As we enter the new year, will we be overcome by evil, weariness in well doing and the spirit of lukewarmness, or can we not only survive, but thrive in the toxic stew of this world? This is an exhortation and encouraging message to serious disciples and the potential bride of Yeshua the Messiah to reawaken passion and to fall in love with Yeshua all over again, and to grow in one’s love for our Heavenly Bridegroom. It is also a message on how to overcome weariness and not be overcome by influences of evil leading to discouragement and spiritual weariness. May YHVH bless you in this secular new year!
Genesis 44:18, And Judah came near. There is much to learn about the prophetic significance of Judah coming near to Joseph. The modern Jewish people are the descendants of Judah. The the children of Judah or the Jews became the Southern Kingdom of Israel, and Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh became the Northern Kingdom or house of Israel and eventually the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” as we have discussed previously and written about and proven extensively elsewhere from both the Scriptures and secular non-biblical sources.
Prophetically-speaking, every Christian who is minimally familiar with the Bible knows who the most notable descendant of the tribe of Judah is? The Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Root of Jesse is, of course, Yeshua the Messiah. Rev 5:5). When you came to faith in Yeshua, did he seek you or did you seek him when you were lost? He called everyone of us to himself, and we simply responded to that call! (See Matt 20:16; Rom 8:28, 30; 1 Cor 1:9, 26; 7:17, 20; 2 Thes 2:12; 2 Tim 1:9; 1 Pet 2:9 cp.Rom 5:8; Luke 19:10; Matt 18:11.)
Why is Judah coming near to Joseph (who he does not yet recognize as Joseph)? He was motivated out of love for his father Jacob (See Gen 44:18–34). Similarly, Yeshua was motivated to come near to us out of love for his Father as well (See John 8:28; chapter 17).
Judah offered to lay down his life as a ransom for his youngest brother (Gen 44:33). Who does this point to prophetically? Yeshua freely gave his life as a substitute for his each one of us (Mark 10:45; Matt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:5; John 10:11, 15, 17–18; 1 John 3:16).
Please note that Judah is an antetype (prophetic forerunner) of Yeshua the Messiah.
Both sought to please their fathers.
Both acted out of unconditional love for their younger brother.
Both stood to gain nothing personally, but rather stood to lose much, if their plan did not work. Judah, a prince, would become a slave in Egypt; Yeshua would become a slave to death and hell, if he sinned.
It is interesting to note that classic Christian commentator Matthew Henry draws a similar analogy between Judah’s actions here and Messiah Yeshua as well (A Commentary On the Whole Bible, vol. 1, p. 243, by Matthew Henry).
Judah’s love for his father and Benjamin and his willingness to lay down his life as a ransom to become a slave in Egypt to Joseph is analogous to Messiah Yeshua’s love for the lost sheep of the house of Israel to whom he directed his outreach ministry and to ransom them in order to bring them back into the fold of Israel (John 10:15–16; Matt 10:6; 15:24).
Paul carried the same burden for his fellow Israelites as did Yeshua (Rom 9:1–5). Who does Paul later go on to talk about and extend his heart burden to in Romans 9:23–24? Remember that the term Gentile simply means “ethnic or people groups, or the people of the nations.” When Paul uses the term Gentiles here, he is specifically referring to the lost sheep of the house of Israel who were the descendants of Joseph. Paul had the same intense love for his Jewish brethren as he did for those “people groups of the nations” whom he equates with the lost, adulterous and apostate house of Israel (the Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes of Israel). Compare Romans 9:25 with Hosea 2:23 (the former being a direct quote from the latter) in context with the whole Book of Hosea, which is addressed particularly to the apostate house of Israel and who had become “lost” among the nations, of which Joseph in Egypt is a prophetic antetype.
Genesis 44:32–34,Became surety for the lad. On this passage Christian commentator Matthew Henry states, “Judah’s faithful cleaving to Benjamin, now, in his distress, was recompensed long afterwards by the tribe of Benjamin keeping with the tribe of Judah, when the other tribes deserted it” (Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, p. 56). This is a small piece of biblical trivia that had historical ramifications for hundreds of years later.
It is amazing that some 800 years later the fraternal love between these two brothers remained in their collective psyches such that the tribe of Benjamin remained loyal to the tribe of Judah.
What does this say about generational blessings (and curses) or attitudes that are passed on down to one’s descendants? If curses can be passed on down to the third or fourth generation (Exod 20:5), how much more so blessings? The Book of Proverbs states that, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit,” (Prov 18:21) and that, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit,” (Prov 15:4).
Generations of our descendants can be affected positively or negatively by the inclination of our hearts and the words of our mouth.
