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Mark 13:37

Joseph and Benjamin - Part I

Home > Beyond the Veil > The Night of Seven Watches

It is well known that the life of Jacob's son Joseph is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although some of the features that picture our Lord's first coming are generally recognized, those of His now near coming again are not. In this presentation, I'm going to walk you through the Genesis account of Joseph's life showing how Y'shua's life was foreshadowed in detail. Certain other types come into view along the way revealing the characteristics of and relationships between the Heavenly Father, the church, the Bride, 144,000 Jews and their close relatives. What I learned in the study of this account has been the valuable basis for many further revelations. The end time scenario shown in this article will be referenced frequently in this series because it so plainly declares many very important events.

Let's begin. Please read Genesis 37-42 before you continue. Really. Don't shortchange yourself by continuing reading here until you've done so.

Ready? Let's begin.

What? If there a son who might be said to be born to Israel in his old age, it would be Benjamin, not Joseph. Why does the narrative say he loved Joseph most because he had been born to him in his old age? Either Jacob was perhaps becoming senile or there's an underlying truth being brought to our attention.

Here's a visual aid.

If we substitute Y'shua for Joseph in our interpretation of the verse, since he is the antitypical Joseph, we can see that he was born of the lineage of Israel in a time far removed that can well be described as in Jacob's or Israel's "old age." From this perspective, the expression makes sense. Especially when you take the richly ornamented robe into account; a robe fit for a prince (of peace) or a king (of kings). Jacob as Joseph's father in this prophetic snapshot represents Y'shua's father, God, HaShem, Yahweh, who loves that son most!

So Joseph was loved more by Jacob because he was born in his old age. Yes, that's an intriguing statement. It may have come to your mind as it did mine that his being loved more might have had something to do with his being the first born son (and only son, at that moment in time) of his favorite wife. It is very probable that Rachel was pregnant with Benjamin at that very time of verse 3's narrative and there is to be seen in all of this an implicit reference to Benjamin. Benjamin was about to be brought forth who was truly the last born son. He was brought forth fully seventeen to eighteen years after Joseph, the last born of his other sons.

The meanings of proper names found in the Bible are always significant. When understood relative to the contexts in which they appear, the names reveal the prophetic role being played. When Rachel bore Joseph, she named him in a peculiar manner based not upon his own attributes, merit or uniqueness but in an expression of hope by relation to one not yet born. In bearing Joseph, she anticipated another son.

Joseph means "let him add," or, "add thou Jehovah." Because of the way Rachel named Joseph, whenever we come upon his name, we should have the sense that he is not alone, that there is also a brother, or offspring. You see, by reason of his name, Joseph cannot be disassociated from Benjamin, the son the Lord did add to Rachel.

Now, notice how Benjamin's birth and naming has been given particular emphasis.

In this one short verse, we see a naming and a renaming that should draw our attention to the meaning of the naming. Additional emphasis is placed upon the event because Rachel died in giving birth to him, giving him a name in her last dying breath. Are we paying attention yet?

Benjamin is thus introduced as a type of the church. Rachel's name means "ewe, a female sheep." This lamb died bringing forth the son. In this prophetic snapshot Rachel represents the Lamb of God, sacrificed to bring forth a son! This son represents those for whom the Lamb's death would bring life. This son brought forth was first named Ben-Oni, which means "son of my sorrow." The Lamb of God was a man acquainted with grief and sorrow.

This son Ben-Oni that was thus brought forth was the son of His sorrow, acquainted with His sorrow and grief. Just as Y'shua took up his cross, those who will follow after him as the Ben-Oni son will also take up their crosses. Now, Ben-Oni was renamed Benjamin, which means "son of my right hand." The position at the right hand is an exalted position of honor and blessing. Because Y'shua took up his cross and was sacrificed, he was exalted to the right hand of the throne of God. And who is it that follows this example? Yes - the Ben-Oni / Benjamin son!

Isn't it awesome how the Lord has provided types in the Bible to convincingly foretell these wonderful truths? They are cryptic, but when the Lord opens our eyes - oh, the things we see! This pattern of sharing first in His sufferings and then in His glory is the Ben-Oni / Benjamin pattern!

I want to note here that Pesah (Passover) is associated with Ben-Oni / Benjamin because he was brought forth at the sacrifice of the lamb.

