Genesis 49:1, 22
“And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:
“Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob,
And listen to Israel your father.”
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall…..”
You’re probably wondering, “What in the world do the opening verses have to do with the woman at the well?” 🤔 Excellent question. I’m glad you asked! 😀
Stories, Types, And Shadows.
Everything in the New Testament is hidden somewhere in the Old. You could say, “The Old is the New concealed and the New is the Old revealed.” At one time, of course, there was no New Testament. Both were written as revealed to individual Jewish secretaries who wrote down what they were told by the Holy Spirit.
The full-up revelation of the Gospel of Grace we know was given to the Apostle Paul. Afterward, he went on to write 3/4 of the New Testament! 😮 He taught from the Old, obviously, since there was not New Testament until he and others wrote it.
The Old Testament functions like a sort of “pictionary,” if you will, of the New, filled with stories, pictures, types, and shadows of our Lord Jesus. These serve as visual aids to reveal Jesus’ glory and beauty, as well as to explain spiritual truths.
In all Biblical accounts, there are hidden messages as well as lessons to learn. This story is no exception, proving that nothing in scripture is arbitrary or recorded just to make the book thicker. It is a multi-layered treasure chest. In fact, there are four levels or layers of Bible study. The Holy Spirit has hidden the story of the woman at the well of Sychar here in this blessing of Jacob over his son, Joseph.
Anyone who wants to know more about the four levels or layers of Bible study, may follow the link below:
Joseph’s Blessing.
As you read above, of all the stories, types and shadows that teach us about Jesus, the story of Joseph mirrors His life most closely. There are many parallels. He even married a Gentile bride: US, Church!
All the blessings Jacob spoke over his sons contain prophetic elements. So says Jacob right in the first verse: “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days. First and foremost, they tell us about Jesus. But they also speak of the end times, like NOW!
Jacob Blesses Joseph.
A portion of the blessing over Joseph is prophetic of a part of Jesus’ life during His time on earth. It’s a beautiful picture of how He seeks us out individually with His unconditional love, His pure grace, and His boundless mercy, dealing with us in a very warm, very personal way. Jacob told his son, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall.”
What is the Holy Spirit showing us? 🤔
Joseph’s Inheritance.
When Israel came into her inheritance in the promised land, after her wanderings in the desert, Joseph’s descendants were given the territory which later came to be known as Samaria. This region was populated primarily by Gentiles.
Remember, Joseph married an Egyptian woman, a Gentile, so all of his descendants were half Jewish, half Egyptian. It was also populated by other non-Jews, Assyrians basically, who moved in during the time of one of their many captivities.
The Samaritans.
The inhabitants of Samaria were despised by the Jewish people due to their “mixed blood” and questionable ancestry. Many had also intermarried with the locals while their relatives were away during the Babylonian captivity and, as you read above, some were not Jewish at all.
This only added to the disdain of Jews in general. They were certain that these supposedly ignorant people were completely incapable of interpreting the scriptures correctly, like they were.
You recall in John chapter 4, the apostle recorded that Jesus “Had to go through Samaria.” Had to? How uncharacteristically Jewish! You see, when everyone else traveled from Jerusalem to Galilee, they always gave Samaria a wide berth. It was a longer trip but at least they didn’t have to be soiled by contact with “Them!”
Traditional Route.
Instead of taking the quickest route from Jerusalem to Galilee, which would be directly North, they would turn East, cross over the Jordan, then turn back over the Jordan further up to enter Galilee. {See map below}
But our wonderful Jesus isn’t “typical,” is He? No. In fact, He made it His mission to go there…..on purpose, to stop by this particular well, and meet this particular woman.
Divine Sandwich.
This unnamed Samaritan woman came to the well when it was the hottest time of the day, presumably so she would avoid the women of her town. She was no doubt an object of ridicule and not a little gossip. He went there looking for her, knowingshe would be drawing her water at this time of the day.
Notice how He questions her. He said that if she drank of the water that He would give, she would never thirst again. “15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “YOU HAVE WELL SAID, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; IN THAT YOU SPOKE TRULY.”
Jesus knew that this woman was living in adultery, didn’t He? Well, of course He did…..but He wanted her to know that He knew and yet was not there to condemn her. She had three strikes against her in the context of that culture and she knew it. #1, She was a woman; #2, She was an adulteress AND, #3, She was a Samaritan.
