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The Purpose of Prophecy Introduction: A.
Biblical
Prophecy 1. Trying to put all the pieces of Biblical prophecy together often people became totally lost in the details of prophecy and lose sight of the purpose of prophecy. a) Some Christians immerse themselves in the details of “things to come”. b) They carefully chart out the future in even the most obscure matters. c) The details become an obsession while godly living is brushed aside. 2. Does
a) The prophecies contained in this text are related to the destiny of the descendants of Jacob. b) There are, of course, messianic prophecies here. c) But in these prophecies we are given insight into the purpose of all prophecy. B. Jacob was approaching death 1. Jacob called his twelve sons to gather around him. 2. As Jacob began to speak, but his words were not those of a regular conversation. 3. He began to speak in a form of poetry and symbol. 4. God,
by His Spirit, enabled Jacob to predict the future of the nation I.
The
Prophecies A.
The
Sons of Leah – God gave Jacob six sons by Leah, the wife whom he didn’t want (Genesis 29:31-35; 30:14-21). 1. Reuben (Genesis 49:3-4) a) An old sin he’d committed finally caught up with Reuben (35:22; Num. 32:23), and he lost his privileges as the firstborn son. b) “Unstable as water” (Genesis 49:4, kjv) speaks of both turbulence and weakness. c) The descendents of Reuben were just like him. (1) The
tribe was never important in the history of (2) The prophecy was proven to be precisely true. 2. Simeon and Levi (Genesis 49:5-7) a) Simeon and Levi were guilty of anger and violence in their massacre of the Shechemites (Genesis 34:25-31). b) Since it was dangerous to be “in their assembly,” God arranged that the two tribes would not be able to assemble. c) The
tribe of Simeon was eventually absorbed into the tribe of d) The tribe of Levi actually shows how God can take a repentant people and use them mightily for good. e) They somewhat redeemed themselves by taking a stand for God and Moses when no one else would (Exodus 32:25-29). f) The
tribe of Levi produced more great leaders than any other tribe except (1) Moses (2) Aaron (3) Phinehas (Numbers 25) (4) Eli (1
Samuel (5) Ezra (Book of Ezra) (6) John the Baptist (Luke 1:5) 3. Judah (Genesis 49:8-12) a) Jacob
said nothing about b) c) d) That was the difference between him and his three elder brothers. e) The
name f) He
founded the royal tribe that gave g) Note the prophetic blessing pronounced upon him and his tribe. (1) (2) (a) The lion is a symbol of courage, strength, and security. (3) This is
clearly seen in the great kings the tribe of (a) David (b) Solomon (c) Asa (d) Jehosaphat (e) Uzziah (f) Jotham (g) Hezekiah (h) Josiah h) (1) (2) This is great prophecy of the Messiah, the Savior of the world. 4. Zebulun (Genesis 49:13) a) This was the only tribe that had its territory spelled out in Jacob’s prophetic blessing. b) God was also to bless the tribe of Zebulun with a unique opportunity to serve the other tribes by providing goods for them. c) The lesson is clear: God is the source of our blessings. (1) All that we have is due to God. (2) We must do what Zebulun was to do: use what we have to serve and help those who are around us. 5. Isaachar (Genesis 49:14-15) a) We today think of a donkey as an ignoble beast of burden, but in Old Testament times, kings rode on donkeys (1 Kings 1:38ff). b) The
image in c) The prophecy, of course, proved true. (1) The
tribe rose up and fought for Deborah and Barak when other tribes refused to
help (Judges (2) The
tribe was to grow and provide 87,000 men for the military during the rule of d) However, Issachar had one trait that proved to be a terrible weakness, complacency (Genesis 49:15). e) Complacency destroys ambition, drive, initiative, production, work, even life itself. B. The Sons of Bilhah – Bilhah, Rachel’s maid, was given to Jacob to bear him children when Rachel thought she was childless. 1. Dan (Genesis 49:16-18) a) The name Dan means “to judge” (30:6), and his tribe produced one of the most famous judges, Samson (Judges 13–16). b) The tribe of Dan wasn’t able to drive out the Philistines. c) The prophecy concerning Dan was that the tribe was to be just like a snake treacherous and crafty. d) Dan
was the first tribe to take up idol worship in 2. Naphtali (Genesis 49:21) a) For some reason, Jacob spoke to Gad and Asher, the sons of Zilpah, before he spoke to Naphtali. b) Naphtali has no judgment against it. c) The image of “a hind [doe] let loose” suggests a free-spirited people, not bound to tradition. d) The last clause—“he gives goodly [beautiful] words” - suggests that they could express themselves well. e) Possessing the abilities to run like does and speak beautiful words, the people of Naphtali would make ideal messengers. f) Jesus
Christ spent a great deal of time and ministry in their territory – g) Thus the prophecy of beautiful words find their greatest fulfillment in the gospel preached by Christ Himself. C. The Sons of Zilpah – Zilpah was Leah’s maid, given to Jacob to bear him more children after Leah had ceased bearing (30:9-13). However, later Leah gave birth to Isaachar, Zebulun, and Dinah (vv. 14-21). 1. Gad (Genesis 49:19) a) The Gadites were great warriors (Josh. 22:1-6). b) Gad was to be a tribe who would be successful in struggling against his enemy. (1) The idea is that he would never give up no matter the strength of his enemy. (2) He would struggle and fight until at last he overcame. (3) Therefore, he would know the glory of victory. 2. Asher (Genesis 49:20) a) The name Asher means happy, lucky, or fortunate. (1) They inherited some of the best land, but during the days of the judges, the people were swallowed up by the luxury of wealth. (2) They
refused to help the other tribes in fighting against the enemies of (3) They
were too caught up in the worldly pleasures, and comforts to worry about the
needs of others under attack (Judges D. The Sons of Rachel – Jacob’s favorite wife was Rachel and her two sons were his favorite children. This kind of favoritism caused a great deal of trouble in the family, and yet God overruled it to accomplish His own purposes. Jacob said more about Joseph than about any of the other sons, but he didn’t have much to say about Benjamin. 1. Joseph (Genesis 49:22-26) a) Jacob used the word “bless” at least six times in his speech to and about Joseph. (1) Just keep in mind that the prophecy refers to his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. b) Joseph was to be like a fruitful vine sitting near a spring that has fruitful branches climbing all over a wall (Genesis 49:22). (1) The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were to bear large numbers of people and strong leaders. (2) These
two tribes produced such leaders as Joshua and 5 of the 15 judges of c) Joseph was, however, to be harassed and hated by his enemies (Genesis 49:23). (1) But note: Joseph was to stand firm and steady. (2) God Himself was to make him strong (Genesis 49:24-25). d) Five different names or titles are given to God declaring that the strength of Joseph’s descendents was due to God and to God alone. (1) The mighty One (God) of Jacob (Genesis 49:24). (2) The Shepherd (Genesis 49:24): this is a picture of God as the Guide, Provider, and Protector. (a) This is the first time God is called The Shepherd in Scripture. (3) The
