LET us remember Him who has surnamed us “Israel” (Gal. 6:16). We belong to Him who Himself is God’s Israel (Isaiah 49:1-6). His First Born (Ex. 4:22; Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:15). Well may we think, with solemn joy, on our Israelite-names, and plead them before the Lord; bowing the knee also to HIM whose NAME IS ABOVE EVERY NAME.
ISRAEL, a prince with God; a prevailing Prince “Reuben,” (see a Son!) “Surely, the Lord hath looked on (our) affliction” (Gen. 29:32). “For unto us a Child is Born, unto us a Son is given ... and His Name shall be called ... The Mighty God” (Is. 9:6). “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). “The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power” (Gen. 49:3). “Let Reuben live” (Deut. 33:6). “In HIM was Life, and the Life was the Light of men” (John 1:4). “Our Life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). “Simeon” (that hears), “Faith cometh by hearing” (Rom. 10:17). “Hear ye Him” (Matt. 17:5). “Levi” (joined), “They shall be joined unto thee” (Numbers 18:4). “That they all may be one, as Thou Father art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent Me” (John 17:21). “Judah” (Gen. 29:35). “Now will I praise the LORD.” “Gad,” a troop (Gen. 49:19). I overcome “by the blood of the Lamb” “Asher,” (v. 20,) I feed on royal dainties in “the high places.” I suck (Jeshurun’s portion), “the honey out of the rock,” my food is butter of kine, milk of sheep, fat of lambs, with the fat of the kidneys of wheat (Deut. 32:13). Let us ponder and worship, and remember the Blessed One, our Asher, who has provided the feast at a wonderful cost, and so “let us eat, and” (with solemn heavenly mirth) “be merry,” while we drink the pure blood of the grape.
Beloved, how is it that our vine is not the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah; that our grapes are not grapes of gall, bitter clusters! Oh, beloved! how is it that our wine is not the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps (Deut. 32:32, 33); but that we are (as “Naphtali”) “satisfied with favor, and fall of the blessing of the Lord” (Deut. 33:23); in a land of corn and wine, where the heavens drop down dew (verse 28); and as “Issachar,” enjoying the rest that is good, and the land that is a pleasant land (Gen. 49:16).
Whether we labor in our fields, or journey through our land, we “bind” our “foal,” not as do others in other countries, to posts and hedge trees; but “to the (abounding) Vine” —our “ass’s colt to the choice Vine.” We “wash (our) garments in wine, and (our) clothes in the blood of grapes.” Let us meditate and pray over such a word as this (Gen. 49:12), “His eyes shall be red with wine.” Drink abundantly, beloved. “Fat of my bread,” saith the Lord, “and drink of the wine which I have mingled” (Pro. 9:5).
The more we eat, the more we hunger; the more we drink, the More we feel our need. Beloved, where ever we are, in whatsoever way engaged, let our heart be with our Father and our Master, in the House of Bread and Wine. The voice of love will reach us, “Let US eat and be merry;” and no less this word, “Do this in remembrance of ME.” Brethren, see the “royal dainties” on the table of the Blessed One in the House of Wine Let us abide with God at our LORD’S TABLE, over the “pure blood of the grape,” over “the wine that cheereth God and man” (Judges 9:13), (remembering Him who brought us to the Banqueting House), until our “eyes are red with wine.” We shall soon “see His face,” and “be like Him” (Rev. 22:4; 1 John 3:2).
We are the “Zebulon,” (v. 13,) to dwell where the storms, waves, and winds are. Let our eyes be red like, and red with wine upon the lees, well refined; and we shall brave the storms ourselves, and, under God, be a haven for ships in distress. “Joseph,” (v. 22), the “fruitful bough is by a well whose branches run over the wall.” There was One who grew and waxed strong in Spirit (Luke 2:40) and increased in wisdom, (and age, margin) and stature, and in favour with God and man (verse 52); who could always say, “Thou art near, O Lord.” Jehovah Himself was as the well, BY which a greater than Joseph was planted, whose branches run over the wall—precious clusters for us sinners of the Gentiles! Now we are His Joseph; He, our well The water that He has given us (John 4:14), is in us “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” That is the well whereof the Lord spoke.... “I will give them water.”.... “Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it” (Num. 21:18, 17)—the well-spring of life, the well-spring of wisdom, a flowing brook! Amen.