Seeds of Restoration

Joseph is gone…but the testimony of his life to God’s faithfulness remains eternal for all to hear from the written Torah.  This dreamer of dreams humbly walked out the faith of his fathers, submitting himself fully to the will of God.  While Joseph experienced the pain of betrayal and rejection, false accusations and lonely separation, he also came to know the true joy and peace that can only be known by placing your life into God’s hands.  Thru the life of Joseph one is able to see so clearly how that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”. Though he endured many years of trials and temptations it is clear that God was in control and working in the life of Joseph to bring about His perfect will.  ”But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Most importantly perhaps, the life of Joseph reminds us that love must never be defined as just a feeling… or as a stand alone emotion.  Instead, real love will always manifest itself thru action as well as forgiveness and cannot be separated from its constant companion…sacrifice.

Now I know that the story of Joseph in Scripture is an accurate account of the life and times of an actual man who lived and died.  It all happened. And as I have already stated, the lessons to be learned are priceless in the life of a Believer.  Yet just as priceless is the way in which almost every aspect of Joseph’s life speaks prophetically to both the identity and to the nature of Messiah and His redemptive plan for mankind.  It should come as no surprise, that by reviewing the life of Joseph in Scripture one will be reminded of and or pointed to Yeshua (Jesus) at every turn of the page.  In fact we should be seeing glimpses of Messiah throughout all of Scripture. “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself”.  Luke 24:27 As Christians, I believe it is so important for us to be able to teach people about our faith in God from all of Scripture, not just Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  At a time before there was a “New” testament, Paul told Timothy “that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yeshua.”(2Tim 3:15) Notice that Paul said “wise for salvation” and that he could only have been referring to the Torah.  Now that should be exciting.  Our Jewish brothers and sisters might not receive the Gospel from the book of John so easily, but if we could only learn to introduce them to Jesus in Genesis….  So, with our hearts fixed fully on Messiah, let’s re-examine briefly the life of Joseph, a man sent by God to feed people.  I have entitled this teaching…“The Bread Man”

It had been clearly foretold…prophesied thru dreams in this case, that God Himself had chosen Joseph to “reign” over the sons of Israel. “then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed own to my sheaf.” (Gen 37:7) Joseph had been “anointed” for the task and thru God’s providence this truth was made known to all of his family, to those who had ears to hear.  “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed” (Gen 37:6) God had made it clear that they would all one day bow their knees before this man Joseph, a prospect his brothers were not fond of. “And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”(Gen 37:11) They in fact would reject for a time any notion of him “ruling and reigning” over them. “And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you have dominion over us?” (Gen 37:8) Yet their objections would not be able to change the truth about who Joseph was or God’s divine purpose for him. The family of Joseph would indeed bow down to him.

Thru His prophets, the coming of Messiah had clearly been foretold as well as His eventual reign over all of Israel. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)“And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:33) Actually all of Scripture speaks of Him, often thru a prophetic foreshadowing such as the story of Joseph.  Finally, the attempt to stand against Messiah and His reign will ultimately be in vain as well. “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed One saying, Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.  He who sits in the heavens shall laugh…” (Psalm 2:1-4) “All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him”. (Psalm 72:11)

As the firstborn of Rachel, and as a son of his old age, Scripture makes it clear that Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph very much…”Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children”   However, as you know, this did not sit well with his brethren. “But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.” (Gen 37:4) Yet we find that Joseph was a man with a servant’s heart.  He was ready and willing to do the will of his father including being sent to his brothers, to whom Joseph must have known would reject his coming.   ”And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers feeding in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” So he (Joseph) said to him, “Here I am”. And so we find Jacob, out of concern for his sons, sending his much beloved Joseph away to his brethren and their flocks.   Of course, his brothers and the flocks are not where they should be, and so Joseph must seek after them…”I am seeking my brothers”  (Gen 37:16) And so we see Joseph journey on, willing to go to wherever it is that they might be, in order to “find them”. “So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.” (Gen 37:17)

