We read the prophesies of the last days given to Joseph and Benjamin by Israel, their father. He also gives the final instructions for his burial. He wanted to be buried with his father and grandfather.
Category: Torah
We finish this chapter discussing the prophesies related to Dan, Naphtali, Asher, Yosef (Joseph) and Ben-Yamin (Benjamin). If we look at these prophesies as only relevant to the sons of Ya’akov (Jacob), we are missing out on the messianic significance of every one of these prophesies.
More than just a list of names, these blessings from Ya’akov/Yisrael are prophesies that will be fulfilled in the last days and give us insight into the mission of the Messiah. For Issachar, it’s a blessing rather than a curse.
Many people who read Genesis 49 believe that the prophesies Israel gave to his 12 sons were only about their or their immediate descendants. This is not the case. These prophesies encompass our prophetic future and those of our descendants all the way to the very end of time.
Today’s talk focuses on the prophesies given to Israel’s first four sons, culminating with his fourth son, Yehudah (Judah). All 4 of these sons were sons of Leah, the daughter of Laban as well, which gives us an additional insight as well.
We read more about how the land of Egypt survived the seven-year famine thanks to God’s revelation to Yosef (Joseph) and his stewardship of Pharaoh’s land. Later, Ya’akov (Jacob) gives Yosef his double portion of the blessing vicariously through his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Ya’akov asks God’s permission to go to the Land of Egypt, Mitsraim in Hebrew, to meet his son Yosef (Joseph) again. When God gives him the green light, he leaves the land of Canaan and travels to Mitsraim in the entourage Pharaoh provides him and his family. Ya’akov’s and Yosef’s joy are complete.
Ya’akov’s family finally ran out of Egyptian grain and had little choice but to return to Egypt to get more. The 10 brothers had a duty to fulfill beyond their father’s call to get more grain: get Simeon released from prison. Ben-Yamin (Benjamin) was the only key to obtain that release, but Ya’akov (Jacob) did not want to let him go. Once Ya’akov acquiesced, the 10 brothers went to Egypt. Yosef (Joseph) celebrated their arrival with a feast rather than another interrogation. “The man” was full of surprises.