Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of
Genesis 41:1-44:17
Reading #3 - Genesis 41:39–52
My Thoughts:
Names have meaning and can set your destiny. Look in verses 51 and 52; “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “Elohim has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” The name of the second, he called Ephraim; “For Elohim has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”” Clearly, his sons names have relevant and purposeful meanings -- as is played out in the future.
Names are important. What we name our children will carry with them and become a part of their identity for their whole life. Sometimes people will name their children after someone they know. It is really important that this is given careful thought. You may want to ask yourself if that person is kind, reputable, generous, G-dly, and fair. Do not name your child after someone just because it is cool at the time.
Do some research. See what your own name means. See what your children’s names mean. Try to fit in the definitions with what Hashem has planned for you and for them. Throughout Scripture we see the meaning of names. Pay attention.
Challenge:
Joseph’s last statement in this reading is that Hashem has made him fruitful during his affliction. How can we relate to that in today’s world? When we feel afflicted either in health, finance, emotions or spiritually -- can Hashem make us fruitful? That doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be rich like Joseph and have “influence”. Maybe it means that you can still be “fruitful” in displaying the love of Hashem during difficult times in your life. I challenge you today, that if you are going through a rough time to try and be “fruitful” by showing love and kindness to others around you. If you can do this (and it is possible that you are able), you will see the quality of your life improve dramatically. Give it a try.
READING #3 - Genesis 41:39-52
41:39 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because Elohim has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 In the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly. 48 He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He stored food in each city from the fields around that city. 49 Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number. 50 To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “Elohim has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” 52 The name of the second, he called Ephraim; “For Elohim has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
