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Volume 1 -THE GARDEN OF EDEN - Adam's Creation and His
Volume 2 - NEW BEGINNING AND NEW WORLD ENVIRONMENT Volume 3 - JOSEPH, EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH - A Foreshadow of God's Agenda for Jew and Gentile Volume 4 - CROSSING THE JORDAN RIVER - A Foreshadow of Salvation for Jew and Gentile Volume 5 - THE BOOK OF REVELATION - God's Agenda for the End Time Volume 6 - THE SEVEN LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES Volume 7 - CHRIST IN THE TABERNACLE - A Foreshadow of Redemption **************** |
The following scriptures are a partial presentation of Jacob's blessing he spoke over Joseph. The intention of this lesson is to provide additional validation of Joseph as an Old Testament type of Christ, as presented in Volume 3 - JOSEPH, EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH - A Foreshadow of God's Agenda for Jew and Gentile. ************************************** Genesis 49:23 (KJV) - The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him. The following word study reveals this verse to foreshadow Christ's crucifixion on the cross. "Archers" - (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #2671 - Translated from the Hebrew word "chets"(khayts); from #2686; properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunder-bolt; (by interchange for #6086) the shaft of a spear. Chets is taken from the root word chatsats (khaw-tsats') - #2686. Chatsats is a primitive root; properly, to chop into, pierce or sever; hence, to curtail, to distribute (into ranks); as denominative, to shoot an arrow. Chets represents all forms of persecution against Christ which sorely grieved him. But there was only one persecution which pierced him, which happen on Calvary. "Archers" figuratively represents those who pierced Jesus' side with a spear when he was on the cross and then he died. John 19:34 (NIV) - Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. "Have sorely grieved him" - (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #4843 Taken from the root word "marar" (maw-rar'); properly, to trickle [see #4752]; but used only as a denominative from #4751; to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively). As used in the KJV-- (be, be in, deal, have, make) bitter, be moved with choler, be grieved. Jesus was grieved that His Jewish brothers rejected Him as the anointed one sent by God, Messiah. But, He refused to be bitter because it was for their good and out of love that He willingly submitted to the cross according to the will the Father. Even when the Roman soldiers offered Him wine mixed with bitter gall, He refused to drink it. Matthew 27:33-35 (NIV) - They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). (34) There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. (35) When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. "Gall" - (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #5521 Translated from the Hebrew word "chole" (khol-ay') - "gall" or bile, i.e., (by analogy) poison or an anodyne (wormwood, poppy, etc.). The soldiers tried to quench the thirst of Christ and relieve the pain he was suffering on the cross by offering him the bitterness of gall mixed with vinegar/wine. But, Christ refused to alter the course of His crucifixion by accepting relief from the pain. Hebrews 2:10 (NIV) - In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. So, for you and I it was fitting that Christ endured the suffering and pain of the cross. Although Christ was "sorely grieved" by the Jews' rejection, He expressed His love for them in Luke 23:34 (KJV) - Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. He refused the bitterness of the drug and the bitterness of rejection. The cross is God's sign of the depth of His love for those who choose to believe in Christ. The cross is Christ's sign that doing the will of the Father greatly exceeds the preservation of self. "Hated him" - (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #7852 satam (saw-tam'); Taken from the root word "satan" (saw-tam') = to lurk for, i.e. persecute. The word "satam", taken from the root word satan, foreshadows the powers of darkness lurking, lying in wait until an opportune time to persecute Jesus. Luke 4:13 (NIV) - When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. From the time that the tempting of Jesus was complete until the time of his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, satan was working through the Jews, lurking and waiting for an opportune time to kill Jesus. Jacob's blessing over Joseph con't. Genesis 49:24 (KJV) - 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) "Bow" (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #7198 - Taken from the Hebrew word qesheth (keh'-sheth); from #7185 in the original sense (of #6983) of bending: a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris. #7185 - qashah (kaw-shaw'); a primitive root; properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications). #6983 - qowsh (koshe); a primitive root; to bend; used only as denominative for #3369, to set a trap. #3369 - yaqosh (yaw-koshe'); a primitive root; to ensnare (literally or figuratively). The word "bow" in the original root definition and original sense of the root word qashah (#6983 qowsh & #3369 yaqosh) was used to represent the setting of a trap and ensnaring the prey. Joseph's bow prophetically represents Jesus' bow which abodes in the strength of His arms (#7198 - qesheth) - Power and authority is given Jesus by God to lay down His life or take it up again - John 10:17-18 (NIV) - The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. (18) No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." Jesus has power to overcome any attacks upon Him - Matthew 26:52-54 (NIV) - "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. (53) Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (54) But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" Jesus