Nevertheless, here was this wonderful Man, Who was obviously a Jew, not only talking to her, but He was kind beyond measure. He even asked her for water! Beyond amazing; it was unheard of! She was stunned! 😮 But that’s our God! ♥️
Notice, neither Jesus or the woman actually used the word, “Adultery.” Jesus sandwiches His Word of Knowledge to her about her living with a man outside of marriage between two compliments. He told her “You have well said,” and “In that you spoke truly,” like a divine sandwich! He let her know that He knew and yet was not there to condemn her.
We could all take a lesson from Jesus on how to gently correct someone, couldn’t we?
She was probably somewhat embarrased because, in the very next breath, she changed the subject and began discussing the mountains that were sacred to both the Jews and the Samaritans. Without missing a beat, Jesus went right along with her, treating her with great grace, love, and genuine concern.
Instant Evangelist!
Look at the effect of His love for her:
John 4:28-30 “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him.”
No longer is she embarrassed and self-conscious. No longer does she shy away from contact with the townspeople. Like the woman caught in adultery, she knew He did not condemn her. Because of her no-condemnation mentality, she became and instant evangelist! She can’t wait to tell everyone what Jesus told her and Who He was.
Effect Of Her Message.
How did the others respond to her message?
John 4:39-41 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.”
Effect Of Her Message.
How did the others respond to her message?
John 4:39-41 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.”
Look at the last line. What an amazing statement! Remember, these were people who considered themselves Jews. Many Jewish people, who turned their noses up at Samaritans, never understood that Jesus was the Savior of the world. They were actually quite exclusionary in their thinking, incredibly believing the Messiah was only for them. But these Samaritans obviously saw what they did not.
This is a revelation of epic proportions!
The Story Behind The Words.
This “unnamed woman” had been married to five husbands. Five, in case you were unaware, is known as the number of Grace. The man with whom this woman was currently living without the benefit of marriage is unnamed and is her 6th man. Who is he?
The Holy Spirit is painting pictures for us again. 😁 Our story a snapshot of the condition of the end-time Church. Just as this 6th man is not her husband, so he represents the Church just prior to Christ’s return…..like right now. It shows us the Church going back to her former husband, Mr. Law, living in spiritual adultery. That’s what “MIXTURE” is: Going back and forth between two husbands–Jesus and Mr. Law.
Spiritual Adultery.
Who gives us permission to personify the Law? Why none other than the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:1-4. Let’s follow the text below:
“Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.”
Spiritual Adultery.
Who gives us permission to personify the Law? Why none other than the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:1-4. Let’s follow the text below:
“Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.”
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.”
Paul is using the illustration of marriage make his point. In order for a wife to be released from her marriage, either the husband or the wife has to die. But if the woman dies, how can she be married to anyone? She can’t, of course.
But there’s been a death on our behalf! Jesus died our death and released us from our marriage to Mr. Law. We are now His bride. We are married to Him forevermore because He is alive forevermore.
Our former husband, Mr. Law, can no longer EVER have control over us. We are not adulterers, spiritually speaking, because Jesus, Who provided a death for us, released us from our marriage to Mr. Law. Therefore, being lawfully married to Jesus, trying and be right with God by obeying the Law is committingspiritual adultery.
Are We Law-Less?
If we are no more subject to Mr Law, are we now Law-less? What is our rule? JESUS IS OUR RULE! In fact, we are even more obedient to the Law now because we have the Law Giver living in us, directing us from within.
Which would you rather have? The Man Who wrote the map…..Jesus…..in the car with you…..or the map: The Law? Jesus can tell you all the good places to stop that are not covered in the “Map,” and if you get tired, He can drive. That’s a better deal!
Confession Of Sins.
Unfortunately, most Christians today are taught that they must confess their sins to God every time they’re committed. Nothing wrong with telling Daddy about your sin or sins and asking for help in those areas where you are weak. But you must make sure to declare that, in spite of your sin, you are still the righteousness of God in Christ.
Your right standing NEVER changes because of what you do. You didn’t DO right to become right, just as Jesus didn’t DO, SAY, or THINK any wrong to become sin for us.
You must recognize that you are forgiven of all your sins from the time of your conversion to the day you meet Jesus face to face. Only that knowledge and that kind of confession will help you overcome that sin or bad habit with which you are struggling.
Repentance?
