Gemstones: The High Priest’s Breastplate – Part 1

Bearing the Names of God’s People Before the Lord

[Study Aired December 16, 2025]

Introduction

Among the sacred garments prescribed for Aaron, Israel’s first High Priest, none carried more profound significance than the breastplate of judgment. God commanded Moses: “And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it” (Exodus 28:15). This ornate garment, adorned with twelve precious stones representing Israel’s twelve tribes, rested continuously over Aaron’s heart as he ministered in God’s presence. Every detail of its construction—from the materials employed to the arrangement of stones—served as heavenly instruction revealing Christ’s eternal ministry as our great High Priest who bears His people perpetually before the Father.

The breastplate represents the first of three major contexts where precious stones appear in Scripture. The second context appears in Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning the anointed cherub in Eden, covered with nine precious stones (Ezekiel 28:13)—a topic receiving detailed treatment in a separate article within this series. The third context presents the twelve foundation stones of New Jerusalem, which will be examined thoroughly in its own dedicated article (Revelation 21:19-20). These three appearances—priestly representation, original covering, and eternal foundation—trace God’s redemptive purpose from creation through the present age into eternity, revealing how God transforms His people from natural representation to spiritual reality.

Our present focus examines the breastplate itself: its construction, materials, the arrangement and significance of its twelve stones, and how this sacred garment prefigures Christ’s superior priesthood and His intimate relationship with those He represents. Understanding the breastplate requires recognizing that everything pertaining to Aaron’s ministry served as shadow and type pointing toward Christ’s fulfillment. As the writer of Hebrews declares, the earthly priests “serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount” (Hebrews 8:5). The pattern shown to Moses on the mountain was Christ Himself, and every detail of the tabernacle and its furnishings speaks of Him.

The Pattern and Construction

God’s instructions for the breastplate emphasized both beauty and precision. The Hebrew word translated “breastplate” (choshen, H2833) derives from a root meaning “to contain” or “to hold,” suggesting its function of containing and holding the names of God’s people. Its designation as the “breastplate of judgment” (choshen mishpat) connects it directly to God’s righteous determinations, for the High Priest wore it when seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim.

The breastplate’s dimensions carried spiritual significance. God specified: “Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof” (Exodus 28:16). The foursquare shape appears repeatedly in Scripture when depicting completeness and divine order. Throughout Scripture, the number four signifies wholeness and universality: the whole earth with its four corners (Revelation 7:1), God’s elect during their four hundred years as strangers in Egypt (Genesis 15:13), the world nourished by Eden’s river dividing into four heads (Genesis 2:10). The breastplate’s foursquare design thus symbolized God’s complete representation of His people—nothing lacking, nothing excluded, all tribes equally valued and included.

The doubling of the breastplate created a pouch wherein the Urim and Thummim resided, instruments through which God revealed His will. A span—approximately nine inches, the distance from thumb to little finger when the hand is fully extended—determined both length and breadth. This measurement, derived from the human hand, emphasizes the personal nature of God’s relationship with His people. Just as a span represents what one hand can encompass, so God holds His people within His hand where none can pluck them away. Jesus declared, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29).

Materials of Significance

The Series Introduction to this study of precious stones established how materials and colors carry consistent spiritual meaning throughout Scripture. The breastplate’s construction employed five specific materials, each contributing to the complete spiritual portrait: gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. These same materials appeared throughout the tabernacle, creating unity of design that pointed toward one ultimate reality—Christ and His redemptive work.

Gold: Divine Nature and Purity

Gold, representing God’s nature, provided the framework within which the precious stones were set. The Hebrew word for gold (zahab, H2091) appears over 390 times in Scripture, consistently symbolizing divine purity, incorruptibility, and supreme value. Gold does not tarnish, rust, or decay—properties that speak of God’s unchanging nature. The breastplate’s gold settings declare that God’s people rest secure within His divine character. As Peter writes, we are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). The gold framework assures us that human frailty cannot compromise our standing, for we are held by God’s power, not our own.

Blue: Heavenly Authority and Obedience

Blue (tekeleth, H8504) consistently represents heaven, authority, and the commandments of God throughout Scripture. When Moses and the elders “saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness” (Exodus 24:10), the blue sapphire declared God’s sovereign rule. God commanded Israel to wear ribbons of blue on their garment hems “that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them” (Numbers 15:39). The breastplate’s blue threads signified submission to God’s authority—the proper posture of those represented before Him.

Purple: Royal Priesthood United

Purple (argaman, H713), created by blending blue and scarlet dyes, represents the union of heaven and earth, divinity and humanity, kingship and priesthood. This costly color, extracted from sea mollusks through laborious process, symbolized royalty throughout the ancient world. When soldiers mocked Jesus, they “clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head” (Mark 15:17), unknowingly declaring His true identity as King. The breastplate’s purple threads proclaimed that those represented thereon share in Christ’s royal priesthood. Peter writes to believers, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9).

