ELOHIYM and YAHOVAH in GENESIS
continued
Part 3 of 5And he [Jacob] heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all his glory.
V:1
And Jacob noted that Laban was beginning to show antagonism toward him.And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
V:3
Jacob called Rachel and Leah, and told them they were leaving. He reminded them that he had served their father well, and that:�your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
V: 7
Apparently, from the context of verses 8-10, God saw to it that Jacob's "blemished" cattle and flocks had so interbred with Laban's flocks and herds that all of them were now blemished. Therefore the offspring were now Jacob's, according to the agreement agreed to by Laban. The angel of God then spake unto Jacob in a dream saying,�Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.I am the God of Bethel where thou anointedest the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
V: 12-13
Rachel and Leah agreed that they had lost their inheritance because their father's wealth had now been assimilated by them, through the house of Jacob.Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels.And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten in Padanaram for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images [idols] that were her father's. And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
V: 17-20
Three days later, Laban found out that Jacob had left. He took his brethren and pursued Jacob. And God warned Laban in a dream not to interfere with Jacob's return. Laban continued to pursue and overtook Jacob the seventh day. From the account we can see that Laban harkened unto what God had told him, as far as not trying to do Jacob any harm. Laban only wanted the return of his "gods." Jacob told Laban that he left in a hurry for fear that Laban would try to take back his daughters. (Which was a well founded fear.)Then Jacob said,
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
V: 32
Laban then searched the tents. When he came to Rachel's tent, Rachel sat upon the camel's furniture where she had hidden the idols. She refused to move, saying,�for the custom of women is upon me.
V: 35
And so Laban got a dose of his own medicine, as far as customs were concerned, for as you'll recall, it was his insistence on "custom" that forced Leah to be Jacob's wife ahead of Rachel. And Laban found not his idols. Jacob then became angry, and read the riot act to Laban.What is my trespass? What is my sin, that thou has so hotly pursued after me? Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what has thou found of all thy household stuff? Set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flocks have I not eaten. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
V: 36-39
It is interesting to note here that this law was apparently enforced at this point in time. Many would think it was given much later to the children of Israel in Ex. 22:13!�Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
V: 40-42
Laban couldn't deny any of what Jacob had said. So he conceded that all Jacob had was once his, and gave his blessing to the house of Jacob by way of his daughters. He then offered to make a peace covenant. Jacob agreed.And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
V: 45
(No doubt the same pillar-stone of Bethel.) And they gathered other stones to make a heap, and they ate on the heap. And the heap of stones was there as witness to their vow. And the vow was:�If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
V: 50
They further vowed to never cross over the heap to do each other any harm. Then Jacob offered sacrifices upon the mount and they all ate bread, stayed the night, and departed one from the other in the morning.
CHAPTER 32
Jacob's Wrestling MatchJacob went his way, and was met by the angels of God. And he called the place Mahanaim, meaning: God's host. And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the country of Edom. He told his messengers to tell Esau where he had been and what he had been doing for the last twenty years, that he may find grace in Esau's eyes.
When the messengers returned they notified Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men.
Jacob was afraid of his brother's wrath, and divided his people, flocks, and herds, into two bands, thinking to preserve one of then if Esau struck him. But Jacob had now come to rely on God, so he prayed:
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant, for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
Vs: 9-12
Jacob lodged the night, and sent presents of goats, ewes, rams, camels, bulls, and asses on ahead by his servants to appease Esau. He instructed the drovers to put a space between each drove and that as each drove met Esau, that they should give them to Esau from Jacob to win his favor.Jacob then isolated his family over the brook of Jabbok. And he was left alone; and he wrestled with a "man" until the breaking of day. The "man" couldn't defeat Jacob, so he "touched him in the thigh," and Jacob's thigh was out of joint. In other words the groin grab. The "man" then demanded that Jacob let him go, for the day was breaking. Jacob refused unless the "man" would bless him. And the "man" said,
What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Vs: 27-28
Jacob asked the "man" his name. The "man" evaded the question, but blessed him. Jacob then knew he had wrestled with God's representative, and he called the place Peniel, meaning: face of God.This "wrestling" by Jacob with God's angel was, of course, another type. And because Jacob prevailed in the struggle he was blessed. The lesson we must learn from this, is what Paul recorded in Eph. 6:12:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
As Paul has said, The Christian struggle is not against flesh and blood individuals. The struggle is against the spiritual wickedness of our evil national leaders. Of course, these wicked leaders were created by God (not "Satan") to oppress wayward Christians, so that they will turn to the Lord for their help, away from a Jacob nature, to an Israel nature. Hence the biblical defining of world end-time problems, as the time of Jacob's troubles in lieu of "Israel's troubles."
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Pro. 16:4
Now back to our text.And as he [Israel] passed over peniel the sun rose upon him, and he halted [limped] upon his thigh. Therefore the children eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
V: 31-32
This is self-explanatory, and denotes yet another mark of who are the children of Israel.
CHAPTER 33
Jacob-Israel Meets EsauAnd Jacob [Israel] lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men.