Yeshua (Jesus) is of course God’s Son.  Just as Joseph was loved by his father Jacob, Scripture makes it clear that the only begotten Son of God was loved by His Father as well. “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) Scripture also makes it clear that like Joseph, some of Yeshua’s own brothers hated Him. “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.” (John 10:31) Yet our Master always had a servant’s heart and He was ready and willing to do the will of His Father, no matter what.   This of course meant being sent into a world that He knew would reject Him. “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34) And so like Jacob, we see God the Father, out of love for His children, sending His beloved Son into the world. “But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.” (John 7:29) And like the sons of Israel, we know that none of us as God’s children were where we should have been when Messiah came to us. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” ( Isaiah 53:6) “ For you were like sheep going astray”…) (1 Peter 2:25) Because of this, Messiah too had to seek His brothers. “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) And thankfully, we know that Messiah was willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to “find” us.  “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

Now when Joseph came to his brothers, the sons of Israel, he is of course not exactly welcomed with open arms.  In fact, some of his brothers seek to kill him.  “Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him.” Others however, seek to protect Joseph. “But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.”(Gen 37:21) But in the end we see Joseph, the willing servant of his father, who had come on a mission of peace to his own, stripped of his garments and cast into a borrowed pit.  Betrayed for the price of a slave, he is then handed over to the gentiles to most likely die. It is interesting that while Rueben sincerely mourned for the loss of Joseph, some of the brothers who actually knew Joseph was alive went to great lengths to cover up the truth of his ascension from the pit. “So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood.”  (Gen 37:31)

There were of course those who welcomed Yeshua and those of His own who despised Him. “Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.  But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.  Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.” (John 11:45-46,53) Just as Joseph was stripped of his garments and cast into a borrowed pit, so too our Messiah would be stripped of his clothes, hung on a cross and then buried in a borrowed “pit”.  Just as Judah had betrayed Joseph for silver, Judas would betray Yeshua for silver.  Interestingly, after having been betrayed, our Lord also is then given over into the hands of the gentiles like Joseph before Him. And while some of those closest to Yeshua sincerely mourn for Him, thinking He is dead…others attempt to cover up the truth of His ascension from the “pit”. “tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole him away while we slept.’ “And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.”  So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” (Matthew 28:13-15)

Joseph was a man who was tried and tempted in many ways during his life, yet always remained faithful to the God of his fathers.  Consider Potiphar’s wife as an example. “So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.”  (Gen 39:10) Now I am sure that this woman was beautiful and that she was a temptress very good at her art, whispering words of sweet sounding enticement in Joseph’s ear day after day. “So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day…” (Gen 39:10) Yet Joseph always flees from temptation. He doesn’t waste time performing a cost/benefit analysis…he just runs. “But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.”  (Gen 39:12) Joseph is more concerned with doing the will of his heavenly Father than in satisfying the desires of his own flesh.  Listen to his heart…“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9) But notice that while Joseph was innocent, in the end he is to be falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and pronounced guilty apart from any fair trial, being forced to pay the price for a sin he did not commit.  I find it interesting that Scripture does not exhibit one word of protest on the part of Joseph. And so we see, one who was blameless being punished and thrown down into the earth…into a dungeon. End of story?  Not hardly.  By this time, we should understand that by the grace and power of God, pits and dungeons have no lasting hold on the life of Joseph.

However severe Joseph must have been tempted, it would not compare to what our Master must have endured.  Hebrews 4:15 says “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Consider Satan in the wilderness as an example of Messiah’s temptations. As with Joseph, time and again the tempter would speak words that had to be sweet sounding to the flesh. “Again, the devil took him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9) Now what Potiphar’s wife offered Joseph was real and his for the taking. As well, Jesus could have had all that Satan offered Him.  But time after time, our Master would flee temptation.  Just as Joseph ran from the house, Yeshua too would run as hard as He could… straight back to Torah. “It is written “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Just like Joseph before Him, Yeshua is more concerned with doing the will of His Father than He is in feeding the flesh.  “Away with you Satan!” For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (Matthew 4:10) As well, like Joseph, Yeshua would eventually be falsely accused, and apart from any fair trial would be forced to pay the price for sins He did not commit, without exhibiting one word of protest. “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and As a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7) Of course like Joseph, the “pit” will have no hold on Messiah either.