Scarlet: The Blood of Redemption and Judgment

Scarlet (tola’ath shani, H8438 and H8144) literally means “worm of scarlet”—the crimson dye extracted from a particular worm species. This creature attaches itself to a tree when laying eggs, secreting a red substance that stains the tree and then dies, leaving its offspring to continue. This natural process prophetically depicted Christ’s death on the tree of the cross, where His blood was shed for our redemption.

Scarlet in Scripture carries dual significance. First, it represents sin’s stain: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Second, it symbolizes the blood that cleanses from that sin. The scarlet cord Rahab hung from her window ensured her household’s salvation (Joshua 2:18), foreshadowing Christ’s blood that delivers all who trust in Him. The breastplate’s scarlet threads declared both the reality of sin requiring atonement and the provision of blood that accomplishes redemption.

Fine Twined Linen: Righteousness and Purity

Fine twined linen (shesh mashzar, H8336 and H7806) represented righteousness, purity, and the works of the saints. The Hebrew word shesh indicates linen of exceptional quality—white, pure, finely woven. John writes that the bride of Christ “was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:8). The linen foundation of the breastplate testified that those represented before God are clothed in righteousness—not their own, which Isaiah declares as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), but the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers.

The combination of these five materials created a garment of surpassing beauty, each element contributing essential truth. Gold declared God’s unchanging power sustaining His people. Blue proclaimed submission to heaven’s authority. Purple united kingship and priesthood in one office. Scarlet testified of blood shed for redemption. Fine linen represented the righteousness required to stand before God. Together, they portrayed the complete work necessary to bring sinful humanity into God’s eternal presence—a work accomplished solely through Christ.

The Twelve Stones: Complete Representation

Upon the breastplate’s foundation, God commanded the setting of twelve precious stones arranged in four rows of three. Each stone bore the engraved name of one of Israel’s tribes: “And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes” (Exodus 28:21). The number twelve throughout Scripture represents spiritual foundation and the government of God—twelve tribes, twelve apostles, twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem, twelve gates, twelve thousand from each tribe sealed in Revelation.

Christ Himself established this governmental significance when He promised His disciples: “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). The twelve stones on Aaron’s breastplate thus symbolized God’s complete government over His people, with every tribe represented, none forgotten, all equally precious in His sight.

The Four Rows: Structured Completeness

The arrangement of stones in four rows of three created a pattern of structured completeness. As we have established, four represents universality and wholeness throughout Scripture. Three consistently symbolizes process, judgment, and the resurrection—Christ rising on the third day, Jonah in the fish’s belly three days and nights, the temple rebuilt in three days. The multiplication of three (process) by four (completeness) yielded twelve (governmental foundation and perfection), demonstrating that God’s government operates through process to accomplish complete transformation.

God specified the exact stones for each position: “The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings” (Exodus 28:17-20).

The First Row: Foundation of Identity

Scripture commands that each of the twelve stones bear the name of one of the twelve tribes, engraved “like the engravings of a signet” (Exodus 28:21). However, Scripture does not explicitly state which tribal name corresponds to which stone. Additionally, while Scripture lists the stones in a specific sequence, it does not indicate whether they were arranged left-to-right or right-to-left upon the breastplate—a significant question given that Hebrew is written right-to-left. Traditional Jewish interpretation typically associates the stones with the tribes according to birth order, but we acknowledge these are interpretive traditions rather than explicit scriptural declarations. What remains spiritually certain—and what Scripture emphasizes—is that all twelve names were perpetually borne upon Aaron’s heart before the LORD, transcending any uncertainty about their specific physical arrangement.

The first row contained the sardius (odem, H124), topaz (pitdah, H6357), and carbuncle (bareqeth, H1304). These stones, though each receiving individual detailed examination in separate articles within this series, together represented the foundational tribes through whom God began His redemptive work.

The sardius, a red stone, traditionally represented Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son. The name Reuben (Re’uwben, H7205) means “behold, a son,” from Leah’s declaration: “Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me” (Genesis 29:32). Though Reuben held the natural birthright as firstborn, he forfeited it through sin (Genesis 49:3-4), foreshadowing how natural descent from Abraham provides no automatic spiritual inheritance. True birthright belongs to Christ, the eternal Firstborn.

The topaz, a golden-yellow stone, represented Simeon, whose name (Shim’own, H8095) means “heard,” from Leah’s testimony: “Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also” (Genesis 29:33). God’s hearing—His attentiveness to the afflicted—runs throughout redemption’s story. The topaz’s golden color speaks of divine wisdom and understanding applied to human need.