V: 1
Jacob then divided his family into three units. He placed the handmaids with their children out in front, with Leah and her children next and Rachel and Joseph last.As we shall see later on this study, this was another type. The type, as it pertains to our day, was given by Jesus when he said,
But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Mark 10:31
Jacob then went out to the front of his family and bowed seven times to Esau.And Esau ran to meet them, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
V: 4
Esau then inquired who all these people were. Jacob brought his family forward and introduced them to Esau. Esau then wanted to know what was meant by all the droves of animals that he had met on his way to Jacob. Jacob said,�These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.And then Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself
v: 8-9
Jacob insisted that Esau keep the presents, and that God had blessed him greatly in goods and with the pleasure of again seeing his brother. (Obviously Jacob was also a diplomat.) But as you my have guessed, this was also an example to us. For Paul said,Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom. 12:17-18
Esau then offered to escort Jacob to Mt. Seir. Jacob begged off, because of the slowness of his flocks and the young children. Jacob insisted Esau go ahead, and that he would follow. So Esau went ahead to Seir, but Jacob went not to Mt. Seir, but to Shalem in the land of Canaan. And so came to pass the saying of Solomon.When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Pro. 16:7
When Jacob arrived at Shalem,�he brought a parcel of field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of moneyAnd he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael. (meaning: the Mighty God of Jisrael.)
vs: 19-20
CHAPTER 34
Avenging Dinah's HonorAnd Dinah, the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
Vs: 1-2
And Shechem loved her and told his father Hamor to get her for his wife. Jacob heard what had happened, and also told his sons. They were very angry.And so Hamor came to Jacob, with Shechem his son, to try to convince Jacob that this union would be good, because it would make them one people. Hamor offered the land for an enticement, and Shechem offered to pay a dowry.
And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister.And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to the one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
vs: 13-14
Jacob's sons went on to explain that if Hamor and males of his city would be circumcised that then their peoples could unite. The saying pleased Hamor and Shechem so they returned to their city to convince the others. In order to persuade them they told them of Jacob's great wealth, and said,Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? Only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
V: 23
All the men harkened, because of the desire, and were circumcised. On the third day, as they lay sore from the circumcision, Simeon and Levi, Jacob's sons, came up to the city and slew all the males. They retrieved Dinah, and sacked the city. They took the wives and children captive along with all the livestock and other wealth.And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, shall they gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
Vs: 30-31
Although Jacob had every right to question the wisdom, and extreme cruelty of this fit of anger, these boys were exhibiting a trait that would mark their seed from then on. It was nothing more or less, than the trait of executing justice and judgment. It was a righteous trait found in Abraham when he rescued Lot, if you'll remember. If you want to read of the deed of another righteous act, of a son of Levi, and how God honored him for his act, read Numbers Chapter 25.Most "modern day" clergy reel in horror today at the thought of anyone waging a righteous war, or, in this case, nipping evil in the bud. But I remind you of this verse:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Is. 55:8
CHAPTER 35
Abrahamic Covenant Conferred to Jacob-IsraelAnd God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.v: 1
Jacob then told his household to prepare, and to remove any "strange gods" that were among them, and to change clothes. They obeyed, and Jacob buried Laban's "gods" under an oak in Shechem. This is another type. Bethel, you'll recall, was known as the house of the Lord. When we today go to church, we invariably leave our "idols" behind and change clothes. At least that's what you're supposed to do!As the house of Jacob traveled to Bethel, no one bothered them because terror was upon the people of the land.
So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.
v: 6
And Jacob built an altar and called it Elbethel, to commemorate the place where God appeared unto him when he fled from Esau.Rebekah's nurse Deborah died, and was buried. And God appeared again unto Jacob and said,
Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply, a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins.
vs: 10-11
Here again, I must emphasize the consequence of this promise, because it is a long-range promise of crucial importance to our time. If you, or anyone you know, are persuaded that the present day Israeli nation in Palestine, is the fulfillment of this promise, here in the latter days - What are you going to do with the latter part of the promise, "a company of nations?" More on this later.God then goes on to again pledge the Abrahamic covenant to Israel.
And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
v: 14
There can be little doubt that this is the same "pillar of stone" we've discussed before. The pouring on of oil throughout the rest of the Bible is symbolic of the anointing of the Holy Ghost.And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had a hard labor.
v: 16
And so Rachel, Jacob's beloved, died in childbirth. But the child lived and was named Benoni (son of sorrow), but his father called him Benjamin (son of the right hand). Rachel was buried in Ephrath, which later became Bethlehem.It should be noted here that she was the only one of the early patriarchs and matriarchs who was not buried in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre. Her burial place in Bethlehem would mark a place where the Benjamites would eventually settle after the Egyptian captivity. Her children are the ones who were slaughtered by king Herod in an attempt to kill the Christ child. That prophecy we've already read in Jer. 31:15.
And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar. And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it�
vs: 21-22
Bilhah, you'll recall, was Rachel's handmaiden. She also mothered Dan and Naphtali, by Jacob. Reuben would forfeit his birthright because of his transgression, as we shall see later on.After listing the twelve sons of Israel, by their respective mothers - our text continues with Jacob-Israel's journeys.
And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
vs: 27-29
CHAPTER 36
The Generations of EsauNow these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.
vs: 1
We won't spend a lot of time commenting on this chapter other than to point out some important names that would afflict Israel during Bible times, and whose names would be symbolic of Israel's oppressors here in the last days.As we already know, Esau married out of his race. His descendants became assimilated in heathen cultures and, in effect, became Israel's enemies. Chief among these enemies, were Amalek and Teman.
In the Bible book of Obadiah is the prophecy of the destruction of the house of Esau, as our age closes. You will do well in Bible studies if you remember that Esau is the father of the Edomites v. 43
And in Malachi 1, God makes quite clear, the distinction that exists between Jacob and Esau. In addressing Israel, God says:
"I have loved you, (Israel) saith the Lord, Yet ye say, Wherein has thou loved us?Was not Esau Jacob's brother? Saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation forever.