As we continue to study Joseph, we see that God has given to him the words of both life and death.  As Joseph is held captive in the dungeon we are shown an interesting exchange with two fellow prisoners….the butler and the baker. Notice that he spoke life to the chief butler…”Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place…” (Gen 40:13) And he spoke death to the chief baker…”Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree…”(Gen 40:19 ) Of course it was as Joseph had spoken. The chief butler was restored while the chief baker was killed and then hung on a tree.

It is obvious of course that God has given His Son the words of both life eternal and everlasting death. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.  For as the Father has life in himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.  Do not marvel at this’ for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (John 5:24-29) With amazing clarity we can see how Yeshua fulfills the Scriptures as He hangs on the cross with the two thieves.   To the one thief He spoke life saying “today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43) while the other thief…much like the chief baker,  would die and hang on a tree.

And so we seeJoseph being used by God to speak truth to both the rich and the poor, to both prisoner and king, always speaking the message of the One who sent him. When Pharaoh is troubled by his two dreams, Joseph is used of God to give the correct interpretation.  But notice Joseph never takes the credit. Before He gives the interpretation He makes sure all know that it will only come from God above. “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace. (Gen 41:16) By the way, if you remember, in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams Joseph spoke of a time of famine lasting seven years and he gave instructions on how to prepare for it. Now, just for fun, allow me to rephrase that a bit… Joseph speaks of a future time of world tribulation…”The famine was over all the face of the earth…” (Gen 41:56) lasting a period of seven years. And, he gives instructions that all might be prepared and be preserved…thru it.

Like Joseph, Yeshua spoke truth to both great and small.  He always gave credit to God the Father, and He only spoke what was told to Him by His Father. “I can of Myself do nothing.  As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”  (John 5:30) As well by the way, Yeshua spoke of a future tribulation that would engulf the world. “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21) He also gave instructions that all might be prepared. “I am the resurrection and the life,.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25) “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew24:44)

Thru it all of course, God has never stopped watching over Joseph and blessing him in all things. “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man;” (Gen 39:2) Because of this, seemingly against all odds, we suddenly find Joseph, who was a prisoner of Pharaoh’s, being given the keys to the dungeon…as well as the keys to the kingdom!  He is brought up out of the earth in order that he might sit at the right hand of Pharaoh having been given authority over all of Egypt.  “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” And we see that indeed all knees do begin to bow down to Joseph just as had been foretold.  “and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!”Gen (41:43)

We know that our Lord Yeshua has been given the keys to both the “dungeon” and to the Kingdom!  Against all odds, He conquered death and rose to sit at the right hand of the Father having been given authority over all the earth. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “ (Matthew 28:18) “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. “ (Revelation 1:18)

Now, you might remember that Joseph was given a new name by Pharaoh.  Instead of using Joseph’s real Hebrew name Yoseph… Pharaoh instead chooses to give him an Egyptian name. “And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah.”  (Gen 41:45) This of course is not the first time we have seen a name change in the Scriptures.  As examples we have witnessed God change the name of Abram to Abraham and Sarai changed to Sarah.  But we should take special note of the fact that in the case of Joseph, it is not God who has made the name change.  It is instead Pharaoh…the proclaimed son of the sun-god, who is attempting to change a name of a son of the One True God.  Interestingly enough, Scripture never acknowledges the change of Joseph’s name.  His name is Joseph (actually Yoseph) before Gen 41:45 and it remains Joseph thereafter.