The carbuncle, a fiery red stone, represented Levi, whose name (Leviy, H3878) means “joined” or “attached,” from Leah’s hope: “Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons” (Genesis 29:34). Appropriately, the Levites became the tribe joined to priestly service, set apart for God’s work, demonstrating that true joining comes not through natural birth but through divine calling.

The Second Row: Covenant Development

The second row presented the emerald (nophek, H5306), sapphire (cappiyr, H5601), and diamond (yahalom, H3095). These stones represented Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun—tribes whose names speak of covenant relationship, divine reward, and dwelling with God.

The emerald, green as growing life, represented Judah, whose name (Yehuwdah, H3063) means “praise,” from Leah’s declaration: “Now will I praise the LORD” (Genesis 29:35). From Judah’s line came David, and from David’s line came Christ—the Lion of the tribe of Judah who alone proved worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:5). The emerald’s life-giving green testifies that true praise springs from resurrection life.

The sapphire, blue as heaven itself, represented Issachar, whose name (Yissaskar, H3485) means “reward” or “recompense,” from Leah’s testimony: “God hath given me my hire” (Genesis 30:18). The sapphire speaks of heavenly reward bestowed by sovereign grace, not earned through human merit. Jacob’s blessing described Issachar as “a strong ass couching down between two burdens” (Genesis 49:14), willing to bear weight—a type of Christ who bore humanity’s burden.

The diamond, hardest of all natural substances, represented Zebulun, whose name (Zebuwluwn, H2074) means “dwelling” or “habitation,” from Leah’s hope: “Now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons” (Genesis 30:20). The diamond’s impenetrable hardness speaks of permanent dwelling—God making His habitation with His people, a reality ultimately fulfilled when John declares, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them” (Revelation 21:3).

The Third Row: Strength and Overcoming

The third row displayed the ligure (leshem, H3958), agate (shebuw, H7618), and amethyst (achlamah, H306), representing Dan, Gad, and Asher—tribes whose names speak of judgment, fortune, and blessing.

The ligure represented Dan, whose name (Dan, H1835) means “judge,” from Rachel’s testimony: “God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son” (Genesis 30:6). Jacob’s prophecy described Dan as a serpent biting the horse’s heels (Genesis 49:17), yet also declared “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD” (Genesis 49:18). Judgment precedes salvation, demonstrating God’s pattern of bringing His people through refining fire.

The agate, a banded stone showing layers of color, represented Gad, whose name (Gad, H1410) means “troop” or “fortune,” from Leah’s exclamation: “A troop cometh” (Genesis 30:11). The agate’s layers testify to the many members of Christ’s body, each adding strength, all united in one structure. Jacob blessed Gad: “A troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last” (Genesis 49:19), prophesying Christ who overcomes through seeming defeat.

The amethyst, purple as royalty, represented Asher, whose name (Asher, H836) means “happy” or “blessed,” from Leah’s declaration: “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed” (Genesis 30:13). Jacob’s blessing promised: “Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties” (Genesis 49:20). The purple stone speaks of royal provision—God’s people blessed with heavenly bread and spiritual riches.

The Fourth Row: Completed Transformation

The fourth and final row contained the beryl (tarshiysh, H8658), onyx (shoham, H7718), and jasper (yashepheh, H3471), representing Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin—the final three tribes bringing the complete number to twelve.

The beryl, sea-green and translucent, represented Naphtali, whose name (Naphtaliy, H5321) means “wrestling” or “my struggle,” from Rachel’s testimony: “With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed” (Genesis 30:8). Jacob blessed Naphtali: “Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words” (Genesis 49:21). The progression from wrestling to freedom speaks of transformation through struggle, emerging with beauty and grace.

The onyx represented Joseph, whose name (Yowceph, H3130) means “he will add” or “increaser,” from Rachel’s prayer: “The LORD shall add to me another son” (Genesis 30:24). Joseph received the most extensive blessing from Jacob, described as “a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall” (Genesis 49:22). Joseph’s life—rejected by brothers, suffering unjustly, exalted to rule, preserving life through famine—provides one of Scripture’s clearest types of Christ.

The jasper, clear as crystal, represented Benjamin, whose name (Binyamiyn, H1144) means “son of the right hand.” Rachel, dying in childbirth, named him Ben-oni (“son of my sorrow”), but Jacob renamed him Benjamin, transforming sorrow into honor. Jacob’s blessing declared: “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil” (Genesis 49:27). Most significantly, the jasper appears as the first foundation stone of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19), demonstrating that the last becomes first in God’s eternal kingdom.

These twelve stones, arranged in perfect order upon the breastplate, declared that God knows each of His people by name, values them as precious, and maintains them perpetually in His presence. The diversity of stones—different colors, compositions, and characteristics—reveals that God’s people retain their individual identities while being united in one body. No stone could be substituted for another; each held its appointed place in representing its particular tribe.