It had been Judah’s original idea to sell Joseph to slave traders. Since that time, Judah’s heart had changed, so that now he was willing to lay down his life for his brother, Benjamin, Joseph’s only full brother. This change of heart on Judah’s part and the resulting outpouring of love for his youngest brother had lasting positive results.
Did Judah did not first recognize Joseph; Joseph had to reveal himself to Judah and his other brothers (Gen 45:1–4). Judah was “blinded” to Joseph’s identity. This a prophetic picture of the Jews’ future spiritual blindness to who the “Gentiles” were and are (Rom 11:25). As we have seen in previous studies, Joseph was a type of the Messiah as well as the father of Ephraim and Manasseh, the dominate tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who went apostate and became as “lost sheep” among the nations of the world (Hos 7:8; 8:8; Ezek 34:16 and numerous other Scriptures). Therefore, Joseph is a prophetic picture of the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” and the Messiah who would come to seek out those lost sheep (Matt 15:24; 10:6). And whom does Judah represent? Judah is a prophetic antetype of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who would later come as the Messiah to redeem his “brother,” who would be lost in the spiritual Egypt of this world. He also represent the Jews of Southern Kingdom of the house of Judah most of whom would be “blind” to their Jewish Messiah. Thus in this story, it appears that Judah is a prophetic picture of both the Jewish people and the Jewish Messiah.
This dual role that Judah to which Judah seems to prophetically point has been a head scratcher for the ancient Jewish sages. They have seen in the story of Joseph, the Suffering Servant, a Messiah Son of Joseph figure who they saw would be a descendant of Ephraim, and who would come to redeem the lost sheep or exiles of the house of Israel in preparation for a second Messiah to come whom they refer to as the Conquering King or Messiah the Son of David, (Mesorah PublicationsTheArtScroll Bereishis,vol. 1b, pp. 2121–2122). They see these Messiahs as two separate individuals. Yet in our story of Joseph and Judah we see the antetypes of these two Messiahs acting out their roles at the same time. Judah and Joseph point to both comings of Messiah Yeshua. At his first coming, Yeshua came as the Suffering Servant to redeem a remnant of lost Judah in addition to a much larger portion of “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Yet at his second coming, this same Messiah Son of Joseph will come back as the Lion of Judah to be revealed to his Jewish brothers (the modern day Jewish people) who had previously rejected him (Zech 12:10).
Genesis 45
Genesis 45:1–15,Then Joseph. Joseph, as an antetype of Yeshua, had mercy on the penitent sinners who had formerly wronged him. Joseph wept for joy and embraced his brothers when being reconciled to them (verse 14). Past hurts and wrongs were forgiven. Can you not see yourself in this story coming to Yeshua, your Savior and Redeemer, with a repentant heart and him warmly embracing you and welcoming you into his spiritual family and kingdom? (Read Ezek 18:27–32 and Ps 103:10–18.) As we progress in our spiritual walk, how easy it is to take for granted YHVH’s love and compassion that initially saved us and at the same time continues to sustain us in his grace. (Selah. Pause and reflect.)
Genesis 45:5, 7, 8,Elohim sent me.Joseph was sold into slavery at age 17, was freed from prison and made ruler of Egypt at age 30. After that, seven years of plenty followed, and then two years of famine had passed by the time he was reunited with is brothers. Only after 22 years in Egypt did Joseph finally figure out Elohim’s grand and wonderful plan for his life, and how it involved the saving of his family.
Had Joseph lost faith along the way, become embittered over his multiple misfortunes, and turned away from Elohim, the nation of Israel may have never been preserved.
There is a lesson for the disciple of Yeshua in the story of Joseph’s long travail as YHVH worked out the detail of his life to fulfill heaven’s larger plans and purposes (Rom 8:28). Along the way, Joseph’s patient endurance and faith was stretched and enlarged (Jas 1:2, 12). Keeping one’s eyes on YHVH Elohim, and refusing to lose faith during the dark times of one’s life can yield some amazingly triumphant outcomes, as we learn from the life of Joseph. This is because YHVH watches over those who place their trust in him and who obey him the best they can. Their lives are in his hands, and the circumstances of their lives are under his guidance (Rom 8:28–29). Because of his love for his children, and because of the good plans he has for them, whatever he allows to happen to them will be for their ultimate good. So let us find the blessing in everything that occurs in our life and may our love and faith in our Creator be strengthened.
Genesis 45:8,A father to Pharaoh. See notes at Gen 41:9–10.
Genesis 45:13–26,Becoming bond servants.During the remaining years of the famine, all of the Egyptians became indebted to Joseph as he judiciously doled out the stored wheat to those in need. In order to save their lives, the inhabitants of the famine-ravished land gave their lives and land to be servants of Joseph (who was a type of Yeshua) in exchange for food (Gen 47:23). Yeshua, likewise, has bought us with the price of his blood (1 Cor 6:20; 1 Pet 1:18–19; Rev 5:9). Are we not called to be his bondservants—a term that the apostles apply to themselves numerous times (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:1; Phil 2:7; Col 4:12; Tit 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2 Pet 1:1; Jude 1:1)? What does that mean in practical terms in your life? Many people accept Yeshua as their Savior, but few really accept him as their Lord and Master.
Genesis 45:24,Fall not out by the way (or do not become troubled along the way, NKJV; do not quarrel on the journey, NAS) or “Do not be agitated on the journey” (The Schoken Bible). Joseph dismissed his brothers with the warning not to quarrel with each other on the journey back to Canaan, as brothers can be prone to do. They had reconciled with Joseph, their savior who was a prophetic foreshadow of Yeshua, our Savior and Redeemer, but they still had a long foot-journey ahead of them of many dry and dusty miles. Joseph in his wisdom knew that as the miles dragged on, the fatigue of the flesh would begin to rise to the surface, tensions between the brothers would likely occur resulting in quarreling with each other. This is a common occurrence among the saints as they await Yeshua’s coming. Yeshua addressed this tendency among brethren believers in his final admonitions to his disciples before his crucifixion in this regard. He stressed the paramount importance of loving each other as we trek toward the promised land of our spiritual inheritance (John 13:34–35; 14:27; 15:12–13). How much energy do we as redeemed believers waste quarreling with one another instead of advancing the kingdom of Elohim? How would your life improve if you were to just forgive those who have offended you or those who want to hurt you or your ministry, and instead determine to walk away in love, and focus your attention on the job your Heavenly Father has given you to do in his kingdom?
Genesis 41:9–10,The chief butler spoke. Here the chief butler is recounting the events to Pharaoh of how he ended up in prison as if Pharaoh weren’t aware of these facts. It is quite possible that this was a new Pharaoh, and the Pharaoh who had put the butler in prison was now dead. If so, then this new Pharaoh was very young, since in Genesis 45:8 Joseph, who by now would have been at least in his late 30s, refers to himself as “a father to Pharaoh.”
YHVH’s timing was perfect for his larger plans to be fulfilled in Joseph’s life. Do you have the trust in YHVH to believe the same for your life? Had the chief butler remembered Joseph prior to this time, it is likely that YHVH’s plans for Joseph may not have worked out to his benefit. Would he have had the chance to interpret Pharaoh’s dream? Would he have returned to Canaan? How would the history of the nation of Israel been different?
Genesis 41:16, Elohim. By this time, Joseph had endured multiple false accusations, murder attempts, enslavement and imprisonment on false charges. A man of lesser spiritual stature than Joseph might have lost his faith in Elohim along the way. What can we learn from Joseph about enduring and overcoming faith in our Maker in the face of adverse circumstances in life?
In this verse, what is the evidence that he hadn’t given up hope in his Heavenly Father, and that he had not lost sight of the prophetic promises that YHVH had made to him many years earlier? Simply this. Even though Joseph was standing before a king, who had the power of life and death over him, he still had faith that Elohim would give him the interpretation to the king’s dream. Not only did Joseph believe this, but openly declared his faith to Pharaoh. What does this teach us about boldly proclaiming our faith even in the face of possible death? In Revelation 12:11, we learn that the end time saints will overcome the Evil One by the word of their testimony and that they will not love their lives the death. Elsewhere Yeshua declared to his disciples, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 10:32). Now is the time to start putting our faith to work in the small areas, so that we will pass the larger tests that will inevitably come our way later.
As a form of witnessing to those around you, do you give honor to YHVH whenever you can—even to strangers and potential enemies as Joseph did?
The fact that Joseph was able to proclaim his faith in Elohim in front of one of the most powerful monarchs of his day is evidence of his strong and abiding faith in and fear of YHVH even in spite of years of mistreatment and false accusations. Joseph is a powerful and encouraging example to the down-trodden saints of the world, who have been persecuted for the their faith. Joseph is proof that it is possible to maintain faith in YHVH even in spite of dire, even life threatening circumstances.
Genesis 41:38, A man in whom the Spirit of Elohim is. Would this be the testimony of those heathens around you about you? If not, why? What changes in your life can and should you make to insure that it would be?
Genesis 41:45, Poti-phera.Apparently, this was none other than Potiphar, Joseph’s former slave master and the one who wrongfully imprisoned Joseph. Joseph being permitted to marry Potiphar’s daughter was YHVH’s way of vindicating him in the eyes of the Egyptians (The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash, p. 299; The ArtScroll Tanach Series Bereishis/Genesis Commentary, vol 1b., p. 1665).
