Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm which describes the future crucifixion. Verses 12-13 is a symbolic picture of the enemies of Christ: … strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions tearing at their prey…. Dan is described as a serpent and a roaring lion seeking to devour. . Antiochus Epiphanes, a type of Antichrist, was a Selucid King (Greek ruler of Syria). The city of Dan is the northernmost city in Israel, just below the Syrian border. Idolatry marks the worship of the beast and the Danites were idol worshippers. Based on these facts concerning the tribe of Dan, It is speculated that the Antichrist may be a Danite. In any case, the tribe of Dan is excluded from the listing of those who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel.

“I look for your deliverance, Lord. Genesis 49:18

Jacob foreseeing the future idolatry of the Danites may have called out to the LORD to deliver them from their sinful ways.

“Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels. Genesis 49:19

The word Gad means good fortune, but Jacob connects it with the root gâdad, “to gather in troops.” Jacob foresees that the tribe of Gad situated on the east side of the Jordan would expose it to the incursions of its neighbors, the Moabites and Ammonites.

“Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king. Genesis 49:20

Asher means happy or blessed. The land that this tribe would posses was exceeding fruitful in wine, oil and in the best of wheat.

“Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns. Genesis 49:21

The meaning of the prophecy seems to be that the tribe of Naphtali would be located in a fertile and peaceable territory, as a doe set free to feed on the richest pasture.

“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. Genesis 49:22

While some of his other brothers are compared to animals: a lion, a donkey, a serpent, a deer and a wolf, only Joseph is compared to a fruitful vine. Joseph named his second born son, “Ephraim” because God made Joseph fruitful in Egypt – the land of his suffering. Ephraim means double fruitfulness. Jacob’s pronouncement of fruitfulness was both a recounting of Joseph’s blessings in Egypt as well as a prophetic declaration. Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh would each be a tribal leader with many descendants.

With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. Genesis 49:23

The phrase, “hostile archers who attacked Joseph” is symbolic and can be interpreted in light of Psalm 64:

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. Psalm 64:2-3

The conspiracy of the wicked using cruel words described the plot Joseph’s jealous and angry brothers had devised to sell him into slavery and deceive Jacob into believing that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal.

But his bow remained steady,   his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father’s God, who helps you,  because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above,  blessings of the deep springs below,  blessings of the breast and womb. Genesis 49:24-25

Joseph’s strength is compared to a bow that remained steady. That is, his faith did not fail, but he stood his ground and emerged a conqueror.

As a slave in Potiphar’s house, his master had put Joseph in charge of his household. Potiphar knew that LORD was with him had entrusted to Joseph’s care everything he owned.

While Joseph was in prison, the LORD was with him. The LORD showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. The warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Pharaoh recognized that the spirit of God resided in Joseph. He not only put Joseph in charge of his palace but made him the second highest official in all of Egypt.

Joseph’s faith did not fail and he stood firm during 13 years of testing because the Good Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, Messiah Yeshua was with him.

Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains,  than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers. Genesis 49:26

Jacob’s blessings over Joseph were even greater than the material blessings than the Promised Land would provide for the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph, the second youngest of twelve brothers, was declared a prince – the noblest and highest in rank among Jacob’s children.

“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.” Genesis 49:27

This prediction alludes to the warlike character of the tribe of Benjamin, which was manifested in Ehud the judge (Judges 3:15) and Saul the king of Israel who both sprang from Rachel’s younger son.

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him. Genesis 49:28

Since Joseph’s sons now comprised two tribes, when the tribes of Israel settled in Canaan there were thirteen tribes. The tribe of Levi had no allotted territory, which had been divided into twelve parts. When Jacob blessed the twelve tribes, his prophecies concerned not only his sons but their descendants who would occupy their tribal territories.

Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.”Genesis 49:29-32

Jacob, having blessed each of his sons, now gives them instructions concerning his own burial. The dying command Jacob gives to his sons is for them to bury him along with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah. Jacob would be buried along with Leah and not Rachel. It is ironic that Leah achieved in death, what she was unable to achieve in life, to be close to the one she loved.

Joseph had already sworn an oath to his father that he would not leave Jacob’s remains in Egypt. Jacob did not want his remains to be interred in a land of idolatry but in the land of promise. Jacob’s request was a demonstration of faith. Although his sons had settled in Goshen, Jacob believed that one day they would return to Canaan and dwell in the Promised Land.

 When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. Genesis 49:33

Jacob must have been sitting up while he was speaking to his sons. When he had finished, he drew his feet up into the bed. Content and satisfied, he breathed his last and passed away quietly.

 

Genesis 48 – Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph’s Sons

19 Saturday Sep 2015

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Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. Genesis 48:1

Joseph had promised his father Jacob that after Jacob died; Joseph would have his father’s remains interred in the land of promise where Abraham and Isaac had been laid to rest. It was some time after that agreement that Joseph was told that Jacob had fallen deathly ill.

More than a quarter of a century before, Joseph had interpreted Pharaoh’s two dreams. The king rewarded Joseph by honoring him with the highest ranking office in Egypt and placed him in charge of preparing for the future famine. Pharaoh also had given Joseph Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife.

The city of On was also known as Heliopolis, “The City of the Sun.” It was the center of worship of the sun god, Ra, and was located 10 miles northeast of modern Cairo. The high priest in On held the title of “Greatest of Seers.” When Joseph married into this family, he joined a social class befitting a national leader. Also implied in the marriage arrangement was Pharaoh’s confidence that Joseph, too, was a “seer,” or prophet, of the highest caliber.

The names of Joseph’s sons, born to him in the land of his exile, are significant. Asenath bore Joseph two sons. The first he named Manasseh meaning “forgetfulness.” In naming his firstborn child Manasseh, Joseph had declared that God made him forget all his toil and his father’s entire household.

The second son Joseph called Ephraim, meaning “doubly fruitful.” In naming his second son Ephraim, Joseph acknowledged that it was God who had caused him to be fruitful in the land of his affliction.

Joseph having learned of his father’s illness took Manasseh and Ephraim along with him to see their grandfather.

When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed.

Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me and said to me, ‘I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’ Genesis 48:2-4

After Jacob had deceived his father Isaac and had stolen Esau’s blessing, Jacob fled from his family’s home in Beersheba at set out for Harran. When Jacob stopped for the night, he took a stone and put it under his head and went to sleep. Jacob dreamt of a stairway that rested on the earth and reached up to heaven with God’s angels ascending and descending upon it.

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. Genesis 28:16-19

Jacob was so spiritually and emotionally impacted that, to memorialize the occasion and the place, he blessed the stone on which his head had rested, sanctified it by anointing it with oil and gave Luz the name “Bethel” (God’s House).

Twenty years later, Jacob returned from Paddan Aram and prepared to face his brother Esau. Jacob, having learned that Esau was coming with four hundred men to meet him, was in dire fear that Esau was planning to attack and kill him. Jacob divided his family and animals into two groups in an attempt to save one group if the other was attacked.

Jacob sent his family, his servants and his possessions across the Jabbok, which is a tributary of the Jordan River, but he stayed on the other side.

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:24-27

Jacob wrestled with the “Angel of the LORD,” and in spite of the excruciating pain of a dislocated hip, would not let go until he received a blessing.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” Genesis 32:28

Jacob whose name means, “heel-grabber” or “usurper” had deceived his father and stolen his brother’s blessing. In spite of being deceived and cheated by Laban for twenty years, Jacob remained faithful to fulfill his end of their work agreement. Jacob’s struggles served to refine his character. His name change reflected his new nature. Israel means “prince of God” or “he who struggles with God.”

Five years later, Jacob travels to Bethel where God appeared to him again and blessed him. God Almighty promised to make Jacob into a great nation. God also reiterates His promise given to Abraham and Isaac that Canaan would be the everlasting possession of their descendents. After the conquest of Canaan, the Promised Land would be known as (אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל) Eretz Yisrael – “Land of Israel.”

“Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. Genesis 48:5

Jacob proclaimed from his death bed that he was adopting Joseph’s two sons. His grandsons would be elevated to the position of sons of Israel. Joseph would now receive a double portion, which is the privilege of the firstborn. When it came time for the tribes of Israel to possess the Promised Land, Ephraim and Manasseh would each inherit their own portion of territory.

Reuben who was Jacob’s firstborn son should have been Jacob’s heir. As firstborn he was entitled to the first rank among his brothers, the leadership of the tribes, and to a double share of the inheritance. But Reuben forfeited and lost these privileges because he defiled his father’s bed.   The next two brothers in line for the birthright, Simeon and Levi also forfeited their privileges because of their violence and cruelty against the inhabitants of Shechem.

Jacob stated that just as Reuben and Simeon, who were his first and second born sons, were his sons so would Ephraim and Manasseh be his sons. Even though Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn, Jacob lists Ephraim first.

Any children born to you after them will be yours; in the territory they inherit they will be reckoned under the names of their brothers. Genesis 48:6

If Joseph were to have any other sons after Manasseh and Ephraim, these sons would be reckoned as his own. They would be considered as Jacob’s grandchildren. They would not have their own tribes or territories but would reside in the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh as if they were the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh.                                                                                                                                                                             As I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were still on the way, a little distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem). Genesis 48:7

Of Jacob’s two wives (Rachel and Leah) and two concubines (Bilhah and Zilpah), Rachel was the only one that Jacob truly loved or wanted to marry. Jacob only married Leah because he had been deceived by his father-in-law Laban.

