Parashah 12: Vayechi (He lived)

Parashah 12: Vayechi (He lived) - Genesis 47:28 through 50:26

Haftarah (Writings and Prophets): 1 Kings 2:1-12.
B'rit Hadasha (New Testament): Acts 7:9-16; Hebrews 11:21-22.

Summary & Overview

TORAH
o
o
o
o
o
o

Genesis
Genesis
Genesis
Genesis
Genesis
Genesis

47:27 | The Last Days of Jacob

48:1 | Jacob Blesses Joseph's Sons
49:1 | Jacob's Last Words to His Sons
49:29 | Jacob's Death and Burial
50:15 | Joseph Forgives His Brothers
50:22 | Joseph's Last Days and Death

This weeks Torah portion, Parasha Vayechi (and he lived), is the final Torah
reading from the book of Genesis.
In last weeks study, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers and invited them,
as well as his father, to live in Egypt in order to provide for them during the
famine. Joseph, his brothers, and his father were joyfully reunited and reconciled.
Parasha Vayechi ends the first book of the Bible with the death of Jacob as well
as that of Joseph.
Gen 47:28-30 And Jacob lived (Vayechi Yaacov) in the land of Egypt
seventeen years; so the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were a hundred
forty and seven years. 29 When the time drew near that Israel must die, he
called his son Joseph and said to him, Now if I have found favor in your
sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with
me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers; you
shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.
In this Parasha, Jacob compelled Joseph to vow to carry his body back to the
Land of his Fathers and bury him there. Joseph agreed to his dying fathers
request not to leave his body in Egypt. Although Jacob had lived the last 17 years
of his life in Egypt, he never forgot the Land God had promised him by an eternal
Covenant. What is interesting is that Joseph was 17 years old when his life story
began, tending sheep in Canaan, implying he only lived 17 years in Canaan. Here
we see that Jacob lived 130 years in Canaan and 17 years in Egypt. We also
read about Josephs death where he died at the age of 110, showing that he lived
93 years in Egypt.

www.hasophim.com

Jacob Blessed Josephs Sons

Gen 48:17-20 Now when Joseph saw that his
father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim,
it displeased him; so he took hold of his fathers
hand to remove it from Ephraims head to
Manassehs head. 18 And Joseph said to his father,
Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put
your right hand on his head. 19 But his father
refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He also
shall become a people, and he also shall be great;
but truly his younger brother shall be greater than
he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of
nations. 20 So he blessed them that day, saying,
By you Israel will bless, saying, May God make you as Ephraim and as
Manasseh! And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
Jacob said that Ephraim and Manasseh were like his own two sons, Reuben and
Simeon, his first and second born. Jacob chose Ephraim over Manasseh as the
firstborn, and Ephraim received the blessing with Jacobs right hand on him.
Ephraim received the birthright, but only the part that deals with the role of the
Priest, looking after the spiritual health of the Household. Judah received the part
of the birthright that carried the physical seed of Messiah. This will be revealed
through the prophetic word Jacob will speak over him. Together, Judah and
Ephraim (Josephs seed), carried the fullness of the birthright that would be given
back into the hand of Messiah at the end, at the reuniting of the two sticks.
Eze 37:16-19 And you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and
write on it, For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his
companions; then take another stick and write on it, For Joseph,
the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.
Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may
become one in your hand. And when the sons of your people speak to you
saying, Will you not declare to us what you mean by these? say to them,
Thus says YHVH Elohim, Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which
is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his
companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and
make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.
Judah and Ephriam, each have a part to play in the restoration work of Messiah.
Ephraim ,yrpa comes from the word yrp pri, that means fruit, and the
blessing he received. The destined fruit of Ephraim is to be mloh hagoyim,
which can be translated as a multitude of nations or Gentiles (Gen 48:19). This is
the primary function of Ephraims anointing that is similar to that of Messiah,
gathering in the lost sheep as well as the nations into the Kingdom of YHVH.
This fulfills the promise given to Abraham, that through his Seed, all the families
of the earth will be blessed.

www.hasophim.com

Jacob Blesses His 12 Sons

Gens 49:1 Then Jacob called for his sons and
said: Gather around so I can tell you what will
happen to you in days to come.
Jacob called in his sons to bless them and reveal to
each one of them what is to come and what will
happen to their generations as they transform to the
twelve tribes of Israel. These blessings are prophetic
utterances that will form and shape the history of each one of these tribes.
We will now look at each of these prophecies to see what YHVH had installed for
Israel and each tribe, gaining insight and wisdom to understand the functions
within the Household of YHVH.

