Joseph and Benjamin - Part II

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Continued from Joseph and Benjamin - Part I

When Benjamin is finally brought to Egypt, Joseph sees him before the dinner.

As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son." {30} Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

Genesis 43:29-30

Benjamin was very dear to Joseph, though his younger brother was but an infant when he last saw him, if he ever did see him at all. Oh, just listen to what Joseph told Benjamin, "God be gracious to you, my son." And hasn't God been gracious to his son's Bride! What a incredibly emotional time that will be for the Lord. When the Bridegroom has stolen his Bride away and received her to himself, what joy will be found in the presence of the two. The Song of Solomon relates something of the passionate love shared between the two. Do you know this love, friend?

The Cup

The 44th chapter of Genesis is an interesting account of how Joseph set up Benjamin and used him to ensnare the other brothers. The situation revolves around Joseph's silver cup, a cup used for "divination." The meaning of the cup is important. That it is hidden in Benjamin's sack is important. By using Benjamin, Judah was caught as well, because he was surety for his brother.

Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!'

Genesis 44:32

This interesting drama speaks to me of how the 144k will be caught between a rock (THE ROCK) and a hard place, as the expression goes. Just as Benjamin was the "hook" that ensnared Judah, the Bride will be the means to secure those who have been made accountable for Y'shua's blood. Just as the setup was accomplished by means of Joseph's silver cup being found in Benjamin's sack, it will be the discovery of Y'shua's cup in the Bride's possession that will bring the brothers humbly before the Lord of Heaven.

I believe there are some basic attributes of the cup that give us insight into what is found in the Bride's possession. First, it is silver. Silver is a metal that signifies redemption. Benjamin's having the silver cup represents the truth that the Bride are the Lord's purchased possession, that they have been redeemed. Second, the cup is used for divination. Divination is usually associated with sorcery, the occultic foretelling of the future or of ascertaining knowledge, but let's not presume that Joseph was involved in some kind of Satanic counterfeit. Joseph's divination was the genuine. Remember it was through him that dreams were interpreted and that the interpretations were given by God. The name given to him by Pharaoh means "the revealer of secrets." His cup of divination represents the God-given ability to hear divine secrets, to receive revelation from God. That this cup of divination will be discovered in the Bride's possession gives insight into why the 144k will become jealous and perhaps even offended at them. They will know without refutation that the revelation granted these people will be genuinely the work of the God of their Fathers as He has always worked with the prophets who obeyed him. Lastly, this cup is Joseph's cup, Y'shua's cup. This is the cup he drank from at the last supper. It was a cup of promise that will be fulfilled when "Benjamin" is with "Joseph" in "Egypt."

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you.
18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

Luke 22:17-18

It was also a cup of a covenant, a disposition, contract, will or testament.

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Luke 22:20

In a disposition, there is something to be transferred or bestowed, some property or privilege. I already noted the redemptive aspect in connection with the meaning of silver, and we find it once again in that the blood being poured out was the actual price of redemption!

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

1 Peter 1:18-20

We have indeed been given the great blessing and privilege of redemption! However, what has been bestowed upon us is also a responsibility, for the cup of the new covenant in his blood has a burden that goes with it. Those who drink of this cup pour out their blood has he did his. This is the cup he asked his father to remove from him while in the garden of Gethsemane and later defended in that same place from peter, who being led of the carnal mind would have ignorantly denied him the drinking of it with the sword. This cup is the same one he had discussed earlier with the wife and sons of Zebedee.

"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." 22 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

Matthew 20:21-23

This is Joseph's cup, the one found in Benjamin's sack. Martyrdom. This willingness of the Bride to drink of this cup is a powerful testimony of love.

Consider the following passage.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 for anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

If you meditate upon the meaning of this passage, you will glean many valuable insights. There's more here than I can or will attempt to say; and I don't pretend to understand it all, but it is a message for the bride. In the last days, the Bride alone will not be condemned with the world when great tribulation breaks forth. She alone understands the Lord's words, symbolized by the breaking of bread. She alone is willing at the first to knowingly drink of his cup. Recognizing the body of the Lord has to do with understanding how the Bride is separate from the body and how the Bride is taken out of it. Worthiness is the issue. The condition of the wearer's robe is the symbolic factor in determining worthiness, whether or not it is made white in the blood of the lamb.

Joseph's silver cup of divination will be discovered in Benjamin's sack by the unnamed steward, a type of the holy spirit. This is a "God thing," through and through.

