Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah #9: Vayeshev (He continued living) B’resheit (Genesis) 37:1-40:23.
Haftarah: Amos (Amos) 2:6-3:8
B’rit Chadashah: Acts 7:9-16 (specifically vv.9-10)
Yosef’s story extends through the last four parashot of Genesis, making this narrative the longest one in the book. Yosef’s story is one that encompasses all of our human emotions, our inherent weaknesses and strengths, and how G-d accomplishes his plans for each of us, using the good and bad in all of us for His ultimate glory. But Yosef’s life and the surrounding actions of his brothers inform us of the consequences of efforts to do harm that by G-d’s intervention result in good according to G-d’s plan and not ours. What seems to be independent actions described by all the characters in this parashah including Yosef’s brothers, Ya’akov, Judah, Tamar, Potipher’s wife, the cupbearer, and baker, looking from the “outside” into this narrative provides us the unique opportunity to understand how G-d’s plan weaves through our lives like a ribbon in the wind. Everything has consequences and nothing happens in our lives haphazardly. G-d intervenes in our lives to accomplish his plan for humanity whether we are true believers or G-d’s enemies. Let’s investigate some of the specifics.
Ya’akov thought that he was settled after all that he had experienced. We often think that after we have reached a specific milestone, that we will be able to retire either physically or mentally and be free of any challenges that don’t meet our definition of “retirement.” The reality is that G-d never promised a life of tranquility on this side of heaven. HaSatan does not bother his own but continually prowls around like a lion devouring whom he may (1 Peter 5:8). Furthermore, G-d tells us throughout his Torah that we will be tested and tried like the refinement of gold (Zech. 13:9). By default, this means life will not be easy. Another example is found in the growth of a tree. According to Elimindset.com, there was “an ecological experiment that was set in the desert called the biodome.” This was a manufactured environment where the perfect conditions for growing fruits, vegetables, and trees; a place where humans could live happily for months at a time. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over. It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller.”
The lesson here is that to grow closer to G-d, reflecting His Light more consistently throughout our lives, we must be exposed to the winds of living in the world but not assimilate into the ways of the world. Like Yosef who was sold into slavery by his own family and was later put in prison unjustly, we must develop our spiritual root systems to the point where we will respond as a well- watered tree no matter how hard the winds of earthy life may blow against us (Jer. 17:8). The same G-d who protected and intervened in Yosef’s life will be with us until that which He has planned is accomplished (Isaiah 46:10).
There is also a lesson for parents in the story of Yosef’s life, especially in the case where his father makes him a “special” coat. The Septuagint describes this garment as a coat of many colors. There is only one other place in the Bible that mentions a special coat (2 Samual 13:18-19). This is in the context of Tamar who was King David’s virgin daughter. We may extrapolate the narrative in 2 Samuel concerning the coat to mean that such an elaborate coat represented a favored one, a “white collar social class so to speak. As such a special coat made by Ya’akov for his son Yosef who was obviously the favorite, it should not be surprising that the other brothers were jealous, exacerbated by Yosef’s dream.
Parents should treat their children as impartially as possible. Praise the behaviors, skills, or talents of each and foster their development rather than overtly showing favoritism at the expense of other siblings. On the human level, Ya’akov’s grief may seem self-deserved. The brothers’ jealousy and subsequent acts of cruelty and meanness were the direct result of the partiality shown by Ya’akov to Yosef. Perhaps Ya’akov’s inconsolable loneliness was spiritual payback for the heartless loneliness he caused Leach as the unloved wife who was in G-d’s plan the preferred wife, the one blessed with bearing Judah from whom the Messiah would come. Again, no action good or evil goes unpunished or rewarded by G-d.
Sibling jealousy to the degree described by Yosef’s brothers’ behaviors is obviously against the commands of G-d of which they were aware. Not to covet another’s’ possessions, not to murder, and the command to honor parents were all violated and erroneously justified using Yosef’s arrogance as an acceptable explanation for the brothers’ behavior. This is the problem with sin. We always try to minimize, justify, and rationalize sinful thoughts, speech, or actions. The truth is that if we find ourselves attempting to apply human justification to our thoughts, speech, or actions, we can know without a doubt that we are about to sin and we need to avoid the sin before we commit it.
We learn more about deep-seeded narcissistic attitudes when we read of Re’uven’s response when he returned to the cistern to find Yosef gone. Rather than wondering about Yosef’s disposition and welfare, Re’uven was concerned about his own welfare (Gen. 37:29). Re’uven succumbed to groups pressure although as the oldest brother he had the authority to do so. To his benefit, he saved Yosef’s life by talking the other brothers out of murder and he showed intense love for his father later in his life by offering his own sons as a guarantee that Benjamin’s life would be safe (Gen. 42:37).