Genesis 41:46, Thirty years old. Joseph was in Egypt as a slave and a prisoner from roughly from age 17 (Gen 37:2) to age 30. Despite being falsely accused of sins he had not committed, during this time, he still did not lose faith in Elohim.
Genesis 41:50–52, To Joseph were born. Joseph was blessed in Egypt with an Egyptian wife and two sons. Therefore, his sons were not full-blooded Israelites. This was prophetic. Eventually Joseph’s descendants went into captivity into foreign nations, as happened to Joseph himself, where they would mix their seed with those of non-Israelite blood resulting in mixed children racially (Hos 7:8 and 8:8.) Prophetically, YHVH accept would accept these children of mixed race marriages to be grafted in to the olive tree of Israel to become full citizens with equal standing and rights as full-blooded Israelites (Rom 11:13–24). Who does Paul say these Gentiles who were grafted into the olive tree of Israel? Please read Romans 9:25–26 and then read the Hosea passage Paul is quoting from Hosea 2:23. Paul refers to these people as Israelites and literal offspring of Abraham (Eph 2:11–19; Rom 4:16; 9:8, 11; and Gal 3:7, 9, 14, 28, 29)!
Genesis 42
Genesis 42–46 Two Brothers and the Two Houses of Israel in End-Time Prophecy
Biblical Types and Antetypes
A major key to understanding biblical prophecy is to recognize the relationship between types and antetypes in the Scriptures of which there are a plethora. This means that an event or a series of events occurred once, was recorded in the Scriptures, and then at a later time a similitude of the event repeats itself sometimes more than once, but with different characters and scene. The Jewish sages have long recognize the phenomenon of biblical cycles that repeat themselves over the millennia.
More specifically, an antetype is an event that occurs before the main event to which it prophetically points actually occurs (sometimes incorrectly referred to as an antitype, which means “an opposite type” rather than “a prior type”). In other words, the first event predicts or points prophetically to the future event. This is a way for the Creator to give clues and hints about future events that will come to pass. Those who are ardent students of YHVH’s word and “who have (spiritual) ears to hear” will pick up on these clues and gain a sense of what the Creator is going to do at some future date. In this way, those who diligently seek him are rewarded with understanding or “inside information” about what he is planning to do in the future. At the same time, his divine plans and purposes will be obscured from those who don’t have a diligent heart to seek him and his truth, and who could then possibly misuse the truth, if they were to discover it, for self serving or malevolent purposes.
Similarly, the Gospels record that Yeshua explained deep spiritual truths via parables not to make the meaning clear to the general public, but rather to obscure it. His teachings were meant to be understood only by those whom he had called that they might know the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of Elohim (Matt 13:10–11; Luke 8:9–10).
For thousands of years, the prophets of the Bible, as well as biblical students, scholars and sages have understood the concept of antetypes and types and it has helped them to understand Bible prophecy and future events.
Biblical antetypes are identified in three ways. First, the Scriptures themselves identify events as being antetypical. Examples would be:
The life of Moses pointed to Yeshua (Deut 18:15–19; Heb 3:3–6).
The serpent on the pole pointed to Yeshua’s crucifixion (John 3:14).
The rock from which the Israelites drank prefigures Yeshua (1 Cor 10:4).
The manna the Israelites ate prefigures the Word of Elohim or flesh of Yeshua (John 6:32, 48–51).
Aaron as the high priest was antetypical of Yeshua’s high priesthood (Heb 5, 7 and 8).
The sacrificial system pointed to Yeshua’s atoning death on the cross (Heb 9 and 10).
Jonah in the whale is a prophetic picture of Yeshua’s death and resurrection (Matt 12:40).
Melchizedek was an antetype of Yeshua (Heb 7).
The first exodus (or redemption of Israel out of Egypt) was prototypical of a second exodus or redemption of Israel out of the world in the end times (Isa 11:11; Jer 23:7–8).
The Jewish sages from antiquity have also identified antetypes. Examples would be:
The difficulties surrounding Jacob’s return to the Promised Land after 20 years of exile in Babylon (under Laban, Gen 31–33) is antetypical of the difficulties surrounding the return of Jacob’s descendants to the land of Israel in the last days, which the Scriptures call “Jacob’s Trouble” (Jer 30:7).
The life of Joseph prefigured that of a Messiah Son of Joseph, the Suffering Servant.
The life of David prefigured that of a Messiah Son of David, the Conquering King.
