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Bible Study: Judah Takes Up His Cross (Genesis 41-44)

25 December 2017 By Ken Garrison Leave a Comment

The portion of the Bible recorded from Genesis 37-50 gives an account of the character of two men, Judah and Joseph. This is prophecy because it provides the foundation for subsequent leadership in Israel. When Israel finally possessed the land following the Exodus, the tribes of Judah and Joseph received the territory of the central highlands from the Judean wilderness north to the Jezreel valley. This is the area of the land that is most significant from a spiritual standpoint. It is referred today in the international media as the “Israeli occupied West Bank”. It is, without doubt, the most highly contested real estate in the world. During the First Kingdom era (1447 – 586 BC/BCE), the tribes of Israel were most often divided into two groups; Judah in the South and Ephraim (Joseph) in the North. Jacob predicted that, ultimately, Judah would be the primary vessel of redemption (Genesis 49:8-10). [Read more…]

Bible Study: Judah and Joseph – Genesis 37-40

19 December 2017 By Ken Garrison Leave a Comment

The book of Genesis is prophetic in nature. A major theme from Genesis 12 through 36 is God’s interaction with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: God established His election through these three witnesses. Later, when God called Moses at Mt. Sinai, He declared that His eternal, memorial name was, is and will be “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:15). From Genesis 37 through 50, God’s elect vessel shifts to the infant nation of Israel from the individual patriarchs. The book is prophetic in nature because it outlines the leadership within the nation of Israel for the future. In these chapters, we have an account of events in the lives of Judah and Joseph. The descendants of these two men would become the leading tribes of the nation of Israel. The prophetic promises and hence God’s work of redemption would be carried out primarily through these two tribes. [Read more…]

Bible Study: The Vessel of Promise Returns to the Land of Promise (Genesis 32-36)

12 December 2017 By Ken Garrison Leave a Comment

Since our objective here is to discuss Biblical revelation and truth, I feel that I must comment of the events of this week. President Trump, on behalf of the U.S., officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the nation of Israel. This is important because God has chosen Jerusalem as the seat of His kingdom on earth. The people of Israel have returned to the land of Israel in fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Jerusalem was liberated in the “Six-Day War” in 1967 and was subsequently unified under Israeli rule, which was also an important prophetic fulfillment. One nation’s recognition of this reality may not seem consequential, but I pray that this action will serve as an encouragement for the Israelis to move to sanctify the Temple Mount. Israel will need to follow the pattern set by their father, Israel, as he came to trust God to fulfill His promises. [Read more…]

Bible Study: Jacob becomes Israel and the Gate of Heaven (Genesis 28-31)

5 December 2017 By Ken Garrison 1 Comment

The contrast between Esau and Jacob is illustrated in this section of the Bible. Both are 77 years old. Esau took wives from the Canaanites. Jacob remained unmarried. Isaac instructed Jacob to flee to Haran until his brother’s anger subsided. Also, Jacob was instructed not to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan but instead go to the homeland and take a wife from there. Jacob complied with his parents’ wishes. Esau took another wife, this time from the line of Ishmael, to further irritate his parents. This helps explain why we read, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Romans 9:13b).

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Bible Study: God Elects Israel (Genesis 25-28)

25 November 2017 By Ken Garrison Leave a Comment

In this section of the Bible the subject shifts from the revealing of the “special son” to the establishment of the covenant line. There is a brief description of Isaac’s encounter with God and than a rapid refocus on Jacob. God would develop the account of the covenant line through Jacob.

We have seen that God began laying down the prophetic picture of the “special son” through Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. The account includes prophecies of the unique conception of the “special son”, of his being offered as a special sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, and, if we can receive it, his resurrection. In Isaac’s case, he was spared from death and raised up at the last moment and a ram was substituted for him on the altar. Finally, we see the prophecy of the calling of a “special bride” for the “special son” which we maintain is a picture of the Holy Spirit calling the church to be joined to the resurrected Jesus. [Read more…]