We have examined the breastplate’s pattern and construction, explored the spiritual significance of its five materials, and traced the meaning of each of the twelve precious stones representing Israel’s tribes. Yet our study remains incomplete without understanding how the breastplate attached to the ephod—connections that speak powerfully of believers’ eternal security—and the mysterious Urim and Thummim that resided within its doubled pouch. In Part Two, we will explore these remaining elements of the breastplate, discover how Christ fulfills every aspect of Aaron’s ministry as our great High Priest, and consider what these truths mean for us who are carried perpetually upon His heart before the Father’s throne.

Numbers 1:30-54  The Census of Israel’s Warriors – Part 2

[Study Aired April 17, 2023]

Num 1:30  Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:31  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 
Num 1:32  Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:33  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred. 
Num 1:34  Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:35  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 
Num 1:36  Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:37  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 
Num 1:38  Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:39  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 
Num 1:40  Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:41  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 
Num 1:42  Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:43  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 
Num 1:44  These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:45  So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 
Num 1:46  Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 
Num 1:47  But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. 
Num 1:48  For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
Num 1:49  Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: 
Num 1:50  But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 
Num 1:51  And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 
Num 1:52  And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. 
Num 1:53  But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
Num 1:54  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 

Introduction

As we indicated in the previous study, the Book of Numbers looks at Christ from His mission to transform the church into a heavenly army with the objective of establishing His kingdom within His people first as they journey through the wilderness of this life. In the fullness of time, this inward kingdom of God will become manifested visibly as the kingdoms of this world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. 

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

A key requirement for our enrollment into the army of the Lord is that we are able to endure hardships and also not to be involved in the affairs of this world as we please our commanding officer who is Christ.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

As we can see from the previous and today’s study, an obvious requirement of being enlisted in the army of the Lord is that one is twenty years old or older. The number twenty, therefore, signifies those who are ready to war against the flesh. This means that we have left Babylon to enter the promised land (possess our bodies) to war against the enemies of the land (our flesh).

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (Babylon), my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 

Today’s study continues with the formation of the army from the various tribes of Israel, which represents the whole of the tribes and countries of this world of every generation. In the last study, we reviewed the census of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Judah, and Issachar. The census of the males above 20 years of age for these five tribes discussed were as follows: 

Reuben – 46,500
Simeon – 59,300
Gad – 45,650
Judah – 74,600
Issachar – 54,400

Those counted symbolize those who are ready to engage the flesh in a battle. The significant numbers of those counted for these five tribes are 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. What these numbers signify is that those pre-selected (the elect) by the Lord to be enrolled in His army come from the whole of the human race, and it is by grace through faith they become victorious in this life. They become victorious over the flesh (spiritually mature) through the judgment of their old man. We have the assurance from the Lord that those enlisted in the army of the Lord shall complete (the significance of the number 7) their mission as soldiers of Christ. In other words, He who has started this work in them will surely see to its completion.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

This is made clearer when we realize that those who overcome from every tribe are figuratively numbered 144,000 with each tribe being 12,000. The number 12 means foundation, and as we are aware, there is no foundation except that which is laid by our Lord Jesus Christ. This means that the number 12 is the number of Christ. In the final analysis, all the elect, representing every tribe will attain the perfection of Christ.

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:6  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:7  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:8  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 

In Revelation chapter 14, we are given further evidence that as soldiers of Christ (His elect), we shall be victorious over the flesh in the final analysis. Here, we are told that they were not defiled with women. In other words, the elect will not be deceived by Babylon, and their focus in this life is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, not counting on their own righteousness as they follow the Lamb wherever He goes.   

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 
Rev 14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 
Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 
Rev 14:5  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. 

Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

With this in mind, let us plough through His words in the second part of Numbers chapter 1, to know more of the mind of Christ concerning this great victorious army.

Num 1:30  Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:31  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred (57,400). 

The key numbers resulting from the census are 5, 7 and 4. What these numbers signify is that those enrolled in His army are selected from the whole of the human race, and it is by grace through faith that they become victorious in this life. The Lord has given us the assurance that those enlisted in the army of the Lord shall complete (the significance of the number 7) their mission as soldiers of Christ.

Num 1:32  Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:33  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred (40,500).

The census shows us that it is by grace through faith to be selected from the whole of the human race to be enlisted in the Lord’s army.

Num 1:34  Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:35  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred (32,200).

The census in the case of Manasseh suggests that those enlisted in the Lord’s army are witnesses of Christ, and they become spiritually mature through the hardships they go through as soldiers of Christ.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Num 1:36  Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:37  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred (35,400). 

The number of men counted in the case of Benjamin (35,400) signifies that it is grace through faith to be selected from the whole of the human race to be enlisted in the Lord’s army. We become spiritually mature through the judgment of our old man when we become enlisted in the Lord’s army.

Num 1:38  Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:39  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred (62,700).