What are some additional lessons we can learn from Re’uven’s life? Another of Re’uven’s sins is seldom discussed but had serious consequences. That sin was sleeping with his father’s concubine described in Genesis 35:22. As far as Re’uven was concerned, this sin was “over and done with.” It would seem so until years later when Ya’akov (Israel called his sons to his bedside, the sinful act resurfaced through a forfeiture of the first-born’s double portion. Ya’akov gave the double portion to Yosef manifested in Ya’akov giving Yosef two tribes instead of one. As we continue the narrative, we discover that the brothers who had been so cruel to Yosef and Jacob developed a great remorse ad they matured (Gen. 42:20-22).
Regarding Yosef’s encounter with Potiphar’s wife and his remarkable ability to overcome any temptation he may have felt, we are not told of Potiphar’s wife beyond this narrative, although the event presents many learning opportunities for the reader, one of the most obvious is that we can overcome temptation of any kind, sexual lust asking a top position on the “temptation chart.” The cupbearer, although forgetting Yosef’s interpretation of his dream for two years, had a mental recall and shared it with Pharaoh. His position was restored. The chief baker did not enjoy a similar outcome and was hanged as Yosef had predicted in his interpretation of the baker’s dream.
Again, there are numerous learning opportunities for the reader. We need to grow in our relationship with G-d and take no fear when presented with situations the outcome of which we cannot predict. G-d was with Yosef wherever he went and whatever he did Adonai prospered (Gen. 39:23). The Septuagint translates this verse as “… and whatever things he did, the L-rd made them to prosper in his hands.” Understanding Yosef was in prison, we understand that to “prosper” does not necessarily mean financial increase. The Interlinear NIV Hebrew-English Old Testament” provides a clearer translation “the L-rd was with Yosef and gave him success in whatever he did.” Now we understand that the word prosper can and does often mean much more than financial or other physical gain.
Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8
This week’s haftarah reflects on our parashah to the sale of Joseph by his brothers. Amos opens with bad news first; G-d had been patient with them notwithstanding their transgression of the three cardinal sins- sexual impropriety, idolatry, and murder. Their fourth sin was the last straw; the mistreatment of the innocent, widows, orphans, and the poor.
G-d reminds the Jewish people how He lovingly took them out of Egypt and led them through the desert for forty years to the Holy Land. Yet the people did not respond appropriately. They gave wine to those who took the Nazarite vow and told the prophets not to prophecy. Amos then describes G-d’s punishment: “And the stouthearted among the mighty shall flee naked on that day, says the L-rd.”
This passage ends with an admonition from G-d, one that recalls His eternal love for His people: “hearken to this word which the L-rd spoke about you, O children of Israel, concerning the entire nation that I brought up from the land of Egypt. Only you did I love above all the families of the earth; therefore, I will visit upon you all your iniquities…” As opposed to other nations to whom G-d does not pay close attention, G-d’s love for His nation causes Him to punish us for our misdeeds, to cleanse us and prod us with His rod of justice and staff of grace and love back onto the path of the just. Remember, He chastises those He loves (Heb. 12:6) and His will is perfect (Psalm 18:30). Let us internalize and act upon this truth even when the tempest roars and we cannot physically see the Sun. Do not fear or doubt; He is behind and above the clouds of our storms!
B’rit Chadashah: Acts 7:9-16
Yosef’s life discussed in detail in this parashah, reveals numerous parallels to Yahshua’s, for Joseph was a type of Yahshua to his people. G-d gave Joseph favor and wisdom for his appointed mission in life. G-d provided Yahshua all he needed for his earthly ministry. Joseph was appointed the chief administrator over Egypt. Yahshua was appointed King of Israel and L-rd of all the universe. Joseph had to live in the world of sinful Egypt, but he kept himself separated even in prison. He remained close to G-d and exemplified his faith through his life which increasingly reflected Yahshua’s Light as he matured and ultimately succeeded in addressing the many “learning opportunities” in which G-d placed him. Similarly, Yahshua manifested himself as a physical form, came down from heaven to a sinful world to show us how to live His/G-d’s Torah not only by His teachings, but by example. Joseph prepared Egypt for the food famine that was about to strike the land. Yahshua shows us how to prepare for the spiritual famine to come when the world will no longer have the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) present. Joseph withheld his identity from his brothers until the second time they went to him and confessed what they had done to him, not knowing they were speaking to him. Similarly, most biological Jews did not recognize Yahshua for who He is the first time He came to earth. He will identify himself to them when He returns the second time, and they say “Baruch haba b’Shem Adonai.” Yet, “Even if the number of people in Israel is as large as the number of grains of the sand by the sea, only a remnant will be saved. For Adonai will fulfill his word on the earth with certainty and without delay” Romans 9:27-8).
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart