Text: Genesis 4:1-2 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
Joseph and Benjamin
22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.
Joseph
Joseph is compared to a young tree (a fruitful bough). God made him fruitful in the land of his affliction. These words are both historical and prophetical.
Joseph now lived at ease and with honor. Jacob reminds him of his past with all his struggles and problems. He had many enemies called archers. Hie enemies were very skillful in their attacks on him. They were masters of persecution, they hated him. They shot poisonous darts at him. His brothers mocked him, threatened him, sold him, and thought they had been the death of him.
His mistress in Potiphar's house sorely grieved him.
Temptations of the flesh are very grievous to gracious souls. When she failed, she hated him and shot at him by her false accusations. Joseph couldn't defend himself of these, so he ended up in prison for at least two years. No doubt he had enemies in Pharaoh's court who envied him.
Through all this his faith didn't fail. He kept his ground and became a conqueror. He maintained his integrity and his comfort through all his trails. He bour his burdens with total resolve. His strength was the mighty God. Our strength comes from God. His grace is sufficient, his strength is with us in times of weakness.
Jesus and Joseph stones
Joseph was the Shepard of Israel then. Jesus is our Shepard in these times.
Judah was the ancestor of Jesus, but Joseph was a type of Christ. Jesus went through many trials and faced many problems also. By the power of The Holy Ghost, he prevailed through it all. His enemies were put under his feet. His brothers share in the comfort of his victories. We are his brothers. Remember that Joshua was a descendant of Joseph. Joshua was a great conquer.
The blessings received by Joseph are; a temperate climate, a fruitful soil, physical blessings include strength, durable health etc. ... These are ours also.
Jacob blessed all his sons, but especially Joseph. Joseph was separated not only in Egypt but in dignity, more devoted to God, more excellent then they. The words crown of the head may be referring the Nazarite vow.
Benjamin
27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
We don't hear a lot about Benjamin, but his tribe became very important in Israel. This prophecy came through the spirit and not by Jacob's personal feelings.
This tribe was a war like tribe, strong and daring. They were enriched with the spoils of war. They were active in the world. In the early times of Israel they shared in the activity of the nation. The second judge of Israel was Ehud. The first king of Israel Saul also from this tribe. The later times of Israel was blessed by this tribe. They were joined with Judah and Levi. Esther and Mordecai were from this tribe. This tribe gave us the apostle Paul who at first devoured the prey at the last enjoyed the spoil (spiritual spoil).
No comments:
Post a Comment