Gateway To Freedom

Vayechi – And he lived. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. (Genesis 47:28) In this Torah review let us consider the lessons we can learn from the blessings of all the tribes.

VaYechi - And He Lived 

Haftorah

1 Kings 2:1–12

B'rit Chadashah

Goyim's indisputable salvation: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Introduction:

Vayechi – And he lived. This is how this week's parashot begins: And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. (Genesis 47:28) However, the entire portion does not focus upon his seventeen years in Egypt, but rather his prophetic acts and declarations for his sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) as he neared death.

In years past I have focused on two subjects 1) the two-house prophecies in order that we might better know our identities in YHVH's plan and 2) the expanded teaching on the blessing over Judah as it relates to our Messiah. While we can't dismiss those most important subjects, this year let us consider the lessons we can learn and apply to our lives regarding the blessings of all the tribes.

Study:

Chapter 47
Gen 47:28 -30 Jacob lived in the land of Goshen for seventeen years. This was the same length of time he had spent with Joseph before his being sold into slavery. Implied in the meaning of 17 is "good" from the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew word Tov. Thus, the sages deduct that the first and last seventeen years of Jacob's life were the best while those between were described by Jacob as "evil." (Gen 47:9)

At the time of Jacob's departure at the age of 147 years, Joseph was 56 years old (17 years of youth + 22 yrs of bondage + 17 years in Goshen). Jacob's eyesight was failing (as did his father's - Isaac) and as he drew near to death he made Joseph promise that he would bury him in the Hebron burial cave in the land of Canaan (Gen 23:19) along with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca and Leah. (Rachel was buried along the way between Bethel and Bethlehem [Gen 35:18]).

The writings of the Prophet Isaiah may give some insight into the reason why Jacob was so insistent on being buried "in the land." They may have believed that those buried there would be the first to be resurrected in the Messianic age to come.

Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath (restored life/spirit) unto the people upon it (e.g. the land), and spirit to them that walk therein: (Isaiah 42:5)

Gen 47:31 And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head. Following Joseph's pledge to bury Jacob in the land, he bows upon his bed. While the verse doesn't specifically say whether his obeisance is toward Joseph or YHVH, it is definitely an expression of humble gratitude. Most commentators agree that it is recorded here as the fulfillment of Joseph's prophetic dream (Gen 37:9) when the "sun" (father) bowed to him.

Chapter 48
Gen 48:14-20 When Jacob crossed his arms in the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh, he made the sign of the ancient paleo Hebrew letter tav, which looks something like our "t" or "x". The letter tav was a picture-symbol that meant "a mark, sign, ownership, to seal, to make a covenant, to join two things together." Does it not point to the symbolic cross of His crucifixion? Then, in verse 16 Jacob talks about the Angel of the Lord who redeemed him and prophesies that the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh would grow to be a large multitude of people in the midst of the earth. The Jewish rabbis teach that the Hebrew word literally means that they would become like fish in the sea of humanity.

Thus, Jacob prophesied that Ephraim and Manasseh's descendants would have a Messiah who would be their Redeemer and Savior. He made the sign of the cross over them, and ended up by saying that they'd be like fish. What religious group on earth today preaches about a Di¬vine Messenger from heaven who is God (Elohim)(Gen 31:11), speaks about a cross and has a fish as their symbol? That is who Jacob said that many of his grandson's descendants would be coming out of - Joseph.

Chapter 49 – The sons' prophecy (and their fulfillments)

Reuben
49:3,4 The honor of a first born – beginning of strength, excellency of dignity and power.

You threw it away (by defiling the father's bed) and you shall be "unstable as water and not excel." No judge, prophet, nor prince, is found in the tribe of Reuben, nor any person of renown except Dathan and Abiram, who were noted for their rebellion against Moses. That tribe, as not thinking to excel (spiritually, at least), chose a settlement on the other side of the Jordan. Reuben himself seems to have lost all that influence upon his brethren to which his birthright entitled him; for when he spoke unto them they would not hear, (Gen 42:22)

Lesson: For one act of fleshly fulfilment he (Esau also) forfeited his position, honor and blessing. (Notice that the severity seems to be associated with (not) honoring his father; earthly for Reuben, heavenly for Esau.)

Simeon & Levi
49:5 -7 Their soul (habitation) are instruments of cruelty, anger and self will. They "digged down a wall/hamstrung oxen" or literally tore down the alternative for family peace/honor by destroying the Shechemites though dishonor of their father's teachings. Jacob, even as he was approaching death, declares that his soul will not abide with the secret conspiracy of their souls. He also curses their anger – not they themselves. (Is not this dividing between the bone and marrow – between the person and the wicked intents of the heart?) He then prophesied their division.

