Read to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Genesis 48-50
Genesis 49:18
I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
Herein is a strange inclusion. While the sentiment of waiting for God’s Salvation is always acceptable, as used here though it is peculiar. Jacob (Israel) is about to pass to be “gathered unto his people” (found in the last verse of this chapter. This aged patriarch is telling his sons all that will befall them in the last days [verse 1 of the same chapter]. Just before today’s verse Jacob is speaking of the tribe of Dan, just after it he will refer to Gad. But here, in today’s verse, he inserts a tremendous statement: I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
This is the first usage of the word “Salvation” in the Bible. Scholars who use sound Bible study methods sometimes refer to “the law of first mention.” This is a sound study practice, and if used it would clear up a lot of false teachings and beliefs.
Salvation. Jacob mentioned it almost as a parenthetical statement or a statement that is not essential to the subject or context at hand. The context of this portion of Genesis is his prophesying the future of the twelve tribes of Israel. But perhaps being overcome knowing that he would soon pass on, Jacob simply utters the phrase: I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord. What a wonderful thought.
Isaiah twice spoke of waiting for Salvation of the Lord (Isaiah 25:9, 33:2). David wrote in Psalm 25:5, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3:26, It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
The last mention of the word is found in Revelation 19:1. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:. No more waiting here, for Salvation is complete.
Now, today, those who have experienced His Salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ, have Salvation. But frankly, it is a possession of a future reality. One day it will be experienced in its fullness. It will be real time, not future. Yes, it’s real now, but it will fully be seen, experienced, and realized in all its grandeur then. Until that day remember that from Genesis to Revelation Salvation of the Lord is taught in many forms and types. While reading His Word look for Salvation of the Lord in all its glory. Sometimes it is temporal, sometimes eternal, but in all, just as Jonah said, Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Learn to wait on His Salvation anticipating all its wonder, and magnificence. After all, as Paul said in Romans 13:11 …now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Praise the Lord for the Salvation that only He can give. Jacob knew about it in His day, it was real to him. What about you?
William T. Howe Ph.D.
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