In the case of the tribe of Dan, the census implies that the army of the Lord is His witness, and they are elected from among men (the number 6) with the full assurance from the Lord that they shall complete their mission as soldiers of Christ.

Num 1:40  Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:41  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred (41,500). 

The new number introduced in the census of the tribe of Asher is 1, which signifies unity. One of the key requirements of being enlisted in the army of the Lord is that we have to be united with one mind and one judgment, speaking the same thing. 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Unlike Babylonian Christianity, where there are divisions, the church of the firstborn must be united with the mind of Christ.

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Num 1:42  Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:43  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred (53,400). 

The number of men enlisted in the army of the Lord for the tribe of Naphtali is 53,400. This signifies that it is by grace through faith we are chosen from the whole of the human race to be enlisted in the Lord’s army. As part of our training by our commanding Officer, the Lord Jesus Christ, we go through hardships to become tried and tested soldiers of Christ or become spiritually mature.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Num 1:44  These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:45  So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 
Num 1:46  Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty (603,550). 

It is insightful to note that in verse 44, the princes of Israel were numbered 12, which represents the number of Christ. What this suggests is that the princes of Israel are those who have obtained the standard of Christ. This shows that the goal of being enlisted in the Lord’s army is to become a prince of God (the meaning of the word “Israel”) where we measure up to the standard of Christ. The status of the princes refers to our spiritual maturity which is attained through the judgment of our old man. In other words, it is by grace through faith that we come to measure up to the standard of Christ.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Num 1:47  But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. 
Num 1:48  For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
Num 1:49  Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: 

The Levites were not counted and therefore, were not enrolled in the army of the Lord. The Levites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are also of Abraham’s seed. However, they are not counted as the seed of promise and therefore are not to be given any inheritance. This is not because we, the elect, deserve any inheritance. It is through the hardening of their hearts to believe that we are privileged to receive mercy to believe. In the final analysis, this mercy we have received will be extended to the whole of the human race. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Num 1:50  But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 
Num 1:51  And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Num 1:52  And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. 
Num 1:53  But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
Num 1:54  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 

The Levites are given to the elect to help them minister to the Lord. They do the initial leg work of using the law of Moses as our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. After we get to know Christ through faith, we are no longer under their influence or the law of Moses. Today’s Levites represent the Christian religion. They are focused on building and taking care of physical churches (tabernacle of testimony). In verse 50, it is stated that the Levites are required to encamp round about the tabernacle. In today’s terms, this means protecting the legacy of the Christian religion.

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

On a positive note, the Levites symbolized the elect who are given the charge of protecting the testimony, which is the word of God. This role of the elect started immediately after Adam and Eve sinned and were expelled from the garden of Eden. The Cherubims signify the elect who are protecting the truth of the word of the Lord in every generation. It is only through the judgment of our old man (fiery trials) that one can access the way of the tree of life!! 

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

May the Lord grant us the grace to have His mind and therefore be united as one as we see the day approaching!! Amen!!

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Awesome Hands - part 159: “Moses blesses the tribes of Israel” - Discussion

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Awesome Hands – part 159

“Moses blesses the tribes of Israel”

November 27, 2019

Before Moses’ death, Moses gave a blessing to Israel. This was after he had just given a warning to Israel concerning their sins and actions towards the Lord in the previous chapter.

In this study, we are going to explore the blessings mentioned, as they pertain to the “hands” mentioned within chapter 33.

The chapter starts off with an introduction:

Deu 33:1  And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
Deu 33:2  And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
Deu 33:3  Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
Deu 33:4  Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.

This is an introduction that wants to make clear that the Lord came forth as Light and brought with Him the law. It is mentioned that He came forward with ten thousand saints, so we need to figure out what is being said here.

It also mentions that all His saints are in His hand and that they will sit down at His feet so that everyone shall receive of His words.

I think we can agree that there is certainly a lot of symbolism happening in these verses before the blessing even starts.

The author of this chapter wants to make sure everyone knows who is giving the blessing, but also, how it is the blessing has any power or “weight” behind it.

Hebrew authors speak in the third person, from time to time, similar to when king David speaks about himself in third person in Psalms 21.

As is the focus for the “awesome hands” series, the first verse of this chapter that mentions the word “hand” is found in verse 3. This verse tells us that all the saints are in the hand of the Lord.

As we have studied in the last few studies, “work of the hand(s)” is a topic which informs us of what comes forth from the hand comes forth from the owner of that hand.

In this case, because we are in the hands of the Lord, we are His workmanship, and this shouldn’t come as a surprise since we are told this directly.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This verse says a lot and leaves no other conclusion for us than that we are His creation in Jesus Christ which have been ORDAINED to walk in His good works.

Given that we are ordained to walk in His good works, we can also conclude that others are not ordained to do so.

