Genesis 49:24

Gen. 49:24. "But his bow," etc. This was remarkably verified in Joshua and Gideon, who were of this tribe, as appears with respect to Joshua by Numbers 13:8, and with respect to Gideon by Judges 6:11, with Joshua 17:2, and Judges 6:35. They were wonderful instances of those whose bow abode in strength, and the arms of whose hands were strengthened by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob, who were strengthened, and succeeded by immediate help from God, as appears by their whole story. Jephthah the Gileadite was also of Joseph, being of the tribe of Manasseh: - ["from thence is the Shepherd, the stone of Israel."] These words seem to have a remarkable fulfillment in Joshua, who was, as it were, the "shepherd of Israel," who led them into Canaan to their pasture, and conquered their enemies for them, and was, in a subordinate sense, the "rock" of Israel's salvation, who bore the name of Christ. Joshua is Jesus or the Saviour, and was a remarkable type of Christ, and who had Christ with him, and acted by His influence, and fought by His strength, and had His Spirit to guide him. It may also have respect to the ark and tabernacle being kept at Shiloh, as it was till the days of Samuel, for Shiloh was in the tribe of Ephraim (Psalms 78:60; Psalms 78:67). The ark was the type and symbol of Christ, the Shepherd and Rock of Israel; and the Tabernacle and the mercy-seat over the ark was the place of His presence. ["From thence," etc.] - i.e., from the mighty God of Jacob, mentioned in the immediately preceding words. It seems, evidently, to be explained by the words immediately following - "From the God of thy father, and He will help thee." For so the words are, literally translated: "The arms of his hands were made strong" (thus He helped thee) "by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob," (who was Joseph's father): "from thence is the Shepherd, the stone of Israel: even from the God of Jacob thy father, and He" (the Shepherd, the stone of Israel) "will help thee, and by Him shall the arms of their hands be made strong." He the Messiah, the hand or the arm of the Lord (as He is sometimes called), which shall strengthen thine arms. [See Pool, Synop., on Genesis 49:25.]