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RECOGNITIONTHE MESSIANIC PROPHECY BIBLE PROJECThttp://www.messianicbible.com

HEAR O ISRAEL www.hearoisrael.orgSHEEPFOLD GLEANINGS WRITTEN BY JULIE PARKERwww.sheepfoldgleanings.com

MESSIANIC ISRAEL ALLIANCEhttp://www.messianicisrael.comAZAMRA TORAH FOR OUR TIME – RABBI AVRAHAM GREENBAUMhttp://www.azamra.org 2

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VAYECHI “And He lived”

Torah: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

B’rit Chadashah: Luke 4:31-5:11All references: The Scripture 1998+ unless otherwise noted

JACOB LIVEDAnd Yaʽaqob lived in the land of Mitsrayim seventeen years. So the

length of Yaʽaqob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. (Genesis 47:28)

17 Years: They were “tov” years. How do we know that they were “good”? Seventeen is the numeric value of the letters “tet-vav-vet” which is the word “tov” (good). •He is re-united with Joseph; •He lived out his life surrounded by all of his sons and at least one daughter. 147 Years: The length of his days. Now 147 is the numeric value of the Hebrew word “tza‟anah” (tzadee-aleph-nun-vav), which means “his flock” or “his sheep”. 147 also equal the word “na‟tsabah” (nun-tzadee-bet-hey), to “be established” or “stand upright”. 147 equals “amun‟on” (aleph-mem-yud-nun-vav-nun), which is from the word “emunah” (faith or belief) and means “faithful”, or “one who has belief”. Israel, in living his life and establishing his family, would be a perfect picture of the “flock” that is “established, upright and faithful”. 4

17Jacob lived 17 years in Egypt, and this is the same number of years Joseph lived with his father in Canaan before he was sold as a slave. Here are a few Hebrew words that have the number 17 in common: • Good (tov) - bAj 2 (b) + 6 (A) + 9 (j) = 17

So יהושע said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One – Elohim. (Luke 18:19)

• Sacrifice (zevach) - xb;z< 8 (x) + 2 (b;) + 7 (z) = 17But He, having offered one slaughter offering for sins for all time, sat

down at the right hand of Elohim, (Hebrews 10:12)• To Fish (deeg) - gyDi 3 (g) + 10 (yi) + 4 (Di) = 17“See, I am sending for many fishermen,” declares יהוה, “and they shall fish

them. …(Jeremiah 16:16)Shimʽon Kĕpha went up and dragged the net to land, filled with one

hundred and fifty-three big fishes. And though there were so many, the net was not broken. (John 21:11) 5

153John 21:11 above points out another interesting number – there were 153 fish caught in the nets:• The Passover (haPasach) - xs;P'(h; 8 (x) + 60 (s) + 80 (P) + 5 (h) = 153

and looking at יהושע walking, he said, “See the Lamb of Elohim!” (John 1:36)

• Covenant (be’reet) - tyrIB. 400 (t) + 10 (y) + 200 (rI) + 2 (b) = 612 (4 x 153)

“For this is the covenant I shall make with the house of Yisra’ĕl after those days, declares יהוה: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts. And I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.

(Jeremiah 31:33)There is indeed a Messianic link with the numbers 17 and 153. And here’s another math link between the numbers themselves as 153 is the sum of the integers from 1 to 17:1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12 + 13 + 14 + 15 + 16 + 17 = 1536

SONS OF ELOHIMThe sages tell us that the number 153 is a reference to a statement by the prophet Hosea:

“Yet the number of the children of Yisra’ĕl shall be as the sand of the sea, which is not measured nor counted. And it shall be in the place where it was

said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they shall be called, ‘You are the sons of the living Ěl.’ “And the children of Yehudah and the children of Yisra’ĕl shall be gathered together, and appoint for themselves one head, and shall come up

out of the earth, for great is the day of Yizreʽĕl! (Hosea 1:10-11)To understand the connection between this prophecy of Israel’s return, the reconciliation of the two Houses of the nation of Israel, and the 153 fish that were caught by יהושע’s talmidim, we need to recognize that the gematria of the phrase “the sons of Elohim” is 153:

Sons of Elohim - ~yhiêl{a/h'( ynEåB.40 (~) + 10 (y) + 5 (h) + 30 (l) + 1 (a) + 5 (/h) + 10 (y) + 50 (nEï) + 2 (B) = 153

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of Elohim, to those believing in His Name, (John 1:12) 7

JPS TORAH COMMENTARYNow there’s even more. In the JPS Torah Commentary on Genesis, Nahum Sarna points out that the life spans of the three patriarchs lend themselves to factorization according to the following pattern:• Abraham lived to be 175 = 5 x 5 x 7 5 + 5 + 7 = 17• Isaac lived to be 180 = 6 x 6 x 5 6 + 6 + 5 = 17• Jacob lived to be 147 = 7 x 7 x 3 7 + 7 + 3 = 17In the above series, the squared number increases by one each time while the coefficient decreases by two. Not only that…in each case the sum of the factors is 17!! The patriarch’s lives all point to Messiah!

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BRAD SCOTT“… the number ‘17’ does represent victory and resurrection….the time of Messiah’s resurrection fell on the 17th of Aviv in the year He was tried and crucified…. It is clear to all that call on the name of Yeshua, that His resurrection was victory for all and the beginning of our rest in Him. This victory and rest was pictured when the ark of Noach and his family rested upon Mt. Ararat on the 17th day of the 7th month. For you see, in Noach’s time the beginning of the year was still in Tishri. The commandment for Aviv to be the beginning of the year did not occur until the time of Mosheh. This meant that in Noach’s time the 7th month from Tishri was Aviv. So the ark actually rested on the 17th of Aviv. We are also told a detail of one of the most obvious types of the Messiah, Yoseph, that he was 17 years old when he had the dream concerning the prophecy of the Messiah and the 11 other tribes in B’reshith 37:2-14. It can be shown that the Israelites crossed the Gulf of Aqaba on the 17th of Aviv….The city Jerusalem appears in the Psalms 17 times and there are 17 things unable to separate us in Romans 8:35-39. Jeremiah’s 17 prayers ended in Yirmeyahu 32:9, when buying the field for 17 shekels. There are 17 appearances of angels in the gospels and the book of Acts..” (end of quote) 9

DRAW NEARAnd the time for Yisra’ĕl to die drew near .. (Genesis 47:29)

Quoting Rabbi Joseph Tzarfati in Yad Yosef (1617) (slight editions):“It is the nature of everything to ‘draw near’ and to cleave itself to its root and its source. For this reason the time of ‘death’ of the righteous ones is described as a ‘drawing near,’ as if they had a desire to return to their root and to ‘draw themselves near’ to their source. Our parents and their parents before them had a great yearning to be ‘brought near’ to the Land of Israel, for there was the root and the source of where they were formed.”Tzarfati explains that righteous people are always eager to return to their roots, that is, the Source of Life, itself. A righteous person has no fear of death because death is simply seen as an opportunity to transfer from this world to the Olam Haba – the world to come.

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RITUAL SACRIFICEThe root of the Hebrew for “draw near” is karav which is also the root of “korban”, the word describing ritual sacrifices. The korban sacrifices helped the Israelites “draw near” to יהוה, picturing that it was through a substitute death, that they were able to “draw near” to the life-giver.