The special blessedness of the Benjamin company as exalted sons of Y'shua's right hand is pictured in the archetypical Benjamin's life, which is particularly marked by special blessing. As an example, the city of Jerusalem is his, given to Benjamin and his descendants under the reign of Joshua, (Joshua 18:11-28) a type of Christ in his millennial reign. Note also the following verse.

Benjamin is that lamp!

Did you know Jerusalem was given to Benjamin? Did you know Galilee was the land of Benjamin? The Lord spent much of his time ministering in these places. Have you considered why it is from Galilee that all twelve apostle-disciples were chosen? (Matthew 4) And, too, why it is that even the apostle Paul was from this same tribe! (Romans 11:1) Friends, the Ben-Oni / Benjamin son is a Bride Type!

Is Benjamin typical of the exalted son who would be the recipient of extraordinary grace? Yes! Not every person for whom the Lamb died actually takes up the cross to become Ben-Oni - acquainted with His sorrow, but those who do become Benjamin - exalted to the right hand!

Let's continue with the prophetic lesson of Joseph's life.

As you know (from having recently read Chapter 42, right?) they would indeed come to bow before Joseph. As we know from the prophetic scriptures, the children of Israel (and all who ever lived and will live - Isaiah 45:23) will eventually bow before Jesus. Although the record of Benjamin's birth is found in Genesis chapter 35, his birth took place at around the time of Joseph's dream. Notice here that Joseph's mother is mentioned as though she were alive (and therefore had not yet died in childbirth) and that his dream mentioned 11 stars. Jacob understood the 11 stars to represent Joseph's brothers, which indicates knowledge that Rachel was pregnant with Benjamin. Joseph is declared in verse 2 as being seventeen, the probable difference in age between he and Benjamin.

The account continues.

In the anti type, the sons of Jacob went to pasture their father's flock, Yahweh's people Israel.

From that time, through Moses, Joshua, the judges, the kings and priestly leaders, these appointed shepherds pastured the flock. God commissioned his son to go check on the welfare of his brothers the shepherds, and of the flock, and to bring word back to him. Y'shua accepted. Yahweh sent him from the valley of Hebron (meaning "communion"), a type of where Y'shua had a particular kind of communion, a sharing with His Father in divine nature. He went to Shechem ("early rising") where he found neither the sheep nor the shepherds according to the father's expectation.

The appointed shepherds did not do well with the sheep in their care and were not found in the land of "early rising." (Shechem) The rising of Israel would be postponed. Another interpretation of Shechem's significance might be that the shepherd's problem is that they did not rise early to seek the Lord's direction but were lazy and self directed. And so it is that we see the prophetic fore view of Y'shua, sent to the lost sheep of Israel.

He found them near Dothan. An unnamed man found him wandering around in the fields and directed him. The fact that this man is unnamed is as important a detail to note as the meanings of the names. An unnamed servant or man is usually a type of the holy spirit. At His baptism, Y'shua received the holy spirit and its help, immediately receiving direction to go into the desert.

Continuing with the account of Joseph's betrayal.

The parallels are pretty obvious. They threw him into a desert cistern with no water (symbolic of life) in it; a type of the grave. "Cistern" is the Hebrew word "bowr," a word translated "pit" in the following verses.

Y'shua was stripped before he was crucified and went down to the pit, certainly reckoned among those who go down to the pit like Joseph before Him.

Joseph was thrown into the cistern near Dothan, which name means "double decree" or "double sickness." It speaks of a two-fold fulfillment and of why Joseph was thrown into the cistern. The sickness is jealousy. Out of the sickness of jealousy, envy, the sons of Israel delivered up their brother Joseph and then, their brother Y'shua.

Let me make a point about Benjamin. Was he involved with this conspiracy? Because he was yet in his mother's womb, obviously not! The church was not involved because it had not yet been brought forth - Y'shua was not yet raised out of the pit.

Now, Joseph, the type, did not actually die. In like manner, Isaac, in a similar type, did not actually die when Abraham was ready to offer him as the burnt offering. But, like the ram that was substituted for Isaac, Y'shua was truly slain for a sacrifice. The son of God was then raised from the dead after the typical pattern of Joseph being rescued from out of the cistern.