The seven-day week is antetypical of the seven thousand years of man’s tenure on this earth.
Christian Bible teachers have identified antetypes in the Scriptures as well. Examples would be:
The Passover lamb was antetypical of Yeshua’s crucifixion.
Isaac’s near sacrifice and the ram caught in the thicket in Genesis 22 was antetypical of Yeshua’s death.
The tabernacle of Moses pointed in all aspects to the ministry of Yeshua as Savior and Redeemer.
Finally, some Hebraic-Christian Bible teachers have identified antetypes in the Scriptures. Examples would be:
The biblical feasts point to the steps in YHVH’s plan of salvation for mankind centering around the first and second comings of Messiah.
The stages of the biblical wedding point to YHVH’s plan of salvation for mankind.
YHVH’s judgments on Egypt point prophetically to his judgments on Babylon the Great in the last days.
In like manner, the story of Joseph’s interacting with his brothers (starting in Genesis chapter 37 through 46) is antetypical of future events that are to happen on a national level with the children of the patriarchs.
In this study, we will examine the events of Joseph and Judah in Egypt to see how they relate to the houses of Joseph or Ephraim (broadly speaking, the Christians) and Judah (broadly speaking, the Jews) in the last days. Remember that although the events and details of antetypes and types correlate, they do not match each other perfectly in every detail. There should, however, be enough similarities between the two that to the rational and biblically astute mind the juxtaposition of the two is not a logical stretch. Some of these parallels the writers of Scripture tell us about, while others we must arrive at through our own diligent and careful analysis of the Scriptures.
Joseph and Judah (the Two Houses of Israel)
In what follows, we will see several types and shadows that point to the end-time reunification of the two houses of Israel (Joseph, Ephraim or the Christian church and Judah or the religious Jews), and to Yeshua the Messiah whose role it would be to regather and reunite the two houses of Israel by laying his life down as a ransom or substitute for his brothers. In this study, we will discuss the following themes:
reuniting lost family members
reconciliation and healing of wounds and offenses between families
forgiveness of past wrongs, offenses and misunderstandings
prophetic shadows of Yeshua the Messiah
Let’s now analyze the events in the life of Joseph (and to a lesser degree that of Judah as well) as they occurred chronologically to see how they pointed forward to events that would occur in the future including the end times.
Joseph Taken as Captive to a Gentile Nation (Gen 37)
A spiritual war is currently raging all around us. It is a war between the followers of Jesus Christ and the Bible and Satan, the god of this world, and his followers It is a battle to the death between the God of the Bible and the spirit of Antichrist. Sadly, many Christians and Jews are falling for the lies of the devil and defecting to the side of evil. What does the Bible, the Word of YHVH Elohim, have to say regarding the position that some well known “Christians” and even some Jews are taking against the Israel of God/Elohim, the Abrahamic Covenant, and the holy character of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Yeshua/Jesus our Jewish Messiah? Whose side are some of these people really on? The side of YHVH Elohim or the side of Antichrist? According to the Bible, they are not on Elohim’s side as this video reveals. This is a wake up call for people who have crossed over to the side of Antichrist and are now on the wrong side of truth and history to repent of their sin before it is too late for them.
A spiritual battle is waging all around us and is attempting to separate you from your eternal, heavenly inheritance and your destiny to be the bride of Yeshua the Messiah. Playing church, being a passive Christian, while standing on the street corner waiting for the rapture bus to carry you off, is what weak and lukewarm Christians will be doing in these end times. If God has led you to this channel and to this video, then he is calling you to be Yeshua’s warrior bride and a militant and overcoming Christian, not an effete and feckless one. Watch this video and be challenged to take your commitment to Yeshua your Messiah, who gave his life for you, to the next level as his spiritual warrior bride who will put fear into the heart of our Antichrist enemies!
Genesis 37:3, Israel loved Joseph more. Parent’s who show demonstrable favoritism toward some of their children over their other children are not wise, for it invariably produce rivalry and jealousy among siblings (v. 4). True, a parent may secretly prefer one child over another, but it is wise to keep that to oneself, for fear of alienating one’s other children. Granted, it is natural for a godly parent to have a kindred spirit with a godly child more than he does for a child who is a rebellious sinner and ambivalent if not apathetic toward Elohim. Similarly, it is true that even though our Father in heaven loves the whole world (John 3:16), nevertheless he loves his own saintly children differently and in a deeper manner. This why Scripture declares the YHVH loved Jacob and hated Esau who was a wicked and carnal man (Mal 1:3).
