Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.8MB)
Our Parasha is entitled Miketz meaning “At the end”. It covers Genesis 41:1–44:17. When last week’s Parasha closed, the cupbearer was released from prison as Joseph predicted. However, he goes on with his life and completely forgets about Joseph. As this parasha opens, two full years have passed, and Joseph is still imprisoned.
Scholars believe that a man named Sesostris III was Pharoah at that time. He was said to have been one of Egypt’s most influential rulers, and he conquered Nubia (which is modern day Ethiopia) and expanded Egypt’s territory.
This powerful Pharoah had a strange dream which no one in his kingdom, including his royal wise men, could interpret. This made the cupbearer suddenly remember Joseph, and he told Pharoah about his experience.
Intrigued, Pharaoh summons Joseph, who is promptly brought out, cleaned up and presented before Pharoah. When Joseph stood before Pharoah, he was thirty years of age – the same age as priests began their priestly duties in Israel, and the age that Yeshua began His earthly ministry.
Joseph quickly admits to Pharoah that it is not he who interprets dreams, but God through him. As Christians and Messianic Jews, it is important to understand that the power to accomplish the great works of God isn’t ours. It’s the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that strengthens us and gives us victories and successes. Whenever we achieve anything, we should publicly acknowledge that God is the source of our accomplishments.
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s tandem dreams to mean that seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of famine. Joseph also defines a timeframe for when the dream would actually come to pass. Had he been wrong, it would certainly have cost him his life; but Joseph was completely confident as this information came from Adonai Himself. Then to top it off, Joseph even proposes a solution and a plan of action. He advises Pharaoh to store up reserves of grain during the seven plentiful years.
Pharaoh appoints Joseph governor of Egypt, second in command to Pharoah himself, and places him in charge of the palace, it’s day to day logistics, and preparing for and managing the coming crisis of famine.
Joseph went all over Egypt during its 7 years of plenty, storing grain in the cities. During this time Joseph was married and had two boys. The first-born he named Manasseh which can mean “For God has made me forget all my trouble.” The second son he named Ephraim, which could be translated as “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
After those 7 years, famine came to all the land. When the people began to lament to Pharaoh about the famine, Joseph opened the storehouses and began to sell the grain. All over Egypt, hungry people came to Joseph to buy food. Eventually the famine spread throughout the region, and food could only be found in Egypt.
In chapter 42, ten of Joseph’s brothers make their way to Egypt to purchase grain. The youngest, Benjamin (Jacob’s other son by Rachel), remained at home, as his father Jacob feared for his safety.
When they appear before him, Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they don’t recognize him, and he begins to test them. First, he accuses them of being spies, and insists that they bring their youngest brother before him, to prove that they are who they say they are. Meanwhile, he imprisons Simeon as a hostage. On their way back home, they discover that the money they paid for their provisions has been mysteriously returned to them.
When their grain runs out, and the time comes to return to Egypt for more, Jacob very reluctantly agrees to send Benjamin with them. Judah steps up and assumes personal responsibility for him. This time Joseph receives them kindly, releases Simeon, and invites them to dine at his home.
Secretly, he has his servant plant his silver goblet in Benjamin’s sack.
When the brothers set out the next morning, they are pursued, searched, and arrested when the goblet is discovered. Joseph offers to release them, but keep Benjamin as his slave. What a dilemma! How can they possibly return home to their father without Benjamin? And with that, our Parasha concludes.
Joseph used his authority to deal wisely and shrewdly with his brothers. I submit that his motive was to discern their present character. Had the passing years taught them anything? He had suffered greatly at their hands, and had every reason to distrust their words and actions.
But when they returned the silver Joseph had secretly packed in their bags, it demonstrated integrity and honesty. When he tested them further by treating the youngest, Benjamin, more generously than the others, they didn’t fall into resentment, as they had when they sold Joseph into slavery all those years ago.
Romans 8:28 says “for we know that God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Parasha Miketz is an incredible example of God taking a bad situation and working it out for good. It should encourage us to know that if He could do all of this for Joseph, He is more than able to take care of issues in our lives. The religious leaders of Jerusalem intended evil for our Messiah and had him crucified and put to death. But Adonai took that and made that our greatest victory over sin and death. When we place our faith and trust in Yeshua, He takes the things that others mean for evil and turns them into good. He does this for our good and for His Glory. Praise be to Yeshua HaMashiach.
Shabbat Shalom everyone.