The Sons of Jacob - Part 4.
P. Ben [June 2015]
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Zebulun and
Issachar refer to the present state of things in relation to
The nation (Zebulun) becomes a
haven of ships for a world of commerce (Zidon).
Further it is seen that the nation (Issachar) embraced slavish tribute to
gentile power in order to realize security and peace.
After this ignominious condition, the nation finds itself
introduced into a new scheme of things. This new order stems out from Dan
judging his people. Here, the nation serves the political power of the
antichrist (false prophet) who reigns no doubt as a recognized power (Judge)
but to the effect of subverting the interest of the nation culminating in
national self destruction (the horse heels bitten and the rider false
backward)*.
*The thin line between the present order (Zebulun and Issachar) of things and future state of
antichristian order (Dan) is maintained by extraordinary events which when
referred to elsewhere speaks of the rapture, which however is not the subject
here.
This antichristian power draws out the cry of the Jewish
remnant in v18- ‘I have waited for they salvation, O LORD’. Consequent to this cry- a powerful change is
effected under Gad, Asher and Naphtali.
The nation (Gad) which is then represented by the remnant is
given the power to overcome the apparently unrestrained diabolical forces of
those times. The nation (Asher) becomes self sufficient in yielding royal
dainties without the need for servitude (Issachar) and commerce (Zebulun). Further, the nation (Naphtali) becomes a hind let
loose in freedom from bondage under the relationships of law securing above it the
grasp of prophetic wisdom (goodly words) which is owned in the Person of Christ
shown here under Joseph and Benjamin*.
* It is observed that the nation is upheld in triumphant
victory (v19 to v21) when bracketed between the cry of the remnant in v18 and
Christ shown as Joseph and Benjamin in v22 to 27.
From v22 to v26, Joseph (Christ) is presented as on earth
and then in the heavenlies above the messianic
positions of earth- separate from his brethren. Joseph is a fruitful bough by a
well- Christ sits on the well in John 4 testifying Himself to be Christ- I that
speak unto thee am he (John 4:26). But the archers have shot at him- rejected
as Messiah on earth does not upset the counsels of Ps 2- Christ is the Shepherd
and Stone of Israel (the anointed King in connection with the mighty God of
Jacob) which will never change. But more than the emblems of messianic power,
it is Joseph (Christ) separate from his brethren- hidden in the heavenlies and made the source of all blessings that can
ever accrue to man. Joseph presents to us Christ as Saviour
of the world, as Shepherd and Stone of Israel and as the resource of
unrestrained blessing to man in ineffable perfection before God.
Lastly, v27 presents Christ as Benjamin devouring the prey
and dividing the spoil. Here it is Christ in messianic power executing
vengeance on earth against the infidel and subversive anti-Zion forces.
The whole moral history of the nation and her triumphant
victory in connection with the remnant’s cry to the gracious intervention of
Christ as Benjamin is presented in this chapter. Christ as
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