Tunic [coat] of many colors.The Hebrew here indicates a tunic—a long undergarment with long sleeves (the same word is used in 2 Sam 13:18). The working class usually wore a short-sleeved tunic, while the upper class wore a tunic similar to what Jacob made for Joseph. This tunic distinguished Joseph above his brothers thus inciting their jealousy toward him (Manners and Customs, p. 92).
Genesis 37:5,Joseph had a dream. Joseph was a prophetic child (like Samuel) and YHVH communicated with him, even has he had with his father, grandfather and great grandfather. Sometimes, prophetic gifts transfer generationally. The same can be said of demonic spirits that transfer down through family lineages. As the blessings from YHVH for obedience to him can be passed on down through successive generations, so can the curses of sin resulting from demonic influences.
And told it to his brothers. Just because one receives a prophetic word from Elohim does not mean that he has given us permission to share it with others! A word from heaven may be for one’s own personal benefit alone, and it may not be beneficial for others to hear it as Joseph found out the hard way.
To often prophetic people want to share everything they have heard from Elohim. Often the motives for doing this are carnal as if one were saying, “Look at me. Look what Elohim has revealed to me. Look how special I am.” Anything done out of impetuosity, assumption, much less arrogance and for self-aggrandizement purposes is never a good thing. It is better to wait patiently for instructions from above before proceeding!
Genesis 37:12,Shechem. Upon coming into the Promised Land from Haran, Jacob had previously bought land in Shechem from the Canaanites (Gen 33:19), but then had to move from that area to Bethel for his safety (Gen 35:1) after the Shechem and Dinah affair. Jacob later moved further south to Hebron (Gen 37:14). It was likely to Jacob’s property in Shechem, where Joseph’s brother were pasturing their flocks, that Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers.
Genesis 37:18,Let us now kill him. Nowadays, carnal people may not necessarily kill one who brings the word of Elohim to him, but they will murder with their mouths through mockery, scorn, ridicule, character assassination, libel, slander or malicious gossip. People are no different now than they were then; they do not want their evil deeds brought to the light lest their sins be exposed. Instead of repenting of sin, they attack the one bringing the light of truth. Isn’t this the same treatment that Yeshua and all of the prophets experienced at the hands of the people to whom they were sent?
Genesis 37:25, 27, 28, 36,Ishmaelites…Midianites.To whom did Joseph’s brothers sell him: to the Ishmaelites or the Midianites? Some disparagers of the Bible view this passage as proof that Scripture contradicts itself and cannot be trusted as being divinely inspired. So what is really going on here? Why the seeming disparity in the facts?
The explanation is not difficult. Keil and Delitzsch in their commentaries point out these people-groups were referred to in ancient cultures as Arabs due to the geographical proximity of their two countries and were easily confounded by outsiders not only due to their close association socially and culturally, but due to their resemblance, and due to the fact that the Midianites and Ishmaelites shared a common ancestry as descendants of Abraham. This is because likely the traders in this story were in a caravan comprised of different tribes or ethnics groups (e.g., Ishmaelites and Midianites), as Adam Clarke suggests in his commentary, and were traveling together for safety. That two nationalities would unite in their journey to Egypt is not far-fetched, since the land of Midian and Edom (the country of Ishmael) were contiguous—the former was located south of the latter. The Midianites would have had to travel northward toward Edom to get around the Gulf of Aqaba in order to traverse the Sinai Peninsula en route to Egypt. Therefore, it is not inconceivable that these two groups of traders could have converged and joined together in their trek to Egypt. Thus the apparent discrepancies in this story neither invalidates the correctness of the Bible nor proves that this narrative derives from the convergence of two separate oral traditions that were later written down as some modern biblical scholars suggest (e.g., The Language and Imagery in the Old Testament, pp. 38–39, by J.C.L. Gibson).
Genesis 37:28,Twenty shekels of silver.This was the price that Moses later fixed to the value of a boy between the ages of five and twenty (Lev 27:5), while the average price for a male adult slave was 50 shekels of silver (Exod 21:32). An adult female was valued at 30 shekels of silver (Lev 27:4). This price was based on the value of work an individual could produce in a year. To slave owners, humans slaves were a mere commodity.
Genesis 38
The story of Judah and Tamar is inserted here likely to show the background and origins of the kingly Jewish lineage that produced the Yeshua the Messiah.
Genesis 38:10,The thing which he did. Onan refused to perform his levirate responsibilities likely because of greed. As second of three sons, he would have received only one fourth of Judah’s inheritance with the double portion going to the firstborn son. With the first born son dead, Onan stood to receive two thirds of the inheritance, since now he was the firstborn son. However, by raising up a son to take Er’s place, this would have given that son one-half of Judah’s inheritance and dropped Onan back down to one fourth of the inheritance again. Onan stood to gain financially by not performing his levirate responsibilities and rasing up a son to his older, deceased brother. Therefore, it appears that Onan spilled his seed on the ground because of greed, which is the real reason YHVH killed him. Bluntly speaking, YHVH did not kill him because he masturbated as is often supposed. Rather, he withdrew himself during coitus and ejaculated on the ground. That is to say, he enjoyed the sensual pleasure of sex without fulfilling his responsibility—a totally selfish, self-serving act, and therefore an illegal act of fornication.
