Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ - And He Drew Near
Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27
Reading #2 - Genesis 44:31–45:7
My Thoughts:
Joseph justifies the wrongdoings of his brothers by one simple sentence in Chapter 45:5 “Elohim sent me before you to preserve life." In other words, Hashem has used the past cruelty of the brothers to save literally thousands of people from starvation. Through a series of events, Hashem brings Joseph to the Pharaoh. He brings wisdom and a G-dly plan that saves his people. So, does that make what the brothers did okay? Obviously not. But, it seems many times through Scripture we see where Hashem will make something good out of something bad. He is faithful and just Elohim. And He doesn’t waste anything or any opportunity!
Challenge:
Can you think of something terrible in your life that happened, but now see how Hashem used it for good? Even those who die who are close to us, Hashem can turn it for good. If you are in the middle of something sad or horrible right now, pray that Hashem will take it all and use it for good -- somehow, some way. Not just when it is over, but right now when things are really hard. You might be amazed when you see the good things He is doing.
Reading #2 - Genesis 44:31–45:7
44:31 It will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, with sorrow to Sheol. 32 For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I don’t bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers. 34 For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”
45 Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?”
His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence. 4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.”
They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for Elohim sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be no plowing and no harvest. 7 Elohim sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.
