Christ Jesus the Shepherd and Cornerstone of Israel

Then he lavishes Blessings on Joseph, who was separate from his brethren for decades. At the age of 17, Joseph was cast into a pit by his brothers and sold to the Ishmaelites for a slave. And for 22 years, till the age of 39 he didn’t see his family. He didn’t even know if they were alive. All through that time, he kept his faith in Christ (Jesus) unwaveringly. He didn’t have spiritual fathers in Egypt, he was the lone Christian* in that entire nation, like a root out of a dry ground. In pit and prison he was faithful and the Bible tells us that the Lord was with him (Gen 39:2,21). Even in prison, he continued to minister, was full of the Holy Spirit and counselled others, interpreted their dreams etc. From the verses above, we understand clearly that Joseph’s faith was in Christ Jesus all through this time. No doubt he remembered that day when his dad walked into the camp with a limp. He saw into a day afar off and took inspiration from Christ and his faith in the face of wounds and betrayals and death. In all their affliction, he was afflicted (Isaiah 63:9). (* used in the sense for a believer in the Messiah)

Old Jacob recognizes his son’s pain and summarizes his entire life thus in the above verses 22-24. And he said that even when people shot at him, hated him and wounded him, still Joseph’s hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob. And then He explains that, that Mighty God is none other than the Shepherd and the Cornerstone of Israel.

Christ is made the sure foundation,

Christ the head and cornerstone,

Chosen by the Lord and precious,

Binding all the Church in one;

Holy Zion's help forever,

And her confidence alone. - 7th Century Latin Hymn, Trans by J.M.Neale 1861

(Video below is sung to Regent Square tune, Alt. tune is Westminster Abbey)

How did the name Israel came to be? You would recall about ~25 years before this incident, that one night Jacob wrestled with a Man, who dealt with his crafty nature for hours that night. As morning was dawning, that Heavenly Man (Jesus) touched the hollow of his thigh to break his grip, he also changed Jacob’s name to Israel, saying you are a Prince for you have wrestled with God and prevailed Gen 32:28. I still remember a sermon of Uncle D.G.S. Dhinakaran where he explains what Jacob’s travailing was all about, Jacob wept and sought God’s favour that night (Hosea 12:4).

Today when you read news reports of Israel, remember that the very Name Israel came as a result of Jesus Christ coming to the earth to deal with Jacob and give him a New Beginning as a nation. May the little amongst us become a thousand. And the feeble ones a mighty nation in Christ Jesus.