From: Dwight & Pam Burford
Jacob’s Well and the Waters of Mormon
Chapter 6 of the on-line book, Why Look to “the Stick of Joseph” as a Standard, is now available at:
https://hisworkmanship.net/why-look-to-the-stick-of-joseph-as-a-standard-chapter-6/
Entitled “Jacob’s Well and the Waters of Mormon,” this next chapter is about Jacob’s prophecy in Genesis 49:22 of his son Joseph being a fruitful bough by a well. Quoting from the chapter’s introduction:
“Through the Book of Mormon, God has revealed the fountain of pure water in Mormon as the well Jacob spoke of prophetically in his birthright blessing of his son. This unique fountain and its relationship to Joseph were typified by Jacob’s well, located in ancient Samaria near Sychar as mentioned in the book of John.
“Details of the fountain of pure water in Mormon’s abridgment confirm Jacob’s blessing of Joseph. They show how descendants of Joseph obtained, through faith, the precious land and well included in the blessing Jacob placed on his son’s head. More importantly, these details show how a remnant of his descendants obtained salvation by faith in their Redeemer at Mormon’s fountain.
“With the advent of the Book of Mormon, the Lord has thus restored the knowledge of His promises to Jacob and to Joseph for the purpose of fulfilling His remaining covenant promises to them. Through the words of this unique book, the Lord God of Israel is now manifesting Himself as the Word of God to Joseph’s posterity in Joseph’s land as well as to all Israel and the world at large.”
In Abraham, God had found a man willing to stand in the gap by faith on His words. Though many of his posterity would remain carnal, sensual, and devilish, yet remnants would be found faithful to God’s covenant with Abraham by upholding God’s word with their lives. Those who followed Abraham by exercising faith in God’s promises became his children by the very same faith.
God’s covenant with Abraham has substance, real substance, being filled with exquisite detail and form. It contains structure at every level—as does all of God’s creation—when viewed from the vantage point of all scripture (not just a few select verses). In other words, God’s covenant with Abraham is not, as some like to portray it, the consistency of a jellyfish or a blob of mush, having little or no structure or complexity.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly majestic! A person who particularly revealed this majesty was Joseph, Abraham’s great grandson. As noted in Chapter 1 of this book, it has been observed by others that Joseph’s life prefigured certain aspects of the life and ministry of the Messiah promised to Abraham. Chapter 6 of the current study continues the exploration of how Joseph’s life foreshadowed Abraham’s Redeemer for the latter-day healing and restoration of Israel’s household.
God’s course is one eternal round, with the first being last and the last being first; of which Joseph’s life is no exception. In reviewing the amazing cycle of God’s work of redemption revealed by the grafting of both natural and wild branches in a cycle in an olive tree in Romans 11, the Apostle Paul would conclude by exclaiming:
Romans 11:33-36 – O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Yes, Paul’s words assure us that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not at all without complexity of structure and details! Remember, also, that according to the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord fulfilled the law of Moses completely, fulfilling every jot and tittle. The covenants of God will all be fulfilled in turn and according to the timing of God, for He is a God of truth and cannot lie.
Notwithstanding the warnings of the prophets, there are however people who have left the rod of iron (the word of God) to wander into forbidden paths by following after the doctrine of devils and the commandments of men. Having become blinded to the truth, some have even become blind guides to others. Therefore, the Spirit of the Lord calls anew, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Those who heed this call are the true children of Abraham.
God’s richest blessing in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Dwight Burford
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