Reuben Revealing the Word and the Spirit

Ruben is the firstborn of the sons of Jacob and His name means
behold a son.
Gen 49:3
Positive: Firstborn, given strength, dignity and power.
Negative: Unstable as water defiled his Fathers bed and blew it all as a
result of sexual weakness. Reuben lost the right to the birthright because
of his immoral character.

Lesson from Ruben:

Strength is the word on ]va that means the ability to attain wealth through
effort. The letter Aleph a is represented by an ox and is a symbol of strength. It
also represents YHVH, both adding up to the number 26. This means that the
strength or ability to attain wealth comes from the Father and not from man.
Dignity is the word se-eth tas that means exaltation in rank and character.
The word se-eth ends with the Aleph-Tav ta that represents Messiah.
It starts with the letter Shin s that means fire and represents the Spirit of
YHVH. This means that it is impossible to be exalted or appointed in a rank
without Messiah (Aleph-Tav) and the gifting of His Holy Spirit (Shin). It is also
impossible to change your character, without Messiah and His Spirit.
Power is the word az zi (ayin zayin) that means strong, harsh, fierce, mighty
and power. ayin i means eye that is on the right-hand side, depicting spiritual
sight. Zayin z means sword, symbolising the Word of YHVH, that is on the left
representing the physical. When Yshua was tempted in the Wilderness, He
defeated Satan by using the sword of the Word against him. The power of YHVH
is released through His Word in the physical where we exist. YHVHs Word can
sound harsh at times, especially when it is used to judge, but surely is powerful
and fierce when it comes to defeating the enemy in your life.

www.hasophim.com

Unstable as water: Water needs to be contained to make it stable. We need

YHVHs Word (Torah) to help us overcome our own fleshly instabilities, the
yetzer harah. Our stability does not come from ourselves but comes from
YHVHs guidelines found in His Commandments. They are like the barriers on a
high road that keep the cars from driving over the side, exposing themselves to
danger. Not having these barriers in your life or within a congregation will cause
the members to be unstable in their faith that only causes confusion.
When you build a house, you have to lay the foundation first; then you build the
walls that carry the roof. The first five Books of the Bible is the foundation the
House of YHVH should be built upon, without this foundation the house will not
stand or be complete, fulfilling its function.

Simeon & Levi Revealing Messiah and True

Leadership
Simeon is the second born of Jacob and Leah. Simeon means hearing and
the number 2 means restoration of relationships.. Simeon was mentioned
with Levi in Gen 49.
Gen 49:5-6

Positive: None
Negative: Levi and Simeon were instruments of cruelty and Jacob
cursed their anger for their role in the massacre on Shechem after
Jacobs daughter Dinah was raped. They were self-willed and broke
down walls.

Levi and Simeon did not receive any inheritance; Simeon joined the strongest
tribe Judah, that we known as the Jews today.
Levi means interweaved and is the 3rd born of Jacob and
Leah. The number three means Covenant. Levi
symbolises the connection of threads when making a
tapestry.
They facilitate the connection of the vertical threads,
connecting to YHVH, and the horizontal threads,
connecting the people, having the role of facilitating the
Temple Service, the Sacrificial System, teaching the
Torah to the people as well as governing the nation. Levi
did not receive an inheritance (land) and lived among the other tribes.

