VaYeshev
Genesis 37:1 - 40:23

     This week we begin the story of the next generation of the family of Abraham. It is the story of Joseph and his brothers. It is in these chapters that we are introduced this the “children of Israel ”.  It is from these boys that all of the Jewish people find their family roots.  While we may not find ourselves resembling all of their traits, we certainly can relate to various aspects of their lives. Joseph is the main character and I think that most of us can relate to the life of Joseph.

     First, he was a dreamer. He could see things that his brothers could not see. They were farmers and evidently did not see much beyond the next season of crops. Joseph on the other hand had a vision for his life that seemed preposterous to his father and his brothers. According to the text, he believed that he would be an overseer over his whole family. In the “natural” this made no sense. Joseph was not the oldest son nor the strongest. However, God had revealed divine truth to him. Each of us is like Joseph. Regardless of the way we grew up, God revealed the truth to us. It may not have been in a dream - or perhaps it was.  In whatever the way, God revealed to us that Yeshua is the Messiah and that our destiny is to be with the Lord always when we believe that Yeshua died for our sins and was raised from the dead. We have been given a gift of seeing something that other may not understand.  

    Second, Joseph was misunderstood by his family. Neither his father nor his brothers could appreciate what Joseph was saying. In fact they resented it and it caused a division in their family. For many believers in Yeshua, the recognition and acceptance of the Messiah has caused rifts in family relationships. It is not that our families hate us - it is because there is a great misunderstanding between us.

    Third, the result of the rift was that Joseph spent his life in Egypt , away from his family. While there, he underwent many experiences that were both negative and positive. But in all of it, he trusted God. For many believers, large portions of our lives have been spent away from our families (sometimes geographically but also in may other ways) because of Yeshua. However, while that is painful, we are encouraged knowing that God has our lives in the palm of His hand. Each of our lives is a journey. On the journey, God is continually protecting us preparing us for new experiences.

     Fourth, through the providential work of God, the family of Joseph recognized the truth of Joseph’s dreams and the family was reunited. While there is no “guarantee” of reconciliation in all families, this historical narrative gives us hope. As we continue to do our best to serve the Lord and be obedient to Him, we should look for opportunities to be a blessing to our loved ones. When Joseph’s brothers came to him and did not recognize him, Joseph could have used it as an opportunity  to reject his family. He could have ignored the family relationship and rejected their plea for help. He could have ignored that fact that they were his brothers, given them food and never see them again or he could have made it known to them who he was and then expelled them. But he did none of these. He recognized that this was an opportunity that God had provided to share the truth and as a result have reconciliation with his family.

     The story of Joseph not only serves as a metaphor of our individual lives, but there are two other ways that we can relate to  his life.  The history of the Jewish people can be framed in the life of Joseph.  God revealed a unique purpose to the Jewish people. The other nations of the world could not understand this calling and as a result, the Jewish people have undergone thousands of years of persecution. However, wherever the Jewish people have lived God has been with them and in many cases blessed them as well as the nations around them. The Scriptures promise that the day will come when Israel and the nations will recognize the truth that Yeshua is the Messiah and the nations will recognize the calling upon Israel and say  "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."'" Zech. 8:23.  In that day the world will be united as one.

    The Messianic Movement also is pictured in the life of Joseph.  God has revealed to us that Yeshua is the Messiah. The rest of our brothers reject the message and desire to disown us. In a sense we have been sold to the Egyptians. By this I mean that the Jewish community sees us as part of the pagan world and will have nothing to do with us.  We are on a journey. There have been difficult times and there have been victorious times.  We believe that we are following the plan of God and that He continually protects us and leads us. Like  Joseph, we have been greatly blessed by God and misunderstood by our brothers. This misunderstanding has resulted in a breakage in our relationship with the Jewish community. However, we believe that the day will come, when the community will recognize that Yeshua is the Messiah. (See zech. 12:8-10)

     Whether we are referring to Israel and the nations; the Messianic and the traditional Jewish community or our own lives and our families,  may the day come soon when we will say,   you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. (Gen. 15:20).  Shabbat shalom!