And Yaʽaqob lived in the land of Mitsrayim .. (Genesis 47:28)And the time for Yisra’ĕl to die .. (Genesis 47:29)

So Jacob, (his name switches to “Israel” in verse 29), expresses to Joseph his insistence in “drawing near” to his roots - the Land of Promise and the place where his ancestors are buried. He wants to go home and he wants his family to maintain a personal link with the Land.

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IF YOU LOVE ME!!“Now if I have found favour in your eyes, please put your hand under

my thigh, and show kindness and truth to me. Please do not bury me in Mitsrayim, but I shall lie with my fathers, and you shall take me up out of Mitsrayim and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I do as

you have said.” And he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him, and Yisra’ĕl bowed himself on the head of the bed. (Genesis 47:29-31)

Jacob’s insistence that he be buried in Canaan with his fathers wasn't solely for his own comfort. He knew that their ultimate redemption from Egypt wasn't merely a promise from יהוה, but that it must always be a moral and spiritual imperative felt deep within the heart of Israel. This is why Jacob changed his language from a plea for "loving kindness and truth" to a demand that Joseph take a vow to do so, "commanding" his twelve sons to make it happen. They too must understand that they do not belong in the Godless land of Egypt. Jacob set the groundwork for the eventual exodus from Egypt by his children and their return to the land of Israel, the land of יהוה 's delight. 7

5 POINTSLegends of the Jews

All the years of Jacob's sojourn in Egypt, Asenath, the wife of Joseph, was his constant nurse. When she saw his end drawing nigh, she spoke to Joseph: "I have heard that one who is blessed by a righteous man is as though he had been blessed by the Shekinah. Therefore, bring thy sons hither, that Jacob give them his blessing.“Now when Joseph received the news of his father's having fallen sick, through his messenger, as well as through Ephraim, whom Jacob was instructing in the Torah, he hastened to the land of Goshen, taking his two sons with him. He desired to have certainty upon five points: 1. Would his father bless his two sons, born in Egypt, and, 2. If so, would he appoint them to be heads of tribes;3. Would he assign the rights of the first-born unto himself;4. Would he divest Reuben of such rights altogether; 5. And why had his father buried his mother Rachel by the wayside,

and not carried her body to the family tomb at Machpelah.

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JACOB SPEAKS.. someone told Yosef that his father was ill. He took with him his two sons, M'nasheh and Efrayim. ..Ya`akov said to Yosef, "El Shaddai appeared to me at Luz in the land of Kena`an and blessed me, saying to me, 'I will make you fruitful and numerous. I will make of you a group of peoples; and I will give this land to your descendants to possess forever.’ (Genesis 48:1-4 CJB)Joseph hears that his father is “sick” or “chalah” in Hebrew; which more rightly means “weakened” or “becoming weak” or “worn down”. Jacob speaks of El Shaddai’s appearing to him at Luz and the blessing that was given to him there by יהוה. This place, that Jacob called Beit El or House of Elohim, is within 11 miles of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Beit El fits within the confines of a larger Jerusalem, as it will be during the Messianic Age. It was here that Jacob saw the “ladder” to “ha‟shamayim” or “the heavens”. It was here that יהוה blessed Jacob with the blessing of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac. It was here that יהוה told him that he would become a company of goyim (nations), and the land of Canaan.

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LUZBut why does he call it Luz here, seeing that Luz was its old name. Jacob, himself, named it Beit El?Well, he wants us to understand the implications. Remember “Luz” means “almond tree”. El Shaddai appeared to him at the “almond tree”. This is near, or perhaps even part of the site of Gan Eden; where we had the “Tree of Life” and the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and now, we have the “Almond Tree” associated with this area. What does the “Almond Tree” represent? When HaShem showed Moses the pattern of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), He gave Moses specific instructions for the vessels and utensils as well, according to Exodus 25:31-40 and 37:17-23. He was told to make the Menorah in the likeness of the “Almond Tree” because it is the “Tree of Light”. That is why, during the rebellion of Korah in the wilderness, when the chief of each tribe of Israel placed his rod (denoting leadership) in the Mishkan and only Aaron’s budded and bore fruit; and it bore almonds; because Aaron, as the High Priest, was the “Light Bearer”, which is what the name “Aaron” means in Hebrew. 15

EFRAYIM AND M’NASHEH“And now, your two sons, Ephrayim and Menashsheh, who were born to you in the land of Mitsrayim before I came to you in Mitsrayim, are mine – as Re’ubĕn and Shimʽon, they are mine. “Your offspring whom you shall bring forth after them are yours, and let them be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. (Genesis 48:5-6)Jacob was saying that Ephraim and Manasseh were to be his full sons, that they were to be as his full BLOOD sons. To make sure they understood this statement, Jacob added the clause: “as Reuben and Simeon are.” Reuben and Simeon were full blood sons by his wife Leah and not through a maidservant. These two sons were the first and second born of the twelve sons of Israel. With the above statement, Jacob effectively elevated Ephraim and Manasseh, his grandsons, to first and second born status, and conferred the covenant name Israel upon Ephraim along with the firstborn status ... For I shall be a Father to Yisra’ĕl, and Ephrayim – he is My first-born. (Jeremiah 31:9) 16

FIRSTBORNQuoting from the book Redeemed Israel by Batya Wootten: “Jacob gave the birthright to his beloved Rachel’s firstborn son. He gave it to Joseph and to Joseph’s sons. In ancient Israel the birthright consisted of a double portion, as well as family preeminence (the right to act as the next family ruler). The Almighty commanded that the father must ‘acknowledge the firstborn…by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn’ (Deuteronomy 21:17).The firstborn was given a double portion, that he might be equipped to act as a kinsman-redeemer for his brethren. This right of the firstborn speaks of preeminence, primogeniture, the right to act as family ruler, to dispense justice, and to be the family redeemer. He received the right to inherit family leadership (Genesis 43:33). Preferential status: sanctity, authority, sovereignty, responsibility, and right of succession accrued to (him)…he became the next head of the family…and embodied the soul and character of the social group, becoming responsible for its continuance and welfare.

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ADOPTIONEphraim and Manasseh were not adopted. The word adopted described one who generally had no blood ties to the family adopting them. Ephraim and Manasseh had Joseph’s (and Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham’s) blood in them. The Hebraic interpretation of adoption is absolute. The Greek interpretation of adoption leaves room for debate, implying the thought of second-class citizens. Adoption was another word introduced by the King James Version into the New Testament. It is this interpretation that leads to the phrase and mindset of being spiritual Israelites. Many believers today think they are solely spiritual Israel because the word adoption is used. The correct rendering of adoption in scripture should read sonship. We who believe in the Messiah are full blood sons of Israel and heirs according to the eternal, everlasting promises given Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.Understand, then, that those who believe are FULL BLOOD children of Abraham… If you belong to Yeshua, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:7, 29). 18

SABBATH BLESSINGSTo this day, “May Elohim make you like Ephraim and Manasseh” are the words used in the traditional blessings over sons on Shabbat.