Lessons from Simeon and Levi:

Simeon and Levi had a negative characteristic namely anger. Anger is the word
aph S@ that means nostril, anger, wrath, countenance and face.
Aph is first found in Scripture in Gen 2:7 where YHVH Elohim breathed the
breath of life (nashamah) into the nostrils (aph) of man and he became a living
soul (nephesh). Aph comes from the root word anaph that means anger and to
breathe heavy.

www.hasophim.com

This word is first found in Scripture in Deut 1:37 where YHH

told the people to choose for themselves tribal leaders, men
that is wise, who has the knowledge and have understanding
in the ways of YHVH. He told them to choose wisely because
these men would lead them into the Promised Land. They
chose twelve young men and sent them in as spies, and ten of
them came back with a bad report, only two, Joshua and Caleb
came back with a good report. YHVH was angry (anaph) with
the people following the ten foolish leaders, and told them they
rebelled against His Commandments (His Covenant and Promises), and they will
not enter the Promised Land. Then YHVH sent the Amorites against Israel, this
enemy was like bees, stinging them as they travelled aimlessly through the
wilderness.
Spiritual Insight: What we see from this is that the nostril and anger is related
to the time of entering the Promised Land, and those who rebel against the
Commandment and the Covenant, will provoke YHVH to anger. It was because
of their fleshly eyes that they overlooked the Covenant Promises, and only
looked at their situation without faith, not trusting that YHVH. They only saw the
giants and not what YHVH promised. How many of us face giants or problems
in our lives and look at our situations through fleshly eyes?
The other connection to nostril is, that it is related to the breath of life or
nashamah that gave man life. This is the breath or Spirit man needs to open
their spiritual eyes. This will enable them to discern the physical things with
spiritual insight. This will allow us to see things as YHVH sees them and
overcome the giants in our lives, the things that might prevent us from entering
the Promised Land. Without the help of YHVHs Spirit and the revelation of His
Word and His Covenant, we will not be able to enter. We need to follow
leaders like Joshua and Caleb, who are the wise and knowledgeable leaders,
who can assist us so that we can enter the Promised Land.
Messiah Revealed: Joshua represents Messiah Who leads YHVHs people
into the Promised Land. Joshua is Yshua in Hebrew, and reveal the name of
the Messiah, Who is a wise leader Who can be trusted with a good report.
Q If Joshua depicts Messiah Yshua, who does Caleb represent?
Caleb blk means dog; he was the son of Jephunneh, who came from the tribe
of Judah. Jephunneh hnpy means he will be facing, facing what? Jephunneh
comes from the root word panah that means to turn, that is another way to say
repent.
Prophetic Insight: Putting this together gives us the answer, that is that he will
face repentance. Caleb, is a dog, and he was from the tribe of Judah, who
will face repentance. Dog is a term used in the time of the Yshua, referring to
the non-Jews or the nations. This implies that some of Judah lost their way and
ended up in the nations. What makes them like Caleb? The fact that they
repented and return to YHVH, coming back from the nations, back to the Land
YHVH Promised.

www.hasophim.com

This has a two-fold meaning; firstly, this gives us the timing of the coming of
Messiah, as depicted by Joshua, when the Jews (Judah) return back to the
Land of Promise. This happened in our generation when Israel was restored as
a nation in 1947.
Secondly, it points to Caleb that means dog or nations. The gentiles from the
nations will turn to YHVH and enter the Land of Promise, just like Judah. This
is currently happening in our generation where many people turn to YHVH
through the anointing that is upon Ephraim. We live in exciting times, and we
must follow wise leaders like Caleb, Who know YHVHs Covenant and His
Word, who will lead us into the Promised Land, alongside Messiah Yshua
(Joshua), reuniting us with Judah.

Judah Revealing Messiah

Judah is the 4th born of Judah and Judah, hdvhy means, let Him
be praised and contains the name YHVH hvhy with a dalet d
inserted, showing that the Messiah, YHVH in the flesh, will come
from the tribe of Judah, and He is the Door or Way (dalet) that
leads to the Father. Who needs to be praised? The dalet, Who
brings us the Father. The number 4 means the work of the Messiah.
G 49:8
Positive: Judah will be praised by his brothers, and his hand will be on
enemies neck and kill them. He is like a Lion and his Father, and brothers
will bow before Him and Nations bring him tribute. He will hold the Royal
sceptre between his feet and he is the lawgiver that protects the Torah
until the gathering of the people comes, at the end.
Negative: None

Lesson from Judah:

Since the older brothers, Reuben, Simeon and Levi were disqualified from the
birthright inheritance, the mantle of leadership passed to Judah, and Jacob
declared this Messianic prophecy while blessing him:
Gen 49:10 The scepter will never depart from Judah, nor a rulers staff
from between his feet, until the One comes, who owns them both, and to
Him will belong the allegiance of nations.
This passage reveals several things about the Messiah, who Gen 22:18 had
already declared would be a male descendant of Abraham:

He would be a descendant of Judah.

