23/08/2026
The Stone of Israel.
upon a rock.
Punchline
The archers shot, but his bow remained.
*A bow (Archery Weapon) - primary meaning
Genesis 49:24 KJV - (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
The context of this verse is Jacob looking back on Joseph's life and interpreting it spiritually. Saying: Joseph survived because the Shepherd-Stone of Israel upheld him.
The Source of his Strength: (From thence)
Joseph's strength came from the God who had shepherded Jacob.
Thence
Definition
1: from that place
Sola scriptura
Genesis 49:24 NIV
[24] because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
For Joseph's bow to remain steady in his hand, without him succumbing to revenge against the bitter archers who attacked him, God was his shepherd and Stone.
Genesis 49:23 KJV
The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
Joseph is portrayed as someone under attack who nevertheless remains standing.
Jacob could relate to Joseph's life because he faced similar struggles with Esau and his uncle Laban.
God never abandons his children in the hands of the enemy, not even Joseph.
Psalm 37:33 KJV - The LORD will not leave him in his hand,
Symbolically, these attacks resembled storms and floods in Joseph's life; the enemy attacked, but the attack did not change Joseph's spirit.
The strength of Joseph's hands
Genesis 49:24 NIV
[24] But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber,
It did not matter what attack the Archer would inflict; Joseph's bow would remain steady.
In other words, he didn't win by outshooting them. He won by not shooting back.
The phrase "But his bow" is very deep and needs to be looked into.
Job 29:20 KJV - and my bow was renewed in my hand.
The condition of the bow was determined by the strength of the hand holding it.
God the Shepherd and Stone of Israel.
Psalm 80:1 KJV - Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock;
relates.
Genesis 48:15 KJV - the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
“What is sustaining you when the storm comes?”
Punchline
“May your bow remain steady.”
“The Rock keeps you steady while the storm is raging.”
What is our takeaway from this lesson? Whosoever puts their trust in God and builds on him will not falter, just as Joseph did not, and was not swept.
Psalm 37:19 KJV - They shall not be ashamed in the evil time:
Luke 6:48 KJV - He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock:
What is the sustaining factor
Genesis.49.25
The God of your father, who helps you,
And Shaddai who blesses you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that couches below,
Blessings of the breast and womb.
Meaning that the power and blessings that Joseph possessed were from God.
Every storm reveals how strong the house is,
When his brothers attacked, he didn't slander them back.
When Potiphar's wife attacked, he didn't accuse her publicly.
When the cupbearer forgot him for 2 years, he didn't curse him.
“Joseph gives us a picture that points forward to Christ.”
“The strength of the attackers was temporary, but the strength sustaining Joseph was divine.”
Proverbs 3:5 KJV
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Sometimes the Shepherd allows you to pass through places you would never choose, because He is leading you somewhere you could never reach by yourself.
Conclusion
Joseph trusted in the Shepherd and on the Stone of Israel
When God is your Shepherd and your Rock, the storm may test your life, but it does not have to determine your outcome.
Romans 10:11 KJV
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