The Relative Time is Revealed

By way of this interesting drama in the 44th chapter of Genesis, we have learned how the Lord will accomplish his magnificent plan. It has been well conceived, and its execution is right on schedule!

We have taken the opportunity to explore in some depth facets of the Joseph / Benjamin revelation that are individually worthy of further pursuit, but the purpose of this presentation is to prepare a foundation for understanding the scenario that reveals something of the chronology of the end times, and so we move on. The point within the Famine week at which the commissioning of the 144k sons of Israel occurs is going to be presented. If you haven't yet read the appendix What Will Their Acceptance Be But Life From the Dead? you may want to take this opportunity before proceding. Every resurrection is triggered by a key faction of Israel coming to accept Y'shua HaMashiach. A simple truth yet an amazing eye-opening revelation!

This scenario I'm about to present from Genesis 45 was the first of its kind to be revealed to me. It was an entry point into an amazing series of similar discoveries, every one of which revolves around the commissioning of the 144k and the theft of the Bride! The key thread by which this wondrous tapestry is woven together is the chronology discovered here. The discovery of what I'm about to present is like discovering the corner piece of a jigsaw puzzle which leads to the rapid piecing together of the straight-edged border that is the framework within which the whole puzzle fits! By the grace of Yahweh, the timing of these events we now understand in their prophetic role is made known relative to the Famine week.

Since hearing is of the Lord on an individual basis, I can only ask the Lord to let those hear who have ears to hear.

According to the words of the prophet Isaiah, the Lord stated:

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

Isaiah 46:10

The end has been made known from the beginning. And so it is that the book of Revelation is found between the lines of the book of Genesis!

Joseph is going to reveal his identity to his brothers in a picture of Y'shua revealing his identity to his Jewish brethren, the 144k. All the brothers have been brought together in Egypt before Joseph. Simeon has been restored, that most critical element Romans 10:17 tells us is the prerequisite of faith.

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

Genesis 45:1-5

This view of the revealing of Joseph's identity to his brothers is the sealing of the 144k. Y'shua will become known to Israel in this way! This is the view and these are the words they will hear! I would wager they are already well familiar with them but only in the historical context. Imagine how amazed they will be when they actually see Him and hear Y'shua speaking to them without an "Egyptian interpreter"! Glory!!! What a privileged view beyond the veil into the coming glory!!! Halleluyah! This is the long awaited aceptance of their Messiah, pictured so simply and beautifully in this hidden but yet now revealed view of their forefather's recognition of Joseph! Subsequent to this incredible event, (though certainly not anticlimactic) the Bride will then be received by her Bridegroom!

"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our god." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. 5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

Revelation 7:3-8

Here is an interactive presentation of this important passage. It reveals the focus upon verse 6 as the thematic pattern pivots about it. Although it might have seemed to you (like it had to me for so long) that the verse was of little significance, the timing and the harvest activities are really very important on the prophetic level.

When Joseph marked the time relative to the famine week, he knew when it began and how long it would last. He had no doubt whatsoever that it was just as it had been revealed to him about nine years previous to that moment! Let me ask you something, and I want you to think about it. When this prophetic scenario is fulfilled, do you think the positioning of this event relative to the Famine week will vary from the pattern? Right. Not likely.

When you read Joseph's mention of plowing and reaping, you may have been thinking, "Aha! harvest allegory"! at this point in the Famine week, we can infer that a major transition takes place in the activities in the Lord's harvest field. When a farmer doesn't even plow his field, he has no expectation to plant, let alone reap. Plowing the ground prepares the soil to receive the seed and the water. Spiritual plowing prepares the hearts of men to receive the word of God as seed and water. Reaping takes place when the Lord has prospered it and the crop reaches full maturity. There is a sense that during the first two years plowing and reaping continued as it had, though without a significant result. From other similar prophetic accounts it is apparent that this is the point at which what is called the great tribulation begins. At this time, the season appointed Adam in Genesis 3:17-19 will have reached a certain limit. The promise had come to Adam that "Cursed is the ground because of you," and he was told, "In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life." With no more harvester agricultural activity, it is clear that this cursed life of Adam-kind will be in its twilight season.

So, the one hundred forty-four thousand brothers had just fulfilled the commission to bring Ben-Oni / Benjamin / Bride to Joseph and were about to receive a further commission. This is all in accordance with the plan declared in Romans 11.

Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me Lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay. {10} You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me--you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. {11} I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.' {12} "You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. {13} Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.