He would be a King.
His rule would extend beyond Israel to include the entire
world.
Interestingly enough, this Messianic prophecy has a temporal element; it
reveals that Judahs kingly authority would remain until Messiah comes. In
fact, the Talmud confirms that Judahs ability to pronounce capital sentences was
lost about 40 years before the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, which
indicates their loss of authority around 30AD, about that same time Yshua began
His ministry.
www.hasophim.com

While the first coming of Yshua fulfils Jacobs prophecy, at this time it is only
partially fulfilled since only the Gentiles, and about one percent of the Jewish
People, have received Yshua as the Messiah. When He comes again, He will
take up His Kingship, and all the Gentiles and Jewish People will entirely submit
to His authority.
Matt 23:3739 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Behold, your house is
forsaken and desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again, until you
say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH.
Psa 118:26-27 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of YHVH; We
have blessed you from the house of YHVH. 27 YHVH is Elohim, and He has
given us light
Psa 118 is the Psalm that is sung on the Feast of Passover known as the Hallel.
This is the Psalm Yshua sang with His Disciples before He went into the Garden
and was captured. Through work during His First Coming, we can again receive
the Breath of Life, the nashamah chai through His Spirit that He gives to anyone
who accepts Him as the light of the World, the Door and Way that leads to YHVH.
Gen 49:11-12 And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. 11 Binding
his donkey to the vine, And his donkeys colt to the choice vine, He washed
his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes. 12 His
eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk.
Messiah Revealed: The prophecy continues revealing attributes of Messiah.
He will bound his foal (young ass) to the Vine and His garments are washed
in wine and his clothes in the blood of grapes. Can you see the connection
to Messiah Yshua? His eyes are darker than wine (bloodshed eyes depicting
suffering) and his teeth will be white as milk White representing
righteousness that will come from His mouth.
Judah, as a nation, better known as the Jews today, are appointed and anointed
to guard and protect the Torah until Messiah comes again to gather His people
under His authority. Judah will always triumph over their enemies.

Dan Revealing Messiah

Dan was the 5th son of Jacob. Dan means judge and five means grace.
Gen 49:16

Positive: He shall judge/avenge his people, as one of the tribes

of Israel. He will be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path that bites
the horses heels so that his rider shall fall backwards.
Negative: None

Lessons from Dan:

Dan is known as one of the three lions that protected
Israel, together with Judah. Dan increased in number
and had to settle both at the North and the West side of
the Land. Dan is also called a serpent that makes the
riders fall backwards. Dan carries the symbol of a
serpent because he was one of the first tribes to
introduce idolatry into Israel.
www.hasophim.com

Hebrew Study Tip

Two words or thoughts can be
connected if they share the
same numerical value. Every
Hebrew letter represents a
numerical value and adding
up these numbers of each
word connects to other words
with the same numerical value

Serpent is the word nachash and has the numerical value of 358 (50
+ 8 + 300 ). This is the same as the numerical number of mashiach
or Messiah = 358 (40 + 300 + 10 + 8 ). We read in Num 21:9 where
YHVH told Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole so
that everyone who look upon the serpent, will be healed.
Messiah Revealed: This is a prophetic picture of Messiah Who
became sin (nachash / serpent), and He acted as the Anointed
Priest, Who offered a sin offering on behalf of the peoples sin
and sickness.
Dan reveals the Messiah in various ways; he is symbolised by a
lion, that connects Him to the lion of Judah, a serpent, that
represents the sin offering made on behalf of the people (Lev 4:3 where
Messiah is first mentioned in Scripture). Dan represents Messiah as the Judge
as well, through the meaning of the name Dan. He is also the One who cause
the riders to fall backwards, and that will happen when He will be the Warrior
and Judge Who will come to judge and destroy His enemies.