Mal.1:2-4
CHAPTER 37
Joseph Sold into BondageAnd Jacob dwelt in Canaan with his family. And when Joseph was seventeen years old, he began to be a shepherd. His brothers hated him because Jacob did favor the lad. And Jacob had a coat of many colours made for Joseph. This was a type. Later on in this book we will identify the nations today that are representative of Joseph. All of them have flags of many colours.
Joseph had a dream, and he told the dream to his brothers:
For behold, We are binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
v: 7
And his brethren mocked him,�Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
v: 8
Of course, we know that this is exactly what happened later on when the brothers came into Egypt seeking Joseph's favor during the seven years of drought. But we're getting ahead of the story.And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, The sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
vs: 9-11
This dream, unlike the first dream, is a long-range prophecy. In fact, this is the precedent for the symbolic terms used in the Bible of the sun, moon, and stars. In other words, when these terms are used in prophecy, it means the combined houses of Israel.Two good references of this use are in Matt. 24:29 and Rev. 12:1. We also know from this dream, and from Israel's blessings to his sons in Genesis chapter 49; that Joseph's descendants would be the most powerful and blessed of the nations in the end of the age. More on that later. Just keep in mind that if a person wants to understand Bible prophecy, it is crucial to know its symbolism.
Now Joseph's brethren were out tending their father's flocks in Shechem. And Israel told Joseph to go out and find them and report back as to how they were doing.
Joseph went, but didn't find them in Shechem. He then met a man who told him that he had overheard Joseph's brothers say they were heading for Dothran. Joseph went and found them there.
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, the dreamer cometh.
vs: 18-19
And so they conspired to kill him, thinking to say that some evil beast had done it. Reuben, the eldest, stopped them and said.Let us not kill him. Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
vs: 21-22
And when Joseph had come near them, they stript him of his coat of many colours and threw him in the pit. Apparently they then left the pit area, and sat down to eat. As they ate they saw a company of Ishmaelites with camels that were heading for Egypt with their wares. Judah then had the bright idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites so that Joseph's blood wouldn't be on their hands.The others, except Reuben, obviously, agreed. As "luck" would have it some Midianites had already discovered Joseph in the pit, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
In the meantime, Reuben had returned to the pit to fetch Joseph out and return him to his father.
And, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes and he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I whither shall I go?
Vs: 29-30
Reuben, being the oldest, was no doubt in charge of the safety of the others. He feared what Israel would do to him. And so the brothers killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat of many colours in the blood of the kid. They brought the coat to Jacob-Israel and told him that some wild beast must have eaten Joseph, because all that remained was the coat.And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning.
Thus his father wept for him.
Vs: 34-35
So Joseph was sold into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
CHAPTER 38
The "Breach" of JudahThis chapter records the two seed lines of Judah. It is a pivotal chapter to understanding much of end-time prophecy. We'll analyze it in depth.
The first two verses tell us that Judah took a wife of a certain Canaanite. His name was Shuah. At first glance it would appear Judah had done the same thing as Esau! To understand this wording - a certain Canaanite - we must look up the original Hebrew word, that appears here as certain.
Strong's Concordance says: "certain" (Heb.) iysh, meaning: man, champion, good, great, of degree, worthy.
If we cross-reference this word to man, we find that this word iysh is used to describe Adam, Cain, Noah, and Abraham. So it is now evident, because of our investigation, that this certain Canaanite was not a mixed breed - although he did dwell in Canaan.
Now Judah had three sons by the daughter of this certain Canaanite. It appears two of them were much older than the youngest.
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him.
vs: 6-7
And Judah called on Onan, the second oldest, to go in unto Tamar, his brother's widow, and give her children. Onan went in all right, but he "spilled his seed" out on the ground. And thus refused to "raise up seed" for his brother.And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also.
v: 10
Judah then told Tamar to lodge in his house, as a widow, until Shelah, the youngest, was grown. Shelah would then do his duty. Time went by, and Judah didn't keep his word. Then Judah's wife, of the certain Canaanite, died. After Judah's mourning period was at an end, he went up to his sheepshearers at Timnath. Before he left he told Tamar where he was going. Tamar went ahead of Judah and removed her widow garments and dressed as a harlot. She then sat in the doorway of a tent in Judah's path.When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.
v: 15
And so Judah propositioned her, not knowing it was Tamar. He agreed to send her a kid from his flock for her services. Tamar, of course, had other plans. So she demanded a pledge to hold until the kid was sent. Judah then gave her his signet (ring), bracelets, and his staff.And he gave it to her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. And she arose, and went away, and laid by her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
vs: 18-19
When Judah got to his flocks he sent back the kid to redeem his pledge. Of course Tamar was long gone, and not to be found. Judah was very upset over losing his pledge.And it came to pass about three months later, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
v: 24
And when Tamar was brought forth she showed the pledge of Judah, and said,�By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and the bracelets and staff.And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
vs: 25-26
And at the time of her travail, behold, there were twins in her womb.And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
And afterwards came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.
vs: 28-30
For the benefit of those of you who don't know what happened here, what symbolic prophecies are contained in this strange birth, we shall discuss it in detail.As we know from the birth of Esau and Jacob, the first-born always has the right of inheritance of the father. Now that inheritance can only be taken away if the first-born despises it, or commits an evil act that reflects contempt on his father's household.