So, Moses continues to expound to Israel how this is all going to play out when he leaves them.

Deu 33:5  And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.

Contrary to what I have heard some say about this verse, this is not speaking about Moses being the king of Israel. He is never mentioned as a king, but only as a servant, and this verse (verse 5) hearkens back to the same “he” spoken about in verse 3.

Deu 33:3  Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
Deu 33:4  Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
Deu 33:5  And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.
Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Now that it is confirmed who is sending forth the blessing, even as it is spoken via Moses, Moses proceeds to dish out the blessings to the various tribes according to the inspiration he is getting from the Lord.

Deu 33:6  Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
Deu 33:7  And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

We know Jesus is a Lion from the tribe of Judah, so we are as He is, so verse 33:7 also is applicable to those who are in Christ and He in them.

We know from our past studies that “our hands” and the work that comes forth from them is something that comes from the Lord. These are the “good works” which glorify God because they are all His works. Moses blessing is type and shadow of the blessing we receive through the work of Jesus Christ in our lives. Notice that Moses prays the Lord to be a help to “him” from his enemies, including the “last” enemy.

Deu 33:8  And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
Deu 33:9  Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.
Deu 33:10  They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
Deu 33:11  Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

Again, we can see in type and shadow just how important the Levites are to the priesthood. They are given the portion to teach the judgments and law to Israel. They are given to create works with their hands which the Lord blesses, and of course they are blessed to fulfill the will that the Lord has caused them to fulfill.

There has been a lot written about this before, but I am going to read from an excerpt on another study that I did on this topic.

“The innermost veil has cherubims embroidered right on the veil itself and this reveals to us the difference in who could enter into the holy of holies. In the room of the “holy place”, which was before the veil blocking the way to the holy of holies, we have the altar of incense, the table of shewbread and the golden candlestick.

I mention this because we are going to see a pattern immerge in the layout of the items that make up what the tabernacle is. There is what the tabernacle consists of and then there are those that SERVE the tabernacle.

What precisely does the tabernacle represent?

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (G4637) among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

G4637
skēnoō
Total KJV Occurrences: 5
dwell, 4
Rev_7:15, Rev_12:12, Rev_13:6, Rev_21:3
dwelt, 1
Joh_1:14
Strong’s defines “dwelt / skenoo” this way:
G4637
skēnoō
skay-no'-o

From G4636; to tent or encamp, that is, (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specifically) to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol of protection and communion): - dwell.

Total KJV occurrences: 5

Thayers defines this same word as:

G4637
skēnoō
Thayer Definition:
1) to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle
2) to dwell
Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G4636
Citing in TDNT: 7:385, 1040
Here is the root of “dwelt”:

G4633
skēnē
Total KJV Occurrences: 20
tabernacle, 15
Act_7:43-44 (2), Act_15:16, Heb_8:2, Heb_8:5, Heb_9:2-3 (2), Heb_9:6, Heb_9:8, Heb_9:11, Heb_9:21, Heb_13:10, Rev_13:6, Rev_15:5, Rev_21:3
tabernacles, 4
Mar_9:3-5 (3), Luk_9:33, Heb_11:9
habitations, 1
Luk_16:9 (2)
Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (G4637) among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

So the Greek word for “dwelt”, tells us that Jesus Christ was MADE FLESH and tabernacled among us, was full of grace and truth. Doesn’t that sound just like the bride of Christ?

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I WILL COME TO YOU.
Joh 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

What is the connection to Christ Jesus abiding in His Father and in us with the tabernacle dwelling among us?

1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

And a few verses later:

1Jn 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1Jn 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

What, then, is eternal life?

Joh 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Joh 17:2  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Joh 17:4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

So a part of glorifying God the Father is to DO HIS WORK and WILL!

The question that now begs to be answered is who is it that would at all consider denying Christ and being anti Christ by denying that He came in the flesh? After all, most Christians even celebrate Jesus’ BIRTHDAY as Christmas, therefore they are celebrating Him PHYSICALLY coming to the earth in FLESH. However, is that what denying He has come in the flesh is?

Bringing this back around to the tabernacle we are studying in Exodus 26, why are the veils important?

The veils separate the rooms of the tabernacle and they even separate those that come from outside the tabernacle from those that can approach the mercy seat.

There are three sets of veils. There is the outside veil that is on the walls of the outer court. This veil is hanging on four pillars. The next veil is hanging on five pillars and leads into the holy place. The final veil blocks the way to the ark of the covenant and mercy seat.

These veils show us, in type and shadow, the progression of the obedience of those that do what the Lord says to do versus not doing what the Lord says to do.

That excerpt is relevant to this study because it party shows that Levites and the priesthood are both equally important, but they both have their place in the will of God for the people of Israel.

What is fascinating for me is that we are all these types and shadows, and live them out at some time in our walk with the Lord. We are Levites and priests at our appointed times, among other things.