Naphtali Revealing the Good News

Naphtali means my wrestling and is the 6th son born to Jacob and
Bilhah, the younger full brother of Dan.
Gen 49:21

Positive: Naphtali is a hind (deer) let loose: he gives goodly

words.
Negative: None

Lessons from Naphtali:

Naphtali is a hind let loose, and he gives goodly words. Goodly is the word rps
shepher and Words is the word rma emer. Both are found the first time in
this Torah portion in this verse (Gen 49:21).
Hind is the word hlya ayalah and is related to the word alah that means, to
ascend as discussed in previous Torah Portions.
Hind is found in Ps 18:33 ; made my feet like the feet of a deer as well as in
Isa 52:6-7; how beautiful are the feet of him that brings the Good News
(Gospel Goodly words).
Spiritual Insight: Goodly or shepher is only used once in the whole Scripture
that makes it very unique and points to the fact that there is only ONE
Goodly Word or Gospel message. This also means that there is only
ONE Truth, ONE message and ONE Way (dalet) that leads to the Father.
John the Baptist as well as Yshua started their ministary with these
opening words; Repent, for the Kingdom of YHVH is at hand This is
known as the Gospel Message. This confirms what we saw this when we
looked at Calebs fathers name, that means to turn back. This means that
YHVH wants us to follow leaders like Caleb who preach the Gospel Message of
repentance, not a feel good gospel where you are the centre of the message.

www.hasophim.com

Gad Revealing Messiah

Gad was the 7th son of Jacob, the first-born of Zilpah. Gad means
troop and invader, good fortune and the number 7 means rest.
Gen 49:19

Positive: A troop will overcome him, but he will overcome at

last.
Negative: None

Lessons from Gad:

Messiah Revealed: A troop will overcome him, but he will overcome at last. This
is a prophecy regarding Messiah where He will be overcome the first time, but He
will overcome at the end. It sounds like Gen 3:15 where YHVH said that the
Serpent shall bruise Messiahs heel, but Messiah will crush the Serpents head.
Gad dg (gimel-dalet) is a troop or gadid dvdg (gimel-dalet-vav-dalet) that is
associated with war. This word contains the name of one of the greatest warrior
recorded in Scripture, that is king David dvd. David means Beloved and is a
prophetic picture of Messiah, the Beloved King Who will overcome the Serpent
and crush his head and take away his authority from YHVHs people.
Interestingly, the word dvdg gadid or troop is found in
1 Sam 30:8 where David asked YHVH whether he
should pursue the troop (enemy) after the city was
burnt and their sons, daughters and wives were taken
captive. YHVH told him to do so, and David restored all
the enemy (troop) has stolen.
Messiah Revealed: 1 Sam 30:9-10 confirms that
David represents the Messiah, where he and 400
men, represented by the ta Aleph-Tav / 1 and 400 men, who went out to take
on the enemy.
After hearing the Goodly Words that led to Repentance as saw with Naphtali,
we now find Gad, representing the Army of YHVH led by King Messiah. Who
has come to attack and overcome the enemy. This enemy was known as the
Amalekites, that represents the flesh. Our Beloved King Messiah is revealed
here as the Commander of His Armies.

Asher Revealing false Leaders

The 8th son born to Jacob, the son of Zilpah. Asher mans happy and
delicacies also means delight and cheerful. The number 8 means new
beginnings.
Gen 49:20

Positive: His bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal delicacies.
Negative: None

www.hasophim.com

Lessons from Asher:

Delicacies is the word ]dim ma-adan and this word is found in 1 Sam 15:32
where Agag, king of the Amalekites was delighted because he thought that the
bitterness of death has passed him by. As mentioned before, Amalek represents
the flesh and king Agag mentioned here, describes believers in Messiah who
believe they are saved because the bitterness of death has passed them by.
This refers to the Passover Covenant, and those who apply the blood, will be
saved from and released under the authority and slavery of Pharaoh (Satan).
They are very happy about their salvation, as seen in the meaning of the name
Asher.
Ashers bread shall be fat. Fat is the word ]ms shamen that means greasy,
oily, rich and lusty. This supports the idea of king Agag who was king of the
Amalekites (the flesh).
King Agag is found in the story where Saul rejected the Word of YHVH and
spared king Agag as well as the best of the livestock. As a result of
that, Saul lost his kingship over Israel because of his rebellion against
YHVHs Word. This act is seen as witchcraft in the eyes of YHVH. The
following thoughts connects Ashers blessing and the story in 1 Sam
15:

