Gênesis 49

Gênesis 49

Utley writes In the Massoretic Text the phrase (BDB 31 CONSTRUCT 398) is used of the end-time (cf. Nu 24:14; Isa. 2:2; Ezek. 38:16), but that time frame does not fit this context. This text addresses the thirteen tribes (Joseph becomes Ephraim and Manasseh) out of Jacob. Therefore, it must relate to the conquest (Joshua) and settlement (Judges, cf. Deut. 31:29) of Canaan. If v. 10 does address a Davidic ruler from Judea, then a period as far as an early monarchial period (1 Samuel) is possible." (The Patriarchal Period) The phrase the days to come is more literally "the latter end of the days." While not everyone agrees with this interpretation (as just exemplified above), Jacob's phrase appears to be very compatible with what will happen to the 12 Tribes of Israel in the last days just before Messiah's Second Coming. Certainly the book of Revelation speaks of events which are related to the 12 Tribes (See Rev 7:4-note) in the "last days." AN "ESCHATOLOGICAL" WORD Days to come (0319) (acharith from achar = to remain behind, tarry) is a feminine noun that means the "after part", the end of a period of time, the last time, the latter time. The first use is in Genesis 49:1 = "Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, "Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come." In Nu 23:10 acharith refers to the "end" of one's life (death - cp similar use Nu 24:20, Ps 73:17, 5:11). It speaks of old or older age (Job 42:12 = "Jehovah blessed the latter days of Job") Acharith describes one's posterity (Ps 37:37, 38, 109:13). Here acharith conveys the idea of outcome - Da 12:8, Pr 5:4, 14:12, 16:25 (end), Eccl 7:8, Isa 41:22, 47:7. It conveys the sense of future (Pr 23:18, 24:14, 24:20, Jer 29:11, 31:17). In Ezek 23:25 acharith describes survivors (twice). While I cannot document the source I have a note in my files regarding "days to come" ("last days," "latter days") that "The phrase according to Jewish interpreters always means the days of the Messiah." "In the latter days" is an expression which often refers to the messianic times, that period which closes human history when the kingdom of God will be manifested and the Lord Himself will rule the nations, as well as the hearts and minds of men. LAST/LATTER DAYS is common in OT & is the time when Messiah would come to set up His kingdom. That there would be two comings of Messiah, separated by a long intervening period, was not clearly understood in the OT. The two comings, however, can be inferred from the two purposes for Messiah’s coming set forth in the OT. On the one hand, the OT teaches that Messiah would come as the Suffering Servant, to die for the sins of the world (Isa 53). On the other hand, it also teaches that Messiah would come in glory to set up His kingdom (Isa 9:6). The first coming of Christ ushered in the last days. 1Jn 2:18 “Children, it is the last hour.” Peter writes that Christ “has appeared in these last times for the sake of you” (1Pe 1:20). Hebrews informs us that God “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” (Heb1:2), and “now once at the consummation of the ages [Christ] has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb9:26). The last days have thus lasted nearly two thousand years. During that time, God has graciously called Gentiles to salvation and chastened Israel for her unbelief. Acharith is used many times in a prophetic (eschatological) sense. Read the following passages Numbers 24:14 “And now behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.” Deuteronomy 4:30 “When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. Henry Morris (Defender's Study Bible) on distress (KJV - "tribulation") - This prophecy, given by Moses as Israel prepared to enter the promised land, apparently looks into the distant future, 3500 years or more, to "the latter days" when Israel will be in the "great tribulation" (Revelation 7:14). At that "time of trouble … thy people shall be delivered," (Daniel 12:1), and "immediately after the tribulation of those days … He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matthew 24:29, 31). Deuteronomy 31:29 "For I know that after my death you will act corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days, for you will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands." Isaiah 2:2 Now it will come about that In the last days, The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. Henry Morris (Defender's Study Bible) - In such prophecies, mountains are symbolic of kingdoms. In the coming kingdom age, the Lord will be acknowledged as king over all the earth (Isaiah 9:6-7), with His throne at Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3). See also Zechariah 14:9. Jeremiah 23:20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; In the last days you will clearly understand it. Comment: The "anger" of the Lord is the result of His righteous judgment, demanded by His perfect holiness and immutable justice. Jeremiah 30:24 The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back, Until He has performed, and until He has accomplished The intent of His heart; In the latter days you will understand this. Jeremiah 49:39 ‘But it will come about in the last days That I shall restore the fortunes of Elam,’” Declares the LORD. Ezekiel 38:8 “After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them. Ezekiel 38:16 and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It will come about in the last days that I shall bring you against My land, in order that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.” Daniel 10:14 “Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.” Ryrie on the latter days - Future days culminating in the events surrounding the second coming of Christ (cf. Da 2:28; Gen. 49:1). MacArthur on the latter days - This refers to the future plan of God for His people, extending from Daniel’s time to that of the Antichrist. Nelson's Study Bible on the latter days - This expression is used throughout the books of prophecy to refer to the future (see Isa 2:2; Jer. 23:20; 49:39; Ezek. 38:16; Mic. 4:1). The messenger here is referring to the revelation of Daniel 11-12. Hosea 3:5 Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days. (Lxx = ep' eschaton ton hemeron = "in the latter days") David their king - It is very surprising that most commentators take "David their king" to be a reference to the Messiah when a literal interpretation would be very appropriate! In fact if this is a reference to Messiah than why mention "the LORD their God" just prior? These are two individuals, one Divine and the other human. David will be resurrected and will reign over the 12 tribes of Israel (Ezekiel 37:24, 25-note) in the Millennial Kingdom. Of course Messiah will be King over King David for He alone is the "King of kings" (Rev 19:16-note). Why would Christ even need the name "King of kings" if there were not human kings over which He would reign supreme! As support for a literal resurrected King David Ezekiel says "And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken." (Ezekiel 34:24) The first Person is the LORD, Jehovah, Who is Jesus and He is clearly distinguished in this passage from "My servant David." David is David, not Messiah! Messiah is many times called "Son of David" but to my knowledge, He is never called only by the name "David." (Write me if you find an exception). Jeremiah 30:9-note also separates Jehovah and David and clearly states David will be resurrected in the end times to be king over believing Israel - "But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them." (See another discussion of "Who is David about whom Jeremiah prophesies?")