When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Genesis 29:25

Laban not only tricked Jacob into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, but extracted another seven years of labor from him in order to pay a second bridal price.

It was through Rachel and Leah’s insistence, not Jacob’s, that two concubines were included in the multi-wife family:

When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”

Jacob became angry with her and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?”

Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.” Genesis 30:1-3

When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. Genesis 30:9

On his death bed Jacob recounts to his son Joseph how his beloved wife Rachel died in childbirth and was buried beside the road to Bethlehem. Rachel was Joseph’s mother and the first of Jacob’s four wives to die.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Genesis 37:3-4

Joseph was the long awaited son of Rachel, the wife that Jacob loved. Joseph was the son born to Jacob in his old age. Israel loved Jacob more than any of his other sons. For this reason, Jacob adopted Joseph’s sons as his own and Jacob gave Joseph the double blessing as if he was the firstborn son.

When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”

“They are the sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his father.

Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.”

 Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” Genesis 48:8-11

For twenty-two years Jacob believed that Joseph was torn to death by a wild animal because Joseph’s jealous brothers had presented Joseph’s ornate robe to their father covered in blood.

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” Genesis 45:25-28

Jacob not only lives to see Joseph before he dies but also to see Joseph’s sons as well.

Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Genesis 48:12-14

Joseph bows down in respect to his father and in reverence and thankfulness to God. Joseph then places his younger son Ephraim towards Israel’s left hand and his firstborn son Manasseh towards his father’s right hand.

According to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the word “Hand” most frequently represents the ownership, power, or control that its possessor (either an individual or a people) exercises. This can be seen in the story of the exodus from Egypt. God’s hand, described as mighty (Exodus 3:19-20), overcomes the hand of the Egyptians (Exodus 3:8) through miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.

The hand of God, and especially the right hand, is also understood as a place of salvation, refuge, and protection. It is the favored position for the firstborn of Joseph to receive Jacob’s blessing. Israel crossed his arms so that Ephraim would receive the right hand of blessing as if he were the firstborn son of Joseph.

 Then he blessed Joseph and said,

“May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm—may he bless these boys.

May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth.” Genesis 48:15-16

Israel refers to the God of Abraham and Isaac as his shepherd and the Angel who had delivered him from all harm.

A Christophany is an appearance of the incarnate Christ in the Old Testament, or after his ascension. A Christophany is thus a special case of a theophany. The word, “Theophany” is derived from the Ancient Greek, meaning “appearance of God.” Whenever someone received a visit from “the angel of the LORD,” this was in fact the pre-incarnate Christ. The visible appearances of God in human or angelic form in the Old Testament, is actually the Son of God manifesting Himself prior to His incarnation. Old Testament theophanies that involved the manifestation of God in human form were appearances of the second person of the Trinity, and as such their purpose was not only to provide immediate revelation but also to prepare mankind for the incarnation of Christ.

When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.” Genesis 48:17-19

This was not the first time in the history of God’s people that the younger brother would become greater than the firstborn son.

The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23

Within Rebekah’s womb were two sons from whom two nations would descend. From Esau, the first born or older son, the Edomites would arise. From Jacob, the younger son, the Israelites would emerge. In the LORD’s sovereignty and foresight, Jacob would obtain the birthright and blessing that the older son Esau would despise. By divine intervention, the usual natural order of leadership was reversed.

Israel’s act of blessing Ephraim with the right hand of blessing was an intentional act performed by divine guidance and to fulfill God’s purposes.

He blessed them that day and said,

“In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. Genesis 48:20

It is staggering that Jacob chose his grandsons, the sons of Joseph to be bearers of the birthright. That birthright was the passing on of the promises given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob himself. This included the promise given to Jacob that his seed would become a “Nation and a Company of Nations!”

Friday night, when Jewish families gather around the table to celebrate the Sabbath festive meal, parents bless their children. To the girls they say, “May God make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.” To the boys they say, “May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.” It’s easy to understand why Jewish parents choose to bless their girls to be like the great Matriarchs. But why don’t they bless their sons to be like the holy Patriarchs?

Of course one reason that Jewish boys are blessed to be like Ephraim and Manasseh is that it was the blessing that Jacob pronounced over Joseph’s sons. But there is also a lesson to be learned.

Ephraim and Manasseh accomplished something that no one else in the covenantal family had achieved. Isaac and Ishmael were brothers, but they weren’t able to live together. Ishmael was banned from Abraham’s home. Jacob and Esau were twins, and they, too, had their share of sibling rivalry. At one point, Esau wanted to kill his brother. Next came the sons of Jacob, and as we know, their jealousy of Jacob’s favorite led them to sell Joseph into slavery.

Jacob explained that he had seen in prophecy that great men will come from Ephraim, the younger brother, and so he needed the greater blessing to help those descendants. Amazingly, Manasseh doesn’t protest. He was not jealous and he was not resentful. Ephraim and Manasseh were the first brothers in the line of Abraham who loved each other unconditionally and did not fight.

This is another reason why parents bless their sons to be like Ephraim and Manasseh. Because, as great as it is to be righteous and holy like the Patriarchs, it is so critical to be able to live in harmony with our brothers. As it says in the Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Few things make the Lord happier then when there is unity among His children.

Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.” Genesis 48:21-22

After the Exodus and forty years in the wilderness, God would bring the tribes of Israel along with the bones of Joseph back to the land of Canaan in Joshua’s time.

Israel promised that Joseph would receive one more ridge or portion of land than his brothers. The word in Hebrew translated as “ridge or portion” is “Shechem.” Not only the ridge, but the city of Shechem itself, and all the adjacent country, eventually was possessed by the tribe of Ephraim.

Genesis 47–Joseph’s Father and Brothers Now Dwell in Goshen

19 Wednesday Aug 2015

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Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.” Genesis 47:1

Jacob and all of his wives, his other eleven sons and their wives and their children, along with their flocks, herds and all that they owned left Canaan to dwell in Egypt and were now in Goshen. Joseph announced their arrival to Pharaoh.

He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh. Genesis 47:2

Which of his five brothers were chosen is not evident from this verse. Although some commentators assume that the five were the five oldest brothers because of seniority, the text does not specify his five oldest brothers. Although we are not sure which brothers were selected, the number five is a significant number in Scripture.

The number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, goodness and favor toward humans and is mentioned 318 times in Scripture.

The 5th letter of the Hebrew alephbet is the letter “Hey” – h. By God’s grace, Abram (meaning “Exalted Father”), had his named changed to Abraham (meaning the “Father of Many Nations”) when God inserted the Hebrew letter hey into his name.

The “Tabernacle in the Wilderness” profoundly reflects God’s grace in its use of the number 5. This tabernacle, whose design was given directly by God, contained five curtains (Exodus 26:3), five bars (Exodus 26:26 – 27), five pillars and five sockets (Exodus 26:37) and an altar made of wood that was five cubits long and five cubits wide (Exodus 27:1). The height of the court within the tabernacle was five cubits (Exodus 27:18).

Joseph, who was seeking Pharaoh’s gracious favor, selected five of his brothers to present before the Egyptian monarch.

Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”

“Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.”  Genesis 47:3

Since shepherds were detestable to the Egyptians, Joseph wanted Pharaoh to understand that his family’s occupation had been their livelihood for several generations. Therefore, it would be wise to have his family settle in a good location but somewhat separated from where the native Egyptians lived.

They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.” Genesis 47:4

Joseph’s brothers made it clear to Pharaoh that they planned to reside in Egypt only for a while. They understood that since the land of Canaan would eventually be their possession according to God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they would seek to return to the Promised Land after the famine was over.

Their purpose coming to Egypt was not to purchase grain as they had done in the past. Since the drought was especially severe in the land of Canaan they needed to find pasture for their flocks. The land of Goshen was an irrigated plain which is still considered to include some of the best land in Egypt. Goshen was located in an area in the eastern Nile Delta that was known for its pasturelands. The “delta” region is where the Nile River flows into the Mediterranean Sea.

 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock” Genesis 47:5-6

Jesus had promised his disciples, who were brother Jews, that He would go ahead of them and prepare a dwelling for them by saying:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:3

The story of Joseph continues to foreshadow the coming Messiah, who was despised and persecuted, but then resurrected to a position of power and authority. Joseph, who was enslaved and imprisoned, went on ahead of his brothers to Egypt and was exalted to a position of power and authority. Jesus promised to prepare a glorious eternal dwelling place for His family. Joseph, who had much favor with Pharaoh, was able to secure the best part of the land of Egypt for his family. In fact the land of Goshen was so suited for raising livestock that the Pharaoh wanted his own livestock to graze in the land of Goshen under the care of Joseph’s brothers.

Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?” Genesis 47:7-8

After Joseph had introduced his five brothers to Pharaoh, and had secured Goshen as the dwelling place for his family, Joseph then brought in his father before the king. Jacob probably blessed Pharaoh by praying for the ruler’s welfare and thanking Pharaoh for his kindness to himself and his family.