Asher (happy) Agag was delighted because he thought he

was saved.
Amalek (flesh) fat (lusty), depicting the flesh, lusting after
material things.
Royal - Two kings; king Saul representing leaders in YHVHs
House who are foolish. King Agag represents fleshly
believers who are in charge of their lives.
Fat bread represents a different Word.
Personal Application: Reading this blessing over Asher on a deeper level
paints a picture that is not as positive as you may have thought. This is how we
treat YHVHs Word as well, we only skim the surface to find the things that
suits our pallet, the things we like, for example, to be blessed, healthy,
protected and saved. We never dig a bit deeper and read about YHVH, Who
He is and what He likes and dislikes. We forget that our faith is actually about
Him and not about us (king Agag).
The one other thing that stands out is the fat bread. His real Word and Truth
was rejected and replaced by mans words and traditions. This led to the
rebellion against YHVHs Word and is the sin of witchcraft.
Fat Bread represents words of man, (in this case king Sauls words and will),
that replaced YHVHs Word (bread of life). The term Bread of Life is typically
seen as Yshua Who is the Saviour but it is actually the Word or Torah
(Commandment or YHVH) as seen in the story in 1 Sam 15 where Saul rejected
the Word of YHVH, not the Messiah. Yshua is the Word, but He is also the Lamb
that was slain. People seem only to receive the Messiah as the Lamb, the
Saviour and not the Bread or the Word of YHVH (Torah).

www.hasophim.com

10

Fat bread can also be described as regular bread with leaven in it, that is different
with unleavened bread, where leaven or yeast symbolises sin. How many
Churches have you gone to that serve Communion with regular bread, missing
the symbolism of Passover completely as well as the timing that relates to
YHVHs Calendar? Is this a form of eating fat bread and wine? Think about it.
Sad to say that this is what is happening in a lot of Congregations today
ranging from Christianity right through to Judaism. The leaders appointed
by the people do not teach YHVHs Word, which is the bread of life.
These leaders feed their people with fat bread that is well accepted by
fleshly people in order to fill the empty seats in their churches. These
teachings are YHVHs Word mixed with fleshliness that makes the people
happy (asher). The moment people are not happy (asher) with the Word
or teachings, saying they are too this or too that, or the teacher needs to do
this or do that, then they are in a danger zone looking for fat bread, or words
that suits them. Focus on your life and character, learn about YHVH and leave
the Message alone. If the Word of YHVH makes you uneasy, thats good, if the
challenges you, then you might just change. Always seek the problem in yourself
before you try to find it in the teachings or in the people who bring them.
Sauls rebellion cost him his crown and YHVH will deal with leaders that deceive
YHVHs people. We should seek leaders like Joshua and Caleb who are
examples of wise leaders. They are knowable of the Word, they are wise in the
communication thereof, and they do not confuse the people or tickle their ears
with feel good messages.
Another interesting thing about king Agag is seen in his name gga alephgimel
gimel. Aleph a symbolises YHVH, gimel g means camel and represents
YHVHs Spirit. We see one gimel connected to the aleph (YHVH) on the right
(spiritual gimel). We see another gimel on the left that represents the physical
(fleshly gimel).
Q - If the gimel represents YHVHs Spirit, what does the second gimel
represent?
This is another spirit that is a counterfeit holy spirit, leading YHVHs
people away from His Word and teach them its all about them and what
they can get, instead of serving YHVH according to Scripture. There
are numerous books written on this where people follow their
purpose instead of YHVHs Spirit so that they can have their best
life now. They are taught that they can be wealthy and do not
hear any teachings on holiness and the character of YHVH.
They follow man instead of YHVH and read mans books
instead of the Word of YHVH.
Yshua warned us of deception of false prophets and teachers as we approach
the end and these leaders follow a false spirit, serving bread that tickles the ears,
and they keep the people focused on their flesh and to get their needs met
instead of teaching them so that their characters might change.