Judah and Tamar
Genesis 38:16–19,The power of the sex drive in men causing them to act foolishly. The desire (or need) for sexual fulfillment is a powerful force in men that must be mastered, channelled or contained. It not, then unscrupulous women can use it to their advantage as Tamar did here, and as Solomon warns men against in the first few chapters of the Book of Proverbs. The need for sex can cause men to do foolish things and allow them to slip into compromising situations even resulting in their being blackmailed, as was the case with Tamar vis-à-vis Judah. It was foolish of him to give his personal items to an unknown stranger, yet he acquiesced to this unwise act due to his inability to control his sex drive. Instead of him ruling it, it ruled him. He failed to follow the advise that Elohim gave to Cain in Genesis 4:7. “And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Wise men will immediately flee youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22)!
The conflict between the Jews (and Christians) and the Arabs has ancient roots. In Genesis 32, Esau (the father of many of the modern Palestinians) and his army stood in the way preventing Jacob (the father of Jews and Israelites) and his descendants from returning to their homeland—the land YHVH had promised to them. This historical event is prophetic of what will happen in the end times as the Jews and the rest of the Israelites endeavor to receive their promised inheritance and the kingdom of Elohim.
Not only that, YHVH used Esau to test Jacob, who had grown overly self-confident due to his business acumen, wealth and his ability to produce a large family clan. In the ancient world and in a tribal sense, he had reached the pinnacle of wealth and power. However, what mattered to YHVH more than these things was the character of a man. Would Jacob have faith in his Creator, or would he trust in his own abilities to outwit his adversaries and come out on top as he had done twice previously with his brother Esau and Uncle Laban? Jacob’s confrontation with his brother at the threshold of the land of Israel and his wrestling with the Messenger from heaven were the two tests that he had to pass. The Bible calls this Jacob’s Trouble and prophesies that something similar will occur in the end times to Jacob’s descendants(Jer 30:7).
As we read in Genesis 32, Jacob divided his wives and children into two camps (Gen 32:1, 7). This was prophetic of what would eventually occur to the nation of Israel after the death of King Solomon. The one nation of Israel became two houses or kingdoms—the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Judah) and the Southern Kingdom of Israel (or the northern ten tribes). The descendants of these two kingdoms are presently—loosely speaking—the Jews and the Christians (we have discussed and proven this point biblically elsewhere). But who are the descendants of Esau historically and, more importantly, today, and why is it important to know?
Many, if not most of the modern Moslems (especially the Arabs) trace their lineage back if not biologically then spiritually to Ishmael, the son of Abraham by Hagar. Islam in its religious book, the Koran, claims that it was Abraham and Ishmael who founded the religion of Islam and built the Kaaba, which is the small building containing a stone that supposedly fell from heaven. This shrine is located in the midst of great mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Of Ishmael and his descendants, the Bible prophesies in Genesis 16:11–12,
The angel of YHVH said to her further, “Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son; and you shall call his name Ishmael, because YHVH has given heed to your affliction. And he will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.”
The Koran has further twisted the biblical account to declare that the patriarchs (i.e., Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) were actually Muslims, and that Abraham gave the birthright blessing to Ishmael instead of Isaac. Both Israelites and Arabs, therefore, believe that they have a right to the Promised Land of Canaan, and, hence, this disagreement is at the roots of the modern Arab-Israeli conflict.
The Scriptures further record that Esau (or Edom), the disinherited son of Isaac, also had ought against his brother Jacob, who, in a sense, stole the birthright promise from him. Furthermore, Esau married the daughter of Ishmael (Gen 28:9). Thus, some of Ishmael’s and Esau’s descendants merged becoming a people-group, who continued the jealous feud with the sons of Jacob or Israel.
The Bible has more to say prophetically about the descendants of Esau, who scripturally are referred to as Edom (Esau’s nickname) than about those of Ishmael. Edom is portrayed as an aggressive and bloodthirsty people, who are opposed to Israel at every step. We will discover what the Scripture have to say about this below.
In the mean time, let’s take a closer look at Edom.
Esau and Edom (meaning “red”) are synonymous (see Gen 25:25, 30; 36:1, 8–9, 19, 43).
