Strangers / Pilgrims
Gen 37:1 “And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger H4033 – māḡûr” Now consider, Abraham have been given promises of land and beign a father of multitude. But it is interesting to see how since the time of Adam, they consider themselves as sojourners/strangers in the land. We see this mention “stranger” many times. Consider even Yeshua – He seemed a stranger, and He just sojourned with us here. This time we have on earth, is truly just temporary. We so easily get distracted and stuck on physical temporary things – we forget the true promise lies in the spiritual, which is eternal
Sold out in Dothan
The name Dothan is dropped so quickly, and you might just walk right pass it.
So here in Dothan is where Josephs’ brothers betray him and sell him out. Let us quickly consider where else in Scripture Dothan is mentioned. 2 Kings 6 tells the story of Elisha the prophet being in Dohan and he woke up the morning being surrounded by an army. His servant is in great distress and wonders what will they do?! And Elisha says “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” So here in Dothan where a very special young boy was betrayed and sold, a whole army of angels appeared to protect Elisha!
So even if we don’t understand why Josephs’ brothers did this, or what might be happening to you in your life – look at Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I might see wondrous things from Your Law/Instruction (Torah H8451 – tôrâ).”
Josephs' prophetic moments
Consider the prophetic events that is happening here. Here is this innocent boy surrounded by very jealous brothers. They take his robe and tore it, they throw him in a pit, they sell him out for silver, they slaughter a goat for proof of blood… such horror and pain. See what happened to Yeshua. They took His garments and tore it. They arrested him, He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, on Passover when the lambs are sacrificed.
Here are some quick other prophetic meanings. Silver is also used for payment for atonement in the Temple laws. On the Day of Atonement, 2 goats are used – one goat is sacrificed for the atonement of sin, and the second goat is released and freed of the sin. This goat in english we call the Azazel goat. Actually Azazel is more a reflection of the Hebrew word goat. H5795 – ʿēz from the Hebrew root word Azaz H5810 – ʿāzaz which means Strength.
Sheol for souls
Genesis 37:35 and Jacob says “Now let me go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” The word grave is actually Sheol in Hebrew H7585 – šᵊ’ôl. The correct understanding for Sheol is not “hell” like we were taught, but rather the gathering and resting place for the souls, “designation for the abode of the dead”.