In this case however, Zarah's hand broke the breach and was tied with a scarlet thread. He then drew back his hand, and his brother Pharez came forth. This of course was quite a situation, as far as which one had the right of carrying the eventual "sceptre of Judah."
The sceptre [ruling stick] shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Christ] come:�
Gen. 49:10
As you may know, Jesus was born through the descendants of Pharez (Luke 3:33). This line of Pharez passed through the house of David, king of Israel. David was promised by the Lord, through Nathan the prophet in 2 Samuel 7:16,And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Now we know that God's word cannot be broken. And we also know that all the sons of Zedekiah were slain by the king of Babylon in Jer. 39:6. Zedekiah's eyes were put out and he was taken to Babylon captive. He died there (Jer. 52:11). Zedekiah was the last king to reign on the throne of David. Or was he? If all his heirs were killed, this would certainly be the case. This is where the story gets interesting!
After the killing Zedekiah's sons and the sacking of Jerusalem, there was a remnant of Judahites - led by Johanan - that took the remnant down into Egypt. Johanan did this against Jeremiah's prophecy. Now, whom they took with them in their flight is what we're interested in.
But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzardan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
Jer. 43: 5-6
After this, Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of the escaped remnant, along with many other future prophecies, that close out the book of Jeremiah. To anyone not familiar with the jigsaw puzzle that the Bible can provide - it would appear that Jeremiah and the king's daughters probably died in Egypt.But, now wait just a minute! When Jeremiah was commissioned by the Lord, in the 1st chapter of Jeremiah, there were six things he was to do: Jer. 1:10,
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Well, we have certainly sampled the destructive part of Jeremiah's mission, but what happened to the command to build and to plant? Good news! It is contained in Ezekiel 17. It is called, by the Lord, a riddle - in verse 2. The whole 17th chapter of Ezekiel is devoted to the planting of the "young and tender twigs" in the "land of traffick" in the mountain (nation) of the height of Israel. And it shall bear fruit and be a "goodly cedar."
Now in case you think I'm being a bit presumptuous in my assessment that this has anything to do with Jeremiah and the king's daughters, I suggest that you read the whole chapter. Remember this is a riddle. The question in any riddle is: can you solve it?
The proof that this riddle applies to Jeremiah is in the verses from 11-21. These verses are a capsule version of the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon, and also the fall of Egypt where the remnant escaped. Verse 21 is immediately followed by four verses of the "cropping of the young twigs" which were Zedekiah's daughters, and the "planting" of one of those "twigs" on a high and eminent mountain. He winds up the riddle this way:
And all the trees [nations] of the field [world] shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree [ruling line of Pharez], have exalted the low tree [line of Zarah], have dried up the green tree [house of Judah], and have made the dry tree [house of Israel] to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.
v: 24
At this point we leave the riddle of Ezekiel and must of necessity get other clues from other prophets.Isaiah gave us a prophecy that could only be interpreted to be the destruction, gleaning, and replanting of the Pharez line.
When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, [Israel] and as the gleaning grapes [fruit that's left] when the vintage is done. (i.e., destruction of Jerusalem.)They shall lift up their voices, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires [Druids], even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
Is. 24:13-15
At this point we must go to the ancient history of Ireland. Read No. 8 in Book Index. The Irish annals record that long before 700 B.C., a strong colony of "Tuatha de Danaan" (tribe of Dan) settled in Ireland. The tribe of Dan was notorious as a seafaring band. See Judges 5:17. Later on, in the time of king David, a remnant of the Zarah line of Judah arrived at the colony. This contingent most likely was of the Jabez line, according to the account in 1 Chro. 4:10.No genealogy is given of this Jabez line, which confirms that they "disappeared" from the Bible records. The Danaanites readily accepted them as the rulers, because the rulership of Israel was to remain with the "sceptre" tribe.
The records state that in 569 B.C. a white-haired patriarch (Jeremiah) came there with a companion called "Brach", (Baruch) and a "princess" called Tea-Tephi. The company also brought with then a harp, an ark, and a stone. To make a long story short, the king of Ireland, named Herremon - of the Zarah line - married Tea-Tephi of the Pharez line.
And thus the "breach" was finally healed. See No. 8 in Book Index
This Irish kingdom was ruled by the offspring of this union for many generations.
It was finally overturned and transplanted to Scotland. The Scottish throne was then overturned by England and the dynasty continues today in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. This was all prophesied, by the way in Ezekiel 21:25-27.
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord God, Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: Exalt him that is low [Zarah], and abase him this is high [Pharez].
I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (i.e., Christ).
After the third "overturn" and it shall be no more, appears to imply that it will not be needed or done again, until the Lord returns to claim it More on this point further on.
And so, God's promise to Solomon, concerning the throne of David has come to pass; to the dotting of the i's and the crossing of the t's.
Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. 1 Kings 9:5
Before we move on with our study of Genesis, I should point out that the "stone" that Jeremiah carried with him to Ireland has been used as the "throne-stone" of the coronation chair in the crowning of all kings of the British Isles. The chair can be seen today, in Westminster Abbey, London, but the stone was recently removed to Scotland. The inscription on the coronation chair reads: "Jacob's pillar-stone. See No.10 in Book Index
Note the unusual words following the three separate "overturns" which the stone experiences within the British Isles, the words " �until he come whose right it is�" appears to imply that the stone may not be needed again in this age, thus permitting the recent transfer back to Scotland. Seeming to imply that the current crown will remain static until "He" does come, and "�I will give it him." He may just be closer than we think!