The “Targum of Jonathan” (a rabbinical commentary), says that Jacob’s blessing was: “May it be the pleasure (of God) that the waters of the Nile may be filled, and that the famine may remove from the world in thy days.”

Jacob did not offer a blessing to the Pharaoh as a formality or courtesy but Jacob was a prophet and patriarch, a man divinely inspired of God, who prayed for the Pharaoh in the name of the LORD.

And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. Genesis 47:9-10

Jacob, who was 130 years old, was not only speaking of his grandfather Abraham who died at 175 years of age and his father Isaac who died at 180 years of age, but of the pre-diluvian patriarchs. These ten men, from Adam to Noah listed in Genesis 5:1-32, lived before the worldwide flood of Noah’s day. The ten patriarchs (excluding Enoch who was taken up by God at the age of 365) lived an average of 912 years.

There are two theories as to why the average lifespan declined so dramatically after the Great Flood:

According to creation scientists Carl Baugh and Walter Brown, when God created a firmament around the earth it was a protective canopy which provided a greenhouse effect as well as protection from ultraviolet and other harmful light rays from the sun. In their view, the canopy was a clear solid crystalline hydrogen/water composite. It was located approximately 11 miles above the earth where the temperatures would be around minus 130 to 180 Fahrenheit. It was held up by a much stronger magnetic field than the earth currently has and resulted in a higher percentage of atmospheric oxygen.

On the same day that all the fountains of the great deep broke forth, the windows of heaven were opened. An internal meltdown of the earth happened. Psalm 46 verse 6 describes God initiating this sad moment in history. It says “The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.” From this moment on a chain reaction of events are unfolding. First began the tremendous pressure and heat buildup within the earth. As the pressure increased extensive ripping apart of the earth’s crust occurs. Superheated water within the earth is blown up on the surface. Extensive volcanism takes place with enormous amounts of gas, rocks and dust blown into the atmosphere. The volcanoes are so big that large holes are blown through the solid canopy. As the frozen, crystalline firmament shatters, the floodgates of heaven are opened. This and the rapid deterioration of the magnetic field cause the canopy to collapse and rain down for forty days and nights. In addition tremendous amounts of molten material pour out onto the surface.

In Dr. Baugh’s model of the firmament called The Crystalline Canopy Theory, the crystalline canopy could protect earth and its inhabitants from the sun’s harmful rays and help re-energize the electromagnetic field around the earth which positively affects cellular metabolism. Other benefits of the solid firmament would be increased atmospheric pressure which would result in a greater percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere prior to Noah’s flood, and promote a gentle warming of the earth. The protection from harmful radiation, a re-energized magnetic field and increased oxygen in the atmosphere would explain the incredibly long life-spans of the pre-diluvian patriarchs.

Brian Thomas, a Science Writer at the Institute for Creation Research, offers an alternative explanation as to the shortening of the average lifespan after the flood in his article, “Where Could Adam’s Sons Find Wives?”

According to Genesis, Adam and Eve had sons, and 1 Corinthians 15:22 teaches that all of us descended from Adam. But if they only had sons, then where did their children find the wives necessary to continue the human race? Three lines of evidence point to a good answer to this common yet perplexing question.

The first line of evidence comes from Genesis 5:4, which states, “After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters.” Adam’s sons apparently found wives among his daughters. While today that would be creepy and illegal, following the lines of evidence reveals that it was healthy and normal back then.

Genesis 11 contains the second line of evidence. From Noah to Abram, the numbers reveal an overall steep trend of diminishing lifespans. What caused this pattern? Mutations, which are like copying errors in the genetic instructions for building and maintaining living things, are probably at fault. When the data are plotted on a graph, a slope emerges that resembles many similar curves showing the negative effects of genetic mutation over many generations.

These mutations damage instructions in the DNA, slowing down or disrupting important processes that happen inside cells and thus reducing an animal’s lifespan. This points to a key biological reason why Cain and Seth could have married their sisters. The first generations of people had very few mutations. Even long after the Flood, marriage between close relatives was common. Abram married his half-sister Sarah, for example. God did not declare marriage between close relatives off-limits until He gave the Law to Moses long after Abraham. Today, when we take husbands or wives who are not close relatives, we decrease the chances that our many stored mutations will show up as diseases or shortened lifespans in our children.

Jacob’s claim that his years were not only few but difficult was true. He had fled from Esau who vowed to kill him. Jacob was deceived and taken advantage by his uncle Laban for twenty years. At Shechem his daughter Dinah was ravished. His sons Simeon and Levi sought revenge by slaughtering the Shechemites and Jacob had to flee for his life again. At Ephrath he had to bury his beloved Rachel. At Hebron his sons brought him Joseph’s ornamented coat covered in blood and Jacob believed Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal.

So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children. Genesis 47:11-12

At long last, Jacob and his family were reunited and had provision to sustain them.

There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace. Genesis 47:13-14

The LORD was with Joseph and had given him wisdom and revelation in preparation for the seven years of famine that followed the seven years of abundance. During the time of abundance, grain was plentiful, was purchased cheaply and was stored in preparation for the lean years to come. Now that the drought had parched the lands of Egypt and Canaan and their crops failed, the people in the region had spent all their money to pay for the grain they bought and Pharaoh’s wealth increased.

It may seem harsh that Joseph was selling the grain to the people instead of just giving it away. But remember, the grain did not belong to Joseph. It belonged to Pharaoh. Any of the Egyptians could have stored up their own grain supply during the seven years when there was plenty of food, but they didn’t. Joseph’s plan to sell them grain kept them alive and they were very grateful.

When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.”

“Then bring your livestock,” said Joseph. “I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys. And he brought them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock. Genesis 47:15-17

Joseph offered to supply the Egyptians with enough grain to survive for another year in exchange for their livestock. Their livestock produced the products that were in demand such as milk, eggs, meat, fur and skins. Horses and donkeys provided transportation and were work animals. Without their livestock, the people became less able to care for themselves and more dependent upon the government’s provision.

When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.” Genesis 47:18-19

In desperation, the people willingly not only offered to sell their land to Pharaoh but to become his bondservants.

So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land. Genesis 47:20-22

The priests were not only able to keep their land but their freedom as well. Although the people became bondservants, the priests remained in a privileged position because of their unique relationship with Pharaoh.

Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground.  But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.

“You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”

So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt—still in force today—that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. It was only the land of the priests that did not become Pharaoh’s. Genesis 47:23-25

The people were supplied with enough food to survive through the last year of the famine. Joseph reminded them that he had purchased them and their land for Pharaoh. Joseph was now going to give them seed and they were to sow the land with it.  When the harvest time came they were to give twenty percent back to Pharaoh as a tax. Joseph put the citizens back to work with the expectation of a return from the land that now belonged to Pharaoh.

And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, except he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16-17

All control of every aspect of the peoples economic lives of Egypt had now been consolidated under the power of Pharaoh. Egypt is a type of the world system and Pharaoh is a type of the Antichrist who will control the world economy. The pagan priests of Egypt ministered in a land of idolatry.   Pharaoh supported and provided for the priests. Pharaoh was the head of the government, the commander of the armies of Egypt and considered the chief deity as the incarnation of the Sun god. The relationship between the priesthood and Pharaoh foreshadows the connection between the religious system known as “The Whore of Babylon” and the Antichrist who is a political and military leader referred to as “The Beast.’

 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:3-5

Idolatry is an abomination us the sight of God and is called spiritual adultery or harlotry in the Bible. The coming worldwide religious system of the “Great Tribulation” is known as the “Whore of Babylon.” The religious system that originated during the time of the Tower of Babel (the Babylonian Mystery Religion) has been the religious system supported by the historic empires of the world. It is the worship of the sun and the moon. It will be the final world religion and supported by the Antichrist.

Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number. Genesis 47:27

The children of Israel were blessed with prosperity and fruitful wombs. They had told Pharaoh that they only came down to Egypt for a while because of the severity of the famine. Although the famine was over, they settled in Egypt instead of returning to the Promised Land.

Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.”

“I will do as you say,” he said.

“Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. Genesis 47:28-31

Jacob had lived seventy-seven years in Canaan with Isaac and Rebekah, twenty years in Padan Aram with his uncle Laban, thirty-three years back in Canaan, and seventeen in Egypt, in all 147 years. He did not want his remains to be interred in a land of idolatry but in the land of promise where Abraham and Isaac were laid to rest. His request was a demonstration of faith. Although his sons had settled in Goshen, Jacob believed that one day they would return to Canaan and dwell in the Promised Land.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:13

Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16

Genesis 46 – Jacob and the Sons of Israel Go Down to Egypt

17 Friday Jul 2015

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So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Genesis 46:1

Israel broke up his encampment in Hebron taking all that he had and journeyed to Beersheba. This location is where Abraham and Isaac had both encamped for considerable periods of time and erected altars to Yehovah. Israel stopped at Beersheba for the night to make a sacrificial offering to God. Apparently he had some reservation about leaving the land of his forefathers.

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”

 “Here I am,” he replied.