We must note that they were indeed separated: Levi went to all the cities of Israel and Simeon was so stressed that many of the tribe were forced to disperse themselves in quest of settlements and subsistence (Jos 19:9). This curse was afterwards turned into a blessing to the Levites (as they stood with Moses and then later vanquished the Midianite curse through Phinehas - Num 25:11,12); but the Simeonites, for Zimri's sin (Num. 25:14), had it bound upon them.

Lesson: "Shameful dispersions are the just punishment of sinful unions and confederacies." (Mathew Henry) In other words, to be shamed and scattered in our minds and bodies is a just punishment of sinful associations. (Again, notice the association of (not) honoring their father.)

Judah
Gen 49:8-12 There was no question in the minds of the Jewish rabbis that all the poetic metaphors in these verses pointed toward the Messiah. For example in verse 11, the donkey (the humble, burden bearer) tethered to the vine symbolizes how Messiah's kingdom of peace would dwell amidst Israel, a nation compared by the rabbis to a vine. The Amplified bible says: He (Judah or Shiloh/Messiah) binds his young donkey or burden-bearer unto the vine tree and his she ass's (i.e., apostate Israel, see Isa 1:3–4; Jer 2:24) son to the vine of the choicest, reddest, richest grapes; he (Judah or Messiah) washed by treading like a fuller (a fuller is one who shrinks and thickens woolen cloth by moistening, heating and pressing) his garments or vestures in wine; his robes in the blood of grapes or wine.

The imagery in this verse is very rich, poetic and prophetic of the redemptive work of Messiah at his first advent who, as a son from the tribe of Judah, would bear the sin burden (Isa 53:4; Matt 11:28-30) of his apostate and adulterous people, Israel on his back like a donkey He would be attached to a vine tree (the cross) (even as Isaac foreshadowed being tied to the altar on Mount Moriah) from which the blood of the grapes would flow. He would become sin for his people (2 Cor 5:21; John 3:14) and with the choicest, richest, reddest blood of his grapes (untainted from the sin of Adam because of his virgin birth).

With the wine of his blood, he takes the sins of the people upon himself and cleanses them from their sins, like a fuller (remember the definition of what a fuller does) whereby, though their sins be as scarlet, through his shed blood and his redemptive work at the cross, the sins of Israel would be treaded out and pressed rendering the sins of his people white as wool (Isa 1:18). The prophet Malachi alludes to this very idea in his messianic prophecy of Malachi 3:2–3,

But who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap, and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto YHVH an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:2–3)

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

Truly it will be said of Israel, "These are they which ... have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14,).

Lesson: In the courts of Joseph the heart of Judah was changed. A changed heart (with demonstrable action) has lasting waves throughout all generations (and the Millennial Kingdom).

Zebulon
Gen 49:13 This was fulfilled when, two or three hundred years after, the land of Canaan was divided by lot, and the border of Zebulun went up towards the sea, - Jos 19:10 And the third lot (draw by chance) came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families: and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid: Jos 19:11 And their border went up toward the sea..

Lessson: God's divine providence assures us of the promised blessing. We may think it is by lot, chance or luck, but YHVH so watches over His word to perform it (Ps 119:106) that we can be assured of the outcome. Can we only believe?

Issachar
Gen 49:14,15 Issachar submitted to two burdens, tillage and tribute. He saw that the rest/peace of his husbandry was good and paid much tribute from the fruit of the good land of his inheritance. And yet, he found pleasantness in the toiling of the earth and staying at home rather than being a soldier/warrior (Gad), seaman (Zebulon) or a ruler (Judah). Further, from his quietness he was able to perceive the times (1 Chr 12:22) and seasons not only of the land, environment and sky as any good tiller, but more importantly, - the will of Elohim.

Lesson: In whatever calling or vocation you are called, take your peace knowing that YHVH has directed your footsteps and adds the spiritual gifts and blessings upon the natural.

Dan
Gen 49:16-17 As we reflect upon the obscurity of Dan's prophecy we can think of many possible fulfilments. However, to this author two come to mind that are distinguished by their clarity. First, Dan became the judge of his people in Samson. Secondly, it was even in the city of Dan in which Jeroboam (an Ephramite) erected a golden calf (1 Ki 10:29) to throw the rider (Israel) off its horse to go backward in spiritual progress. While this sin was Jeroboam's origination, apparently Dan's acceptance and worship of it attributed the sin to himself (Amo 8:14).

