The Sons of Jacob - Part 2.
P. Ben [April 2015]
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[Correction: In the previous article titled - THE SONS OF
JACOB- Part 1: (Bible Study 10), line No 19- ‘In Chapter 40, Joseph (Christ) becomes the head of the gentile world’.
It should be- ‘In Chapter 41, Joseph (Christ) becomes the head of
the gentile world’]
From Chapter 42 to Chapter 47, the visit of Joseph’s
brethren and the subsequent revelation of Joseph to his brethren leading to the
prosperity enjoyed by them in the country of Goshen is narrated.
This is juxtaposed with latter day prophetic profiles of the Jewish remnant and
their eventual blessing.
The crucial undertaking of the ten brothers to travel all
the way to Egypt
makes up the serious substance of prophecy. It is the endearing affections of
the Jewish remnant of the latter days. The high point
is reached* in the conversations between Judah and Jacob (Ch 43:9), besides the
all important confessions of Judah
before Joseph in Chapter 44.
*Judah’s
insistence on returning to Egypt
along with Benjamin discloses a remarkable promise- ‘I will be surety for him’
(v9). Judah is the nation
apart from the ancient Samaria,
but then it is the very nation that had wallowed long in the cardinal sin of
Christ’s betrayal and death. It is Judah that survived the Babylonian
captivity and returned to precipitate the final act of sin, which is Christ’s
rejection. Judah though
particularly guilty of Christ’s death proves to be at the same time the sluice
of fathomless power- Christ belongs to Judah. Here Benjamin is Christ
Himself in power over His enemies. Judah becomes the surety for
Benjamin. To look for messianic emblems of power in disassociation with Jesse’s
tribe is farce. Judah
serves not as surety for Joseph- the nation does not hold the key of counsels
as regards to Christ’s exaltation and His associations with the church in the
heavenly places (Joseph’s character). The nation rather holds the key of
counsels as regards to Christ in messianic glory (Benjamin character) on
earth.
In Chapter 44, the crescendo of confession is reached. Judah steps
forward and speaks on behalf of all the Jacob’s household- a poignant moment of
grace working in the heart of the remnant producing repentance and bitter
tears. Judah seizes the moment acknowledging the death of Joseph (v20 and v28)
and the inevitability of Benjamin’s return failing which Jacob’s death is
sealed-‘his life is bound up in the lad’s life’ v30 and v 31. The elements of
confession included the acknowledging of Christ’s death (death of Joseph*) and
the pressing need for Christ to return to Israel
in messianic glory failing which the nation of Israel shall suffer extinction.
Benjamin (Christ) should return if Jacob (Israel) should not perish. The
astonishing truth that pervades the whole scene is that confession is made
meanwhile to Joseph (not yet discerned). The Jewish remnant’s confession and
pleading is to Christ’s return as messiah in power and glory.
*Here the death of Joseph brought out in Judah’s
confession is the typical acknowledgment of Christ’s death though literally
Joseph was not dead. Types are not esoteric pretensions but presentations of
Christ in various hues of glory.
The view that the future remnant should look for deliverance
from a Messiah whose previous history is unknown to them is grueling to the
ears of any proper student of prophecy. The remnant’s understanding of
forgiveness is strictly governmental in scope and settings before the return of
Christ in power. The ideas of atonement and pardoning grace efficacious of
Christ’s precious blood on the cross are dwelt upon by the remnant but this
constitutes later developments.*
*Genesis holds the key to government, Exodus to redemption
but atonement and the blood is the subject of Leviticus.
To be continued in the Lord’s will.
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