True Repentance is simply a “Change of mind,” from the Greek word, “Metanoia.” Change the way you were thinking about God, that He isn’t angry at you; that He loves you!
Sadly, by confession and repentance, most well-meaning, sincere, godly people mean beating yourself up, falling on your face, or crying out loudly to God to have mercy, as if your sins are not already all forgiven. This lie not only serves to keep them bound up, but dooms them to repeat those sins over and over again. It never ends. 😞
This is treating the sinless blood of Jesus and His finished work as having lesser value than the blood of bulls and goats. YUK!!! They are taught “Do good to get good; do bad, get bad.” Folks, THAT IS NOT THE GOSPEL. IT IS A LIE FROM THE PIT OF HELL. 👿
Think of it this way: Let’s say you commit a sin…or sins…having tried to be good or to do good, i.e. obey the law. When you fail, and you will, you feel condemned. So, you leave Mr. Law–your former husband–go back to Jesus, your current husband, as the bride of Christ–to ask Him to forgive you, not knowing you are already completely clean. Then you get cleaned up again (so you think) by falling on His good grace. Then you go back to Mr. Law, try to do good again only to fail…..again…..of course.
That’s because NONE OF US CAN PERFECTLY OBEY THE LAW. This process, repeated over and over again, is SPIRITUAL ADULTERY. IT IS TRAMPLING THE BLOOD OF JESUS UNDERFOOT.
Church, the law doesn’t work that way. You must obey it all perfectly ALL THE TIME, NEVER WAVERING FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE…….OR ELSE. BUT, when you fail, you get to suffer the consequences. What are they? All the terrible curses of Deuteronomy 28. Go read about them some time. It’s a long and very frightening list. 😳
The Seventh Man.
BUT…..there is grace! There is Jesus! Having a Saviour isn’t just a nice idea, IT IS IMPERATIVE. Church, if the blood of bulls and goats was good for 12 months but Jesus PERFECT BLOOD only avails until your next sin, something is VERY WRONG. If that were actually true, then they had it way better under the old covenant! Again…..AS IF (Remember…..trampling! 😲)
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Jesus was the 7th man Who came along in this woman’s life–Who comes into our lives. Only when He is finally in control will the Church be totally transformed by His Righteousness. Evangelism will be effortless! People of all ages will flock to Church because Jesus is central again!
Secrets In The Hebrew Language.
Getting back to Samaria, the name of this well, “Sychar,” is derived from the Hebrew word, “Shekar,” which means “Intoxicating or strong drink.” The short version is that this unnamed Gentile woman, who represents all of us, drank deeply from The Well, Jesus, and became intoxicated with Him. He’s THE strong drink, THE living water He offered to her. He completely satisfied her thirsty soul and she was forever changed!
Our precious Jesus is that “Vine” Whose “branches run over the wall.” He came to seek and save His Jewish brethren, yes; but He reached over the wall that separated the Gentiles from salvation and saved the whole world: All of us! THANK YOU, JESUS!
His branches ran over the wall to seek, find, and save you and me; to offer us the same chance to drink from the well of His “Strong drink:” His living water; that whosoever drinks of The Living Water will become intoxicated with Jesus! They will want to go and share this wine with all the world and make everyone “drunk” on Jesus!
End Time Prophecy.
Remember I said that the Bible is multi-layered? This story is also a timeline. Look what it says in John 4:39-40:
“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and HE STAYED THERE TWO DAYS.”
Jesus stayed with the Gentiles for TWO DAYS. Remember what happened in 70A.D? After the Jewish people completely rejected their Messiah, they were dispersed among all the nations of the world. Jesus suspended the program with His natural family, Natural Israel, temporarily you understand. In the interim, the Gentile nations of the world have welcomed Him in with open arms and generations of non-Jews were given the chance to be part of His family: The Church!
How long has He stayed with us? Two days: 2,000 years according to the way God counts time. (See 2 Peter 3:8)
After he stayed with the Samaritans (us) for two days it says He returned back to His own, natural Israel. Right now, all over the world, Jews are accepting Him as their Messiah in numbers greater than ever before in history!
We know what that means, don’t we Church? His 2nd coming is imminent which means the rapture is even more imminent!
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us! Thank you for coming to seek for us, like that lost and lonely woman at the well!
Below is a link to another blessing of Jacob over the two sons of Joseph who replaced in favor Reuben and Simeon:
Emmaus Road Ministries 