CHAPTER 39
Joseph's ImprisonmentThis is the first chapter of the saga of Joseph in Egypt. It continues through the Book of Genesis and ends the book. As it was stated back in chapter 37:36, Joseph was sold by the Midianites to the Ishmaelites. They carried him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, captain of the guard, and officer of Pharaoh.
The Lord was with Joseph, and prospered all that he put his hand too. Potiphar recognized this fact, and gave Joseph charge over all his house. But alas, all was not roses. Potiphar's wife took a shine to Joseph and tried to seduce him.
But he [Joseph] refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth [knows] not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand.There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
vs: 8-9
Potiphar's wife continued to press Joseph, but he would not harken to her advances. Then one day, when there were no men in the house except Joseph, she grabbed hold of him by the garment, demanding he "lay" with her. Joseph fled, leaving his garment in her hand.She was so angry at being spurned by Joseph that she called the men of the household to tell them that Joseph had tried to rape her. When Potiphar was informed of what had happened he became angry and had Joseph put in prison.
But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
v: 21
And so Joseph was put in charge of the other prisoners. And the Lord made him to prosper.
CHAPTER 40
The Butler and Baker have DreamsAnd it came to pass, that Pharaoh became wroth with his chief butler and baker. Pharaoh cast them also in prison, and Joseph served them there. And it came to pass, that one night the two men each had a separate dream.
And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
v: 6
Joseph asked them why they were sad - and they said, because there is no one to interpret our dreams. Joseph then said,Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them; I pray you.
V: 8
So the chief butler told his dream (vs: 9-11). And Joseph interpreted the dream to mean that the chief butler would be restored to his former position in three days. Joseph went on to mention to the chief butler that when he was back in Pharaoh's court that he should put in a good word for Joseph, so that Pharaoh would bring Joseph out of the prison. Joseph told the butler of the wrong done to him both in his land and in Potiphar's house.Now when the chief baker saw that Joseph's interpretation of the chief butler's dream was good, he insisted that Joseph interpret his dream also. And so he told Joseph his dream (vs: 16-17).
Joseph also interpreted the chief baker's dream, but unfortunately it was not good.
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
V: 19
And so it came to pass, that in three days Pharaoh celebrated his birthday. He restored the chief butler to his position, and he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had said.Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.
V: 23
CHAPTER 41
Pharaoh's DreamsAnd it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
v: 1
And seven fat cattle came up out of the river and fed in the meadow. Then, out of the river, came up seven lean cattle and did eat up the seven fat cattle. And Pharaoh awoke. He then fell asleep again, and had a second dream. This time he dreamt that seven good ears of corn grew on one stalk, Then seven thin ears, blasted with the east wind, sprang up. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven full ears. Again Pharaoh awoke.Pharaoh was deeply troubled by the two dreams. He called his magicians to interpret the dreams, but they could not. Then the chief butler remembered Joseph and how he had interpreted his dream in the prison. The butler told Pharaoh what had happened in prison, and how it was that an Hebrew servant in the prison had foretold the meaning of his and the chief baker's dreams.
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph out of the prison. When Joseph arrived, clean-shaven and with new clothes, Pharaoh inquired of him if he could indeed interpret his dream? Joseph answered,
It is not me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
v: 16
And so Pharaoh told Joseph his two dreams.And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, the dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
v: 25
Joseph went on to explain to Pharaoh that the seven fat cattle and seven full ears were symbolic of seven years of plenty in the land of Egypt. The seven thin cattle and seven empty ears were symbolic of the seven years of famine that were to follow the seven years of plenty. Joseph then explained,And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice, it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
v: 32
Joseph then recommended to Pharaoh that he choose a man to be over the supervision of laying up one fifth of the crops of the good years in storage over against the seven years of famine.Pharaoh was very pleased with Joseph's interpretation and solution to the upcoming situation.
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
vs: 38
And so Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the job of overseer of the storage facilities. He also elevated Joseph to second in command in Egypt, next to Pharaoh.And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.And he made him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
vs: 42-43
I think that this is a good place to insert a comment. Joseph's story should be an example to every God-fearing Christian who is faced with adversity. It proves beyond doubt that no matter how bleak a situation appears sometimes, if a person puts his trust in the Lord - the Lord will eventually right the situation.And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom. 8:28
Now on with God's exploits through Joseph.And the Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potpherah priest of On�
vs: 45
Some have said, See, Joseph married a mixed-blooded Egyptian here. All I can say to that is: that it is not very likely. I've mentioned before in this book, that is believed that the early Pharaohs were of the stock of Ham. Would it not follow that the priests were also of this same stock? The priests of Egypt were also very powerful and influential men. Although they were idolaters, it is very likely they were also descendants of Ham. Another good reason to believe that this wife of Joseph was of a pure white stock is that God has caused Joseph to be a servant of Pharaoh. Joseph was being used by God to work out his will. Does it not follow that God would protect Joseph's seed from being tainted at the hands of Pharaoh? After all, Joseph's seed were to be the major recipients of the Abrahamic covenants, as we shall see in the final chapters of Genesis and this book.Joseph was thirty years old when he began to serve Pharaoh. And in the seven years of plenty he gathered up one fifth of the abundance of Egypt into storehouses. And it was without number for abundance.
Two sons were born to Joseph during this time of abundance. The first-born he named Manasseh, meaning: forgetful. This is a trait that still exists today. We'll cover this in greater detail in chapter 49. The second son was named Ephraim, which means fruitful. I'll explain this also in chapter 49.