Genesis 48:20 So he blessed them that day, saying, "By you Israel will bless, saying, 'May Elohim make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!' "…Daughters are blessed in the names of Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah – the matriarchs. So why not bless our sons on Shabbat in the names of the patriarchs? Surely we’re not blessing our sons to be like princes in Egypt. Ephraim and Manasseh were raised in comfort and prosperity. We don’t actually know much about these young men growing up, but we can assume they led a very privileged life. They were children of the Diaspora*, born and raised in Egypt, with no connection to the Land. *The body of Jews (or Jewish communities) outside Palestine or modern Israel

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BLESSINGSBlessings are about more than prosperity and privilege. Igra De Kallah gives some insight:“Why should Jacob have wanted all his descendants to bless their children with the examples of Ephraim and Manasseh rather than with that of some other two of the tribes of Israel? Because the two young sons of Joseph had conducted themselves in accordance with the fundamental Law of the Torah; namely, that one should neither consider oneself greater than another nor envy another. Even though Jacob had set Ephraim, the younger son, before Manasseh, the first born, Ephraim did not become arrogant and Manasseh did not become jealous. Seeing this, Jacob expressed the hope that all the children of Israel would be like Ephraim and Manasseh, free of arrogance and envy.”Manasseh was blessed because he did not get upset or vengeful when his younger brother receives the blessing of the first born over him. Ephraim, the younger who is set over his older brother, in no way flaunts it or becomes prideful. The blessing we do over our sons is all about the absence of jealousy and arrogance.

NEGATIVITY ELIMINATEDBoth of those characteristics have plagued the chosen family from the beginning. These feelings are prophesied to be eliminated along with the restoration of all of Israel:And He shall raise a banner for the nations, and gather the outcasts of Yisra’ĕl, and assemble the dispersed of Yehudah from the four corners

of the earth. And the envy of Ephrayim shall turn aside, and the adversaries of Yehudah be cut off. Ephrayim shall not envy Yehudah,

and Yehudah not trouble Ephrayim. (Isaiah 11:12-13)Hopefully, our future generations will receive this blessing and be free of such negative emotions!

See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity – (Psalms 133:1)

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IDENTITYThe problem with the ekklesia (the body of believers in Messiah) today is that WE do not know who WE are. If a people do not know who they are, they do not develop a respect for their heritage. If we are part of Israel coming home, we have a responsibility, a place, a people and a blessing in our Hebraic heritage according to an eternal covenant. When we lose our identity a veil covers our heart due to our lack of understanding. Not knowing we are full, physical sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (meaning full blood relatives) causes us to miss our inheritance and be able to see only partially.On the other hand, many today from the House of Judah tend to focus heavily on the “law” (contained in the Mosaic Covenant) or the legal end of the Torah, without the fullness of Torah, or the Spirit of Torah, Yeshua. In doing so they miss the LIFE in Torah. The Mosaic Covenant can, in fact, also be understood as the teachings of יהושע to Moses (John 5:46-47) and is the foundation of our covenant with our Savior. But to separate law from the Spirit or Life of Torah (יהושע) produces death. You cannot have one without the other. 22

RACHEL’S BURIAL“And I, when I came from Paddan, Rahĕl died beside me in the land of

Kenaʽan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath. And I buried her there on the way to Ephrath, that is Bĕyth

Lehem.” (Genesis 48:7)Why the sudden move from inheritance to Rachel: It is all about the 5 points troubling Joseph prompted by the Holy Spirit that are to be answered indicating the significance of his mother burial.Legends of the Jews: .. the Lord commanded it." The reason of the command was that God knew that the Temple would be destroyed, and Israel would be carried away into banishment, and the exiles would ask the Patriarchs to intercede for them with God, but God would not hearken unto them. On their way to the land of the stranger they would pass the grave of Rachel, and they would throw themselves upon it, and beseech their mother to make intercession for them with God. Is there scripture to confirm this? 23

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RACHEL WEEPINGThus said יהוה, “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing, bitter weeping,

Rahĕl weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15)

Legends of the Jews: And Rachel would pray to God in their behalf. "O Lord of the world, look upon my tears, and have compassion upon my children. But if Thou wilt not take pity on them, then indemnify me for the wrong done to me." Unto her prayer God will hearken, and He will have mercy upon Israel. Therefore was Rachel buried in the way. Then was filled what was spoken by Yirmeyahu the prophet, saying, “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and weeping, and great mourning – Rahĕl weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they

were no more.” (Matthew 2:17-18 )

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WHOSE ARE THESEAnd Yisra’ĕl saw Yosĕph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?” And Yosĕph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom Elohim has given me in this

place.” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and let me bless them.” And the eyes of Yisra’ĕl were dim with age, and he was unable to see. And he

drew them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Yisra’ĕl said to Yosĕph, “I had not thought to see your face. But see, Elohim has also shown me your seed!” So Yosĕph brought them from between his

knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. (Genesis 48:8-12)We read that Jacob’s eyes were dim by age and that he could not see. But, we also read in verse 8; And Yisra‟el saw Yoseph‟s sons, and said, “Who are these?” Now we know that they were born in Mitzrayim, before Jacob came down; they were certainly older than 17. Why then did Jacob ask who they were? He asked “for the record”. He was about to bless them and prophesy over them. From between his Legs: They were prostrated on the ground

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CROSSED HIS HANDSAnd Yosĕph took them both, Ephrayim with his right hand toward

Yisra’ĕl’s left hand, and Menashsheh with his left hand toward Yisra’ĕl’s right hand, and brought them near him. And Yisra’ĕl stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephrayim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Menashsheh’s head, consciously directing his hands,

for Menashsheh was the first-born. (Genesis 48:13-14)The time had come for Jacob/Israel to pass on the firstborn blessing to “his” children by the laying on of hands. The younger son Ephraim was in front of Jacob/Israel left hand and the firstborn Manasseh was before his right hand. The right hand represented the authority of יהוה and is used when blessing and passing on inheritance. Jacob/Israel, being led by the Holy Spirit, placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head and not on Manasseh’s head. He crossed his hands and pronounced the firstborn blessing upon the younger son.

tWhen Jacob crossed his hands, he formed an “X” or a t which is the letter “Tav” in the archaic Hebrew aleph-bet. The letter symbolizes “sign” or “covenant.” יהושע said he was the “Alef” and the “Tav” (remember יהושע spoke Hebrew):

“I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. (Revelation 22:13)

Therefore, these boys were sealed with the “sign” of the completed work of the Messiah. It is because of Messiah יהושע that the children who are born in the gentile world can be adopted into and blessed by Israel.

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NATIONSThe name Ephraim comes from the word pri, which means fruit. Out of Ephraim is destined to come what is called in Hebrew m’loh” goyim. This may be translated a multitude of nations or Gentiles.The word goyim is Hebrew for Nations and has been incorrectly transliterated as gentiles in some translations, especially in the New Testament. When this happened, the true identity and understanding of the Nations or Jacob/Israel’s children was completely missed and lost to believers because the word gentile had no relationship to the Tribes of Israel or to anything Hebraic in the Bible. People became blinded to their heritage and lost to the full understanding of יהושע in the New Testament. The word gentile means: a confused pagan without God, a group other than one’s own. Gentile does not describe יהוה’s people or those in יהושע. When יהושע indwells His people they are no longer confused, pagans or without God!

