~ Prove all things; hold fast on that which is good. I Thessalonians 5:21
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Genesis 49:11-19


i.      Genesis 49:11 – Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
§        Choice vines will be in abundance, so much that one would tie his ass to it
§        The press will be so full of grapes that it will reach up to the garments and stain them
j.      Genesis 49:12 – His eyes [shall be] red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
§        Does this point back to Judah or is it still pointing to Shiloh?
§        Much of what is said regarding the destiny of Judah can be applied to the Lord Jesus Christ in that:
o       He is the Lord of His Father’s Children
o       He receives the praise of the “joint heirs”
o       He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah
·        Revelation 5:5 - And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda
o       He possesses the scepter
·        Hebrews 1:8 - But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.
o       He is the lawgiver
·        James 4:12 - There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
o       He is Shiloh that will gather the people of the nations
·        John 12:32 - And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.
o       He is living water, the vine that we are to abide in that refreshes the soul.
·        John 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
·        Isaiah 55:1 - Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
§        We can see that Judah will be very prosperous and we need look no further than Solomon to see this fulfilled.  Yet even today we see Judah is very prosperous.
k.      Genesis 49:13 – Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he [shall be] for an haven of ships; and his border [shall be] unto Zidon.
§        Zebulun à exalted
§        Jacob prophecies:
o       Dwell in haven of sea
·        Joshua 19:10-11 - And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families: and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid: And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that [is] before Jokneam;
·        But is this the “latter days”?
o       Shall be a haven for ships
o       Border unto Zidon
·        Zidon - צידון Tsiydown, ancient Phoenician city, on Mediterranean coast north of Tyre; means hunting
o       1 Chronicles 12:33 - Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: [they were] not of double heart.
·        The tribe of Zebulun is later known for being skilled with weaponry and their loyalty to the king.
l.      Genesis 49:14 – Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
m.      Genesis 49:15 – And he saw that rest [was] good, and the land that [it was] pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
§        Isaachar à there is recompense
§        Jacob prophecies:
o       Strong ass couching between two burdens
o       Became a servant to tribute
§        Two burdens - משפתים mishpath, masculine noun 1) fire-places, ash-heaps 2) sheepfolds, saddlebags
§        Spiritually and perhaps mentally lethargic and utterly unambitious. Seeing the prospect of "rest" and a good "land" and "pleasant," this tribe would rather surrender other advantages and become a group who would "stoop over with the shoulder to take on a burden," working for others in work that required only the contented exertion of brute strength, Yea, they were ready to become a "toiling labour band" for others as long as a fair measure of ordinary creature comforts could be enjoyed. Such an unprogressive, unambitious attitude has nothing noble about it. Leupold, Commentary on Genesis
§        The name Issachar is related to the root sakkîr, "a day labourer"
o       Is Jacob warning him not to set his goals too low?
§        1 Chronicles 12:32 - And of the children of Issachar, [which were men] that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them [were] two hundred; and all their brethren [were] at their commandment.
o       Did the tribe heed Jacob’s warning in becoming men who had understanding of the times?
§        What Issachar the individual demonstrated as a trait Jacob prophecies the entire tribe will develop
n.       Genesis 49:16 – Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
o.      Genesis 49:17 – Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
§        Dan à a judge
§        Jacob prophecies:
o       Shall judge his people
·        Samson was one of the most famous of the judges
·        Judges 13:2…24 - And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name [was] Manoah; and his wife [was] barren, and bare not… And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
o       Shall be a serpent by the way
·        Will be a subtle, but powerful warrior
·        Samson was of the tribe of Dan
o       Will bite the horse’s heel
o       Several ancient records report that a Semitic people called Danaan were expelled from Egypt and sailed to Greece to establish the early Greek civilization.  Could this Danaan be a reference to a portion of the tribe of Dan?
§        Dan brought idol worship into the camp at several points
o       Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
o       1 Kings 12:28-30 – Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.  And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went [to worship] before the one, [even] unto Dan. 
·        Jereboam set these sites up out of jealousy if fear that if Israel returned to Jerusalem to worship that the two kingdoms would reunite and he would lose his throne.
o       Amos 8:14 They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.
§        Is it possible that this phrase “serpent by the way” refers to the antichrist descending from the tribe of Dan? Some scholars believe this
o       Daniel 11:37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
·        Specifically mentions “the God of his fathers” which gives some indication that he will be of the tribes of Israel
o       Jeremiah 8:16-17 – The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.  For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which [will] not [be] charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
§        Dan is vacated from the tribes of the 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe) but is redeemed in the millennium
o       Revelation 7:5-8 – Of the tribe of Juda [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.
·        Levi is added in lieu of Dan
o       Ezekiel 48:1 - Now these [are] the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east [and] west; a [portion for] Dan.
§        1 Chronicles 12:35 - And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
§        Judges 18:29 - And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city [was] Laish at the first.
o       The children of Dan seemed to have an affinity for naming regions after themselves and could be an identifying characteristic for identifying the tribe in history.
o       Judges 5:17 - Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
·        Tells us that at least a portion of Dan were sea dwelling people
o       The following geographical features have some form of Dan in their name:
·        Dnieper – major European river in Ukraine
·        DniesterEastern Europen river that empties into the Black Sea
·        Danube – major river that transverses most of Europe
·        Eridanus – The mythical name for the River Po of northern Italy
·        Anodanus – another name for the Rhone river of Switzerland and France
·        Codanus Sea (Baltic)
·        Scandianavia
·        Sweden
·        Denmark
o       Could it be that the Danites of the tribe of Dan eventually became the Danes of Denmark and were prominent Vikings who sailed with a serpent or dragon head on their ships?  There are vast amount of articles that both speculate and provide evidence that Dan was a tribe of explorers and were a fierce bunch
p.      Genesis 49:18 – I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
§        Salvation…this is the first mention of the word salvation in the Bible, what is the Hebrew word for salvation? ישועה yĕshuw`ah, the name of our Lord and Savior whom we refer to as Jesus Christ.  Here after blessing Dan, Jacob calls out for salvation and in doing so calls out for Y’shuah!
