Vayigash - Reading #4

Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ - And He Drew Near

Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27

Reading #4 - Genesis 45:19–27

My Thoughts: 

So, after many years Jacob hears his son Joseph is alive. Can you imagine? You thought you lost someone really close to you and you really did not. Maybe there is hope for your prayers. If anything, know that Hashem always answers prayers in some way and in some time. Just be patient. And keep praying. Be encouraged -- He hears you.

Challenge: 

Prosperity. Jacob’s sons have been blessed by Joseph. Has your family been blessed by a relative? If so, it is important to acknowledge this blessing. Pray and ask Hashem how you can do that. Just be careful not to feel indebted or that you are obligated to the person that gave. Accept it as a gift and be gracious.

Reading #4 - Genesis 45:19–27

19 Now you are commanded to do this: Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23 He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, “See that you don’t quarrel on the way.”

25 They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. 26 They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he didn’t believe them. 27 They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived.

Vayigash - Reading #3

Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ - And He Drew Near

Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27

Reading #3 -  Genesis 45:8–18

My Thoughts: 

I’m thinking about how Joseph’s brothers are rewarded. Simply for being his brothers. What is interesting is that they thought about killing Joseph and then allowed him to be sold into slavery. I am sure their consciences bothered them throughout the years, but now they are super gifted by Joseph -- even after all they have done. 

Would you do that? Have you had a situation where someone has “wronged” you, and instead of taking revenge on them you treat them with kindness and generosity? What a better and healed world we would live in if we did this.

Challenge: 

Think back on anyone you may have wronged. Maybe they are not acting forgiving and generous like Joseph did, so what can you do to repair what you have done? Pray about it. Maybe Hashem will show you something special you can do for them. If He does, do not delay in carrying out the task. The sooner the better. By doing so you will feel freedom.

Reading #3 - Genesis 45:8–18

8 So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but Elohim, and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “Elohim has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children’s children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have.”’ 12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 He fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.

16 The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan. 18 Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.’

Vayigash - Reading #2

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.

Vayigash - Week #11

Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ - And He Drew Near

Genesis 44:18-47:27

Ezekiel 37:15-28

Luke 24:30-48

1.1 First reading — Genesis 44:18–30

1.2 Second reading — Genesis 44:31–45:7

1.3 Third reading — Genesis 45:8–18

1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 45:19–27

1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 45:28–46:27

1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 46:28–47:10

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 47:11–27

Vayigash - Reading #1

Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ - And He Drew Near

Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27

Reading #1 - Genesis 44:18–30

My Thoughts: 

The last verse of this reading -- verse 30 reads;  “...Since his life is bound up in the boy’s life.” What exactly does that mean that Jacob’s life is “bound up” in Benjamin’s life? My thought is that Jacob totally lives his life through his son. That all he does and plans in his life revolves around Benjamin. Is that good or bad? It shows partially that he is a good parent, looking out for his son. But, as we all know, a “helicopter parent” -- one who “hovers” over his/her child -- is not a good thing. It can stunt growth and encourage dependency. Also as we see in future readings, this type of favoritism never fares well with the other siblings. The lesson to be learned here may be to be sure we treat all of our children fairly and equally.

Challenge: 

Today take a look at all your relationships. Your family, partner and friends. Do you show any favoritism toward any of them? What does that look like? Do you think it may be a good time to equalize that relationship to others around you? Take a hard look and make sure you are treating those whom you love equally. If you aren't, try and gradually change this. Those who love you will appreciate this.

Reading #1 - Genesis 44:18–30

18 Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ 20 We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.’ 21 You said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 We said to my lord, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ 23 You said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will see my face no more.’ 24 When we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. 25 Our father said, ‘Go again and buy us a little food.’ 26 We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Your servant, my father, said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. 28 One went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces;” and I haven’t seen him since. 29 If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’  30 Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; since his life is bound up in the boy’s life;