has power over the forces of darkness - Luke 4:36 (NIV) - All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!". Jesus has power to rule the earth - Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV) - He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Jesus' power and authority as the Son of God is expressed metaphorically in these scriptures as the "strength of His arms". The bow abode in the strength of His arms and hands. The bow is an implement, so to speak, used by God to ensnare the powers of darkness (#6983 - qowsh & #3369 - yaqosh) - See comments on Triumph by the Cross (click here) Genesis 49:24 Con't. - "Abode" (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #3427 Taken from the Hebrew root word yashab (yaw-shab'); a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge, in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry. "As judge" -To divide between right and wrong, righteousness and unrighteousness. Isaiah 51:5 (KJV) - My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. "In ambush" - God's judgment will come suddenly. Malachi 3:1 (NIV) - "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. "My messenger" refers to John the Baptizer. "Suddenly the Lord you are seeking" refers to Jesus' sudden arrival to the temple. Apart from those who responded to the preaching of John, the other Jews were ambushed by the sudden arrival of the Messiah. "In quiet" - When the time of judgment comes it will be a quiet coming. Isaiah 53:6-7 (KJV) - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. When Jesus went to the cross to pay the debt for the sins of mankind he did not open his mouth. He held his silence. Judgment was passed on satan and all those who follow him. "To dwell, to remain" - When Christ died for the sins of mankind and was raised from the dead three days later, the forces of darkness and satan were judged and their sentence was proclaimed. This judgment is permanent and will remain forever. Satan has no power over anyone who follows Christ. John 16:10-11 (KJV) - Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. The word "abode" reveals the permanency of Christ's judgment. His Judgment is in three phases - (1) Judgment was passed on the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection; (2) the House of God will be judged in the end times and (3) all others whose names are not in the Lamb's Book of Life will be judged at the end of the Millennium Reign. The preeminent judgment authority of Christ will dwell and remain in the earth for ever. Jacobs blessing over Joseph con't. Genesis 49:25-26 (KJV) - Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: (26) The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. "Crown of the head" - (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #6936 qodqod (kod-kode'); taken from #6915; the crown of the head (as the part most bowed). #6915 - qadad (kaw-dad'); a primitive root; to shrivel up, i.e., contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference. Used in the KJV as -- bow (down) (the) head, stoop. The blessings of God were upon the crown of the head of Joseph during his tenure in Egypt. Joseph bowed to God and deferred his situation to Him. God found favor with Joseph and he governed Egypt. Later, in accordance with God's will, Joseph bowed to his brothers when they arrived in Egypt. Joseph took care of them for the duration of the famine. Joseph served his brothers. In like manner, the blessings of God were upon the crown of the head of Jesus during His tenure in the earth. Jesus did not come as a King to be served, but as one to serve. Matthew 20:28 (NIV) - Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 12:18 (KJV) - Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Mark 9:35 (KJV) - And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Genesis 49:26 (Con't) - "Him that was separate" - (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #5139 Hebrew word naziyr (naw-zeer'); or nazir (naw-zeer'); taken from #5144; separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite): #5144 (Brown-Driver-Brigg's Concordance) Hebrew root word nazar- to dedicate, to consecrate, to separate. Having been separated from his brothers when he was sold into Egypt as a slave by his brothers, Joseph, consecrated to God, eventually became a prince among his brothers. Genesis 37:28 (NIV) - So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. Genesis 39:1-4 (NIV) - Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. (2) The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. (3) When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, (4) Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
The NIV translation of Genesis 49:26 - 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. "Prince among his brothers" - Joseph was ruler of all of Egypt when his brothers were living in Egypt during the famine - Genesis 43: 26-28, 45:26. Foreshadow: Christ is a prince whose throne is established forever among his brothers. Acts 5:31 (KJV) - Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. When studying Jacob's blessing over Joseph and paralleling the life of Joseph to Jesus Christ, it is apparent that God used Joseph as a foreshadow of Christ. God "chose us" in Christ before the creation of the world, so when He was orchestration the events of Joseph's life He was thinking of "us in Him". Therefore, all aspects of Joseph's life will foreshadow Christ, including the birth of his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, born to him while in the land of Egypt. Most bible scholars do not include Manasseh and Ephraim when teaching Joseph as an Old Testament type of Christ. Therefore, insight into God bringing Jew and Gentile together as heirs to the promise that is in Christ Jesus as an integral part of "us in Him" is missed and Joseph as a foreshadow falls short of the total picture.
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