In Genesis 49, the Word says, “Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, ‘Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what shall befall you in the end of the days,’”. Within this chapter, and chapter 48, are hints of the mystery of God. In chapter 48 Jacob [Israel] said concerning Joseph’s two sons, “His younger brother [Ephraim] shall be greater than he [Manasseh], and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” The name Ephraim means fruitful. Hence, Ephraim will bear the fruit of many nations. Ephraim was the ‘son of the right hand’, Genesis 48:17, which corresponds with Benjamin, which actually means ‘son of the right hand’.
Ephraim and Benjamin, both being ‘sons of the right hand’, correspond in that the tribe of Benjamin was hardened, in order to allow Ephraim’s descendants of a multitude of Gentile nations to enter the kingdom of God. Thus, Paul’s conversion out of due time; for being of the tribe of Benjamin, Paul was one of those who had been hardened, those who were destined to come into the kingdom after the fulness of the Gentiles have come in. This is why he had scales over his eyes, and, “though his eyes were open, he could see nothing,” Acts 9:8b.
Thus, through Joseph, whose name means ‘may Jehovah add/give increase’, the Lord added to the twelve tribes of Israel, and He did so through Joseph’s son, Ephraim, the ‘son of the right hand’, whose name means fruitful, and whose descendants would be a multitude of nations.
The Old Testament testifies of Jesus; for as it is written, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; its branches run over a wall,” Genesis 49:22,. This verse refers to Jesus and corresponds to Ephesians 2:14,16 “For He Himself [Jesus] is our peace, who made both groups [Jew and Gentile] into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity,”. When Israel was telling his sons what would befall them in the end of days, he was testifying of Jesus.
These things are a small part of the mystery of God that was revealed to me in a vision. I have mentioned them in order to shed light on the truth that the Scriptures were never meant to be interpreted by man; they were meant to be interpreted by the Holy Spirit. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God,” 2 Peter 1:20,21.
The Word of God and all things pertaining to Him are interpreted by the Holy Spirit sent to us from God. He, in turn, reveals them to us at the appropriate times; as it is written, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth,” John 16:13a.
We must each govern ourselves to follow our Lord by walking in, and by, the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, leaning not on our own understanding, but acknowledging the Lord in all our ways, and allowing Him to direct our paths. He will never leave us or forsake us; He is always faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
Jon Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
P.S. Please weigh everything I say on the scales of the Word of God.
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