If Only My People Would See What Israel Saw

As I was reading through the book of Genesis again this year, I came upon a verse that I had never paid particular attention to before. The verse is found in Genesis 46 and is a statement that Israel (Jacob, Isaac’s son and Abraham’s grandson) made after he saw his son Joseph. If you remember, Joseph was Israel’s favorite son who was sold into slavery by his brothers. After many years, Joseph is not only the second in command of Egypt, but also is the one G-D had used to save Egypt and his family in Canaan. If you haven’t already read through this story in the Bible, I encourage you to read it. It is filled with amazing examples of G-D’s sovereignty and how G-D uses difficult circumstances, such as when people might mean to harm us. But instead of them causing us harm, G-D turns their intended harm into blessings, not only to us, but also to others. 

Anyways, back to the time when Israel had arrived in Egypt and was brought before Joseph who was now a ruler in Egypt. We find these words spoken by Israel in Genesis 46:30:

Then Israel said to Joseph, “At this time I am ready to die, after seeing your face in person—for you’re still alive!”

Yes, Israel is an old man by the time he speaks these words. Yes, I am sure that Israel is overwhelmed by the sight of his son whom he once thought was killed by wild animals. I think these words hold much more meaning than simply an old man being emotionally moved by seeing the son who once was lost but now has been found. I believe that there is a much greater and more powerful prophetic statement being made by Israel in this verse.

In order to understand what I mean when I say a prophetic statement, for a moment consider that Israel (Jacob) represents the Jewish people, the children of Abraham, and that Joseph represents the promised Messiah of Israel, the only begotten and beloved Son of the Father. The symbolism of this moment in time is so meaningful. If it is as I believe it to be, that Joseph’s life is meant as a prophetic foreshadowing of Yeshua, then just as Joseph was first rejected by his brothers then Yeshua would also have to be rejected by His brothers. Joseph became hidden from his brothers and rose to be accepted and honored by people of Egypt just as Yeshua who was rejected became honored by the people of “Rome.” If this is true, and I believe it to be, then there has to be a time when just as Joseph was revealed to his brothers and true restoration took place, that Yeshua will also be revealed to His brothers, the Jewish people and a restoration will take place. I believe this has begun to happen as Yeshua has been revealed to millions of Jewish people who have accepted Him as the Messiah. 

If all of the above is true, and I believe it is, then when we read Genesis 46:30 and see Israel’s reaction to seeing Joseph alive, our minds should put two and two together figuratively and prophetically. This helps us understand that prophetically there was to be a time when Israel (The Jewish people) would see Yeshua not as a foreign ruler, but as a “Joseph,” their brother, who was once rejected by them. But through the sovereignty of G-D, He became restored to them as their deliverer. When this happens, then just as Israel said “At this time I am ready to die, after seeing your face in person—for you’re still alive!” Jewish people like myself will be able to die to ourselves and our rejection of the chosen Son (Yeshua). The rejection was based on our misinterpretations and misapplication of the Torah, the Word of G-D. This restoration will happen when we individually see His face in person and proclaim: “He is alive.” 

Just as Joseph’s brothers had to die to themselves in order to repent of their hatred and rejection of Joseph, the Jewish people will also have to humble themselves and repent of their hatred and rejection of Yeshua. This repentance has been happening in greater and greater numbers over the past hundred years. One day, and I pray it is soon, my people, Jewish people worldwide, will open their eyes spiritually. When they do this, they will see Yeshua’s face in person and rejoice as they say: “You are still alive.”

When this happens, the words of Yeshua in Matthew 23:39 will be fulfilled. Where Yeshua said: “For I tell you, you will never see Me again until you say, ‘Baruch ha-ba b’shem Adonai. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

So, I believe that as the Spirit of G-D inspired Moses to write the words found in Genesis chapter 46, G-D was looking prophetically through time to today knowing that millions of Jewish people would figuratively and symbolically join Israel in the experience of seeing the rejected One face to face. Once they did, they would humbly die to false understandings and interpretations based upon rejection of the Chosen Son and rejoice that the Chosen Son, Yeshua, lives.