VaYeshev (And he dwelt)
Gen. 37:1 - 40:23

This week’s Torah portion brings us to the life of Joseph. From this point in the narrative until the end of the book of Genesis, Joseph is the main character of the story. This story is not unlike the lives of many people who grow up with brothers and sisters. We see favoritism, an acute case of sibling rivalry resulting in separation, trickery and ultimately a blessing from God. Does this sound familiar? In the story of Jacob and Esau we saw sibling rivalry, favoritism, trickery, separation, and ultimately a blessing from God. The difference seems to be that in the latter story, Joseph is the victim who turns out to be a hero. Joseph is the favorite son of Jacob who is kidnapped or sold into slavery. He ends up in Egypt where he becomes a servant in the house of Potiphar, the chief bodyguard of Pharaoh. Things take an upward turn for Joseph as he prospers while in the house of Potiphar - that is until he is seduced by the wife of Potiphar. Joseph resists the temptation but is framed by the wife of Potiphar and is thrown in prison.

The life of Joseph serves as a type of Messiah. In fact the Talmud portrays Joseph as a messiah-like character. The Talmud says that there are two messiahs. First there is Messiah son of Joseph and then Messiah son of David. Messiah son of Joseph comes before Messiah son of David. He is a military figure who dies in battle paving the way for king Messiah son of David. Although we do not agree with this understanding of the coming of the Messiah, we still can understand Joseph as a type of the Messiah. Joseph is misunderstood and rejected by his brothers and ultimately is the avenue of blessing for them. Yeshua is rejected by the Jewish people and completely misunderstood. Isaiah 53:4 says we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. According to this verse, the one who came to redeem mankind from sin was understood to be diseased as a result of sin! As we will see in the next two weeks, the one who was considered a curse becomes the savior. Joseph ultimately saves his brothers from destruction and what they meant for harm becomes a blessing. The testimony of the New Covenant is that the death of Yeshua meant a blessing for the world. This week we are celebrating Chanukah, the festival of lights. Just as in the story of Joseph and what we know about Yeshua as well, the providence of God overrules the enemy, God’s will is never deterred. Joseph was victorious; the Maccabees were victorious and Yeshua was victorious. Finally, in us as well, the will of God is never deterred. When we come to faith in Yeshua we are often misunderstood, but as we walk with the Lord, God puts us in a place where we too can be a blessing! Shabbat Shalom!