By crossing his arms Jacob symbolized the joining of the nations to Israel through the cross fulfilling the covenant promise: I have made

you the father of many nations. (Genesis 17:5 CJB)

PROPHECYWe see not a blessing, but a prophecy that Ephraim, the House of Israel, would become a multitude of Gentiles. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, this passage is rendered as playthos ethnov. There is a similarity between this phrase and that used by the apostle Paul when he describes how the Gentiles were broken off the wild olive tree and grafted into the cultivated tree.

For I do not wish you to be ignorant of this secret, brothers, lest you should be wise in your own estimation, that hardening in part has

come over Yisra’ĕl, until the completeness of the gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)

The phrase “fullness of the Gentiles” in the Greek manuscripts is a similar “playroma ton ethnon”. The similarities are too blatant not to see the connection between them. Clearly Paul understood the ministry of reconciliation of Messiah and his talmidim. So Paul would write to thebrethren in Ephesus: 29

FELLOW CITIZENSTherefore remember that you, once gentiles in the flesh, who are called

‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called ‘the circumcision’ made in the flesh by hands, that at that time you were without Messiah, excluded

from the citizenship of Yisra’ĕl and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no expectation and without Elohim in the world. But now in Messiah יהושע you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For He is our peace, who has made

both one, and having broken down the partition of the barrier, ..So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the

set-apart ones and members of the household of Elohim. (Ephesians 2:11-19)

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THEN HE BLESSED JOSEFAnd he blessed Yosĕph, and said, “The Elohim before whom my fathers

Abraham and Yitshaq walked, the Elohim who has fed me all my life long to this day, the Messenger who has redeemed me from all evil – bless the

youths! And let my name be called upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Yitshaq. And let them increase to a multitude in the

midst of the earth.” (Genesis 48:15-16)We see Jacob/Israel bypassed Joseph’s authority and chose to directly pray that foremost blessing over יהוה’s chosen son, Ephraim, whose name means “doubly fruitful” or “I shall be doubly fruitful.” For Jacob/Israel, the memory of usurping Esau, his father’s choice for the birthright, may have been on his heart. Knowing Manasseh was Joseph’s first choice, Jacob/Israel obeyed the Holy Spirit eliminated the chance of a recurrence of the circumstances in which he had received the firstborn status instead of Esau, which caused years of alienation. This also confirmed that Ephraim and Manasseh were to be as Jacob/Israel true sons, and as their father, he blessed them. 31

PORTIONAnd Yisra’ĕl said to Yosĕph, “See, I am dying, but Elohim shall be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers. “And I, I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.” (Genesis 48:21-22)Israel had adopted Joseph’s two sons in order to give them each a portion; in essence, giving joseph a portion above his brothers. What “portion” was the extra one? Does it matter? You see, the word in Hebrew here for “portion” is “Shekem”. “Shekem” literally means “the shoulder”, a “portion of the upper back”. o, the “portion” is “Shekem” because “Shekem” here means “the portion”. “Shekem” is in the very “portion” that Ephraim would get in “The Land” (by casting lots) as the Children of Israel were preparing to come in and receive their inheritance, at the end of the exodus. Shekem would also become the capitol of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the last city to be taken by the Assyrians in 722 BCE. 32

SHEKEMShekem was a city in the middle of the land of the Amorites, yet Jacob never killed an Amorite. But, Israel did indeed take Shekem from the Amorites by sword and bow, through Simeon and Levi, and they killed all the men. Jacob/Israel, as the patriarch, takes responsibility for the actions of the family. In fact, back in Genesis 34:30, as he is admonishing Shimon and Levi for this deed, he says that they have made him “a stench among the inhabitants of the land”. And, in Chapter 49, as Israel prophesies over his sons, he says of them in verse 5; “Shim‟on and Lewi are brothers, their weapons are implements of violence.” It’s interesting to note that the symbol for the tribe of Simeon is the sword. The oral accounts have always stated that, prior to the “Breastplate of the High Priest”, a bow was the symbol for Levi.

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GATHER TOGETHERAnd Yaʽaqob called his sons and said, “Gather together, so that I

declare to you what is to befall you in the last days: (Genesis 49:1)RABBI AVRAHAM GREENBAUM “According to tradition, At the time when Jacob our father assembled his sons in Egypt at the hour of his death, he commanded and spurred them on in the unification of the name of יהוה and that they should follow the path of יהוה that Abraham and Isaac his father walked. He asked them and said, 'My sons, maybe someone among you is flawed and does not stand with me in the Unification of the Name?' They all answered and said, 'Hear Israel HaShem our יהוה HaShem is One' -- that is, 'Hear from us, our father Israel, HaShem our יהוה, HaShem is one'. The old man answered 'Blessed be the Name of the Glory of His Kingship forever and ever!' And this is why all Israel has the custom of repeating the expression of the praise used by Israel when he was an old man after this verse. (Rambam, Laws of Recital of Shema Ch. 1:4)”. 34

GATHER TOGETHERBereshith 49:1-2 And Ya’acov called his sons and said, "Gather together

(ha’asfu), that I may tell you what shall befall you in the end of days: "Come together (hekavstu) and hear, you sons of Ya’acov, and listen to

Israel your father.Jacob focuses on a future time when the tribes must purposely “gather together”. He uses two Hebrew verbs that represent coming together. He tells them - “become a single group…reconcile yourselves.” There must not be any inner jealousies, hatred, or rivalries. Following the call to unity, he goes on to speak of their uniqueness – prophesied diversity within a unified Israel. This is a picture of the chosen people in the “end of days.” The nation cannot function unless these tribes are all unified.

“And if a reign is divided against itself, that reign is unable to stand. (Mark 3:24)

Unity is crucial for the end times. Thus Jacob begins with a strong call to come together, and follows with blessings

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REUBEN“Re’ubĕn, you are my first-born, my power and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of exaltation and the excellency of power. “Boiling like water, you do not excel, because you went up to your

father’s bed, then you defiled it – he went up to my couch. (Genesis 49:3-4)

Reuben (#7205) “behold a son” the first-born, and from last week’s parsha, his sons Hanok (#2585) meaning “dedicated”, Pallu (#6396) meaning “set apart”, Hetsron (#2696) meaning “surrounded by a fence or hedge” and Karmi (#3756) meaning “keeper of my vineyard”. From the Tribe of Reuben we understand the following: “Behold a son, the first-born, dedicated, set apart, surrounded by a hedge, keeper of my vineyard.” Here we see that as first-born, Reuben was intended to be the leader of all the tribes. But, in sinning against his own father, he forfeited that right and blessing. Moses blesses Reuben in Deuteronomy 33:6; “Let Re‟uben live, and not die, and let his men be numbered.” While Reuben may have sinned, in the last days, he will live and not die and be numbered in Israel and find Tikkun (restoration)

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SIMEON“Shimʽon and Lĕwi are brothers, their weapons are implements of

violence. “Let my being not enter their council, let my esteem not be united to their assembly; because they slew a man in their displeasure, and they lamed an ox in pleasure. “Cursed be their displeasure for it is

fierce, and their wrath for it is cruel! I divide them in Yaʽaqob and scatter them in Yisra’ĕl. (Genesis 49:5-7)