Upon their arrival in Egypt, Joseph was bought by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard. Potiphar means "my affliction was broken." After rising from the grave Y'shua ascended into heaven. It will be seen in this prophetic context that Egypt is now a symbol of heaven. Pharaoh, the Sovereign of Egypt now represents the Sovereign God of heaven. And so is that we see that Y'shua's affliction was broken upon being received into heaven.

We interrupt this context to bring you a special Breach

As Genesis chapter 37 came to a close, the prophetic fore view was the death, burial and resurrection and ascension of our Lord. Following those events of Y'shua's first advent what we call "the church age" began. Chapter 38 is a parenthetical insertion that appears to prophesy of the church age; what has already been, is now and will yet be. We recognize it as a parentheses because the chapter has no direct or superficially apparent relevance to the subjects preceding or following the narrative. Chapter 39 picks up smoothly right where chapter 37 left off. A parenthetical insertion in the Bible is a red flag - shouting STOP! We must learn what is so important that the narrative has been interrupted.

The whole of chapter 38 deals with Jacob's son Judah and the events surrounding the birth of his two sons, twins. This chapter has been inserted here to augment the prophecy being developed. Y'shua is the underlying subject of chapter 38 because He's descended from Perez, Judah's "middle twin" son. Just like we gave close attention to the details of the birth account of Ben-Oni / Benjamin, the details of this highly unusual birth account are worthy of our attention. Perez means "a breach." Since this chapter introducing his birth appears as a parenthetical insertion and therefore as a breach in the flow of the context our attention is arrested to seek out the deeper meaning.

There is in the account of the birth of the twins an important prophecy revealing something of the structure of the age.

Two sons were born, and what is most unique is that the one who came out first also came out last! So it is with this age. How is this to be interpreted? As with twins, there are two similar but independent works in view. One begins and ends the age while the other has "made the breach for himself." The one who marks the extremities was not fully manifested in the first appearance but only at the second. I already mentioned that Perez means "a breach." Zerah means "rising, dawning or brightness." Zerah is the one identified by the scarlet thread. So, how is this to be interpreted - what does it mean? Let's consider another view for comparison.

The menorah seven-branched lampstand appears to represent the seven-fold church ( Revelation 1:20) and the two olive trees that are the two anointed ones appear on either side. This compares to the Zerah / Perez / Zerah arrangement.

The house of God which is the temple of God is the church, and its foundation was laid by the early apostles, The hands of Zerubbabel that laid the foundation of this house is the work of the early apostles, including Paul. This is the hand of Zerah that came forth and on which was tied a scarlet thread. A counterpart work will bring the age to a close. Did you get that? A counterpart to the work of the former apostles will appear as the age draws to a close. (as I will show also from Romans 11) See, verse 9 declares the hands of Zerubabel laid the foundation of this house and further that his hands will finish it! In verse 14 of Zechariah 4, the "two anointed ones" may be more literally translated as "two sons of fresh oil." the fresh oil sons that are Zerah / Zerubbabel is a work by the Lord's spirit, a work by which the carnal church will be humbled. This Perez church that makes a breach for itself is in derision addressed as "O great mountain." The work of the spirit of the Lord will humble the proud, leveling the great-in-its-own-might-and-power mountain work of the carnal church - the church the worldly now see and do not hate. The top stone refers to the capstone of the great pyramid which has never yet been set, a symbol of the establishing of the throne of the King of Kings whose heavenly kingdom will fill the earth, though having once been rejected by its builders. Judgment is given to the Zerubbabel / Zerah work, a truth seen in the plumb line, the tin weight, a tool used in building a house whose members are upright and true.

So, what does Zerubbabel mean? "Melted by Babylon" As you will read in the study about Peter's Vision, certain of the parables from Matthew 13 present views of the Perez church as Babylon. If you have any difficulty in identifying the Babylon breach, you may need to take a step back away from your personal feelings and research the history of Christmas and Easter honestly. The Zerah work that seems like a small thing in this day has a vital relationship with Babylon. The history of the effect Babylon had on Israel is an example. Yahweh used the Babylon experience to discipline and refine His people. Out of the smelting furnace came pure gold and silver. It is only those who are refined and made pure in the process who no longer trust in their own might and power but in the spirit of the Lord. These are melted by Babylon.

