Learning To Have Faith In The Great Staff

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob

and Esau concerning things to come.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying,

blessed both the sons of Joseph; 

and worshiped leaning upon the

top of his staff. By faith Joseph, 

when he died, made mention of the

departing of the children of Israel; 

and gave commandment concerning

his bones.  

Hebrews 11:29-22

     Before I continue I must address the italics of the word leaning so there is no mistake that this was added; it was not but the word used was to clarify the Greek. Literal translation of the Greek is: "and worshiped on the top of his staff" and to be on the "top" of his staff would require his leaning or support by the staff. The Hebrew word for staff gives us clearer understanding of this word "staff" as it means tribe; rod, a tool used by the shepherd. It is also a symbol of authority and can be an instrument of warfare and oppression. This word is used 143 times to denote a 'tribe' and is a preferred term for the twelve tribes of Israel. The Hebrew word MISHENA has the idea of "something to lean on," "trust," "support," or "staff." Together, the two words paint a picture of a strong, protective shepherd whom we can trust. One who not only cares for us but who will protect us. So, why so much about this word? If you are following Jesus Christ then you are  following the Great Shepherd and in this life we all are faced with danger, trouble, and the threat of death. It is Jesus Christ our Great Shepherd that by His rod (Authority) He protects us and we can trust Him as He leads us with His "staff." Jesus Christ is listening to His sheep and this leaning on the "staff" is a picture of provision, care, and eternal security. 

     Joseph is a great picture of faith for he faced many trials, false imprisonment, being almost killed by his brothers, and sold as a slave and yet he said: "And Joseph said unto them, "Fear not: for am I in the place of God" (Geneses 50:19). Are you in a place of danger, trial, persecution? If so be as Joseph and remind yourself that you are "in the place of God." God will use every and any means for His children and while not always removing problems will take you through them as He as promised. God is Sovereign over all things, His "staff" is not only His authority over all things, it is our protection and our salvation for Jesus Christ is the "staff" promised for all of God's children. 

     God used Joseph to prophesy about the coming of the time when those of his "tribe" who came to be called "Hebrews," would leave the land of Egypt and that they would be led to the land promised to Abraham. How did he know this? God apparently revealed this to him and this was what was taught to him by his father who, as is the case in Hebrew culture, would speak of such things. Joseph had faith in God through all things that he had to undergo. Is your faith as the faith of Joseph? God has revealed to you His plan for His children, for those who refuse to become one of His children, for this world and for the world to come. Can you see that you are only strangers in this world and God is leading you to a land promised to you? Joseph gave this prophecy: "And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which He sware to Abraham, so Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry my bones form hence" (Genesis 50:24-25). 

     God has promised and revealed to you: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy had begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1Peter 1:4-5).

     As we study "faith" our faith should grow and mature to the point where we fully, without reservation place our lives fully in Him who has the power to do all that He has promised. We are not left in doubt, albeit we see as through dark glass, we do have enough revealed for us to allow our faith to lead us in all things while we are on this earth. Yes, there is a cost to this faith, a cost to you, to others, but this cost should not cause you to faint away knowing that your faith is in the one who gave His life, a cost that we cannot imagine for He took on Himself the sin of the world. For you He paid this cost. Will you give back to Him no matter the cost? We all must answer that question. Are you willing to please God rather than to please man? God blessed all those before us whose faith is described to us in His word so that we too can see that God will bless your faith and give to you this life, eternal, undefiled life.

And he did (Hezekiah) that which was

      right in the sight of the LORD,

according to all that David his father

     had done.....And said unto them,

Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify the house

      of the LORD God of your fathers,

and carry forth the filthiness out of the

    holy place....Now it is time in mine heart

to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel,

    that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.

                       2Chronicles 29: 2,5,10

Make a covenant with God

Richard L. Crumb