Simeon (#8095), whose name means “hearing & obeying”, from the word Sh’ma. His sons Yemu’el (#3223) meaning “the day of Elohim”, Yamin (#3226) meaning “right hand”, Ohad (#0161) meaning “united” as in echad, Yakin (#3199) meaning “whom He establishes”, Tsohar (#6714) meaning “brightness” or “radiance” and Sha’ul (#7586) meaning “desired”, the son of a Canaanite (#3669 &3665) meaning “humble” woman, or bride. Combined we get “In the Day of Elohim, when His Right Hand will be united with whom He establishes in radiance, a desired and humble bride.” Simeon is scattered in Israel throughout the world. But, in the last days, those who make teshuvah, return to HaShem and our Ketubah (bridal contract) in humbleness of heart, will be His Bride. 37

LEVILevi (#3878) “joined with at the heart”. His sons, Gereshon (#1648) meaning “exile”, Qehath (#6955) meaning “assembly” and Merari (#4847) meaning “bitter herbs”. So of Levi we read; “He is joined in heart to the exiled assembly, eating the bitter herbs.” It is most interesting that he is joined to the assembly in exile, eating the bitter herbs. That’s referring to all the tribes. While it is noted that some Levites stayed with Judah, at the splitting of the Kingdom, many Levi’im, true to their calling, stayed and were hidden with the rest of us in the nations. Remember, he had no inheritance of land or riches; but, his inheritance was in יהוה. Just, as Moses also prophesied of Levi in Deuteronomy 33:8-11. Though they tried their Redeemer in the wilderness, they stood with Elohim when their brothers sinned with the golden calf, even regarding their own family members, and, because of this, יהוה set them apart to guard His Torah, serve Him in the Set-apart Place and to teach all Israel His Word. 38

JUDAH“You, Yehudah, your brothers praise you; your hand is on the neck of your enemies; your father’s children bow down before you. “Yehudah is a lion’s

cub; from the prey you have gone up, my son! He bowed down, he crouched like a lion. And like a lion, who does rouse him? “The sceptre

shall not turn aside from Yehudah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to Him is the obedience of peoples. “Binding his

donkey to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. “His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. (Genesis 49:8-12)

Jacob blesses Judah with “leadership” over all Israel and his enemies. The “scepter”, or “shebet” (literally the “rod” or authority and leadership) nor the “lawgiver”, or in Hebrew “m‟chokek”, will depart from his descendants until Shiloh comes. There is a prophetic and Scriptural connection here to Psalms 110:1, that states; יהוה said to my master, “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Then also verse 2 reads; יהוה sends your mighty scepter out of Tzion. 39

JUDAH - ENDTIMEJudah (#3063) “Yah’s praise”. His sons Er (#6147) meaning “watchman”, Onan (#0209) meaning “strong”, Shelah (#7956) meaning “prayer”, Perets (#6557) meaning “to break through” and Zerah (#2226) meaning “dawning”. Note: Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan; or, that “the watchman and the strong died in the land of merchants (the world)”. Perets was Judah’s son by his daughter in-law Tamar (palm tree or upright column, both euphemisms for righteous), who had been married to Er and Onan, but was childless. We are now told that Perets had two sons Hetsron (#2696) meaning “surrounded by a fence” and Hamul (#2538), meaning “spared”. What do we get then: “even though Judah lost his watchman and strength (became blind and weak) through sin, with “Shelah” (prayer) he will breakthrough, as the dawn, in righteousness and יהוה’s fence will surround him and he will be spared”. With Judah we see this “surrounded by a fence” theme (as in Torah fences) in his genealogy.

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SHILOHAs many equate “Shiloh” as meaning “Mashiach”; they thereby nullify Judah’s rule since they say that Mashiach has already come. However, the etymology of Shiloh indicates that this is referring to the time Mashiach will come and be the physical “king” of Israel on this earth, during His Millennial Reign. “Shiloh” (Shin-yud-lamed-hey) is from the root word “Shelah” (Shin-lamed-hey), was a grandson of Judah, and his name means “prayer” or “that which is prayed for” (a reference to Mashiach’ s reign). The definition of “Shiloh” is literally “rest and tranquillity”. This is also why the resting place of the Tabernacle for 369 years, prior to the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, was named “Shiloh”.

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ZEBULUN“Zebulun dwells at the seashore, he is for a haven for ships, and his

border is unto Tsidon. (Genesis 49:13)Zebulun (#2074) “habitation or dwelling”. His sons Sered (#5624) meaning “fear”, Elon (#0356) meaning “mighty” and Yahle’el (#3177) meaning “Elohim expects”. Regarding Zebulun (HaShem’s habitation): Elohim tells us that He expects us to “fear our Mighty One, YHVH”. Now, in Scripture, the seas also represent peoples and Tsidon (#6721) means “fishing”. So, “Zebulun is a fisher of men.” This make sense, along with a connection to Issachar, in Moses’s words in Deuteronomy 33:18-19; And of Zebulun he said, “Rejoice, O Zebulun, in your going out, and Yissaskar in your tents! They call peoples to the mountain, there they bring offerings of righteousness, for they draw from the riches of the seas, and treasures hidden in the sand.” Together Zebulun and Issachar, in the last days, are calling the people to יהוהs Mountain (Mt. Tzion) with offerings of righteousness. They draw out the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel, Yah’s treasured possession), who are as the sands of the seas and hidden in the world. 42

ISSACHAR“Yissaskar is a strong donkey lying down between two burdens, and he saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, and he inclined his shoulder to bear a burden, and became a subject to slave

labour. (Genesis 49:14-15)Issachar (#3485) whose name means “recompense”. His sons Tola (#8438) “scarlet”, Puw’ah (#6312) “mouth”, Yob (Job) (#3102) “persecuted” and Shimron (#8110) “watchtower” or “Samaria”. As Elohim speaks to all Israel through Issachar’s blessing, He tells us “that the recompense for our idolatry is scarlet red, and that from our own mouth we have persecuted our brothers and we will also be persecuted because of our choices in Samaria, the place where our idolatry began”. It’s so very interesting that the fight for the Land today centres around Samaria. Note: In the genealogies listed in 1 Chronicles 7:1 we read; And the sons of Issachar : Tola, and Puw‟ah, Yashub, and Shimron, four. Here Yob’s name has been changed to Yashub (Strong’s #3437) meaning “he will return” as in make teshuvah and return to 43 .יהוה

DAN“Dan rightly rules his people as one of the tribes of Yisra’ĕl. “Dan is a serpent by the way, an adder by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward. “I have waited for your deliverance, O

(Genesis 49:16-18) !יהוהDan (#1835) “Judge” and his son Hushim (#2366) meaning “those who make haste”. While Jacob says that Dan will rule his people, as a “judge”; many scholars deduce from the description of Dan being “the nachash (serpent) and a “shephyphon” (viper) in the derech (way or path) subversively striking the heel of the “soos” (horse or swift one [as in He who comes quickly]) so that the rider falls backwards”, that from Dan will come “anti-messiah”. That, because of him, Jacob will wait anxiously for the Deliverance of HaShem, or the coming of Mashiach. Jacob uses the word “shephyphon” for “viper”, the only time this Hebrew word is used in Scripture. It is a specific kind of viper that lives in and around Israel namely the black and red horned viper. This viper digs into the sand, with only its horns protruding. When birds, or other small prey, come to peck at, or eat, the “worm”, it kills and eats its prey. Thus the rabbis as indicate that Dan will, use trickery and deceit to gain a victory and rule. 44