And the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
v: 53
When the seven years of dearth began to come on all lands, of course, Egypt was the only place that had bread. And the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. He in turn sent them to Joseph.And the famine was over all the face of the earth:�
v: 56
Here we have the old idiom again. This time it means the vicinity around Egypt.And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all the lands.
vs: 56-57
The opening of the storehouses in the "land of Joseph" which had plenty is also prophetic of our times. You may want to try to visualize in your own mind what "land" would fit this description, possess these attributes today? This latter day "land of Joseph" has provided the entire world with its excess grains for many decades.This "type" also has a spiritual meaning. Christ called himself the bread of life (John 6:35). He is also known as the Word made flesh (John 1:1 and 14). So, in Bible terms, God's Word is the bread of life. Christ rebuked his fleshly desire to turn stones into bread in Matt. 4:4 by quoting Deut. 8:3. This of course, is just one example of how the Word of God provides man the answers for all his material problems. Today, our "modern" clergy have abandoned God's Word, and have bartered our birthright for a mess of stinking materialistic pottage, and are sending our tithes to the IRS as 501(c)3 churches. Because of this, we have entered the era described by the prophet Amos:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, but shall not find it.
Amos: 8:11-12
Prayerfully, and by the will of God, this small book will begin the rejuvenation process.
CHAPTER 42
The Brothers Go to EgyptNow when Jacob [Israel] saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence: that we may live, and not die.
vs: 1-2
So Joseph's ten brothers left. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother by Rachel, did not go. For Jacob feared for his life, because of what had happened to Joseph.And when the ten sons of Israel were come into Egypt, they went unto Joseph, but knew him not. Joseph recognized his brothers and hid his identity from them. (Keep this in mind, for this "hidden identity" is true even today.) The brothers bowed down unto Joseph. Joseph remembered his dream of old when his brethren would pay him obeisance as the sheaves. Joseph then accused his brothers of being spies.
The brothers said,
We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
V: 11
Joseph repeated the charge that he thought they were spies. Then the brothers said,Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
V: 13
Remember here that even the brothers thought that Joseph was dead. They were unaware that Joseph had been sold into Egypt. That is why they used the idiom, is not.Joseph told them he still thought they were spies, but they could prove they were not by bringing their younger brother to Egypt. At this Joseph cast them into prison for three days. When the three days had passed, Joseph told them they would be allowed to return to their father with corn, but that one of them would be kept as a hostage until they returned with their younger brother.
The brothers acknowledged among themselves that this had befallen them because of what they had done to Joseph.
And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? Therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
V: 22
Reuben knew the law of Gen. 9:6.And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
V: 23
Joseph's compassion for his brethren forced him to leave their presence. He wept. And when he had composed himself, he returned and bound Simeon for the ransom. He then ordered the brother's sacks filled with corn and their money restored in the mouth of the sacks in secret. The brothers then loaded up the sacks and left for Canaan.On their journey home, one of them opened his feed sack to feed his animal, and the money was discovered. And they were all afraid. When they got home, they told Jacob their father what had happened, and all that the "master of the land" had required of them to redeem their brother Simeon. And Jacob said,
Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
V: 36
Reuben spoke up saying,Slay my two sons, if I bring him [Simeon] not to thee; deliver him [Benjamin] into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
V: 37
And Jacob said,My son [Benjamin] shall not go down with you; for his brother [by Rachel] is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the way which ye go, then shall ye bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave.
vs: 38
CHAPTER 43
The Brothers Return to EgyptAnd the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
vs: 1-2
Then Judah told his father again that they wouldn't be welcome in Egypt unless they brought Benjamin with them. Then Jacob asked Judah why he had told "the master of the land" that he even had another brother? Judah said, Because he asked me point blank - how is the health of your father, and do you have any older brothers? Judah then said, How did I know he would require us to bring Benjamin down to him?Judah then pledged his all if he failed to bring Benjamin and Simeon back with him. Israel, perceiving the desperate situation, finally gave in and said,
If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: take also your brother, and arise go again unto the man.
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children I am bereaved.
vs: 11-14
And so the brothers left, and came before Joseph. And when Joseph saw that Benjamin was with them, he told the ruler of his house to prepare a feast, and that these men would eat with him at his home that noon. The brothers feared that they would become bondmen now, because of the money that was found in their sacks the first time.And so before they entered Joseph's house they beckoned the steward of Joseph's house, and returned the money they had found in their sacks. They told him the story and assured him that they had brought more money this time to buy more food. The steward assured them they had nothing to fear, and that their God had provided the money. He then brought forth Simeon, and provided water for them to wash their feet. He also provided provisions for their beasts.
When Joseph came home they gave him the presents they had brought, and made obeisance unto him. Joseph asked them.
Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
v: 27
They told Joseph that he was in good health and made more obeisance. And Joseph saw Benjamin, his mother's son, and said,Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
v: 29
Joseph became overwhelmed with emotion, and had to leave the room. He washed and composed himself, and finally returned to dine.And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
v: 32
The foregoing verse will no doubt shock a lot of people. Not sitting at meat with another culture was quite prevalent even in New Testament times - the reason being, that each culture had their own gods, or God, in the case of the Hebrews. Food was dedicated to the respective god(s), or God. Each culture, of course, thought their god(s) or God, was superior to the others'. Paul mentions this in 1 Cor. 10:19-33, if you would like to read about it.And they [the brothers] sat before him [Joseph], the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according his youth: and the men marvelled�.
v: 33
And Joseph set much food before them, but before Benjamin did he set five times as much as for the others. Keep this in mind, for it portends a greater end-time blessing for Benjamin, thanks to Joseph. This will be covered in more detail in Genesis 49.
