“And (Jacob) charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my father in the cave that is in the... field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan.”
Jacob’s last words to his sons had foretold the very counsels of God and the future course of Israel as a nation, originating in the twelve sons. In them we see set forth their responsibilities and failures, as well as the grace that within such a failing people would establish a priestly and royal line that would lead on to the birth of Christ. The promise of God’s grace and mercy shone out through all these failures, rebellion, and the oppression they would surely reap in chastisement.
In the last words of the patriarch concerning Joseph and the blessing that would eventually come, no mention is made of Asenath, Joseph’s wife. She is one of those wonderful types in the Old Testament of the Church, the bride of Christ; nevertheless the Church is not the subject of Old Testament prophecy.
In the day of his exaltation Joseph proved to be a Revealer of Secrets (Zaphnath-paaneah). Prophets of old had glorious things to say of Christ, but there were secrets that awaited the coming of Christ — the true Revealer of Secrets. Then indeed, when Christ was exalted, the greatest mystery of all was disclosed — the mystery of Christ and the Church, of which now that it is revealed, we can see a dim shadow in Joseph and Asenath, his Gentile bride.
The Church’s portion is far above and beyond the earthly blessings foreseen by Jacob for his sons. She is espoused to Christ now, soon to be united with Him in glory forever; thus her blessings are heavenly and eternal. Joseph foreshadows then the One whose portion will not only be with His earthly people, Israel, but who will be the center of the heavenly scene of glory, which He will share with the Church, his companion and His bride.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4-74But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4‑7).
May this be the bright and unfailing prospect before our hearts, dear reader.
ML 02/18/1968