Zerubbabel also means "sown in Babylon." As to what that means, you should know! Odds are you have such a testimony as that! Zerah, which means "rising, dawning or brightness" is Zerubbabel's two hands that do the spirit of the Lord's work. Consider the following from Matthew 13.

ZERAH - rising, dawning or brightness! : )

The scarlet thread on Zerah's hand is that which also identified Rehab to those who took the city of Jericho.

This event took place at the time of the barley harvest - Pesah. The scarlet thread signifies the Pesah Lamb's blood protection from the destroyer angel. It identifies one with the Lamb and sanctifies, for salvation. The scarlet thread work is associated with Pesah and the barley harvest. This Zerah work is particularly a sanctification and salvation work.

Solomon tells his love: (the Bride of Christ)

The scarlet is seen in Numbers 4:7-8 as the first layer of covering over everything on the table of showbread. The two loaves of leavened bread represent the Perez work, a Shavuot (Pentecost) work. The scarlet work is a covering work, an atoning work. In this we see Zerah surrounding Perez and providing a covering. The virtuous woman (a picture of the Bride) in Proverbs 31:21 has her family clothed in scarlet which is seen in a similar way as providing protection rather than ornamentation.

Did you think it was peculiar that in Zechariah 4 the angel speaking to Him asked twice, "Do you not know what these are?" And twice, Zechariah answered, "No, my Lord."

At the end of addressing the same things in Matthew 13, the conversation went like this.

And what glorious treasures both new and old are brought forth in this day for us to enjoy!

What is it that identifies the Zerah "bookends"? The age began fully as of Israel, which includes proselytes, of course, but yes, Israel. The transition to a Gentile character began in Acts 10 and took an leap forward in Acts 28. The church has in recent years been steadily shifting back to a Jewish character with the Messianic trend - heading "back to its roots." After the original 12/13 came the Apostle Paul who very much had the prominent role in the early church. He was the apostle to the Gentiles. Peter was the Apostle to the Jews, but it was Peter who had been sent to Cornelius' household to bring the light to the Gentiles. Yet, Paul had the dominant role to play. Their counterparts will play inverted roles in the concluding Zerah work.

I believe the age will end as it began with Jewish prominence. I believe there will be a Paul counterpart appointed to the Jew, and a Peter counterpart to the Gentile. And I believe the work of the Bride followed by the work of one hundred forty four thousand sons of Israel will be the crowning of the Zerah work.

And now we return to our regularly scheduled program.

In the next few chapters following chapter 38 the story of Joseph reveals that through several turns of events he became second in command to Pharaoh himself. Joseph is the one through whom God reveals the interpretation of dreams, mysteries to all other men. This, too, points to Y'shua. God had blessed Joseph greatly during that time, and he rose to prominence through Pharaoh's recognition and appreciation of Joseph's relationship with the God of Heaven. A great opportunity came before Joseph when God gave Pharaoh dreams that troubled him as to their meaning. Joseph, by revelation, interpreted these dreams to him. The meaning is very important because it sets up the context of the end time activity revealed in the prophetic drama to follow.

The dreams given to Pharaoh were a cryptic prophetic message through which God's plans for Joseph's family would be fulfilled. The message was that a severe famine lasting for seven years was coming, but they were to be proceeded by a seven year long season of plenty. God told Joseph how to store up food during the time of abundance in preparation for the famine thus providing a salvation for his family. The end time scenario begins here, but there is even yet much of Y'shua's first advent woven in. Please note as you read that this extensive prophetic revelation exhibits scenes both of Jesus' first and second advents. The details must be carefully observed in order to discern context minutely and make appropriate distinctions.

The latter part of chapter 41 sets forth what is some of the most obvious foreshadowing of Y'shua in the life of Joseph. I'd like you to consider Joseph's relationship with this Pharaoh as descriptive of Y'shua's relationship with his Father.

Could it be more plain? In comparing Genesis 41:46 with Luke 3:23 we note that both Joseph and Y'shua entered into "Pharaoh's" service when they were about thirty years old.

The name given Joseph means "revealer of secrets." Another meaning of the name is, "treasury of the glorious rest." Out of Y'shua will come rivers of living water for all who enter into his glorious rest!