HEELThe Hebrew word used for “heel” is “aqeb”, which is more commonly translated as “at the end”. However, the context of our verse suggests “heel”. We get another piece of the puzzle from And of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub, that leaps from Bashan.” (Deuteronomy 33:22 ) This is another clue regarding anti-messiah. Bashan is the Golan Heights and is the area that’s part of the portion given to Joseph (through Menashe), by Jacob. It’s interesting that when they came from Mitzrayim to enter Israel, they were attacked and overcame Og, king of the Amorites in Bashan. The mountain of Bashan is Har Hermon. “Hermon” was a mighty one of the Amorites in the region, whose name meant “Consecrated to Destruction” or “Devastation”. This area has been part of Israel since the 1967 war; but, Syria also continues to claim ownership. One of the ancient Biblical cities in Bashan / Golan Heights is “Dan”. This is where the second of Yarboam’s (Jeroboam’s) temples and golden calves was set up. The other city is Beit El. Thus beginning the idolatry and whoredom of the House of Israel. To many it appears that “anti-messiah’s armies” will come to attack Israel from, or through, Syria.

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GAD“Gad, a raiding band raids him, but he raids its heel. (Genesis 49:19)

Gad (#1410) “good fortune”. This presents somewhat of a problem, as it relates to the false elohim of fortune. However, Leah clearly stated in Genesis 30:11 that “good fortune” had truly come, and that’s why she named him Gad. His sons Tsiphyon (#6837) meaning “longing” or “expectation”, “Haggi” (#2291 & 2287) meaning “festive” or “to keep a festival”, Shuni (#7764) meaning “in Gad” or “fortunate” or “blessed”, Etsbon (#0675) meaning “to see” or “to discern”, Eri (#6179) meaning “guarding”, Arodi (#0722) meaning “roaming” or “to break loose” and Areli (#0692) meaning “hero”. Here we see Gad as “longing to celebrate יהוה’s feasts and blessed is he who discerns and guards them.” Further that “Gad will one day break loose as a hero”.

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ASHER“Bread from Ashĕr is rich, and he gives delicacies of a sovereign.

(Genesis 49:20)Asher (#0836) “happy”. His sons Yimnah (#3232) meaning “prosperity”, Yishwah (#3438) meaning “to resemble” or “become like”, Yishwi meaning “will be like me”, Beri’ah (#1283) meaning “a gift”, Serah (Serach), their sister (#8294) the same as Sarah meaning “remnant”, and the sons of Beri’ah, Heber (#2268) meaning “a company” and Malki’el (#4439) meaning “my King is Elohim”. We read through his children that his “happiness and prosperity is in learning to be like Elohim.” In fact, Yah says “Yishwi, he will be like me.” For he is a “gift a, remnant and a company that calls Elohim, my King.” Bread is Torah and Asher finds rich delicacies within it. And, as Moshe says in Deuteronomy 33:24; “Asher is most blessed of sons. Let him be accepted by his brothers, and dip his foot in oil.” In these last days, Asher will walk in the oil, the anointing of Ruach HaKodesh.

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NAPHTALI“Naphtali is a deer let loose, he gives words of elegance. (Genesis

49:21)Naphtali (#5321) “wrestling” and his sons were Yahtse’el (#3183) meaning “Elohim divides”, Guni (#1476) meaning “painted with colors”, Yetser (#3337) meaning “forming” as man from the dust and Shillem (#8006/7999) meaning “a covenant of peace”. Here Naphtali is “wrestling as Elohim divides and paints with colors (many colors) Yisra’el. But, Yahweh will form with man, a covenant of peace.” We read Moses’s words in Deuteronomy 33:23; And of Naphtali he said, “O Naphtali, satisfied with pleasure, and filled with the blessing of יהוה, possess the west and the south.” Naphtali is wrestling as it doesn’t match Naphtali’s original land grant; but rather, the new distribution of the Land Ezekiel 48. 'Naftali's territory will run alongside the territory of Asher from east to west.

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JOSEPH“Yosĕph is an offshoot of a fruit-bearing tree, an offshoot of a fruit-bearing

tree by a fountain, his branches run over a wall. “And the archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. “But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty One of Yaʽaqob – from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Yisra’ĕl – from the Ěl of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses

you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. “The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the limit of the

everlasting hills. They are on the head of Yosĕph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separated from his brothers.

(Genesis 49:22-26)

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JOSEPH con’tJoseph means “Yah has added”. Manasseh means “forgetting” or “causing to forget”. And, Ephraim means “double portion” or “double land”. This is echoed in Moses’s words:

of And of Yosĕph he said, “Blessed of יהוה is his land, ….And they are the ten thousands of Ephrayim, and they are the thousands of

Menashsheh.” (Deuteronomy 33:13-17)

Through Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's seed is spread throughout all the nations of the earth.

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BENYAMIN“Binyamin is a wolf that tears, in the morning he eats prey, and at night

he divides the spoil.” (Genesis 49:27)Now Benyamin (son of the right hand) and his sons, Belah (#1106) meaning “swallowed up”, Beker (#1071) meaning “young man”, Ashbel (#0788) meaning “man of Elohim”, Gera (#1626 & 1627) meaning literally “one granule of grain” or “1/20 of a shekel” (the smallest coin of currency minted, equating to the widow’s mite), Na’aman (#5283) meaning “pleasant”, Ehi (#0278) meaning “my brother”, Rosh (#7220) meaning “head” or “beginning”, Muppim (#4649) meaning “Speaking or Repeating what is heard”, Chuppim the plural of Chuppah, meaning “bridal canopies” or “coverings” and Ard (#0714) meaning “Wanderer”. So, of Benyamin and his sons we learn; “The Son of the Right Hand, though swallowed up, as a young man, attached himself to Yehudah, a man of Elohim”. And, “as the smallest of grain, he was pleasant for his brother, the head, speaking what he has heard, he is under the bridal canopies, with the wanderer”. Smallest grain refers to Benyamin almost wiped out; Judges 19-20

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HIS OWN BLESSINGAll these are the twelve tribes of Yisra’ĕl, and this is what their father

spoke to them. And he blessed them, he blessed each one according to his own blessing. (Genesis 49:28)

Not everything that Jacob says appears to be a “blessing”. We might evaluate Jacob’s words as part blessing, part prophecy, and part settling of scores. Rabbi Ralbag notes, however, that blessings are not like possessions, which have an objective value independent of their bearers. Rather, a blessing is defined by what a person makes of it. We are familiar with the idiom, “a blessing in disguise.” Consider a person who missed their plane, only to hear later that the plane crashed. Or to be rejected by a job offer, only to be offered a much better job a few days later. Jacob speaks to the strengths and weaknesses of each of his sons. In doing so, each son has the choice of working with these known tendencies. How each son receives the message and applies it will determine whether or not it is a blessing. 52

VIRTUEThe Or Hachayim comments on Genesis 49:28:“According to his own blessing” – a blessing, which matched the inner traits of his soul and his actions. For every soul has a particular virtue. It may be the priestly service or the majesty of a monarch, the crown of Torah or physical strength, wealth or simple good fortune. Jacob wanted his blessing to bring out the inner nature of every son. “He blessed them” – He blesses them as a collective, for the particular blessing of every one of the brothers will help all the brothers. When one brother has a particular virtue….a small amount of that virtue will reach each and every one of the brothers.Every brother has something unique. Every brother has something to contribute to the family as a cohesive unit. Even Jacob’s “curses” can be understood as “blessings” from this perspective.