Stone or Rock of Israel (Genesis 49:24): this is the picture of
God as the Foundation and (4) The God of Jacob or the God of your father who helps you (Genesis 49:25): God had helped Jacob time and again (5) The Almighty (El Shaddai) (Genesis 49:25a): this name stresses that God is the God of all might and strength Who can do all things for His people. 2. Benjamin (Genesis 49:27) a) You would expect Jacob to say more to and about his youngest son Benjamin, but his words were few and puzzling. b) Why compare Benjamin to a “ravenous wolf”? (1) There are both good and bad features in a wolf. (2) A wolf is a strong, sensitive, loyal, crafty, ferocious animal, an animal that is always alert and ready to fight when the need arises. (3) The men
of Benjamin were brave and loyal, but when you read Benjamin’s tribal history
in (4) Saul,
the first king of (5) Benjamites
known for their ferocity were Abner (2 Sam. (6) Saul of Tarsus, a Benjamite (Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5) was like a wild animal when he persecuted the church and tracked down Christians to imprison them. II.
Questions Having given a very brief explanation of the prophecies of Jacob concerning each of his sons, we must return to our original questions if we are to gain a grasp of the purposes of prophecy. A.
Did every detail of Jacob’s prophecy
come to pass, as he predicted? 1. The answer is no. 2. What explanation can we give for the fact that some prophecies are not precisely fulfilled? a) First,
God’s purposes for (1) For I do
not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in
your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until
the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved;
just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE
UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” “AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY
THEIR SINS” (Romans (2) The
promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were never fully realized in b) Secondly (and this will sound like a great heresy) God never intended to fulfill every prophecy. (1) Before you turn me off, let me explain what I am saying. (2) While most prophecies are specific and certain of their fulfillment, not all are. (3) Some prophecies are God’s warning of what would come to pass if men did not repent. (4) This is why Jonah had no intention of prophesying impending judgment to the Ninevites: (5) When God saw their deeds and that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. But it greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore, in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that Thou art a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity” (Jonah 3:10-4:2). 3. Some years later, the truth which Jonah knew was clearly stated by the prophet Jeremiah: a) At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it, if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it, if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it (Jeremiah 18:7-10). B. What
purpose does this prophecy serve the sons of Jacob, since they will all die
before God causes the nation to return to 1. For the twelve sons of Jacob, the primary lesson is that their character not only affects their own destiny, but also the future generations. a) Present actions have future results and repercussions. 2. What they are tends to shape what the nation will be in years to come. a) If they live godly lives, this will be a blessing to coming generations. b) If they are godless, the nation will likewise reap the consequences: III.
The
Purpose of Prophecy A.
Prophecy focuses our attention upon
future things. 1. Our tendency is to live our lives as though there were no future. a) 2. We must not fix our hopes on earthly things, in the temporal pleasures of this life, but in those things which God has yet in store for us: a) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (I Peter 1:3-5). B. Prophecy
focuses not only on the future, but on living in the present in the light of
the future. 1. The
promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were to prompt purity in the
lives of a) The future blessings (and judgments) which are in store for us are intended to encourage Christians to live in peace and purity: b) But
the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass
away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and
the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be
destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct
and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on
account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements
will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for
new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells (II Peter 2. What does that make you want to do right now? 3. Prophecy is given not to satisfy our curiosity, but to prompt us to purity. C. Specific
prophecy (such as the second coming of Christ) will be fulfilled as
specifically and literally as were those prophecies of Christ’s first coming,
but more general prophecies are given to warn us of the possibility of future
things which can be avoided. 1. Words of warning are also words of hope. 2. The warning of sin and its consequences was designed to turn us from our sin to the Messiah. 3. The Scriptures are full of passages about the days ahead of suffering, eternal torment, judgment, and condemnation: a) And
I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and
books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life;
and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according
to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and
Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of
them according to their deeds. And death and Hades were thrown in to the lake
of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was
not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire
(Revelation 4. While some will surely face this judgment, you need not. 5. Prophecy such as this is written so that you might turn from sin and judgment to Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers to all who will believe: a) For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not
send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be
saved through Him (John 6. By acknowledging your sin and the judgment you deserve, by personally trusting in Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior, you may avoid the judgment to come and may live in purity and expectation of the blessed hope: a) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4). 7. For the unbeliever, the purpose of prophecy is to warn him of the wages of sin. 8. For the Christian, the purpose of prophecy is to motivate him to live in this life in purity and hope, assured that God has even greater blessings in store for those who will trust and obey. |
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