Sometimes we want to slay our brother, other times we step in and save our brother from our other brothers just as Reuben did with Joseph, etc. etc.

When Moses gives out the curses and blessings, we are all being given these curses and blessings at our appointed time.

There is a lot that can be said about the individual blessings that Moses proclaims for each of the sons of Israel, but the end of this chapter is revealing for the end game of who we are in the Lord.

Deu 33:29  Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

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Awesome Hands – part 39

“ Whom thy brethren shall praise”

At the end of the conclusion of the previous study, we learned that the elder shall serve the younger and the institution of this spiritual Truth is orchestrated by the “hands” of the living God.

In today’s study, we are going to cover the few times that “hands” are mentioned in chapter 49 of Genesis.

At the beginning of chapter 49, Jacob calls his sons together so that he can tell them what will become of them.

At the start, we should see that this is telling us that God indeed in working all things after the counsel of His own will.

He tells us at the start what His process for our lives and those of the rest of mankind is, though the details vary.

Gen 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
Gen 49:2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

Instead of covering every verse in the chapter, I am going to focus on the context of what is said concerning God working His hands in these brothers’ lives.

Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

From the start of this chapter, we can see a type and shadow which sets the stage for what we are being told.

Jacob tells his children to gather themselves together, but notice he is doing this so that he can essentially instruct them of the judgment that is coming to them.

We can take this admonition and see what we are being told by looking at other examples of being gathered together.

Jer 4:5 Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.

Jer 6:1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

So, it is easy for anyone to look for the phrase “gather yourselves together,” but as we all know it is here a little and there a little that we see biblical truths and patterns.

So, I am going to look at a few more examples to get a clearer picture of what we are seeing happening.

Eze 39:17 And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.
Eze 39:18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
Eze 39:19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.
Eze 39:20 Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.
Eze 39:21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
Eze 39:22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.

Here in Ezekiel, we see judgment is being instituted, but just how is it that judgment happens or “comes from the north?”

Joe 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
Joe 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
Joe 3:11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

“Judgment begins”

What we are reading about in these groups of scripture is none other than the old man being judged along with “Babylon the great.”

What we are seeing is the “people of Israel” being compared with the “gentiles” and the “fowls of the air” being compared with “He who dwells in heaven.”

This all is summed in a very easily understood way by simply being given the eyes to see that “judgment must being at the house of God.”

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

As we look at the rest of the study, we should keep this idea at the front of our minds.

So, let us look at the first time “hands” are mentioned in chapter 49 and then we will divide the verse up into smaller “bite size chunks” of edification and nourishment.

Gen 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.
Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
Gen 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

We know there are twelve tribes of Israel, and as we read this chapter, Jacob passes judgment on all of the brothers, his sons.

However, for Judah and Joseph we can see some very interesting admonitions of what happens from these two lineages.

It just so happens that these two brothers also have the only specific mentioning of “hands” being mentioned in these judgments. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the Lord isn’t working in the judgments of the others because He is.

What it means for this study is that we will focus our time on Judah and Joseph because they have some very particular judgments which are extremely instructional for the “hope that is in us”.

First notice, that Judah is proclaimed to “receive praise from his brethren and will have his hand on the neck of his enemies.”

It is Jacob, typifying the judgment of the Father, who is passing on this judgment to His “sons”. Christ typifies Joseph and Benjamin typifies the called, chosen and faithful elect.

Even in type and shadow however, we must take the sum of the Word to establish any doctrine or Truth we are trying to understand. With that in mind, we must consider first where Christ came from “in the flesh” and what that flesh means/ shows us.

Out of the tribe of Judah comes Christ.

Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Psa 78:67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
Psa 78:68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
Psa 78:69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
Psa 78:70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

So, “in the flesh” comes Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

In type and shadow, we see the blessing/ judgment that is being passed on Judah as a prophecy of that which will come to pass. David was a man after “God’s own heart,” yet David in the flesh wanted his enemies to have revenge paid on them as he “laid on his death bed.”

Yet, God uses the “seed of David” to merge the “twain into one.”

Act 13:21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
Act 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Act 13:23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

The lion of the tribe of Judah, made in sinful flesh, is able to abolish “in his flesh,” the HATRED that is there due to the sin that it is.

If this is what Christ went through, and we are “His flesh”, then this too will happen to us. Continuing we read:

Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
Gen 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

It seems like there is also some cryptic language being used to describe these blessings, but as we compare spiritual with spiritual we start to see a lot more clearly what we are being told.

This is the blessing that has come on the “lion of the tribe of Judah”. You may be thinking that this blessing is on Judah himself, and that is true, but as we know how God sees, He views Judah as his seed and Judah’s seed as Judah. The concept is no different than what Christ told us about Him and His Father, they are One and the same.

