The account of Yosef and his once-estranged brothers reaches a crescendo in Genesis 43, as those 10 return to Mistraim (Egypt) with Ben-Yamin (Benjamin), Yosef’s younger brother. There are a number of parallels between Yosef’s life and that of Yeshua the Messiah in this part of the account.
We’ve already explored how Yosef’s life parallels that of Yeshua the Messiah. In part 3 of this study of Genesis 42, we explore the another parallel in the ancient Egyptian name of Yosef (Joseph) and in the three days of imprisonment of his brothers.
The common name for the day following seven days of Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles) is Shmini Atseret in Hebrew, or “Assembly of the Eighth (Day).” The day also is called Simchat Torah, Hebrew for “joy of the Torah,” based on the centuries old practice in synagogues of restarting the cycle of Torah readings at that time.
Shmini Atseret is a bookend to the miqra qodesh on the first day of Sukkot. Its place following Sukkot suggests that God wants to memorialize what is planned for when the time period of “wandering” in these mortal bodies and rebellious minds finally comes to an end, and humankind enters total lasting “rest.”
Yeshua (Jesus) kept the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles), but the only record of that is His keeping the latter part of it (John 6:26-7:41). During the Feast of Tabernacles, the people were looking for the Prophet like Moshe (Moses), but did they recognize the Prophet? Do we recognize the Prophet when we memorialize the past, present and future of God “tabernacling” with mankind?
I was asked recently, “Is he a believer?” Who is a “believer”? What is “unbelief”? The Messiah and the apostle Paul spoke about “unbelief.” But what did it mean 2,000 years ago?
One of the lessons about the forthcoming physical presence of the Kingdom of God on Earth in the future, which is foreshadowed through the memorial of Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles), is that “believers” have learned the judgments of God to teach them to others. When His judgments arrive in person, they will establish righteousness on Earth.
In God’s instructions for remembering Sukkot (Festival of Booths or Tabernacles), God said to gather foliage from four types of trees. Part 1 of this study reveals how these four species symbolize four types of people. Part 2 explores how the sukkah made from the trees teaches about the Yeshua’s 12 apostles, the “fruits” of the Spirit and the dwelling place of God.
In God’s instructions for remembering Sukkot (Festival of Booths or Tabernacles), God said to gather foliage from four types of trees. Part 1 of this study reveals how these four species symbolize four types of people. Part 2 explores how the sukkah made from the trees teaches about the Yeshua’s 12 apostles, the “fruits” of the Spirit and the dwelling place of God.