Vayechi
Genesis 47:28-50:26
=
T=
his week
out Torah portion brings us to the end of the story of Joseph and the end of
Genesis. We read about the bl=
essing
of the sons of Joseph, the blessings on the 12 sons of Israel,=
the
final resolution of the relationship of Joseph and his brothers and the dea=
th
of Jacob and Joseph. I find it
fascinating that in chapter 49, Jacob blesses Judah with the promise of kin=
gship.
This is an interesting contrast to the present rulersh=
ip
of Joseph. We learned last week, that much is ma=
de in
Jewish commentaries about the relationship of Joseph and Judah. This week, =
we
want to focus on the contrast of these brothers and how they serve as a
paradigm for the history of the Jewish people. In the Joseph narrative, there are
several key contrasts that are easy to notice. In chapter 38 we read of the
affair between Judah and Tamar. It is no coincidence that in the very next
chapter we read of the godliness of Joseph in refusing the advances of the =
wife
of Potiphar. While the actions of Joseph are hi=
ghly
commendable, the actions of Judah
provide us with his contrite spirit and the illustration of confession,
restoration and honesty. Then in chapter 49, as i
said, we<=
/span>
read of the promise of kingship for Judah
while Joseph was still the overseer in Egypt. While we may find other
contrasts these two are the main points of contrast. Later in Jewish history
after the exile, the writer of Chronicles states Though Judah prevailed over
his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to
Joseph.(1 Chron. 5:2). One writer, J=
.h.
Allen, refers to this contrast as “Judah’s Scepter and
Joseph’s birthright.” The scepter refers to the kingship derived
from Judah
and the birthright refers to the double portion of land given to Joseph thr=
ough
his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. The promise of the land and the promise=
of
a king are the two main themes of prophecy in the bible. Remember that the two sons of
Joseph are Ephraim and Manasseh. In Numbers 13:8 we read the Joshua is a
descendant of Joseph through Ephraim. We also read that Gideon is a descend=
ant
of Joseph through Manashah. An interesting observation is that=
both
of these descendants are best known for their relationship to the appropria=
tion
of land. Also remember that b=
oth
Jacob and Joseph insist that their bones be taken out of Egypt to the land of israel. Later in =
Jewish
history, =
the
contrast of Judah and Joseph continues when the kingdom is divided. The northern kingdom consisted of =
Ten tribes, dominated by Ephraim, son of Joseph. The
southern kingdom is dominated by the tribe of Judah. This contrast continued
throughout Jewish history. While some from the ten northern tribes came to
dwell in Judah,
the fact is that even to this day, there has not been a restoration of the =
tribes
represented by the sons of Joseph.
<=
o:p>
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> However, as we l=
earned
in the haphtarah portion from last week, the day will come that Judah
and Joseph will truly be reunited. See Ezek. 37 for the details. In that day the Messiah will reign=
as
King in the safety of the land
of Israel.
<=
o:p>
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Finally, let us
remember that until the day that Joseph and Judah are reunited, the land wi=
ll
never experience the messianic blessings articulated throughout the Hebrew
Scriptures. While many are tempted to identify current events with fulfillm=
ents
of prophecy or the judgment of God, let us remember that our role is to make
disciples. May we be occupied until He comes. Shabbat Shalom!<=
/p>
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