“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. Genesis 46:2-3

Jacob had not have fully obeyed the LORD when he was commanded to leave his uncle Laban in Harran and return to his father Isaac in Hebron. Although Jacob returned to Canaan, after reconciling with Esau and then resting for a while in Succoth, he had pitched his tents in the region of Shechem. Jacob resided there for more that than a half a dozen years when Dinah his daughter was defiled. After Simeon and Levi avenged the dishonoring of their sister by slaughtering the men at Shechem, Jacob fled southward to Bethel and renewed his vow to the LORD. Jacob journeyed further southward, and at Bethlehem Rachel gave birth to Benjamin, but she died in giving childbirth and was buried there. Finally, Jacob met his father Isaac in his old age and he dwelt in Hebron. While living in Hebron, Jacob made the multi-colored coat for his son Joseph. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of how Jacob favored him and were enraged at Joseph’s dreams. Although they had plotted to kill him, they sold Joseph to the Midianites who took him to Egypt to be sold as a slave.

Now the LORD assures Jacob that he should not be afraid to go down to Egypt and leave the Promised Land. It is in Egypt that the Hebrews would emerge from the furnace of affliction and be birthed as the nation of Israel.

I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” Genesis 46:4

God assures Jacob that should he die while in Egypt, his body would be buried in the Promised Land and his descendants would surely return to the land of their inheritance.

Jacob had mourned for Joseph for over twenty years. God also promises Jacob that he would be with Joseph for the rest of his life.

Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan. Jacob brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring. Genesis 46:5-7

So this closes out the period of Jacob’s life in the land that God had promised to give him. It was a period of time that began with God’s promises to Jacob at Bethel and ended with God’s encouragement and assurance to go down to Egypt. While Jacob’s life in both Harran and in the Promised Land was filled with many challenges, hardships and difficulties, God protected and prospered Jacob.

These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Genesis 46:8

The list of Jacob’s family includes his wives, sons, daughter, granddaughter and grandsons.

Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.

The sons of Reuben: Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi.

The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.

The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.

The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron.

The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon and Jahleel.

These were the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, besides his daughter Dinah. These sons and daughters of his were thirty-three in all. Genesis 46:9-15

Leah bore six of Jacob’s sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. In addition to these six sons, listed are twenty-three grandsons, two great grandsons, Dinah his daughter and Jacob himself. Including Jacob and Leah, there were thirty-three in all that descended through Jacob and his first wife.

The sons of Gad: Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Areli.

The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malkiel.

These were the children born to Jacob by Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah—sixteen in all. Genesis 46:16-18

Leah’s handmaiden Zilpah birthed two of Jacob’s sons, Gad and Asher. Listed are Gad and his seven sons, Asher’s four sons, daughter and two great grandsons – in all, there were sixteen offspring through Jacob and Zilpah.

The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

 In Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.

These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob—fourteen in all. Genesis 46:19-22

Only Rachel, Jacob’s favorite, is called a wife in this account of his family. Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph’s Egyptian wife Asenath bore Manasseh and Ephraim. Benjamin provided Jacob with ten more grandsons. Rachel’s two sons and twelve grandsons totaled fourteen in all who were the progeny of Jacob and Rachel. Rachel, who had died in childbirth, was not counted as going down to Egypt.

The son of Dan: Hushim.

The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.

These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel—seven in all. Genesis 46:23-25

Rachel’s handmaiden Bilhah gave birth to two sons, Dan and Naphtali. Dan had one son, while Naphtali had four sons. Two sons and five grandsons total seven offspring through Jacob and Bilhah.

All those who went to Egypt with Jacob—those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons’ wives—numbered sixty-six persons. With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all. Genesis 46:26-27

It was now 215 years since God had promised that He would make Abraham into a great nation. At this point, not counting the wives of Jacob’s sons, there were only seventy persons listed as the Hebrews who would dwell in Egypt and become a great nation.

Seventy is a very significant number. It is the product of seven (spiritual perfection) and ten (completeness). Seventy signifies perfect spiritual order.

The account of the seventy who went down to Egypt is the very first verse in the Bible where the number seventy is mentioned. According to the “Table of Nations” found in Genesis chapter ten, there are seventy nations which descended from Noah’s sons after the flood. The Lord told Moses to select seventy of Israel’s elders that would accompany Moses up to Mount Sinai. The Great Sanhedrin or Jewish Council, which was comprised of seventy men who served as judges with one chief judge, was modeled after the seventy elders and Moses. A total of seventy bulls were sacrificed during the first seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles – one bull for each of the seventy nations.

Seventy is a very significant number in prophecy. In the book of Daniel, there are prophetic passages in Chapter 9 concerning periods of time referred to as sevens or weeks. The term seven or week is interpreted to mean a seven year period of time. The reason that Bible scholars have determined that seven or week means seven years (a week of years), is based upon the Biblical regulation concerning the Sabbath of Years. The nation of Israel was not only commanded to observe the seventh day as a day of rest or Sabbath (Ex 20:8-11); but also, observe the seventh year as a year of rest for the land (the land to lie fallow), called the Sabbatical Year (Lev 25:1-7).

But in the seventh year the land is to have a Sabbath of rest, a Sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Leviticus 25:4

Israel never observed this regulation. This act of disobedience, as well as, intermarriage, idol worship and other sins of the nation, resulted in the people being taken into captivity. Daniel wrote his prophetic writings during the time that the Southern Kingdom known as Judah (the nation was divided after Solomon s reign into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms), was taken captive into Babylon (586 BC).

This captivity lasted for 70 years as was prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer 25:12). Daniel understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD (Yehovah), given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years (Dan 9:2).

Leviticus 26:14-46 speaks of degrees of punishment for disobedience. When the time would come that Israel would refuse to carry out the commands of the LORD and violate His covenant, the LORD would bring disease and defeat to the nation. The people would be taken into captivity by their enemies.

Then the land will enjoy its Sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. Leviticus 26:34

Daniel chapter 9 and verse 24 speaks of seventy sevens. Judah was taken into captivity for 70 years. The land of the tribe of Judah and the city of Jerusalem were desolate for 70 years. The land had 70 consecutive years of Sabbath rests. Had Israel observed the ordinance of the Sabbatical Year it would have taken a period of 490 years to achieve those 70 Sabbatical Years. A Sabbatical Year was to occur once every 7 years. Two Sabbatical years were to be observed in 14 years; therefore, the land would experience 70 Sabbath rests after four hundred and ninety years. Seventy sevens is an expression that means 70 times 7 years and equals a total of 490 years (70 Sabbaths x 7 years per Sabbatical Year = 490 years).

Verse 27 of Daniel chapter 9 reads:

He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’. In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

This passage of Scripture parallels time periods prophesied in the book of Revelation. One seven is a period of seven years or week of years. In the middle of the seven or halfway through the seven year period is three and one half (3½) years. Our modern day calendar is based on the time it takes the Earth to revolve once around the Sun or Solar Year of 365 1/4 days. The Jewish calendar of Biblical times was based on 12 months which were comprised of 30 days each. This Lunar calendar had a year of 360 days (12 months x 30 days = 360 days). Our calendar today requires periodic leap years to compensate for the 1/4 day each Solar Year that needs to be taken into account. The Jewish calendar required an additional added month (13th month) to be periodically added to make up for the uncounted days on their calendar.

In the book of Revelation there are time periods of 42 months (Rev 11:2, 13:5). Twelve months per year times 3½ years equals 42 months. This period of 42 months is equivalent to Daniel’s middle of the seven (3½ years). Revelation 11:3 and Revelation 12:6 speak of a 1260 day period. Thirty days per month (Jewish calendar), times 42 months equals 1260 days (30 days x 42 months = 1260 days). Three hundred sixty days per year times 3½ years equals 1260 days as well. The terms middle of the seven, 3½ years, 42 months or 1260 days are all equivalent terms.

The one who sets up an abomination (an idol or image of himself), that causes desolation (the chosen people who refuse to bow down to an idol then flee the temple and the city of Jerusalem), will establish a covenant (an accord or pact), with the Jewish people for a period of time (seven years). This charismatic leader (the Antichrist), violates the agreement halfway through (3½ years after the signing), and sets up his own image to be worshipped (Rev 13:15). The second half of Daniel’s 70th week (the 70th seven – the week of years or 7 year period at the end of the age), is a time of great persecution (Rev 12:17; 13:7), or distress for the Elect (the church, body of Christ, the set apart people of God).

Seventy was a significant number in the formation of the Nation of Israel and will be a significant number again in the future when Daniel’s 70th week is fulfilled.

Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Genesis 46:28-29

Continuing on their journey to Egypt, Israel sent his son Judah ahead to find out where the caravans were to stop. Note that Judah was the one who was trusted with this task although he was the fourth son of Jacob. Reuben, who as the firstborn son, lost his birthright when he slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah. Simeon and Levi, who were next in line, forfeited their rights as well because of their slaughter of the men at Shechem. It will be through the lineage of Judah that Messiah will be brought forth.

They were directed to disembark at Goshen. It was here, after twenty-two years, that Jacob saw his son Joseph once again. They embraced each other and wept together for quite a while.

 Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.” Genesis 46:30

Israel, who had believed that Joseph was dead, now sees with his own eyes that Joseph is indeed alive. Joseph, as a type of Messiah, symbolically has been resurrected. Israel seeing Joseph alive and in an exalted position is so gratified that he is prepared to die in peace. In a similar fashion, we who believe in the atoning death and resurrection of Messiah Jesus are content, at peace and do not fear death.

Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ Genesis 46:31-32

Joseph is highly favored by Pharaoh. Joseph goes ahead of his family to pave the way for Pharaoh’s meeting with his family.

When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:33-34

Joseph understood that Pharaoh’s would make an inquiry concerning his family’s occupation. In ancient Egypt there were distinctive social classes: the nobility, the intelligentsia, labor and outcasts. Since shepherds were detestable to the Egyptians, Joseph wanted Pharaoh to understand that his family’s occupation had been their livelihood for several generations. Therefore, it would be wise to have his family settle in a good location but somewhat separated from where the Egyptians lived.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

It was for a sovereign purpose that the LORD had the Hebrews living apart from the Egyptians. God did not want His chosen people to i

Genesis 45 – When Joseph Made Himself Known to His Brothers!

07 Sunday Jun 2015

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Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Genesis 45:1-2

Judah had just finished pleading with Joseph to let him take the place of Benjamin and become his slave. Judah was deeply concerned that if Benjamin did not return, their father would be devastated with grief. Twenty two years ago, Joseph’s brothers were so enraged by jealousy that they wanted to kill this dreamer. Judah, who had suggested that Joseph should not be killed but sold into slavery, is now willing to become Joseph’s slave.

Joseph orders his attendants to withdraw so that he can be alone with his brothers. He is finally convinced that Judah is not jealous of Benjamin but seeks to protect him. That realization, along with the news that his father Jacob may still be alive and is mourning for him, overwhelms Joseph with emotion. He wept so loudly that his Egyptian attendants who were sent away heard him sobbing.

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Genesis 45:3

Pharaoh had given Joseph the Egyptian name, Zaphenath-Paneah which means, “The one who discovers hidden things.” Up until now, Joseph’s brothers were convinced that Zaphenath-Paneah, the governor of Egypt, was an Egyptian who only spoke to them through an interpreter. To their great surprise, the second most influential man in the most powerful empire in that entire part of the world speaks to them in Hebrew. They who had sold their own brother into slavery were understandably shocked and terrified.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:4-5

Joseph does not condemn his brothers for their past actions, but demonstrates grace and compassion towards them. Joseph explains that there was a divine purpose for his trials and suffering. He was sold into Egypt so that the lives of many people in Egypt, Canaan, and other surrounding countries would be saved. Again we see the life of Joseph as a type of the Messiah who, though innocent and betrayed by His own people, would suffer so that many people’s lives would be saved.

For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:6-7

Joseph makes it known to his brothers who had come to Egypt to buy grain a second time that the famine would last five more years. His purpose was not only to preserve lives of many Egyptians and those from other gentile nations, but to save the lives of the sons of Israel by a great deliverance.

And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength—he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:5-6

Joseph’s words and actions foreshadow the great deliverance of the Messiah who would bring salvation to the ends of the earth to both God’s Chosen People as well as to the Gentiles.

 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Genesis 45:8

Joseph reiterates to his brothers that it is God in His sovereignty, foreknowledge and divine wisdom who purposed that he be sent down to Egypt to bring deliverance. Ancient Egypt, which was full of idolatry, is a type of our sinful world. As Joseph was sent by God, so would the promised Messiah be sent by God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38

Although he was innocent of wrongdoing, Joseph was sent down to Egypt by God. He endured through jealousy, hatred, false accusations and suffering in order to be raised to a position of power and authority to in order to bring a great deliverance.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus was sent by God to our sinful world and would endure through jealousy, hatred, false accusations and suffering in order to be raised to a position of power and authority in order to bring a great deliverance to all who call on His name.

Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ Genesis 45:9-11

Goshen was a district in the eastern Delta which is located east of the lower Nile. It is described as the best land in the region, suitable for both crops and livestock, but also somewhat apart from Egypt. Joseph knew that shepherds were detestable to Egyptians. Therefore Joseph arranged to have his family settle in a good location but somewhat separated from where the Egyptians lived.

 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.  Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” Genesis 45:12-13

Joseph assures his brothers that it is really him speaking to them. Then Joseph commands his brothers to testify to their father about all the wondrous things that he has accomplished. This is yet another example of Joseph being a type of Christ.

So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Luke 7:22

Jesus assures John that He is really the Messiah that He claims to be by having John’s messengers testify about all the wondrous signs he has performed.

Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him during their first trip to Egypt but thought he was a pagan ruler. His brothers did not recognize him as a fellow Hebrew until Joseph revealed himself to them on their second journey.

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matthew 15:24

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:11

At the first coming of Christ, except for a chosen remnant, His fellow Israelites rejected Him. For nearly two millennia, Jews have viewed Jesus as some kind of Greek or Roman pagan deity. In much the same way as Joseph’s brothers did not recognize Joseph as a fellow son of Israel the first time they encountered him, Jesus’ own people did not recognize that Jesus was the Son of God.

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” 

At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” John 6:38-42

At the second coming of Jesus, He will reveal himself to His people and they will recognize Him as the Messiah of Israel.

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all of the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him so shall it be! Amen. Revelation 1:7

“I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” Zechariah 12:10

It is my understanding that the Church is raptured on Yom Teruah (The Day of Trumpets) to meet a glorious Christ in the air. At that time, those from the twelve tribes of Israel who have survived the “Times of Jacob’s Trouble would literally look upon the One their ancestors had pierced on the cross through conspiracy with Rome. They being astonished at their rejection of the true Messiah would spend the ten days of awe and repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur grieving as Yeshua leaves after He has raptured His bride and takes her to heaven.

 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:26-27

When the full number of the Gentiles has come into covenant with God and the church is raptured, then the surviving remnant of Israel will all be saved.

So in likewise manner, as Joseph revealed himself to his brothers at their second coming to Egypt, at Jesus’ second coming His people Israel will look to the One they pierced. He will be revealed to Israel and leave. When Messiah and His bride return to earth ten days later on Yom Kippur, Yeshua will be embraced as King Messiah and be reconciled to His people.

Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him. Genesis 45:14-15

Joseph fell on Benjamin’s neck first because Benjamin was unlike Joseph’s half-brothers. He was a brother by both his father Jacob as well as his mother Rachel. The sudden transition from Benjamin being viewed as a condemned criminal for stealing Joseph’s silver cup to an embraced brother, might have caused Benjamin to keel over in shock had not his tumultuous feelings been relieved by a torrent of tears. Joseph’s demonstration of affection was not confined to Benjamin. He embraced every one of his brothers in succession. By his actions, his forgiveness was demonstrated more fully than it could be by mere words.

When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ Genesis 45:16-18

Joseph was greatly loved and respected by Pharaoh and his officials for his wisdom, godly character and administrative skills. Joseph’s diligence and hard work during the years of Egypt’s plentiful crops helped preserve Pharaoh’s kingdom and his subjects during the past two years of famine. Pharaoh wanted to show his gratitude to Joseph and desired to have Joseph’s family enjoy the fat of the land.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; Isaiah 1:19

Joseph’s entire family was blessed because of Joseph’s willingness to be an obedient and faithful servant whether he was in a prison or a palace.

 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’” Genesis 45:19-20

Joseph’s brothers arrived in Egypt with pack animals but were urged by the Pharaoh to take carts back with them for their wives and children to return in. As a nomadic people, their possessions probably didn’t include any heavy or ornate furnishings. Pharaoh also insisted that Joseph’s family leave their belongings behind because they would be living like Egyptian nobility.

Pharaoh does not realize that his words would be prophetic. He proclaims to the sons of Israel that the best of all Egypt will be theirs. This would literally take place at the time of the Exodus.

Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Exodus 12:35-36

Joseph’s brothers were blessed and treated like nobility because they were in relationship with him. Joseph again typifies Messiah Jesus. We who come into relationship with the Lord become royalty as sons and daughters of the King.

So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. Genesis 45:21-22

Joseph provided food and other supplies for his brother’s return to Canaan. He gave his brothers new clothing to substantiate their testimony to their father of his wealth and status. Joseph also knew that shepherds were abhorrent to Egyptians and did not want them to return dressed as shepherds.

Joseph demonstrates favoritism to his brother Benjamin by providing him with five sets of new clothing and 300 shekels of silver. A shekel is 2/5 of an ounce of silver. Three hundred shekels totals 120 ounces or 7 ½ pounds of silver.

And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” Genesis 45:23-24

Joseph not only provides for his brother’s return home to Canaan, but for his father and family’s sojourn back to their new home in Egypt. Joseph knew that his brothers, who out of jealousy wanted to kill him but ending up selling him into slavery, might start blaming one another for their sinful acts and so he admonishes them not to quarrel on their way home.

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” Genesis 45:25-28

Jacob, who believed for 22 years that his son Joseph was killed by a wild beast, is understandably stunned that Joseph was not only alive but the ruler of all Egypt. This news was beyond his wildest dreams. Finally, after Jacob heard his sons’ account of what Joseph had told them, and saw the carts and lavish provisions, he was convinced that indeed Joseph was alive.

Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Luke 24:5-6a

Symbolically, Joseph like Jesus is resurrected from the dead in the eyes of his father.

Genesis 43 & 44 – Joseph’s Brothers Bring Benjamin to Egypt

27 Monday Apr 2015

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Due to the severe famine, Joseph’s brothers needed to return to Egypt to buy more food. Benjamin had to go with them and Judah guaranteed his safety.

Now the famine was still severe in the land. So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” Genesis 43:1-2

In the second year of the famine, all of Joseph’s brothers except Benjamin travelled from Canaan down to Egypt to buy grain. Now that their supply had been consumed, Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt in order to buy more grain.

 But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” Genesis 43:3-5

Judah reminded his father that the governor of Egypt had placed strict conditions on allowing them to return. Their brother Simeon had been put into prison and would not be released unless their brother Benjamin came with them when they returned.

Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?”

They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’ he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’ We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?” Genesis 43:6-7

When Joseph’s brothers first made their trek to Egypt to buy grain, they did not recognize him. They were convinced that Pharaoh’s second-in-command was a ruthless and suspicious foreign official. Since Joseph wanted to be assured that Benjamin was being treated well, he devised a plan that forced his brothers to bring Benjamin down to Egypt. Joseph was able to convince them that he suspected that they were spies. To prove that were not spies, but merely a family affected by the famine, they had to return with their brother Benjamin.

Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.” Genesis 43:8-10

When the brothers returned from buying grain the first time, Reuben had asked his father to let Benjamin go with him back to Egypt. Reuben had said the following to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back” (Genesis 42:37). Jacob rejected Reuben’s offer and refused to let Benjamin go down to Egypt. Jacob may have mistrusted Reuben. According to Genesis 35:22, “…Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.” Jacob also doesn’t seem concerned about Simeon who had, along with his brother Levi, taken vengeance on the men of Shechem. So while Jacob still had a supply of grain, he wasn’t willing to let Benjamin leave his side.

But now some time had passed. The famine was still severe in the land and all the grain they bought had been eaten. Although Judah is the fourth son of Leah, he takes a position of leadership and chides his father for delaying his sons’ return to Egypt.

Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. Genesis 43:11-12

In Egypt, the Nile River was known for its seasonal flooding. After the floodwaters receded in October, farmers were left with well watered and fertile soil in which to plant their crops. Both almond and pistachio trees do not tolerate overly wet soil. So Jacob chose these delicacies, along with a little balm, honey and spice as a gift of appeasement to be given to the governor of Egypt.

Jacob directs his sons to take double the silver with them. This would serve to pay for both the first supply of grain as well as the new supply they sought. Jacob wants to do whatever he can to insure that Benjamin will return to him unharmed.

Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” Genesis 43:13-14

Jacob, in fear of his life, fled from Esau and lived with his Uncle Laban for twenty years. When God commanded Jacob to leave Harran and return to his homeland, Jacob returned to Canaan but settled in Shechem. After Jacob’s daughter Dinah had been raped, his sons Simeon and Levi took vengeance upon the Shechemites and slaughtered all of the men of the city. Jacob, again fearing for his own safety, finally returned to Bethel to erect an altar to the LORD.

And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him. Genesis 35:11-13

After Jacob sacrificed to the LORD at Bethel, God revealed Himself as El Shaddai (God Almighty) and confirmed the covenant with him that was made with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob beseeches God Almighty to grant his sons mercy before the governor of Egypt so that Simeon and Benjamin would return to their father.

So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.”

 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house. Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.” Genesis 43:15-18

Joseph’s brothers who lived in tents must have been in awe of Joseph’s palatial residence. They could not comprehend that the governor of all Egypt would be extending genuine hospitality to them. Instead, they feared punishment because they hadn’t paid for their first supply of grain.

So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. Genesis 43:19-23

Joseph’s steward assures his brothers that he knows that they had not stolen the silver, yet he does not tell them who put their silver back in their sacks.

The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.  They prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.  He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”

They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him. Genesis 43:24-28

Although Joseph’s brothers were welcomed as honored guests, they fell on their faces before him. Their act of submission to his authority fulfilled Joseph’s prophetic dream of his bothers’ sheaves bowing down to Joseph’s sheaf.

As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”  Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.” Genesis 43:29-31

Joseph had been sold into slavery by his half-brothers. Only Joseph and Benjamin had the same mother and father. Joseph had not seen his brother Benjamin in over 22 years. Overcome with emotion, Joseph left to find a secluded place to cry tears of joy and relief.

They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. Genesis 43:32

The reason that shepherds were considered detestable to the Egyptians probably reflected a common distrust of nomadic peoples by urban dwellers. A contemporary illustration would be a band of gypsies raising suspicions of the locals when they come into town.

The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him. Genesis 43:33-34

Joseph’s generosity towards Benjamin is understandable since Benjamin is his baby brother. Joseph’s actions may have also been a test to see if his brothers, who had harbored murderous jealousy towards him, would become envious of Benjamin.

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said. Genesis 44:1-2

Joseph ordered his servant to place his personal silver goblet into Benjamin’s sack. The purpose may have been to create an excuse for Joseph to keep Benjamin with him in Egypt or to make it appear that Benjamin was in danger to see how his brothers would react to the situation.

As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’”

When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them. But they said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.” Genesis 44:3-9

In response to the steward’s harsh accusation, Joseph’s brothers make an impassioned plea and proclamation of their innocence. Rashly they promise that if any of them is found to have the silver cup, he will be put to death and the rest of them willingly will become slaves.

“Very well, then,” he said, “let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.” Genesis 44:10

Obviously, the steward’s response was not according to the words of Joseph’s brothers but to fulfill his master’s plan.

Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city. Genesis 44:11-13

The act of tearing their clothes was a sign of the brother’s grief. Because the Israelites had an agrarian society, clothing was a very valuable commodity. Nothing was mass-produced. Clothes were time-intensive and expensive, which meant that most people in those days only had a very limited wardrobe. For that reason, people who tore their clothes were showing just how upset they felt inside. By damaging one of their more important and expensive possessions, they reflected the depth of their emotional pain.

Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?”

“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.” Genesis 44:14-16

Joseph probably did not practice divination because of his relationship with the LORD. Joseph’s prophetic dreams were divine revelations and not an occult practice. Joseph only claimed that he was a diviner to reinforce his guise as an Egyptian noble.

His brothers’ statement that God had uncovered their guilt could not be in reference to their stealing the silver or the cup because they were innocent of those charges. They were convicted that their dire circumstances were a form of divine punishment for having sold Joseph into slavery and lying to their father.

But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” Genesis 44:17

Although Joseph presented himself as fair and reasonable in his pronouncement of judgment, he actually was completing his scheme and was testing his brothers.

Then Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’

 “Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.’ And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.’ But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ Genesis 44:18-23

Judah had personally guaranteed Benjamin’s safety. Judah told Jacob that if he did not bring Benjamin back to him that he would bear the blame all of his life. Now Judah is recounting what had transpired during and after their first excursion to Egypt.

When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.

“Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy a little more food.’ But we said, ‘We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’

“Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. One of them went away from me, and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since. If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.’ Genesis 44:24-29

Joseph may have assumed that his father knew that he was sold into slavery and questioned why Jacob hadn’t made an effort to buy him back. After these many years, Joseph finally discovers that his father believed he was torn to death by a wild animal and has been in mourning for him.

Judah’s words not only serve to implore the governor to be sympathetic to the situation, but are being heard by his brothers. Although the lies that Jacob were told and the deception of Joseph’s brothers occurred more than twenty years ago, they are still causing their father grievous emotional pain and bringing conviction of guilt to his sons.

“So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’

 “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.” Genesis 44:30-34

Joseph learns that Judah was not jealous of Benjamin but deeply concerned for his safety. Judah was not only pleading for the life of Benjamin, but also for the life of their father. It was Judah’s suggestion that Joseph should be sold into slavery, but now he was willing to become a slave himself and serve as a substitute for Benjamin.

The promised Messiah would descend from the tribe of Judah.   Judah was willing to be enslaved in the place of his brother. In a similar fashion, the coming Messiah would be willing to be the substitutionary sacrifice for those enslaved by sin.

Genesis 42 – Then Ten of Joseph’s Brothers Went Down to Egypt to Buy Grain

13 Friday Mar 2015

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When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” Genesis 42:1-2

God had revealed the interpretation of Pharaoh’s two dreams to Joseph. Joseph had explained that the good cows and heads of grain represented an abundance of herds and produce for seven years throughout the land of Egypt. While the lean cows and worthless heads of grain foretold of seven years of a severe famine that would follow the good years. The seven years of abundance had passed and according to Genesis 45:11, it was now in the second year of the famine that Jacob commanded his sons to go down to Egypt to buy some grain.

Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine in the land of Canaan also. Genesis 42:3-5

Because of their jealousy, Jacob was deceived by Joseph’s half-brothers into believing that Joseph had been torn to death by a wild beast. At that time, Joseph was not only the son of Jacob’s old age but also the son of Rachel who Jacob had loved. Rachel had died in childbirth and Benjamin was their son. Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others because he was afraid that harm might come to him as well.

Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.

“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” Genesis 42:6-7

The first of Joseph’s two dreams that provoked his half-brothers to such hot anger that they wanted to kill him was literally being fulfilled at this time.

He said to them, “Please listen to this dream which I have had; for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” Then his brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Genesis 37:6-8

How ironic is this demonstration of the sovereignty of God. Because Joseph’s brothers wanted to get rid of this dreamer, they sold Joseph into slavery to the Ishmaelites. The Ishmaelites took him down to Egypt where Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Then Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the Pharaoh’s prisoners were confined. Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief wine steward and baker and was eventually summonsed by Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. Pharaoh then elevated Joseph to the second-in-command position of governor over Egypt. Because of the widespread famine, Jacob’s sons needed to buy grain. They travelled to Egypt and now were bowing down with their faces to the ground in front of Joseph.

Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” Genesis 42:8-9

When Joseph was sold into slavery, he was seventeen years of age. Joseph was thirty years old when he became vice-regent of Egypt. It is now about nine years later and Joseph is in his late thirties. His brothers have not seen him for more than twenty years. He is dressed like an Egyptian and was in is a position of great authority. His brothers dared not look him in the eyes but bowed down with their faces on the ground. His brothers did not recognize him.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:10-11

Joseph, who had been rejected by his jealous brothers who wanted to kill him, was not recognized by them. Like Jesus, who was not recognized by the world and rejected by His own people, Joseph had suffered although he had not done anything wrong to deserve punishment.

These fellow children of Israel did not recognize that Joseph was a Hebrew, but assumed he was a gentile authority. In much the same way, most Jews today view Jesus as a Greek or Roman god and do not recognize Him as a fellow Hebrew. The use of Greek Orthodox icons and Roman Catholic statues in religious ceremony is viewed as a form of idolatry by observant Jews. It is difficult for an Orthodox Jew to understand that festivals commanded in the Torah like, Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles are not observed by Christians, but pagan festivals such as Easter and Passover are.

God has a purpose and plan as to why so few Jews have come to recognize Jesus as the Messiah over the past 2,000 years.

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. Romans 11:11

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in., Romans 11:25

Except for a remnant, Jesus not being recognized as Messiah by Israel has meant that salvation has come to the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy. Most of Israel will remain blind and will not recognize Yeshua as Messiah until the rapture of the church after the Great Tribulation.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. Revelation 1:7

On the Feast of Trumpets, when Jesus comes at the rapture, blindness will be taken from Israel and they will see Him for who He is.

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:26-27

All of Israel refers to those who survive through the times of Jacob’s trouble.

“No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”

 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” Genesis 42:10-12

Joseph’s harsh tone and accusations were a means of pressuring his brothers and keeping them on the defensive in order to extract more information from them; such as the whereabouts of Benjamin.

But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” And he put them all in custody for three days. Genesis 42:13-17

Joseph wasn’t being harsh to his brothers in order to extract revenge on them, but he was being used as an instrument of God to bring them to repentance.

On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do. Genesis 42:18-20

Joseph wanted to be assured that Benjamin was being treated well, so he devised a plan that forced his brothers to bring Benjamin down to Egypt.

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”

Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” Genesis 42:21-22

Except for Reuben, all of Joseph’s other half-brothers wanted to kill him and throw him into a cistern. When Reuben heard his brothers plotting to kill Joseph, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood.” Reuben told them to throw Joseph into a cistern but not to lay a hand on him. Reuben had said this to rescue Joseph from them and take him back to his father. Later on when Reuben returned, he was truly shocked and distressed when he saw that Joseph was missing. Joseph’s brothers had sold Joseph into slavery.

During the three days spent in an Egyptian prison, Joseph’s brothers had started to come under conviction of their sin against him.

They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. Genesis 42:23

Joseph chose to keep his identity hidden by using an interpreter and speaking in Egyptian. This enabled him to listen in on his brothers’ conversation without raising their suspicions. They felt free to communicate with one another openly and honestly.

He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. Genesis 42:24

He turned from them so that they could not see him weeping. Joseph must have been emotionally conflicted. Although he had just cause to be angry and unforgiving towards his brothers, he was compassionate and sensitive concerning the guilt they carried and was moved to tears.

Since his brothers hadn’t selected which one was to remain behind in prison, Joseph picked Simeon. Although Reuben was the firstborn, he was guiltless towards Joseph. So Joseph selected Simeon who was second eldest.

Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. Genesis 42:25-26

Unaware that Joseph had given orders to put each man’s silver back in his sack, the brothers loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.

At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.“My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.”

Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?” Genesis 42:27-28

The governor of Egypt had spoken harshly to them. He was suspicious of their motives and had accused them of being spies. They had been imprisoned by him for three days. Discovering that the silver, which was the payment for their brother’s grain, was in his sack – their hearts sank. Would they now also be accused of being thieves? What would happen to Simeon who was still imprisoned?

When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said, “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on the land.  But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’

 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’” Genesis 42:29-34

Arriving back in the land of Canaan, the brothers explain all that had happened to them and why Simeon did not return with them.

As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. Genesis 42:35

Perhaps it could just be considered a mistake that one brother had discovered his silver in his sack along with his grain. But how would they be able to account for the fact that none of the brothers had paid for their grain? They had every reason to be frightened.

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” Genesis 42:36

Jacob plainly distrusted his sons, remembering that he never saw Joseph again since Joseph had been with them. Jacob believes that Joseph had been killed, and now Simeon and Benjamin are in danger. He concludes that all these things are against me. It will certainly prove otherwise.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

All born-again believers will face trials at one time or another in their life. Sometimes the circumstances seem overwhelming and the outcome bleak. Jacob had no idea that God was working out His sovereign plan. Joseph was not only alive, but the second most influential man in the most powerful nation at that time.

 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.”

But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.” Genesis 42:37-38

Jacob refuses to accept Reuben’s noble gesture. Jacob insists that his Benjamin will not go down to Egypt with Reuben. Jacob bemoans the fact that Benjamin’s brother Joseph is dead and Benjamin is the only one left. Benjamin is the only one of Rachel’s sons who is still living with Jacob. Jacob had first been in mourning for Rachel; then he mourned for Joseph for more than twenty years. Jacob could not face the prospect of any harm coming to Benjamin.

The great love that Jacob had for his son Benjamin pales in comparison to the love that the Father has for us.

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Genesis 41 – Pharaoh Sends for Joseph to Interpret His Dreams

06 Friday Feb 2015

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Pharaoh had two dreams and his mind was troubled. Pharaoh then sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt but no one could interpret them for him.

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. Genesis 41:1-4

In Pharaoh’s dream, first seven sleek and fat cows emerged from the Nile and then seven ugly and gaunt cows emerged from the Nile. In Egypt, cattle often submerged themselves up to their necks in the Nile River in order to escape insects and the heat of the sun.

He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. Genesis 41:5-8

After the seven healthy heads of grain grew on a single stalk, seven thin heads of grain sprouted which were scorched by the east wind. The Khamsin, from the Arabic word for “fifty,” are dry, sand-filled windstorms which often blow in from the desert sporadically over a period of fifty days. These sand storms usually arrive in April but occasionally occur between March to May and often wither vegetation. The Biblical term for khamsin is ruaḥ qadīm (םקדי רוח) or “east wind.”

Eleven years had passed since Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and then put in prison when Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer. Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh so that he could be released. But Joseph would had his faith and patience tested even further as he languished in prison for two more years.

Although Pharaoh was an idolater and believed that he was the incarnation of the sun god RA, the LORD gave him two dreams. Pharaoh was troubled by his dreams but there wasn’t a wise man or magician in all of Egypt who could interpret them for him.

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.” Genesis 41:9-13

Had the chief cupbearer not forgotten Joseph when he was restored to his position, Joseph would have been released from prison and most probably returned to Canaan. But the LORD had a much greater plan for Joseph than just his personal freedom.

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Genesis 41:14

Isn’t it curious that the Bible records that Joseph shaved and changed his clothes, instead of Joseph bathed and changed his clothes? As a prisoner, Joseph would not have had access to a razor or knife and would have had a full beard. Hebrew men traditionally wore beards. The Hebrew word for beard is !qz (zaqan). It comes from the root word !qz (zaqen) meaning to become old. For a Hebrew a beard is a sign of age and maturity. Elders in the Hebrew community were revered for their experience and wisdom.

During the Dynastic Period in Egypt, hair became seen as a symbol of man’s animalistic tendencies. Thus to put off the primal man and become civilized, Egyptian men began removing all the hair from their heads, faces, and even bodies. Wealthy Egyptian men often hired full-time barbers to live with them in order to maintain their smooth look every day. Less affluent Egyptians would frequent the local barber to have their faces and heads shaved daily. To appear unshaven became a mark of low social status.

According to the Greek historian Herodotus, Egyptian priests in 6th century BC would shave their entire bodies every other day as part of a ritual cleansing. They even plucked out all of their eyebrows and even their eyelashes. Hair removal was so important to Ancient Egyptians that kings would have their barbers shave them with sanctified, jewel-encrusted razors. When a king died, he was often buried with a barber and his trusty razor, so he could continue to get his daily shaves in the afterlife.