CHAPTER 44
The Brothers are ApprehendedThen Joseph commanded his steward to fill the men's sacks with corn. And to place the money in the mouth of the sacks. Then he told the steward to place his silver cup in the sack of the youngest - meaning Benjamin's sack. And it was done.
In the morning the brothers took their leave and left for home. Joseph told his steward to pursue them, and to bring back the one that had taken his cup. When the steward overtook the brothers and told them that one of them was a thief, they denied it. Then they pleaded that they had brought again the money that was found in the sack mouths, why would they now steal the silver cup?
The brothers were so sure that they said,
With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.
v: 9
The steward answered,Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
v: 10
And so the steward searched the sacks, and of course, found the cup in Benjamin's sack. The brothers rent their clothes, and returned to the city.And Judah came before Joseph and fell on his face. Joseph asked him why he had done it? And Judah said,
What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
v: 16
Joseph said, No, only the one who took the cup will be my servant. The rest may go in peace to their father.Judah then began to plead the cause of his father, and that if he lost Benjamin, like as he had lost Joseph, then he would surely die. Judah then rehearsed the whole story - how he had placed himself and his honor before his father in pledge for the safe return of Benjamin. He then offered himself to serve as servant instead of Benjamin, knowing what would happen at home.
For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.v: 34
CHAPTER 45
Joseph Reunited With His BrothersJoseph couldn't restrain himself any longer. He broke down in tears, and cleared the room of Egyptians. He then revealed himself to his brethren.
And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
v: 2
He then told them, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? His brothers were speechless and troubled at his presence.And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
v: 4-5
Joseph went on to tell them that this was only the second year of the drought, and five more years were to follow.And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
vs: 7-8
Notice here that Joseph understood a very fundamental truth that most people never seem to grasp. That is, the truth that nothing happens by chance. Every event in history, and even our individual lives, has a role to play in the shaping and forming of God's great plan and destiny for the earth. Of course, the main reason for this inability to grasp this truth, is that most people don't read their Bible. And if they do read it, they fail to comprehend its awesome truths. They prefer to listen to the "sages" of their day, and as the old clich� says: they can't see the woods for the trees. Another reason for this failure is the short life span of man. One person can barely see any movement on God's time clock during their lifetime. But with the Holy Bible, we can bridge the centuries, and see - however faintly - the end from the beginning. This is the essence of faith. The faith being, that victory will be ours. Praise ye the Lord! Now back to Egypt.Joseph tells his brothers to go home and bring their father and all their goods to Egypt. They will dwell in the land of Goshen, to be near the corn supplies, for the drought will continue for five more years.
And you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
V: 13
His brothers then all acknowledged Joseph, and they all wept together and were united in forgiveness.And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, this do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
And take your father and your households and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
Vs: 16-18
Pharaoh also commanded wagons to be provided them to transport their wives and little ones. And so Joseph did command it done, and gave them provision for their journey.To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
V: 22
And so the brothers left with twenty asses laden with goods, food, and also the wagons. When they got home they told Jacob that Joseph was governor over Egypt. Jacob's heart fainted, and he didn't believe them. The brothers then showed him all the things that they had brought back with them, and told Jacob all the words that Joseph had said. Jacob's spirit was revived and he believed their words.And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.
V: 28
CHAPTER 46
Joseph's Family Comes to EgyptAnd Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
vs: 1
Notice here that Israel did not offer sacrifices to the God of all men! Israel knew his family had been selected to be the covenant people. And that in the providence of God all other families had been excluded from this choosing. This truth may startle some of you, but it is confirmed in Deut. 32:9, Ex. 19:3-6, Amos 3:12 and Romans 9:3-7, just to list a few references for your edification.And God spoke unto Jacob in the night visions, and said,
I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down to Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
vs: 3-4
And so Jacob rose up from Beersheba with all his children and grandchildren; and all their substance that they had gotten in Canaan; and came into Egypt.Our text then lists the descendants of Jacob's children and grandchildren by their respective mothers. There is an interesting statement, and one person there, needs to be pointed out.
First notice in verse 19, that Rachel is the only woman of the four women who had Jacob's children, who is called his wife! Rachel, you will recall, is the wife that Jacob wanted in the first place. This is why Joseph and Benjamin were so precious to Jacob, and why Joseph would eventually inherit the birthright. You see, Joseph was actually the "first-born" to Jacob's wife, Rachel.
I believe that this is why it was within the providence of God that Reuben, the first-born of the flesh, was compelled to "lay" with Bilhah, his father's concubine. And thus defiled his right to claim the birthright (Gen. 35:22). This will be covered in chapter 49.
Now, the interesting person. In verse 13, we read of the sons of Issachar. Four in all, but notice the third one. Yes, it's Job! (KJV) Many people have done a lot of speculation as to who Job was. It is plainly written if they would only read their Bibles.
The Book of Job teaches us of the virtues of knowing who causes suffering and pain. It uses Job's example to teach us patience. Many people have been taught that Job's problems were caused by a "fallen angel" they call Satan. This is not what this book teaches at all. For a complete study in this false doctrine, read Appendix E.
Now, on with our text.
So all the souls, including Joseph and his family, that were of Jacob in Egypt were seventy. Judah went ahead of the troop to get directions from Joseph on how to get to Goshen. (See Zec. 8:23.)