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A CURSE IS A BLESSINGRabbi S. R. Hirsch explains this concept in the “curse” over “Simeon and Levi”:“Shimʽon and Lĕwi are brothers, their weapons are implements of violence. “Let my being not enter their council, let my esteem not be united to their assembly; because they slew a man in their displeasure, and they lamed an ox in pleasure. “Cursed be their displeasure for it is fierce, and their wrath for it is cruel! I divide them in Yaʽaqob and scatter them in Yisra’ĕl. (Genesis 49:5-7)The motives which prompted Simeon and Levi to action – family pride, a sense of the dignity of the Israelites, and an unwillingness to see their sister disgraced or to be taken advantage of. These motives can be good, but only when applied in moderation. In its extreme form, these feelings of family pride (or nationalism) can become dangerous, even leading to murder. For this reason, Simeon and Levi must be split up or “scattered in Israel”. Then these feelings can be toned down with the help of the other tribes and can become a valuable asset to the nation. 54

THE MESSIAHThe Messiah is really the focus of Jacob’s blessing over Judah. Remember Jacob had received an earlier vision fromיהוה

Bereshith 28:14 …in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

promised Jacob that through his “seed” (singular) would come יהוהthe “blessing”: Galatians 3:16 Now to Avraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Messiah.This “seed”, who is “Messiah”, is what Jacob is most interested in now that he has reached the end of his life. This “seed” is the great hope for the world and it is through this “seed” that the unity of Israel will be accomplished. In his blessing over Judah, Jacob refers to this seed as “Shiloh”:

Bereshith 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Yehuda, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be

the obedience of the people.55

DETERMINIG THE LEADERQuoting Rabbi Yaakov Beasley :“How was Yehuda determined to be the rightful choice? Reuven was the firstborn, but his instability disqualified him from serving at leadership. Because “their anger was strong and their wrath was fierce,” Shimon and Levi were also deemed unsuitable. Reuven’s abandonment of the land of Israel and their settlement on the other side of the Jordan, Shimon’s involvement in the Shittim incident, Levi’s sins during Korach’s rebellion. In addition, since both of the latter tribes would be scattered among the others, the monarchy would not be suitable for either. The other tribes were rejected, continues the Abrabanel, not because they didn’t possess leadership qualities but for practical reasons. The people of Zevulun were traders who dwelled by the seashore, not the centre of the country. Yissachar tended towards agricultural pursuits, awhile Asher preferred material comforts. The people of Naftali, exemplary in strength and swift as a hind, would make great servants, but not leaders. Dan, Gad, and Binyamin were brave fighters – but not at the head of an army. They were not the brave lion, but the cunning snake and ravenous wolf. Yosef was blessed materially with everything, but not the obedience of his brethren. This, suggests the Abrabanel, left Yehuda, destined to rule due to his strength, generosity, and sense of filial responsibility.” 56

SHILOHShiloh….this is the Messiah who shall achieve the “obedience of the people” to יהוה. Judah’s rule over the nations will last till Messiah comes, and then the nations will follow him. The result of “obedience of the people” is connected with the meaning of the Hebrew root of “Shiloh” – shalah , meaning “to enjoy rest”.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your

souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."Gematria also makes an interesting connection:Shiloh comes = 358 Messiah = 358All the ancient scholars recognized that “Shiloh” spoke of Messiah (LXX, Targumim Onkelos, Yonathan, Jerusalem; the Talmud, Zohar, Bereshith Rabba andYalkut). Modern Jewish and liberal scholars hesitate to admit that this is a reference to Messiah because it will open the door to the idea of a personal Messiah, i.e. יהושע! 57

DREW HIS LEGSAnd he commanded them, and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people, bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron

the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Makpĕlah,...And when Yaʽaqob ended commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 49:29-

33)Jacob was painfully aware of Egypt a pit of immorality, a she'ol of injustice, cruelty and licentiousness. Taking up residence in the land of Goshen was good, as Israel was separated from the rest of Egypt, and Jacob understood that he must live out his days there. So hateful to him was this place that before leaving this earth, he withdrew his feet from the land of Egypt. He died in Egypt, but he first separated himself from its soil, the soil through which the Nile ran and upon which the Pharaoh ruled. Even in his own death, Jacob 's soul would not be comforted and would not rest until his body was brought up out of the netherworld of Egypt and buried with his fathers deep in the soil of the land of Israel. Only from this holy portal would his soul enter Paradise. 58

BOOK OF JASHERJasher 56:10-13 And Jacob again commanded his sons on that day,

saying, Behold I shall be this day gathered unto my people; carry me up from Egypt, and bury me in the cave of Machpelah as I have

commanded you. Howbeit take heed I pray you that none of your sons carry me, only yourselves, and this is the manner you shall do unto me, when you carry my body to go with it to the land of Canaan to bury me,

Judah, Issachar and Zebulun shall carry my bier at the eastern side; Reuben, Simeon and Gad at the south, Ephraim, Manasseh and

Benjamin at the west, Dan, Asher and Naphtali at the north. Let not Levi carry with you, for he and his sons will carry the ark of the covenant of

the Lord with the Israelites in the camp, neither let Joseph my son carry, for as a king so let his glory be; howbeit, Ephraim and Manasseh shall

be in their stead.Note: The Hebrew word for “coffin” is “aleph-reish-yud-nun” or “arown” which also means “ark”, as in “Noah’s ark” or the “Ark of the Covenant”.59

REDEMPTIONAnd Yosĕph dwelt in Mitsrayim, he and his father’s household. And

Yosĕph lived one hundred and ten years. (Genesis 50:22)Joseph lived to be 110 years old. 110 represents the letters “kuf” and “yud” which mean “surround” and “hand”. Joseph was always surrounded by the Hand of יהוה. But interestingly, in the Paleo Hebrew, the letter “kuf” was written as the “sun on the horizon” which also indicates “time” as in the “completeness” or “fullness of time”. In other words, Joseph then and in the future would always be surrounded by the Hand of יהוה. Words and phrases with a numeric value of 110 appear throughout Torah. Most of these have to do with the “palms of the hand” (6 times) and “going” or “being taken” (8 times). But 110 is numeric value for “pey-dalet-vav-yud-yud”, “padoo‟ee” which is “redemption”.

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DELIVERANCE“I have waited for your deliverance, O יהוה! (Genesis 49:18)

At the time this was said, Jacob was under no threat requiring deliverance/salvation from his enemies. The word translated as “salvation” is יהושע. We know that Jacob was a man who already knew something of the Almighty’s promise of “salvation”. Now he is about to die, and it is not surprising to see he is focused on “salvation”…i.e. forgiveness of sin, victory over death, and the inheritance of everlasting life. So what in particular triggered Jacob to cry out at this moment?