Either in respect to the Pharaoh or because of having dwelled in Egypt over a decade, Joseph followed the Egyptian cultic custom of shaving.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:15-16

Righteous Joseph understood that it is the one true God who both gives and can interpret dreams.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.

“In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.” Genesis 41:17-24

The Pharaoh experienced two dreams on the same night. In Scripture when something is said or revealed twice, it often denotes importance, bears witness and confirms a matter.

Often when Jesus spoke, He would get the crowd’s attention by saying, “Verily, verily” or as found in the more modern translations, “Truly, truly.”

One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Deuteronomy 19:15

But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ Matthew 18:16

Joseph had two prophetic dreams that bore witness and confirmed that he would rule over his family. These dreams obviously got his brothers’ attention, because they were so provoked by jealousy that they wanted to kill him.

While Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker were being held in prison they each had a dream the same night. Though the two dreams foretold different outcomes for these men, the fact that there were two dreams experienced on the same night bore witness that these two dreams were significant and would surely come to pass.

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.  Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. Genesis 41:25-32

As Joseph explained, the good cows and heads of grain represented an abundance of herds and produce for seven years throughout the land of Egypt. While the lean cows and worthless heads of grain foretold of seven years of a severe famine that would follow the good years. The dream was given in two forms to establish and bear witness that the prophecy would definitely come to pass and reveal the importance and urgency of the warning.

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” Genesis 41:33-36

During the years of plenty, the abundance of produce would be much greater than normal crops. Therefore during those seven good years, Joseph advises Pharaoh to store up a fifth of the grain harvest to be used during the years of famine that will follow.

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:37-38

Pharaoh had asked a rhetorical question and didn’t expect anyone in his court to reply. Besides, who would dare challenge the ruler of Egypt who could put them to death?

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:39-40

As a slave in Potiphar’s house, his master had put Joseph in charge of his household. Potiphar knew that LORD was with him had entrusted to Joseph’s care everything he owned.

While Joseph was in prison, the LORD was with him. The LORD showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. The warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Pharaoh recognized that the spirit of God resided in Joseph. He not only put Joseph in charge of his palace but made him the second highest official in all of Egypt.

 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-43

Pharaoh elevated Joseph to the position of viceroy of Egypt. He also dressed Joseph with the fine garb of a dignitary. All who saw Joseph dressed in robes of fine linen and wearing a gold chain around his neck would recognize that he had a position of authority. Pharaoh’s ring was not only a token of high office, but as a signet ring it may have had Pharaoh’s seal by which Joseph could seal official documents. Pharaoh made a public proclamation to his subjects that Joseph was now officially second-in-command and introduced Joseph to them by having Joseph ride in a royal chariot.

and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come… Ephesians 1:19-21

Jacob was deceived by his other sons into believing that Joseph was mauled by a wild animal and had died. Joseph, who was sold into slavery and later falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned, has now been raised up, arrayed in glorious clothing and has been appointed to the right hand of the Pharaoh. Joseph’s experiences typify and foreshadow that of the suffering servant Messiah. Jesus was rejected by His own kinsman, falsely accused, unjustly punished but raised from the dead to be adorned in clouds of glory, seated at the right hand of God and given rule and authority over all of creation.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:44-45

Joseph assumes the Egyptian name given to him by Pharaoh so that he would better fit in Pharaoh’s court and be better accepted by the Egyptian people. Joseph, who is clean shaven, dressed in Egyptian finery, having an Egyptian name and an Egyptian wife would certainly appear to be a native Egyptian to those who didn’t know that he was actually a Hebrew.

The meaning of Zaphenath-Paneah remains unclear and the certainty of its meaning has eluded scholars since the time of the Septuagint and rabbinic tradition. For example, some early exegetes think the name means, “revealer of secrets.” Some suggest that the name is a Hebrew transcription of an Egyptian name meaning “the god speaks and he lives.” Another possible rendering of the name is, “My provision is god, the living one.”

Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. Genesis 41:46-49

In these preceding verses, we again see Joseph as a type of Yeshua.

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, Luke 3:23

“Do you not say, ‘Four more months and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:35

Born-again believers in Christ are symbolized in Scripture as fruit of the wheat harvest, while those who reject Christ are referred to as chaff or weeds (Matthew 3:12; 13:24–30). Wheat is harvested and taken into a barn (believers gathered to Heaven) while chaff and weeds are tossed in a fire (eternal damnation for unbelievers).

Joseph was thirty when he entered into Pharaoh’s service. Jesus was about thirty when he began his ministry. One of the primary grains produced in Egypt was wheat. Joseph gathered up natural wheat after the harvest in storehouses, while Jesus will return to harvest spiritual wheat (the body of Christ) at the rapture.

Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Genesis 41:50-52

Joseph recognized that the LORD not only sustained him during his thirteen years of slavery and imprisonment, but declared that God had made him forget his trouble and his father’s household. God made him fruitful in the land of his suffering. Joseph was not only made wealthy but was blessed by the fruit of his wife’s womb.

The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” Genesis 41:53-55

When the last year of abundant crops came to an end, the Egyptian farmers had a surplus of grain. But that surplus eventually ran out and they began to feel the famine.

When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere. Genesis 41:56-57

Potiphar has prospered because the LORD was with Joseph and Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household. In much the same manner Pharaoh prospered by putting Joseph in charge of his kingdom.. During the bountiful years, the abundance of the harvest kept grain prices at a minimum. Joseph was able to buy the grain he stored for very low prices. But during the famine, grain prices soared. When people are starving, they are desperate. The grain was not only sold to foreigners but even to Pharaoh’s own subjects. The king of Egypt became vastly wealthy because the LORD was with Joseph. During the Exodus, the Hebrews would plunder the land of Egypt.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22

Genesis 40 – Joseph Interprets the Dreams of Pharaoh’s Cupbearer and Baker

30 Tuesday Dec 2014

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Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.  The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. Genesis 40:1-4a

The chief cupbearer was in charge of all the butlers and an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty it was to serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots to assassinate the king, a person must be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold this position. He must guard against poison in the king’s cup, and was sometimes required to swallow some of the wine before serving it. His confidential relations with the king often gave him a position of great influence. Nehemiah rose to the high ranking palace position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes.

The chief butler was in charge of the staff that provided drinks for the Pharaoh and his court, while the chief baker would have been in charge of the staff that provided food for the royal table. The chief baker would also have to be a responsible man.

Pharaoh was angry with his two officials and may have suspected that one or the other had plotted to poison him. Although Potiphar’s wife had accused Joseph of having made sexual advances towards her, Potiphar knew that Joseph was trustworthy and the LORD was with him. Therefore, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of the cupbearer and baker.

After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.

When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” Genesis 40:4b-8

Joseph had experienced two significant dreams himself. He and his family clearly understood their meanings. Both his dream about his brothers’ sheaves bowing before his sheaf, and the dream of the sun, moon and stars bowing before Joseph meant that he would rule over them. Joseph’s brothers were so enraged by these dreams that they plotted to kill this dreamer, but ended up throwing him into a cistern and then selling him into slavery.

Joseph knew that His God had given Pharaoh’s officials their dreams and God would know their significance.

So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” Genesis 40:9-11

The cupbearer’s dream speaks of a vine and branches. Jesus said in John 15:5:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

The cupbearer said that in his dream he squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup. On the night that he was betrayed, during the Passover Seder (which recalls the escape of the Hebrews from Pharaoh’s bondage), Jesus also took a cup and said:

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:20

“This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. Genesis 40:12-13

In three days the cupbearer would symbolically pass from death to life and be restored to his high position. The cupbearer’s dream speaks of the blood of the new covenant in which we can pass from spiritual death to eternal life because Jesus rose to life on the third day from the prison of his tomb.

But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” Genesis 40:14-15

Although it has been ten years or so since Joseph was sold into slavery, this is the first record of Joseph speaking of his innocence.

When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

 “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”   Genesis 40:16-19

In three days, while the cupbearer’s head would be lifted up, the bakers head would be lifted off. While the cupbearer’s dream speaks of the atoning blood of Christ, the baker’s dream speaks of sin and the evil one.

Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:8

In the baker’s dream the variety of baked goods were made with leaven which is symbolic of sin, wickedness and malice. The baker symbolically had sin upon his head.

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Matthew 13:4

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. Matthew 13:18-19

The birds which ate the seeds in the parable of the sower represented agents of Satan. The birds in the baker’s dream symbolized the carrion-eating, unclean birds which would eventually eat away the baker’s flesh.

Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. Genesis 40:20-22

This account of Pharaoh’s officials symbolizes the gospel. The prophetic dreams of the cupbearer and the baker are pictures of atonement and resurrection to eternal life, and of sin, punishment and eternal death.

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. Genesis 40:23

It would be two more years before Joseph would be remembered by the chief cupbearer. Joseph would spend a total of 13 years between the time he spent serving as a slave in Potipher’s house and then being imprisoned in a dungeon. Yet, he did not complain but served as unto the LORD.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Let us all take heart and learn from Joseph’s example.