www.hasophim.com

11

Issachar Revealing our Purpose

Issachar was the 9th son of Jacob Issachar means there is a reward"
("yesh sakar") or, "a man of hire" ("ish sakar").
Gen 49:14
Positive: He is a strong ass couching down between two
burdens.
Negative: None

Lessons from Issachar:

His is a strong ass crouching down between two
burdens. The Ass is the word chamor that is
used in Gen 24:35, describing Abrahams wealth
with all his livestock. Then it is used in Gen 22:5
where Abraham told his servants to stay with the
ass while he and Isaac will go up the mountain to
worship. This was where Abraham offered up Isaac
and the Ass is associated with salvation.
Chamor comes from the root word chamar that means trouble, to smear with
pitch and relates to a time of judgement and salvation where Noah built an Ark
and covered it with pitch. This gives us the insight that an Ass is a symbol of both
wealth and salvation. The ass is also a symbol of carrying the message of
Messiah into the world, symbolised by Messiah being carried into the Jerusalem.
In the same way, will the goodly word or gospel or salvation, be carried into all
the nations of the world.
Issachar represents both the physical and spiritual aspect of the wealth and
salvation message. They physically gather wealth for the Kingdom to provide
funds for the spreading of the Gospel of Salvation to the nations through
mission work. Then they represent the spiritual, the actual message being
spread and preached all over the world, being a blessing to all the families on the
earth.

Zebulon Revealing our Purpose

Zebulon was the 10th son of Jacob Zebulon means iniquity that
dwells.
Gen 49:13

Positive: He will dwell by the haven of the sea and shall be a

haven for ships and his borders shall go out to Zidon.
Negative: None

Lessons from Zebulon:

Sea is the word ,y yam that means to roar, west, sea
and it represents the nations as well. The word yam is
found in the creation story where YHVH separated the
dry land from the waters that formed the sea. He then
made the fish to populate the sea and later gave man
dominion over the fish of the sea.

www.hasophim.com

12

Haven is the Hebrew word [vx choph that means seashore that comes from
an unused root word that means, to cover.
Border is the Hebrew word hkry yerechah that means side and is also used
in explaining the building of the Tabernacle, the covering that contained the
presence of YHVH.
Spiritual Insight: It is Zebulons task to bring the fish out of the water, into the
boat. The fish or new converts will be covered so that they can exist outside
the natural waters and able to come into the Presence of YHVH. Zebulon will
assist in the process of catching the fish, and then place them inside the
boat. The boat represents Messiah, and in Him they will be covered and
be saved and be able to enter into the Presence of the Father.
Zidon is also translated as Sidon that means hunting that comes from the root
word tsud that means catching fish or to hunt. This was the last instruction
Yshua gave His Disciples (fishermen) before He went back to His Father. They
had to go out to all the nations and preach the Gospel, make disciples and
spread the message of repentance and salvation to all the people of the world.

Joseph Revealing our Purpose

Joseph is the 11th son of Jacob Joseph means increase and addition.
Gen 49:22-26

Positive: He is a fruitful branch whose branches run over the

wall. The archers grieved him, shot at him, and hated him. His
bow is strong, and his arms have been made strong. People slander and
attack him verbally but YHVH makes his arms (faith) strong. He is the
Shepherd and the stone of Israel.
Negative: None

Lessons from Joseph:

Josephs life is the closest prophetic representation of the Messiah Who brought
Salvation and Grace to all of the world. Joseph also depicts believers in Messiah
(Christians) who have the Spirit of the Shepherd who is blessed from above and
have the revelation of Messiah. They are the wild branch that grew over the wall
into all nations, to gather YHVHs people and shepherd them back to the
Kingdom, back to YHVH.
They will be like a net cast out and with the lost tribes will bring back with them,
a mixed multitude. They have a special anointing and are blessed with all the fruit
of the Spirit that enable them to shepherd back YHVHs people.
This is the function of the part of the birthright that was given to
Ephraim through Joseph. They are to fulfil all the functions that are
required to set up and maintain the Household of YHVH, not
only in Jerusalem but all over the world. This is different to the
function Judah (Jews) received, where they carried the
responsibility of the birthright that resulted in the physical Seed or
Messiah to come through their generation. They were also
empowered to guard and protect the Torah, which is the basis of
YHVHs Covenant with man.
www.hasophim.com

