Genesis 42:8 And Joseph knew
his brethren, but they knew not him.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
When Joseph became ruler over Egypt, his name was changed, and
his identity was altered so that he no longer appeared or lived as a
shepherd son of Israel from the land of Canaan, but as an Egyptian Prime
Minister. The transformation was so thorough that when his ten brothers
arrived in Egypt he was totally unrecognizable to them. This true story
beautifully illustrates Mashiach ben Yosef (Yeshua/Jesus at His first
coming), and contains a prophetic picture pointing to Yeshua and His
Jewish people living today as we approach the Second Coming.
Several details elaborate this amazing parallel. After Joseph
was rejected by his brothers and sent to Egypt, his life naturally began
to develop in the nation of his exile, including the learning of its
language and culture. Constantly proving his capacity, responsibility and
leadership, Joseph was ultimately embraced by the Egyptians, exalted, and
given an Egyptian bride (Asenath, daughter of the priest of On). In like
manner the rejection of Yeshua by the Jews of His day resulted in His
becoming a light to the Gentiles, who rightly accepted and exalted Him, so
that in many ways He seemed to take on a Gentile identity and
characteristics. As He betrothed Himself to this predominantly Gentile
"Church" (with its Jewish roots), He ironically became virtually
unrecognizable to His own Jewish people.
To illustrate further, Yeshua and His disciples had lived and
worshiped according to the Biblical Jewish calendar: Shabbat, Passover,
Shavuot, Sukkot, Feast of Dedication (Chanukah). The later Christian
(largely Gentile) church instead adapted and transformed pagan festivals
and used them in their worship calendar, changing the cultural expression
of the Jewish Messiah and His original followers to a Gentile expression,
and even proscribing the use of Jewish festivals in "Christian" worship.
All the while, Yeshua's true nature and identity remained, even as
Joseph's did.
But through these parallels we can begin to understand the
portent of Joseph's experience with his brothers; weeping bitterly when he
first recognized them; then, carefully arranging the circumstances which
would bring them to repentance, and finally, removing the Egyptians, for
the dramatic revelation of his true identity to his brothers, the sons of
Jacob. Likewise, Yeshua, weeping over His Jewish brothers, finally gathers
them back into the Promised Land, begins to arrange the circumstances
which will bring them to repentance, so that finally at some final private
revelation,"they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn for
Him" in amazed gratitude. [Zechariah 12:10].
God, Himself, working behind the scenes, has allowed Satan to do
his blinding work on Israel, for a season, while gathering the Gentiles
into His fold. But this season is ending. The mystery of Israel's
blindness is being broadly revealed, prompting the prayers of millions of
Gentile believers, and their love for Yeshua and His Jewish brethren is
making Israel jealous; so the veil is being removed from Jewish eyes, just
as it was from Joseph's brothers.
And what is our part? To understand the times and seasons in
which we live, to pray and labor for both the
fullness of the Gentiles and the spiritual revival of Israel which will
usher in the coming of Messiah and life from the dead! Through the story
of Joseph and the prophetic revelation of both Testaments we know that all
Israel will be saved, with the fullness of the Gentiles. Since much of the
world is still blinded to Messiah, we need to make the most of every
opportunity to open blind eyes, Jewish or Gentile.
Let us reveal Yeshua to the entire
world, especially reaching those whom the Lord has placed in our lives.
Every time Yeshua is truly revealed, another one of "Joseph's brothers"
can weep with joy, gratitude and amazement, that a humble Suffering
Servant is also a great and glorious King! (George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah)
Laudetur Jesus Christus! From Jarrow's Tower: "Glorious St Bede Pray That We May Praise God For All Eternity" For God Our Lady And Saint Bede! A Voice And Springboard For Promoting Catholic Orthodoxy, Tradition, Truth And Christian Principles In South Tyneside! That The Voice Of Peter In The Person Of The Supreme Sovereign Roman Pontiff May Be Heard In These Uncertain Times: Tu Es Petrus!
3 September 2012
Afternoon Thoughts-As brothers who are blinded - open their eyes!:
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