Lesson: Acceptance of sin among us is a sure way to succumb to its lure and become defiled.

Gen 49:18 Weakened Israel calls upon the Lord for His strength in order to continue.

Gad
Gen 49:19 Jacob refers to Gad as the troop, signifying his name and the character of the warlike tribe. In 1 Chr 12:8 we read that the Gadites were men of war fit for the battle with faces like lions and feet like a roe's (swift). Jacob prophecies that Gad, who would live on the other side of Jordan, would be exposed to the incursions of its neighbors (Moabites and Ammonites). Those "troops" will (and did) overcome them in many skirmishes, and yet, Jacob assures them that they should overcome at the last. This was fulfilled when, in Saul's time and David's, the Moabites and Ammonites were wholly subdued: (1 Chr. 5:18), etc.

Lesson: The cause of God and his people may, for a time, be baffled and run down, yet we will be victorious "at the last!"

Asher
Gen 49:20 Asher will be made even happier because she will not only have the bread of sustenance but be rich and produce "her royal dainties" fit for the kings. For YHVH is bountiful unto Asher providing the spice (abundance/flavoring) along with the corn (necessity). If we put this prophecy together with Moses' we might expect to see the physical source of the future dainties: Deu 33:24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. (Asher's lot bordered upon the Mediterranean seacoast adjacent to Assyria. What is your thought? Does it speak of olive oil or crude?)

Lesson: It is YHVH's grace and pleasure to give us fruit (dainties) fit for THE KING.

Naphtali
Gen 49:21 Naphtali (whose name means wrestle) inherited the Northern most territory of the promised land. There, "wrestles" with the Syrian neighbors were apparent, but Naphtali is as a hind (swift) and of good oratory. In Duet 33:23 Moses said that Naphtali was favored by the Lord and full with YHVH blessing.

Lesson: If we can truly comprehend that we are the apple of YHVH's eye, then we can be full and satisfied even as we are destined to wrestle and overcome the enemies of our soul.

Joseph (Ephraim & Mannaseh)
Gen 49:22-26 Is Joseph made strong by his own might? No! He is made strong "by the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel: SON) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help (SPIRIT OF YHVH) thee; and by the Almighty, (FATHER) who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: " (Genesis 49:24-25)

Lesson: Since this speaks directly to our spiritual heritage (Ephraim), we must never forget from where our power, might and headship has come – Almighty YHVH.

..Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

Benjamin
Gen 49:27 He shall raven as a wolf; it is plain by this that Jacob was guided in what he said by a spirit of prophecy, and not by natural affection; otherwise he would have spoken with more tenderness of his beloved son Benjamin. Jacob foresees and foretells this, that his posterity should be a warlike tribe, strong and daring, and that they should enrich themselves with the spoils of their enemies—that they should be active and busy in the world, and a tribe as much feared by their neighbors as any other: In the morning, he shall devour the prey, which he seized and divided over night. Or, in the first times of Israel, they shall be noted for activity, though many of them left-handed, Jdg. 3:15; 20:16. Ehud the second judge, and Saul the first king, were of this tribe; and so also were Esther and Mordecai, by whom the enemies of the Jews were destroyed, The Benjamites ravened like wolves when they desperately espoused the cause of the men of Gibeah, those men of Belial, Jdg. 20:14. The apostle Paul was of this tribe (Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); and he did, in the morning of his day, devour the prey as a persecutor, but, in the evening, divided the spoil as a preacher. (Mathew Henry)

Lesson: Though Benjamin was the smallest tribe, barely surviving their sin and seemingly always in the shadow of Judah, they were empowered to abundantly bless the nation and the kingdom.

Chapter 50
Gen 50:1-14 When Jacob died what greater exhibition of honor and love could a son show than to weep, fall upon, and kiss the lifeless shell of his father. He also showed honor - not only the honor of his father but himself also by abiding by his promise to perform Jacob's last wishes for burial.

Gen 50:15-21 Joseph comforts his brethren that the salvation that he offered the family was not conditioned upon the life of his father, but solely upon the his promise. It was a lasting protection.

Gen 50:22-26 Joseph dies at 110 years old with a promise and a request to be carried out of Egypt.

Haftorah
1 Kings 2:1-12

Both the Parashah and Haftorah record the last will and testament of Israel's two most prominent figures. Both pass on blessings and guidance to the next generation. Jacob blesses his twelve sons, while David blesses Solomon, his heir apparent, and encourages him to walk in YHVH's Torah, whereby all the tribes of Israel will be blessed. (NL)

Shabbat Shalom,
       Randy 

 

File: Vayehci 2012