13

Benyamin Messiah Revealed at the End

Benyamin was the 12th son of Jacob. Number 12 is considered a
perfect number, it symbolises YHVH's power and authority as well
as the completeness of a nation. Benyamin means son of my
sorrow and son of my right hand.
Gen 49:27

Positive: He shall raven (tear into pieces) like a wolf that devour his prey
in the morning and divide the spoil at evening.
Negative: None

Lesson from Benyamin:

Raven is the Hebrew word [ru taraph and is used in Gen 37:33 where the
brothers explained to their father that Joseph was devoured by a wild beast, torn
into pieces. This reveals Messiah ben Joseph, the suffering servant who was
executed and died for humanity.
Wolf is the word baz ze-av that is used in Isa11:6 where the wolf will dwell with
the lamb, talking about how YHVH will set His Hand (Messiah) in a second time
to gather the remnant of His people. Ze-av consists of two parts; z zayin that
means sword or the Word of YHVH, and ba av, that means Father. Messiah
is sent from the right hand of the Father with the Sword of His Word to
judge the world.
Prey is the word di ad that is found in Zep 3:8 and translated as plunder.
Zeph 3:8-9 Therefore wait for Me, says
YHVH, Until the day I rise up for plunder;
My determination is to gather the nations to
My assembly of kingdoms, to pour on them
My indignation, all My fierce anger; All the
earth shall be devoured with the fire of My
jealousy. 9 For then I will restore to the
peoples a pure language, That they all may
call on the name of YHVH, To serve Him with
one accord.
This is an End Time prophecy talking about the battle that will happen after the
thousand-year peace as described in Zec 14. This is where Messiah will be the
Judge and Commander, overcoming His enemies at the battle of Gog and
Magog. Then the New Jerusalem will come down after the earth is purged by fire.
The Name of YHVH will be restored as well as the pure language known as
Hebrew, and the people will serve YHVH in unity.
Devour is the word lka akal that is first used in Scripture in Gen 2:16 & 17
explaining the first commandment regarding the trees, which fruits to eat from and
which tree not to eat from. This points to the original sin and why man has fallen,
connecting it to the final restoration step, that is judgement and removal of the
things that came as a result of that sin.
www.hasophim.com

14

We can see from these words and passages, where all the puzzle pieces coming
together, setting the stage for the end time events. This is in context of the
original sin, and why these things must happen. It will result in YHVH devouring
the consequences of this sin through the final judgement. In the beginning, man
devoured the forbidden fruit that brought sin into the world, and at the end, sin
and its consequences will be devoured by YHVH through fire.
Messiah Revealed: Benyamin means Son of My sorrow and Son of my right
hand; the hand that has come the first time to bring grace (right hand) and
experienced sorrow. This is non-other than Messiah ben Joseph, the one
Who suffered and brought salvation as depicted by Josephs life.
That same hand will come a second time, and this time He will be the Son of
my right hand, Messiah ben David, Who will bring judgement during His
second coming, judging the world by the standard of His Sword (Zec 14:1-7).
After this, the lion and the lamb will dwell together, referring to the thousand
year peace after the battle of Har Magido or Armageddon (Zec 14:8-11). This
will be followed by the final judgement by fire, that devour sin and its
consequences, as well as those saturated with sin. This is known as the battle
of Gog and Magog (Zec 14:12-15).
We see the gathering of the remnant of YHVHs people as well as the gathering
of the nations and kingdoms at the time of the end. The number 2 is seen
throughout all passages and confirms that this is a time of the restoration of
relationships between Joseph and his brothers (believers of different
backgrounds and denominations including the Jews) so that they all will serve
YHVH in one accord or in unity, not different denominations or different sects of
Judaism. He will reveal to us how He wants to be served and we will be taught by
Messiah personally (Isa 2:1-3).

www.hasophim.com

15