Lawrence DeMetrius

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The Book of Jasher
An Intimate Review
Pt 3 – Covering Chapters 41-73
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In Chapters 41 Leah dies at 51 years of age. [vs 2] Rachel her twin sister died at 45. [36:11] Jasher reports that Jacob favored Joseph above all his sons because he was the son of his old age and honored him with a Coat of Many Colors. [vs 6] Here, Joseph’s divine destiny commences with his brothers casting him into a pit and forsaking his cries for mercy. In his cry Joseph recants what true ministry is, which is expounded upon by Christ Jesus generations later. [vs 30; Mt 25:31-46] From ancient times until today not much has changed about what Yahweh expects regarding the practice of divine love and righteousness. Right has always been right. Wrong has always been wrong and mortals have always known that right doing is prerequisite to THE LORD’S everlasting favor and blessings. As exemplified in Joseph’s experience, Yahweh is always present and in complete control throughout the life experience of HIS Elect. HE is indeed sovereign and nothing happens in their lives without HIS approval.
Chapters 42 and Chapter 43 disclose that Yahweh permitted Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery instead of killing him. [vs 17]
THE LORD empowered Joseph to endure all he went through prior to his promotions in Egypt. The idea of Joseph calling upon Rachel, and her speaking to him from the grave to comfort and direct him, was likely an angel speaking to him with his mother’s voice. He was still a child at that time and her physical grave site was the closest point of contact he had to one he would look to for console. [vs 29-40] The chapter goes on to tell of how Yahweh was with him and physically manifested HIS favor upon him before those who purchased Joseph. [vs 41-53] Joseph had yet to learn that it was Yahweh’s plan for him to be taken into Egypt for a glorious cause. THE LORD continues to prove HIS favor upon Joseph in miraculous ways, such as opening the mouth of a wolf that was accused of killing him. [43:37-48] A similar incident is recorded in The Holy Bible, when THE LORD caused a donkey to speak to Balaam regarding his ill treatment toward her, for responding to him in a manner that actually saved his life. [Num 22:28]
Chapters 44 through 46 reference Joseph’s imprisonment due to false accusation of him raping his master’s wife. This experience shows how time in the pit can be increased for placing more trust in man than in God. [46:19]
In Chapter 47 Isaac reiterates to Jacob and Esau that Yahweh’s promise to Abraham regarding his descendants, was contingent upon their obedience. After which he died at 180 years old. [vs 7-10]
The chapter discloses that it was by unwise counsel that Esau chose temporal possession and riches over ownership of Canaan. [vs 17-24] It tells that Jacob was an excellent businessman, who kept written documentation proving his ownership of the land of Canaan, and the burial plots in Machpelah, which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. [vs 25, 26, 33]
Chapters 48 through 59 tells of the occurrence of the great famine which Yahweh forewarned about, and of Joseph’s promotion in Egypt due to his God-given ability to accurately interpret dreams. [vs 52; Pro 18:16] Joseph made it clear that it was only by divine providence he was able to accurately use his gift and was careful to give all glory to THE LORD. [49:30] When his brothers came to Egypt for provision, they did not recognize Joseph because he looked so much like a native Egyptian. [52:12-16] While his father Jacob rendered due respect to the governing authorities of Egypt, he remained bold in faith that his GOD would always be with him and his household. He knew THE LORD would always protect and avenge them of any foul play. [52:28-42] When time came for Jacob to go into Egypt per Yahweh’s plan, Jacob believed he was to stay in Canaan the land of his inheritance. However, Yahweh instructed him to go straight into Egypt and affirmed it with a personal invitation from the Vice President of Egypt, who happened to be his beloved son, Joseph.
The real reason for Israel’s sojourn in Egypt was to multiply in number per the will of THE LORD. [55:2] Jacob lived in Egypt for 17 years then died when he was 147. [56:1, 2] However, before he died, Jacob foretold of the troubles that would befall his descendants. He also foretold of Moses and his service to Israel. [56:21] Also noted in this chapter is that Jacob’s twin brother Esau was killed in battle by a deaf and dumb man of The Tribe of Dan whose name was Chusim. [56:63, 64] Noted in Chapter 57:17 is Angreas, King of Africa. The descendants of Esau and Jacob have been at odds since their last family feud in ancient times. [58:28] In Chapter 59:16 Joseph dies, is embalmed and buried in Egypt at the age of 110. However, his remains were later transferred to Canaan. [59:26]
Chapters 60 through 64 provide history on plots of battle against Egypt and Israel after 72 years of Israel’s sojourn in Egypt. [60:1] Here, Jasher introduces the 15-Year-Old Balaam son of Beor, who was already a practicing wizard and specialist of witchcraft. [61:8, 9] Also noted is more information about mutant creatures that existed at that time. [61:15-17; 62:1]
Chapter 62 covers the deaths of The Elders of the 12 Tribes of Israel. It was per divine intervention that the latter generation of Egyptian leaders began to make life unpleasant for Israel. This was for the benefit of experiencing the power of GOD that was not known by the younger generations of Israel or Egypt. [63:1-7] For 102 years Israel lived in luxury as honored guests in Egypt, due to divine favor bestowed upon Egypt through the wisdom and service of Joseph. This generation of Israelites lived in a time when The Elders of Israel and Egypt, who knew of this divine favor had all passed away. A New Egyptian Regime was in place and had become fearful that Israel was becoming a threat due their growth and might as a nation.