Christ, in his flesh, BINDS the FOAL to the VINE and the ASS’s COLT to the choice VINE. This same exact concept is repeated right away in us being told that “his garments” are washed in WINE and his clothes in BLOOD.

If we compare spiritual with spiritual, the fowls of the air and the ass’s colt are DOCTRINES; i. e. not the mind of Christ and His doctrine, and the vine of course, is Christ or His MIND, which is the Father’s mind and will.

The ass’s colt is just a way of saying the “young of the beasts,” and we know that the beasts of the field include us.

What Christ did and does today “in his flesh” is that He brings the flesh into subjection to His mind.

The spiritually minded new man is given dominance over the carnally minded old man.

“Whose branches run over the wall”

So that covers Judah’s blessing, so now we will move on to Joseph’s.

Joseph, of course, typifies Christ, but didn’t we just say Christ is “the lion of the tribe of Judah?” Yes, we did, but everything in scripture is Christ because Christ is the Word of God.

So, when we read Joseph’s blessing/ judgment, we are reading a progression of the type and shadow we are covering today.

As we progress to Joseph, we see:

Gen 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
Gen 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
Gen 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
Gen 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
Gen 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

The word used here are “bough” is only used here in Gen 49 as bough.

H1121

be n

Total KJV Occurrences:4902

There are 4902 occurrences of this word with 1895 being translated as son, 1543 as children, 1033 as sons and the rest being made up of differing English words. The word used as the ass’s “colt” in Judah’s blessing is the same word H1121.

So the thought that is being conveyed by the Holy Spirit is that this is the fruit of the loin or fruit of the vine. However, the spiritual meaning that we should focus on is this the FIRST son or FIRST fruit.

Here is where this concept comes from:

Exo 12:5 Your lamb H7716 shall be H1961 without blemish, H8549 a male H2145 of the first H1121 year: H8141 ye shall take it out H3947 from H4480 the sheep, H3532 or from H4480 the goats: H5795

Exo 29:38 Now this H2088is that which H834 thou shalt offer H6213 upon H5921 the altar; H4196 two H8147 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 day by day H3117 continually. H8548

Eze 46:13 Thou shalt daily H3117 prepare H6213 a burnt offering H5930 unto the LORD H3068of a lamb H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without blemish: H8549 thou shalt prepare H6213 it every morning. H1242 H1242

There are many other examples of first, 51 according to strong’s concordance, but that should these verses should be sufficient to make this point.

What we are being told about the blessing that is being bestowed onto Joseph is exactly what we know to be true scripturally and what has already been covered within this awesome hands series.

Joseph was the first in spirit to be separated from his brethren. He is the first fruit in this regard.

Since we have established that Joseph is Christ in type, who are the branches?

Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If the “archers” hated Christ our Master, how much more with they hate the Master’s servants?

Gen 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
Gen 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Joh 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Rest assured, just as Christ the first fruit went ahead of His brethren being the “bough of God,” so too, does our Lord and God go before us and strengthen the arms of our hands thus creating in us to be shepherds of the flock!

Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

We are able to do this and the strengthening comes because we have the Living Word sitting on the throne within us, which is what this whole study is focused on.

Christ “in His flesh” abolishes with the cross, the enmity that the flesh represents. The way this is done is that the mind of Christ, the Word of God, is living in “fleshy hearts” which are created because our stony hearts are CRUSHED with the STONE OF ISRAEL.

Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Joh 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God- ward:

This all comes about because the blessings that are given to “him that is separated from His brethren.”

Just as Joseph who was loved by His Father more than his brothers, and received a coat of many colors because of that love, so too, are these “kinds of first fruits” who go through this process first, now while in this tabernacle of flesh where Christ has come.

Gen 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
Gen 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

“All things are yours” means just that. The God of our fathers, “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” is and has blessed us with the blessings which are of heaven above and ALSO with blessings of the DEEP.

The fiery trials we must endure are BLESSINGS which show us the judgment of the Father on our lives.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Christ suffered, Joseph suffered and we too, if we are loved by our Father, will also be judged and TRIED in the Fire of the Word so that the chastening in us produces the righteousness of God.

This whole process is so important and precious to our Father in heaven.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Finally, in this type and shadow we see the blessing on Benjamin which goes as follows:

Gen 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

God will give Benjamin the blessing of being blessed in the morning and the night. In other “spiritual” words, the chosen elect of God will be given the whole scope of blessing of which we have seen come to Judah and Joseph.

Of course, the other brothers received blessings, too, and we will in our time live out those words of the Lord as well.

Our focus in this study today though is to see what the Lord is doing with those of whom He is building up His spiritual Kingdom in now.

This chapter finishes up with Israel blessing his sons, (just as God blesses His sons) and then he instructs his sons to bury him appropriately with his kinfolk.

Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

Gen 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.