Genesis 45:9-13

Notice how Joseph points out that Benjamin knows the identity of the one who was speaking to them. The Bride knows who Y'shua is, being well acquainted with his ways - that's how they got to be the Bride! What an inspiration this record is to me!

So the Bride is present to bear witness to the identity of Y'shua. The Bride's radiant presence in her glorified state will confirm Y'shua's words. The commission given to the 144k is to bear testimony to Jacob and to bring him quickly to heaven. They are to tell Jacob about all the honor accorded Y'shua in heaven, how he was exalted to the right hand of the throne of God. (and everything in the book of Hebrews about his being greater than the angels and the everlasting high priest) They must also testify to Jacob about everything they will have seen on their visit to heaven, which certainly includes the presence of the glorified Bride. The 144k will respond to the commission and bring Jacob to heaven to live in "Goshen" to be spared from the famine. There, they will be provided for and protected for a season, their salvation assured.

The record of Genesis continues with what happens at the close of the sealing and commissioning.

Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 45:14-15

Wow! I want to be there! What a time of rejoicing. The yom tov of Hag HaMatzot, the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, will be celebrated like it has never been celebrated before! After this special relationship has been established, it will endure, as we see that, afterward, his brothers talked with him. They will commune with him.

Overseeing and directing this crucial mission, the heavenly Father advises Y'shua about the specifics. They are carried out and the mission is underway.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan,
18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.'
19 "You are also directed to tell them, 'Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.
20 never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'"
21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.
22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.
23 And this is what he sent to his father:
24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 45:17-25

For this special commission, the brothers are given additional facets of testimony to bear witness with their words;

Consider Jacob's response upon receiving their testimony.

They told him, "Joseph is still alive! in fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. {27} But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. {28} And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.

Genesis 45:26-28

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord for his patience and mercy! The testimony of words stunned Jacob, but he became convinced upon seeing the carts, the nature of which I will address shortly. When the spirit of their father Jacob revived, this is the indication that they too accept Y'shua as their Messiah. And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Y'shua is still alive! Oh, what a tremendous realization! After all these years, now in the span of a brief period of time, there are two phases of Israel's restoration completed. Observe that there is a transition in the narrative at this point from referring to their father as Jacob to referring to him as Israel. This points us back to the changing of his name.

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

Genesis 32:28

When the spirit of their father Jacob revives, and Israel says, "I'm convinced," his struggle with God and with men will be over and he will have overcome!

Now, let me address the meaning of the other facets of testimony. The 10 donkeys with the best things of Egypt must be some very special gifts borne by angels, the exact nature of which I can't even imagine. The 10 female donkeys bearing the grain and bread and other provisions for their journey must be the word of God that will sustain them and keep them, also borne by angels chosen for this task. The clothing they were given was Egyptian clothing, apparently for identification and protection. This heavenly apparel will equip them. It probably compares to the seal that is set upon them. I think of these clothes like a football uniform with pads, cleated shoes, helmet, etc., or like military apparel. And what about the carts?

These Egyptian carts are awesome! They are what convinced Jacob of his son's testimony about Joseph! The word used here for "carts" is Strongs # 5699. 'agalah, ag-aw-law'; from the same as H5696; something revolving, i.e. a wheeled vehicle:--cart, chariot, wagon. the Egyptian carts will transport the families of the 144k to heaven, so this is not a convoy of Hummers, hay wagons or U-Haul trailers. Have you ever read about Ezekiel's vision of the throne with the wheeled vehicle under it? That's apparently Joseph's Egyptian chariot! Check out this page to learn more about the kind of Egyptian carts that convince Jacob Y'shua must be alive!

Now, when Jacob's spirit revived he said, "I will go and see him before I die!" This clarifies to us this is not a resurrection event. Remaining in his temporal body, Jacob rides the Egyptian cart to a special place called Goshen, which means "drawing near," a place which is in Egypt near to Y'shua. This place represents the best of the land of Egypt where they can enjoy the fat of the land. This is no earthly place but a special place of sanctuary in a heavenly realm possibly not unlike the garden of Eden. This is a place where these people are out of Satan's reach until the appointed time, as we learn in Revelation 12:14.

When Jacob's spirit revives, according to the Romans 11:15 principle, there must be an accompanying resurrection. The next appointed harvest resurrection after the barley at Pesah is the wheat at Shavuot. The event is pictured in Revelation 7:9-14.

Praise the Lord for opening our eyes to see into the future and find ourselves, should we qualify by His exceeding great mercy and abounding grace, and those like us - the Lord's beloved! Pray with me that the Lord will count us worthy to be among them, friend.

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