“Dan is a serpent by the way, an adder by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward. (Genesis 49:17)

These words…serpent, heel, suffering….bring another verse to mind? “And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed

and her Seed. He shall crush your head, and you shall crush His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

BRANCH OF DAVIDThis Genesis verse gives the promise of overcoming the evil one through the promised “Seed”. The “Seed” will suffer, for the “heel is bruised”. As Jacob blessed Dan, he was overwhelmed with the promise of “salvation” (יהושע).The ancient sages understood Jacob’s exclamation to reflect his longing for the Messiah. Three times a day, based upon this passage in Genesis 49:18, observant Jews pray with “hope” for the coming of “your salvation” (יהושע). Blessing 15 of the Amidah:

The Branch of your servant David may you speedily cause to flourish and may You exalt in your salvation (יהושע). For we hope (qavah) for

your salvation (יהושע) all the day. Blessed are You, Adonai, Who brings forth the Horn of our salvation (יהושע).

Orthodox Jews have a passionate longing/hope (qavah) for the Messiah. May it also be said of us!

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JOSEPHAnd Yosĕph made the children of Yisra’ĕl swear, saying, “Elohim shall

certainly visit you, and you shall bring up my bones from here.” (Genesis 50:25)

We find this verse alluded to in Hebrews 11, the chapter known as the “Hall of Faith.” With all the extraordinary events that occurred in Joseph’s life, it is amazing what Joseph is recognized for:By belief, Yosĕph, when he was dying, made mention of the outgoing of

the children of Yisra’ĕl, and gave orders concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:22)

What is so significant about the bones, why the emphases with both Jacob and Joseph on their bones?

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BONES - ONENESSAnd the man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.

This one is called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.” (Genesis 2:23)

Eve was the “bride” of Adam. Having been taken from his very “bones”, she was the very essence of the bridegroom. As a couple, they would unite and again become one (echad) flesh. “It is eaten in one house, you are not to take any of the flesh outside the

house, nor are you to break any bone of it. (Exodus 12:46)Like the Passover lamb, יהושע also would not endure any broken bones. His body is a picture of the “oneness” of the bridegroom and his bride. At the time of the Exodus, we are told that Moses sees to it that the bones of Joseph will be taken along to the Promised Land:

And Mosheh took the bones of Yosĕph with him, for he certainly made the children of Yisra’ĕl swear, saying, “Elohim shall certainly visit you,

and you shall bring my bones from here with you.” (Exodus 13:19) 64

After the Israelites are settled into the Promised Land, we read the sad story of an adulterous concubine. Her husband cuts her body into 12 bones and sent each tribe one of her bones:

and came into his house and took a knife, then laid hold of his concubine, and cut her up limb (bone) by limb (bone) into twelve

pieces, and sent her throughout all the borders of Yisra’ĕl. (Judges 19:29)

The story is so gruesome, but putting that aside let look at some Hebraic understanding to it. Jeff Benner, known for his ancient Hebrew insights, paints an interesting picture of the word for “covenant” that just might tie in. The following is quoted from his book, The Living Words ~ Vol. 1:

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JEFF A BENNER“While the Hebrew word “beriyt” means “covenant,” the root of the word and its cultural background are helpful in understanding its fuller meaning. This word comes from the root “barah” meaning “to select the choicest meat.” The word “beriyt” is literally the choicest, fattest, animal that is slaughtered for the covenant ceremony. (Genesis 31:44)The phrase “make a covenant” is found thirteen times in the Hebrew Bible where the word “make” is the Hebrew word karat meaning “to cut.” Literally, the phrase “make a covenant” means, “cut the choice pieces of meat.” The fattened animal is cut into two pieces and laid out on the ground; each party of the covenant then passes through the pieces. This symbolic act signifies to both parties that if one of the parties fails to meet the agreement, then the other has the right to do to the other what they did to the animal. (See Jeremiah 34:18-20).Countless times over the years following the institution of this covenant, Israel failed to abide by the covenantal agreement. Just as the animal of the sacrifice was cut in two pieces, Israel was also cut in two for their unfaithfulness to the covenant by being cut into two nations – Israel and Judah.” 66

יהושעIt could be said that as a result of Israel’s unfaithfulness, they were also cut into 12 bones like the unfaithful concubine? Is this another picture of the scattering of the tribes? physically took on the unfaithfulness of the tribes when He hung יהושעon the tree. The Hebrew word for “out of joint” (parad) also means “divided” or “disconnected”:

I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; …(Psalms 22:14)

Because of יהושע’s sacrifice, we are able to put the out of joint bones back together and become one (echad) with Him once again. We can become bone of his bone, in the same way that Eve became one with Adam. This was the goal of Messiah when he said he had come for those scattered pieces….the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Because we are members of him, body, of his flesh and of his bones.(Ephesians 5:30 Doug Reigns)

For as the body is one and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body: So also is Christ.

(1 Corinthians 12:12) 67

DRY BONESThe hand of יהוה was upon me and took me out by the Spirit of יהוה,

and set me down in the midst of the valley. And it was filled with bones. And He made me pass among them, all around, and see, there were

very many on the surface of the valley, and see, they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, would these bones live?” And I said, “O

Master יהוה, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and you shall say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of יהוה! ‘Thus said the Master יהוה to these bones, “See, I am bringing into you

a spirit, and you shall live. (Ezekiel 37:1-5)

Notice in verse 4 the bones are told to “hear” (shema) the word of ,To “shema” is not only to “hear”, but to “obey”! Once this occurs !יהוהthe bones can begin to be knitted together in community:

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BONES COMING TOGETHERAnd I looked and saw sinews and flesh came upon them, and skin covered

them, but there was no spirit in them. He then said to me, “Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and you shall say to the spirit, ‘Thus said the Master יהוה, “Come from the four winds, O spirit, and breathe on these

slain, so that they live.” ’ ” And I prophesied as He commanded me, and the spirit came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, a very

great army. And He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are all the house of Yisra’ĕl. See, they say, ‘Our bones are dry, our expectancy has perished, and we ourselves have been cut off!’ “Therefore prophesy, and you shall

say to them, ‘Thus said the Master יהוה, “See, O My people, I am opening your graves, and shall bring you up from your graves, and shall bring you into the land of Yisra’ĕl. “And you shall know that I am יהוה, when I open

your graves, O My people, and bring you up from your graves. “And I shall put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I shall settle you in your own

land. And you shall know that I יהוה have spoken, and I have done it,” declares יהוה.’ ” (Ezekiel 37:8-14) 69

JOSEPHVerse 11 tells us that these bones are the “whole house of Israel”! Like Joseph, these bones have been taken to the land of Israel! Note: The parent root for bones is the word for “tree”! If you continue on reading in Ezekiel 37, you will come to the very familiar “two stick” prophecy detailing the restoration of the House of Judah and the House of Ephraim. And the Hebrew word for “stick” is? , the word for tree!Joseph understood that the bones and that is what gained him entrance into the faith chapter of Hebrews? Joseph understood that his life was a living representation of the restoration of the 12 tribes of Israel before they had even split. He knew that the return of his bones to Israel paralleled the eventual return of all of Israel to the Promised Land. Joseph was noted for his faith in Hebrews 11 because he caught that vision!

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