Esau intermarried with the descendants of Ishmael (Gen 28:9).
Seir is another name for the land of Edom (Gen 32:3; 33:16; 36:8).
Esau intermarried with the people of Canaan (Gen 36:2), the Hittites, the Hivites, as well as the Ishmaelites.
His descendants included the Amalekites (Gen 36:12, 16), who fought against the children of Israel upon leaving Egypt and as soon as they had entered the wilderness en route to the Promised Land (Exod 17:1).
Esau’s sons were dukes or chieftains (or leaders of clans) and became kings (Gen 36:15–16, 40–43).
Although Esau’s direct lineage was confined to the area of the traditional land of Edom, it is clear from the biblical record that he and his descendants intermarried with many of the neighboring nations, so that his descendants were scattered far and wide over the region that later became known as the Holy Land.
The entire one-chapter Book of Obadiahis a prophecy against Edom. Let’s note several key points in Obadiah’s prophecy that give us insights who the modern descendants of Edom are in light of end-time Bible prophecy. This will in turn help us to understand end-time world politics and give us a further clue to identifying America in prophecy. Let’s analyze some key verses in Obadiah in light of end-time events.
Verse 2, The descendants of Edom are greatly despised (scorned, held in contempt, disdained).
Verse 3, They dwell in the clefts (places of concealment, retreats) of the rocks. They are proud and view themselves as invincible.
Verse 4, YHVH promises to bring Edom down.
Verse 7, Edom has a confederacy (league, alliance) of nations, which include many of the modern Moslem and Arab nations.
Verse 11, Edom’s eyes are on Jerusalem. Edom along with his foreign allies will cast lots for Jerusalem (seek to divide it among the nations/religions of the world as an international city under the control of the United Nations?).
Verse 13, Edom has entered into the gates of the land of Israel in the day of her calamity or disaster.
Verse 14, Edom will kill Jewish refugees trying to escape the land of Israel in her time of distress.
Verse 15, The time frame of the fulfillment of these prophecies is “near” the day of YHVH, when he will judge Edom and the other heathen nations that have come against his people.
Verse 16, Edom will be drinking (celebrating?) on the Temple Mount or YHVH’s “holy mountain,” and, as a result, they shall drink the cup of YHVH’s wrath.
Verse 17, The house of Jacob will eventually retake possession of the Temple Mount.
How many descriptions of the modern Palestinian and other Islamic terrorists do we see in prophecies of Obadiah? What other people-group fits this description? Is Edom not a picture of many modern-day Palestinians and their Moslem backers who hate the Jews, the state or nation of Israel and America as well as Christians and Jews in general?
Elsewhere have discussed who Jacob represents in end-time Bible prophecy. Now we are discovering from the Scriptures who the arch-enemy of Jacob’s biological and spiritual descendants will be, and who will attempt to prevent them from returning to the land of Israel. This will happen in the end times before the coming of the Messiah. (I discuss this issue in more detail in my commentary on Genesis chapter 32 about “Jacob’s Trouble” as he encountered Esau when returning to the land of Canaan.)
Edom Has a Perpetual Hatred for Jacob (Judah and Ephraim)
As we have noted, Edom’s hatred for Israel has its roots in the antagonism between Ishmael and Isaac, and then afterwards between Esau and Jacob. The hatred that Esau had for Israel has been passed on down to successive generations of Edomites to modern times. The biblical prophets discusses this murderous antagonism on Edom’s part as being carried down generation to generation to the very end times. Let’s review some of these biblical prophecies.
Ezekiel 36 speaks about the conflict between end-times Edom and end-times Israel. In verse two, we see that the enemies of Israel have regarded the “ancient high [or declared, promised] places” of Israel as “ours in possession.” This is a clear reference to the holy places in Israel (e.g., the Temple Mount for the Jews and Bethlehem for the Christians—only in recent years have the Palestinians taken Bethlehem and forced—out of persecution and intimidation—the majority of the large Christian population of that city to leave). “High places” can also refer to the militarily strategic high places such as the Golan Heights, Mount Hermon and the ridges surrounding the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Next, let’s look at Ezekiel 35, which is another prophecy against Edom. In verses four through five, we see that end-times Edom will be devastated because of its perpetual hatred for the children of Israel. They have killed their enemies by the power of the sword. This is how Islam has traditionally spread—by the curved scimitar sword. Advancing Moslem armies force its captives to leave, covert or die. According to Ezekiel 35:5, this will be occurring during the time of the punishment (of the children of Israel?) at the time of the end (NAS) or the end of time (lit. Hebrew). This is another example of YHVH’s using Edom (Esau) to bring Ephraim and Judah to its knees in the time of the end.
