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God,^81 before Whose face walked my fathers, Abraham and Isaac; the God Who
pastured^82 me from my existence on unto this day; THE ANGEL Who redeemed me
from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name, and the name of my fathers, Abraham
and Isaac, be named upon them, and let them increase to a multitude in the midst of
the land." In this threefold reference to God as the covenant-God, the Shepherd and
the Angel-Redeemer, we have a distinct anticipation of the truth concerning the
blessed Trinity.
The blessing having been spoken, "Jacob gave to his son Joseph," as a special gift,
"that parcel of ground" by Sychar (John 4:5), the ancient Shechem, which he had
originally bought of "the children of Heth;" (Genesis 33:19) but which, as he
prophesied, he - that is, his descendants - would have to take again^83 with sword and
bow out of the hand of the Amorite. In this possession of Joseph, many centuries
later, rested the Redeemer-Shepherd, when, even in His weariness, He called and
pastured His flock. (John 4) But as for Jacob, the last assurance which he gave to his
son was emphatically to repeat this confession of his faith: "Behold, I die: but God
shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers." For men pass
away, but the word and purpose of the Lord abide for ever!
(^)