The name of Messiah is actually Yeshua in Hebrew which means Salvation. This brings out the proper context of Matthew 1:21… “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yeshua (Salvation) for He will save His people from their sins.” In the process of translating Scripture many years ago however…the name of Messiah…Yeshua eventually was changed to Jesus.  In truth however, there is not even a “J” sound in the Hebrew language. Is this a salvation issue?  Do you have to call Jesus…Yeshua to be saved?  Of course not.  While there was a time I did not know His proper Hebrew name, I understood perfectly well who He was and what He had done. I placed my faith in the One to whom I referred to as Jesus, knowing that He was the spotless Lamb of God, giving Himself for me and you on the cross.  I placed my faith in the Anointed One of God. As well, I knew that it was by His blood only I was saved, 100% done deal. Yet, my point is this…Isn’t it interesting that like Joseph, Yeshua is now referred to by a non-Hebrew name out here in “Egypt”?

There is something else that I find interesting. Notice that Joseph will take a bride from “among the gentiles”. “And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On.”  (Gen 41:45) From this union Joseph will be blessed with his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh.  These two boys are the sons of Joseph…future adopted sons of Israel…and yet also sons of a Gentile woman.

Curiously, Joseph was thirty years old when his “ministry” as the “Bread Man” began. “Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt.  And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.”  (Gen 41:46)

“Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age,” (Luke 3:23)

As the words of Joseph come to pass there is indeed “tribulation” in all the lands.  The time to prepare is gone. Amazingly, things only continue to grow more fascinating as we continue to examine Joseph thru the lens of Messiah.  We know that Joseph had “gathered up all the food of the seven years” and that Pharaoh had placed him in charge over all of Egypt.  So…it would seem that everyone…and I mean everyone, would have to eventually come to Joseph to receive the “bread of life”.  “ because the famine was severe in all lands” (Gen 41:57) Notice once again as this is very important…only Joseph was able to save.  In fact, if you tried to bypass Joseph and go directly to Pharaoh…you would come away empty handed. “So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread.  Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you do.” (Gen 41:55) Also take note of the fact that all could come to him. “So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain” (Gen 41:57)

Just as everyone who hungered had to go to Joseph for the “bread of life” so too everyone must come to Yeshua.  He says “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger…” (John 6:35) And like Joseph, there is no bypass around Messiah leading to life. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Finally, just as all the nations were free to come to Joseph…so too are all peoples of the nations invited to come unto Messiah and receive life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

How awesome is our God?  It would appear that He had planned all along to use this time of world tribulation, this time of “trouble for Jacob”, to bring the sons of Israel straight to the feet of Joseph, the only one who has the “bread of life”. “So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.” (Gen 42:3) We know of course that they do not recognize Joseph as their brother, the one they had hated and betrayed. But he knows them. “So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” (Gen 42:8

The Lord is good.  A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7)

You and I know of course that a beautiful reunion between the sons of Israel and Joseph is imminent. But because of everything that has happened, the sons of Israel will continue to be tested for a time. “In this manner you shall be tested” (Gen 42:15 Notice in fact that during this time the sons of Israel experience being cast out, falsely accused…”You are spies!” (Gen 42:9) and even imprisoned… “So he put them all together in prison three days.” (Gen 42:17) in much the same manner that Joseph had been. Although Joseph longs to embrace his brothers, he first needs to know if there has been a change of heart.