Chapter 63 records the battle wherein THE LORD helped Zepho, leader of Chittim and son of Eliphaz who was the son of Esau who was the son of Isaac, defeat Angeas the King of Africa and his brother Lucas with his army. This was on the account of Abraham and Isaac. [63: 9-35] Unfortunately, Zepho began to consult with Balaam the Son of Beor and forgot how THE LORD helped him defeat Angeas and Lucas. [64:1-5, 26-29] While Zepho’s experience with Balaam revealed how powerful witchcraft can be, it also revealed how such power fails when countered by divine intervention. [64:26-29]
Chapter 65 explains why Egypt became taskmasters over Israel. Their primary goal was to slowdown Israel’s child reproduction, which did not prevail, as this was the divine purpose for their sojourn in Egypt. The hard labor inflicted upon Israel actually enhanced their libido, increasing the rate of their child birth.
Egypt’s evil plan of genocide went into full force within 16 months of its inception, and was ironically of THE LORD’S doing. The only tribe not affected by this device was The Levites. [vs 25-34] Israel’s experience with this plot is another historic example of Yahweh being the SOURCE and POWER of HIS Elect. It also discloses how doubleminded people fear the courage of those whose heart is whole toward THE LORD and HIS support for them. There is always an opposing force against GOD’S Elect that is set to destroy them with cunning devices to no avail. [vs 4-15; Isa 54:17; Ps 34:19; Mt 6:34; 16:18; Jn 16:33; II Tim 3:12] Because of this, the Elect must remain subject and obedient to THE LORD. [Exo 20:3; Jos 1:8; Mt 4:1-11; Jam 4:7; I Pet 4:19]
Chapter 66 tells of how The Egyptian Officials carefully monitored the results of their tactics to reduce Israel’s rate of child birth, and how they were constantly failing. [vs 8-13] So, they devised another plan wherein the midwives of Israel were ordered to kill all male babies. Capital punishment for not doing so was death by fire. However, this plan also failed because all Hebrew women were healthy enough to perform childbirth without the assistance of their midwives. [vs 27-31]
Chapter 67 reports that The Pharoah of this time had a prophetic dream about an old man and scales depicting Moses and the exodus of Israel from Egypt. The Pharoah was then permitted by Yahweh to consult Balaam Son of Beor, as to how he might destroy Israel, which resulted in a plan of death by water, at which time Moses would be born. [vs 49, 50, 61] Information given in this passage along with others presented in The Book of Jasher seems quite fabricated. However, it credits the idea that nothing is impossible with GOD as reiterated by Jesus Christ. [Mk 11:21-23] It also credits the idea that all creation responds to Yahweh’s command including animals, angelic beings and elements of the earth like rocks and dirt. [vs 54-60] In all this one is reminded that THE LORD, Yahweh reigns sovereign and is in complete control at all times.
Chapter 68 tells of Moses’s birth and rearing in The House of Pharoah as the son of his daughter Bathia. [vs 17-32] Chapter 69 and 77 tells of how Pharaoh’s death by water plan also failed to decrease Israel’s rate of childbirth. So, he implemented a regulation that if a male laborer was found deficient in his work, he would be ordered to physically put his youngest son in place of whatever brick he left loosely done. Thus, it was that many Hebrew children were buried alive in the walls of structures their fathers were forced to build as punishment for being deficient in their tasks. [vs 4-6]

Chapter 70 tells of how holy cherub angels intervened in Moses’s deliverance when he was a baby. He was even touched to perform a gesture of supremacy over Pharaoh during a family dinner when he was only three years old. [vs 21, 24, 25, 29] The favor bestowed upon him during his tenure in Pharaoh’s house was definitely divine intervention, as it was known that he was indeed a Hebrew child. Per the Book of Jasher, the idea of a DAY OF REST was initiated by a request Moses made to Pharaoh. [vs 43-47] Moses’s fame had everything to do with THE LORD preparing him for his leadership role with Israel. [vs 48-51]
Chapter 71 tells of more cherub angel intervention in regard to Moses’s encounter with two quarrelling Hebrews. Even with the harsh treatment of slavery, this generation of Hebrews was fully assimilated into the Egyptian culture. [vs 1-9]
Chapters 72 and 73 tell of the influence of real sorcerers. Balaam Son Of Beor convinced an entire city to betray their own leader and not permit him back into his own kingdom after having fought a war on their behalf. [72:6] Also noted is that animals can be controlled by real witches. [72:10]
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