It's exciting to note here that Pharaoh also gave Joseph a wife. Her name, Asenath, means, "I shall be hated." This speaks of a coming people who would be given to Y'shua as a bride and who, like her Bridegroom, would be hated!

The name given; the people given and their separation from the others in the world; the glory bestowed upon Y'shua that he had before: These are binding threads of revelation between the type and the anti type.

Continuing on once again, the balance of the story about Joseph shows his function as God's agent in the plan of salvation and redemption for His people. Joseph provides physical sustenance so that Jacob and his family would not die an untimely physical death. Y'shua provides spiritual sustenance so that those who believe on him may live eternally! The Egyptian grain symbolizes spiritual sustenance that is stored up for the salvation of God's people during the appointed season of abundance. This grain is the grain of heaven that compares to the manna from heaven!

In Genesis chapter 42 Jacob learns that there's grain in Egypt and sends his sons there to buy and return with some. Only Benjamin remained behind with Jacob which is another noteworthy distinction between Benjamin and the other brothers. Though it is probably still in the first year of the famine, conditions in Jacob's homeland of Canaan are such that he fears starvation. When the 10 brothers seeking provision for Jacob arrived in Egypt, they went before Joseph to request the purchase of the stored Egyptian grain. Did you happen to notice that the brothers had approached Joseph with silver to buy grain, and did return with grain but had their silver secretly returned to their sacks? The grain cannot be bought, but only given to those who seek it from the one who has it! Here's a very important point to observe. Upon their meeting, Joseph recognized them but they didn't recognize him. When Y'shua was presented before his brothers they (still representing the shepherds of the nation of Israel) didn't recognize him for who he really was!

Joseph pretended to be a stranger, addressing them in the Egyptian tongue through an interpreter. He thus spoke to them in the language of Egypt - the language of heaven - parables.

Now, Joseph didn't give his brothers according to their expectation but rather disciplined them. Consider their response to this unexpected treatment.

This is awesome! Since these 10 men didn't recognize this "Egyptian" ruler as their brother, why would they have been convinced that the punishment from this powerful stranger was related to their sin against their brother Joseph? That's a good question that demands a good answer!

Doesn't it seem to you like Yahweh is making the prophetic focus of this passage very obvious? He's pointing out the reason for the discipline, the judgment that came upon Israel since the time they didn't recognize him. Nationally, they have been held accountable for his blood, just as Reuben's remark suggests! Consider the words of the participants as they were delivering Jesus up to Pilate for crucifixion.

And so it is, for yet a brief season!

At this point, upon hearing their confession, Joseph had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. Simeon means "hearing," representing their ability to hear and understand. With Simeon bound, they were from that moment without "hearing." This consequence of failing to recognize their brother Joseph is a remarkable prophecy that reveals the reason why Israel does not have the ability to hear and understand the Word which is Y'shua. Their condition of being spiritually deaf to this very day is a consequence of not recognizing the Messiah and reflects their accountability for his blood.

The blindness of the eyes compares to the deafness of the ears.

This is what is referred in the book of Romans chapters 9-11 where Paul expresses the mind of the Lord on the condition of Simeon's binding and the release thereof. This is a most excellent corollary study for those of you with a mind to explore this in more depth. I will just point out here that faith required for salvation rests upon hearing.

Since 73 AD, (Masada) with the dispersion of the Jew from the land, the condition of its cities, houses and fields being utterly forsaken eventually did come to pass. But the Lord has moved according to His promise to bring His people back into the land promised to them, which movement will at the appointed time bring the full restoration of "Simeon."

This restoration comes in stages. The restoration of Simeon to the sons of Israel was keyed to their bringing Benjamin to Joseph in Egypt. And this, my friend is to me a very, very exciting prophecy!

The sons of Jacob were commissioned to bring Ben-Oni / Benjamin to Joseph in Egypt. This commission Joseph gave his brothers was fulfilled, but the antitypical fulfillment has not yet fully come to pass. It began to be fulfilled as Joseph's anti type repeated the commission to His brothers the Galilean disciples. At Y'shua's ascension, when he gave his departing message and commission for the age, the following question and answer was recorded for our benefit.

This important journey takes some time, as Judah's insightful comment brings the past two millennia to mind.

Continued in Joseph and Benjamin - Part II

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