As we look back thru history, it would be impossible to ignore the many challenges both physically and spiritually that the sons of Israel have experienced. I do not feel the need to elaborate on the obvious. Yet we should not forget the words of Paul…”For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles (Nations) has come in.  And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written…” (Romans 11:25-26)

In one of the most heart touching parts of this story, we see that it is Judah who begins to take the lead and demonstrate a changed heart during this period of testing.  It is Judah who offers himself as surety to his father when Joseph demands they bring Benjamin back to Egypt. And it is Judah who offers himself to Joseph in place of his brother Benjamin when the silver cup Joseph had planted on Benjamin is discovered. “Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.” (Gen 44:33) Years before it had been Judah who had said of Joseph “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites.” (Gen 37:26-27) Yet now, we see Judah step forward, willing to sacrifice his own life in place of his brother Benjamin, and we see Joseph moved to tears. “Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him” (Gen 45:1) Notice again that Judah steps forward  first, setting the example for the other sons of Israel.  It will be a scene repeated many times in the generations ahead…Judah goes first. “The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set out first according to their armies” (Numbers 10:14)

The Prophet Zechariah speaks of a future time when Judah will be instrumental in leading many to Messiah…”Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zechariah 8:23)

We now come to my favorite part.  While some might consider the reunion of Joseph to his brothers the end of the story, I view it as the beginning. Everything that has happened up to this point has been filtered thru God’s hand in order to reach this “restoration” of sorts.  We all know what happens next, but humor me a bit as I shine the light on things from a different angle. And remember, we are viewing this story with our hearts focused on Messiah.

Now the sons of Israel are not able to recognize the true identity of Joseph on their own. But how could they?  After all, Joseph looks like a sun worshiping Egyptian.  For many years Joseph had been dwelling with the Egyptians, completely removed from the Hebraic context of his own heritage as a son of Israel.  He is called by a different name in Egypt and has taken a wife from among the gentiles.  How could this Egyptian looking “Bread Man” who holds their very lives in his hand, possibly be their brother Joseph, whom they had rejected so long ago?  Now, because it is important, I will repeat myself… The sons of Israel are not able to recognize Joseph on their own. The identity of Joseph will only be revealed to them by Joseph himself. “And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near.  Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.” (Gen 45:4)

Today, many of the sons of Israel are unable to recognize the true identity of Messiah as well.  Western Christianity’s sun-day Jesus bears very little resemblance to the Sabbath keeping, Torah observant Jewish Rabbi named Yeshua.  Like Joseph, Messiah has been for many years, completely removed from His original historical and cultural context and has been made up to look just like…well…an Egyptian so to speak.  Yet like Joseph, He too will reveal Himself.  “And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel, says the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 39:29)

Many times we may ask questions such as “why me?” or “why would God allow that to happen?” “Is their any other way?”  Perhaps Joseph asked these same questions while he was carried into Egypt as a slave, or as he sat in the dungeon of Pharaoh.  Perhaps Joseph begged God to “let this cup pass” if it be possible. We don’t know.  Scripture does not really say. But we do know that at this moment, as Joseph stands reunited with his brothers, he can see the fingerprints of God all over his life and the lives of his brothers. Listen as Joseph tells us in his own words…”But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.  For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.  And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So now it was not you who sent me here, but God and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”  (Gen 45:5-8)

There came a time when Jesus prayed “Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from Me, nevertheless, not My will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Just as Joseph was sent ahead of his brothers to preserve life…so too our Salvation, our Yeshua was sent and willingly came to save us.  Praise the Lord.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

After Joseph reveals his identity to the sons of Israel, he sends them back to get their father. Israel is going to see his much beloved son again before he dies.  The brothers are given carts with much provision and with plans for returning to Egypt with all of their families and livestock.  And so we see something amazing happening once again.  Joseph will in effect, combine the families of his brothers, the sons of Israel, together with his gentile bride and their children, Ephraim and Manasseh, making them into one family.  He will then provide and care for them in a “promised land”.  “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have.  There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” (Gen 45:10-11)

Ezekiel the prophet speaks of Messiah one day uniting His two families together into one as well.  They will live with Him forever in the Promised Land with Him as their King. “Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.” (Ezekiel 37:19) “and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all’ they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.” (Ezekiel 37:23) “Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever, and My servant David shall be their prince forever.” (Ezekiel 37:25) “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd…” (Ezekiel 37:24)

I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11) I am the bread of life. (John 6:48)  

Copyright 2008 Tim C Terry