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
vs: 29-30
Joseph then told his brethren and father that he would have to go up to tell Pharaoh that they had now arrived in Goshen. And that this was necessary because the Israelites were shepherds. You see, shepherds were an abomination unto the Egyptians . vs:34The Bible doesn't give the reason for this, but secular history may. Very ancient records, and the 1st century historian Flavius Josephus, have stated that the "shepherd" people were the early Pharaohs. And they forced the Egyptian people into hard rigor, and forced labor, to build the pyramids. This, of course, confirms that the sons of Ham - through the Mizraim line - were indeed the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt long before Joseph came into the land. No doubt this is why "shepherds" were an abomination to the Egyptians. The wounds of slavery heal slowly even among the heathen.
CHAPTER 47
The Results of the FamineAnd so Joseph went before Pharaoh with five of his brethren and his father to make sure that there would be not trouble in Egypt concerning them being shepherds of cattle and flocks.
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee. The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
v: 5-6
So Joseph and his brethren had Pharaoh's blessing. And Jacob in turn blessed Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was? Jacob answered,The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
v: 9-10
So Joseph secured to his brethren Goshen in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And he furnished them with bread according as they needed. And the famine grew worse in the land of Egypt and in Canaan.And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
v 14
When the money had run out, the people cried for food. And Joseph said, Give your cattle for the food. The people did.And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
v 17
When the year was ended, the famine was still upon the land. And the people cried because they had now exhausted their money and beasts. They admitted that all they had left was their bodies and land. And they said,Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
v 19
And so Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, and the people moved into the cities from one end of the land to the other. The only land that was not bought up belonged to the priests. They were provided for and their lands were not required.Then Joseph commanded a law be enforced upon the people of Egypt. When the drought had passed, he returned the people to their lands with seed to plant their fields. The only condition was that one-fifth of all they raised was to go for tribute to Pharaoh. The law pleased the people and Pharaoh, and it stands to this day.
Now I went through all of this for a very good reason. Do you see the parallel today? Believe it or not, we are in "Egypt" today. Our "Pharaohs" have taken all our hard currency. We exist only by the whim of our Federal Reserve System. Our "wealth" has been reduced to passing around bogus, fiat money among one another. Our "cattle" (i.e., enterprises), exist only by permission (license) and strict government (Pharaoh's) regulation. Our farms are under attack by the modern day shylocks of the debt-usury money system. They operate this unscriptural money system with the full blessing of our "Pharaoh," i.e., the Federal Government. (See Index under MONEY.)
In the Bible, from Exodus on, Egypt is synonymous with physical bondage. (Ref. Deut. 5:6.) It is not within the scope of this book to expound to you all the parallels of today and ancient Egypt. Just rest assured they are upon us, and they are here with God's blessing. They are here to force this nation back to God's laws. How long it will take is anyone's guess. Be assured, though, that it will happen! Hosea 8:13-14 almost confirms this point about Israel today."�they shall return to Egypt. For Israel hath forgotten his maker, and buildeth temples�"
And it came to pass in the process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Ex. 2:23
Now let's return to our lesson.The children of Israel lived in Egypt for seventeen years and grew and multiplied. When Israel knew his time was short he called Joseph unto him. He made him pledge that he would not be buried in the land of Egypt. Joseph swore an oath, and promised to bury his father in the land of Canaan in the cave of Machpelah.
CHAPTER 48
The Blessings of Ephraim and ManassehAnd it came to pass that Israel took sick. Joseph was called, and Joseph brought his two young sons with him to see Israel. And Jacob-Israel was bedridden.
And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me. And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; And will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.And now thy two sons, Ephraim, and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
v: 3-6
In other words, Ephraim and Manasseh were now Jacob-Israel's adopted first-born sons. They would replace Reuben and Simeon as the first-born of Israel. Because of this adoption, they would inherit the birthright, and their seed after them would receive the blessings of the long-range birthright promises. Confirmation of this is given in 1 Chr. 5:1.Jacob-Israel after discussing the death and burial of Rachel in Ephrath, or Bethlehem, notices that Joseph has his two boys with him. Israel them commands that Joseph bring the lads near to him so that he could bless them.
Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he [Joseph] brought them near unto him; and kissed them and embraced them.
v 10
Israel then thanked God for his opportunity of not only seeing Joseph again, but also his seed. Joseph then honored his father by bowing. Then Joseph placed the lads on either side of Israel's bed, according to their birth. He placed Manasseh by Israel's right hand, because he was the first-born. Then he placed Ephraim on the left hand.And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the first-born.And he blessed Joseph, and said God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
The angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
v: 14-16
When Joseph saw that Israel had crossed his arms, and in effect, was giving the greater blessing to the younger, he thought that his father had made a mistake. So Joseph tried to remove Israel's hands to switch them.And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head.And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
v: 18-19
And so Israel blessed them both, and placed Ephraim before Manasseh. Israel then told Joseph his death was imminent, but God would bring the Israelites again to their land in Canaan. He also told Joseph that he would receive a double portion over his brethren as an inheritance.I won't comment on these blessings here except to say that they, for the most part, are long-range birthright blessings. Israel crossing his arms, is the symbol of Christ's cross, so we can deduce that this meant the blessings would become manifest sometime after the advent of Christ. In the next chapter, when Israel gives the long-range destiny of which nations these are today, this point becomes clearer. The important thing to remember is that these two sons of Joseph would have preeminence over the other sons. And that Israel's name would be named on them in the books of the prophets, and in the New Testament.
The End of Chapter 48
Continue on to Chapter 49