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This week, we end the book of Genesis with parasha Vayechi, which translates to “and he lived”. Vayechi covers Genesis 47:28-50:26 and finishes the book of Genesis. This parasha contains the final Messianic prophecy of Genesis as well as a powerful reminder that the Lord is always in control.
Our parasha begins with Jacob making Joseph swear an oath that when he passes away, he would be buried with his family in the Promised Land, not Egypt. Jacob gives Reuben’s blessing as firstborn, his double portion, to Joseph through his sons. Rueben had lost this blessing due to sexual sins. Genesis 48 then records the blessing of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by Jacob.
Joseph also brings his sons to Jacob, positioning them so the older son, Menasha, would be blessed by Jacob’s right hand, as is traditional for the firstborn. Ephraim would then be blessed with Jacob’s left hand. But Jacob crossed his arms, placing his right hand on Ephraim, not Menasha. Joseph thought his father was making a mistake and tried to move his right arm. But Jacob knew who the older son was, and while both would be great people, the younger son, Ephraim, was chosen by Adonai to be greater than his brother.
In chapter 49, Jacob gathers his sons to give each the blessing that was appropriate for them. Rueben was denied the blessing of the firstborn because of his sexual relationship with the same woman his father had been with. Levi and Simon did not receive the blessing of the firstborn, or headship over their brothers, because of their anger and violent ways.
Jacob then pronounces his blessing over the next oldest son, Judah. He is called a young lion and told that his brothers would bow down to him. Verse 10 contains Jacob’s prophecy that the kings of Israel would come from Judah, as well as the King of Kings, the Messiah:
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
The term Shiloh refers to the promised Messiah. While this translation has been argued over the centuries, both Christian and Talmudic sources agree on this interpretation. Some claim this refers to the city of Shiloh; this argument is severely weakened because Shiloh is in Ephraim, not Judah. Jacob finishes blessing his sons and instructs them to bury him in the Promised Land with his fathers and then passes away.
Chapter 50 records the embalming and mourning for Jacob. Jacob was so greatly loved and respected by the Egyptians that they mourned his death for 70 days. Then a huge procession of Egyptians, along with Joseph and his brothers, went out to bury Jacob.
After the burial of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers became scared that now Joseph would seek revenge. Verses 19 and 20 are his response to his brothers’ fears:
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Their fear showed that they still did not believe that Joseph had forgiven them. But Joseph truly understood all the terrible situations in his life. He knew the Lord had always been with him and used these situations to accomplish His good purposes. Even when things seem hopeless to us, when we cannot see a way past our current sufferings, the Lord is ALWAYS in control. A powerful comfort and peace is knowing this truth. That no matter the plans of other people or the plans of the adversary, God can use their actions to accomplish His will. Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers and see his life through the eyes of God shows that he had truly made peace with the difficulties of his life.
The book of Genesis ends with the death of Joseph at the age of 110. His final words, recorded in verses 24 and 25, proclaim his unwavering faith and hope in the promises the Lord made to him.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”
Joseph knew the Lord kept His word, that his hope was not unfounded. He demonstrated once again his extraordinary faith in Adonai. Later in the Torah, we will read that when Moses left Egypt with our people, they took the bones of Joseph with them as he instructed. Joseph’s faith was not misplaced, and he was eventually buried in the Promised Land.
With the death of Joseph, we have reached the end of the book of Genesis, the book of the Torah that lays the foundation for everything that comes after. Looking back, we can see that despite many plans by evil people, God turned situations on their head and accomplished His good. Especially His plans for the Messiah woven throughout this book.
Parasha Vayechi and the entire book of Genesis remind us that no matter how dark our lives may get, the Lord is always on His throne. We see throughout the life of Joseph and all of Genesis, the Lord’s good hand steering human history. He is a Lord who does not sit on the sidelines but cares deeply for his creation. As I look back on my own life, I can clearly see the Lord’s hand, even if at the time situations were confusing and difficult. The Lord’s faithfulness is a theme we see woven not just through Genesis but the entirety of God’s Word. His faithfulness is ultimately fulfilled in the coming of our wonderful Messiah. God will come to our aid just as He did our ancestors. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
It is my prayer this morning that each of us would have the same hope of Jacob and Joseph. May each of us trust in Adonai through the seasons of our lives. May each one of us realize God’s good plans for our lives and experience the ultimate forgiveness that only comes through Messiah Yeshua.