§        Waited - קוה qavah, to wait, look for, hope, expect
o       Jacob waits, expects, is looking for the salvation of YHVH, which is Y'shuah Ha MaShiach, Jesus the Christ! In the midst of his prophetic blessing.
§        Hebrews 11:13-14 - These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
o       This is the salvation for which Jacob waited
q.       Genesis 49:19 – Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
§        Gad àa troop
§        Jacob prophecies:
o       A troop shall overcome
·        1 Chronicles 12:14 - These [were] of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least [was] over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
·        Jeremiah 49:1 - Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why [then] doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
·        Deuteronomy 33:20 - And of Gad he said, Blessed [be] he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.
                                                                                                                i.     Moses prophesied that Gad will become a nation with a large population and will build a strong military under it’s rulers that it will use against other nations.
                                                                                                               ii.     Jacob prophesies that in the latter days this militaristic nation of Gad “will be overcome”
o       He will overcome at the last
·        If Jacob were speaking of a nation in the latter days, what nation could “fit the bill” of rising to power with a fierce military only to be overcome by an alliance of other nations?
·        Additionally since this nation was initially overcome, they have regained prominence on the world stage.
·        Could Gad be Germany who rose to power with a strong military lashing out aggressively at neighboring nations only to be overcome by an alliance of nations?  Since then Germany has recovered to produce the fourth largest GDP among all nations.  Something to consider.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Genesis 42:25-38


b.      Genesis 42:25- Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
·        Acts 8:20 - But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
o       By returning their money, Joseph’s actions demonstrate that the gifts of God cannot be purchased with money.  Salvation is a gift, the corn represents salvation for Israel and it is a gift from Jesus, whom Joseph represents.
o       Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
§        What Joseph’s brothers did to him was worthy of death, but instead he chose to forgive them and thereby save all Israel
§        Similarly, what we did to Jesus with our sin was worthy of death, yet He chooses to forgive us.
o       Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
§        We cannot save ourselves, no matter how hard we work, how much money we have or who we know, it is a gift of God
o       Psalm 3:8 - Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.
·        Acts 4:12 - … there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
·        Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
II.               The brother’s return to Jacob (Genesis 42:26-38)
a.      Genesis 42:26- And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.
·        No indication of how many asses or how many bags of corn
·        Could have been a 1 ass per brother and 1 sack per ass or more.
b.      Genesis 42:27- And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it [was] in his sack's mouth.
·        Alludes to the fact that salvation cannot be purchased, it is a gift
c.      Genesis 42:28- And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, [it is] even in my sack: and their heart failed [them], and they were afraid, saying one to another, What [is] this [that] God hath done unto us?
·        Why were they afraid? A guilty conscience results in fear.
·        Fear is not of God, fear is of the adversary and uses our imagination against us to conjure fear within ourselves.
·        Something good happens and they tremble in fear, no faith, no trust in their God.
d.      Genesis 42:29- And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
e.      Genesis 42:30- The man, [who is] the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
·        Joseph was lord of the land representative of Jesus being Lord of all.
·        Isaiah 66:1 - Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?
f.       Genesis 42:31- And we said unto him, We [are] true [men]; we are no spies:
g.      Genesis 42:32- We [be] twelve brethren, sons of our father; one [is] not, and the youngest [is] this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
h.      Genesis 42:33- And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye [are] true [men]; leave one of your brethren [here] with me, and take [food for] the famine of your households, and be gone:
i.       Genesis 42:34- And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye [are] no spies, but [that] ye [are] true [men: so] will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
j.       Genesis 42:35- And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money [was] in his sack: and when [both] they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.
·        Even Jacob was fearful of the blessing
k.      Genesis 42:36- And Jacob their father said unto them, 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.
·        Through our ignorance and mistake, and the weakness of our faith, we often apprehend that to be against us which is really for us. We are afflicted in body, estate, name, and relations; and we think all these things are against us, whereas these are really working for us the weight of glory.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary
l.       Genesis 42:37- And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
·        What an offer, “Dad, if I don’t bring your son back, kill your 2 grandsons”  I’m sure that was not a very tempting offer for Jacob.
·        Its obvious Reuben has the best intentions in mind, but his offer indicates his zeal is greater than his intelligence
m.    Genesis 42:38- And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
·        Sometimes fear is paralyzing…does it make sense to not send Benjamin and guarantee that everyone dies, or send him with the possibility that the lord of the land is truthful?
·        Sometimes we irrationally hold onto people or things that we don’t wish to part with, rather than give them up to the Lord.  Examples could include:
o       Parents and children
o       Boyfriends and girlfriends
o       Spouses
o       Siblings
o       Friends
o       2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
o       1 Timothy 2:3-4 - For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
§        God’s desire is for all of his people to be saved, we sometimes need to let go and trust God.  Trust Him and He will amaze you.