Page 257 - Foundations

even as Ephraim was the younger of Joseph’s sons, yet was placed before Manasseh in preeminence
and became a much larger company of people, so too do we find the church, the spiritual seed of
Christ surpassing in both glory and number the earlier seed chosen by God to be His peculiar people.

Having been given the name of Joseph by my parents, and decades later discovering that Taurus is
the sign of the tribe of Joseph, I marveled that Yahweh had chosen for me to be born on a date when
the sun was in the very midst of transiting this celestial sign. It is my judgment that too few Christians
give consideration to the significance of the abundance of details that pertain to them as individuals.
Yahweh has crafted each individual with great care. He has appointed each one for a particular role
and calling.

As we look at the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob, we may observe how every facet of his life was
ordered by Yahweh. Jacob was 91 years of age when Joseph was born to him through his favorite
wife Rachel. Up until this time Rachel had been barren, but in her old age she bore Joseph, following
the pattern of Sarah giving birth to Isaac late in her life. Joseph was the son of Jacob’s old age, and
he was especially precious to his father. Joseph reciprocated this love, having a devotion to his father
that excelled that of all of his brothers.

The history of Joseph’s life is laid out before us with much detail. It takes up a significant portion of
the first book of the Bible. The reason for this is that Joseph is a clear type and foreshadowing of the
coming One who was prophesied to save mankind from sin and death. The parallels between Joseph
and the Son of God are numerous. Both men were betrayed, sold for money. Not only were both men
betrayed by a man named Judah, but both after a sense died and rose again. Joseph’s brothers dipped
his cloak in the blood of an animal to make their father think Joseph had been slain by a wild beast.
Jacob mourned bitterly for his son, years later discovering that he was alive. Both Joseph and
Yahshua had their garments stripped from them. Both Joseph and Christ were wounded by those who
were close to them. The second brightest star in Taurus is El Nath, meaning “wounded or slain.” Both
were numbered among the transgressors. Both ascended to the throne after a period of suffering. Both
were made rulers and judges of mankind.

The constellation Taurus reveals Christ after His suffering. This heavenly sign is an image of a
mighty, unconquerable, irresistible exalted power. The name Pleiades means “the congregation of the
judge, or ruler.” (Hyades means “congregated.”) Joseph Seiss speaks further of the sign Taurus.

This terrific animal appears here in the intensest rage, dashing forward with a swift and impetuous
energy, and with his sharp horns set as if to run through everything that comes in its way. The
Egyptians called it by names signifying the Head, the Captain, the mighty Chieftain who cometh. The
chief star in this sign is situated in the Bull’s eye; and its name, Al Debaran, means the Captain,
Leader, or Governor. The middle and hinder part of the enraged animal includes the body of the
enthroned Lamb, out of which it seems to rise. It is also the direct opposite of the Scorpion, so that
when it rises the Scorpions sets and disappears.

Fleming writes:

Taurus is the sign of a coming judge and of coming judgment. It is the day of vengeance of our God