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Today’s Parasha is entitled Vayechi meaning, “And He Lived” and covers Genesis 47:28–50:26. This parasha concludes the book of Genesis and the lives of Jacob and Joseph.
Jacob, now known as Israel is nearing death. He has lived 147 years. When Israel was nearing death he called for Joseph. After Joseph arrived Jacob made him promise to take his body out of this land after he had passed away. He made Joseph place his hands under his thigh and swear by oath to bury him with his fathers in Canaan.
Joseph, knowing his father’s time is short, brings his sons with him to see Jacob. Jacob then has Joseph bring his two sons close to him so that he may bless them. He takes Ephraim and Manasseh as his own, and any other sons Joseph has will then be accounted within the land inheritance of Ephraim and Manasseh. When Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh for the firstborn blessing he swaps his hands, changing the son that receives the firstborn blessing. In doing this he gives the firstborn blessing to the second born Ephraim.
This is interesting as Jacob himself received by deception the first born blessing that God himself had already ordained for him to receive, causing many years of hardship for himself and a strained relationship with his brother. In this blessing of Joseph’s sons we can see the Lord’s will being done in a proper way.
A short time later, Jacob calls for Joseph and all his brothers to come together, so that he may bless them and tell them what is to happen in the days to come. These blessings include some interesting things to note. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are all passed over for headship due to their various sins and the blessing of the firstborn is given to Judah. Until this point Judah had acted as a leader but there was no indication he would receive this blessing of headship. Judah’s blessing is also notable as this brother is singled out and told that his brothers will praise him, and that the scepter will not depart from him or the ruler’s staff from between his feet until Shiloh comes.
Who is this ruler that this passage is referring to one might ask? He is no other than Yeshua Hamashiach!
The one prophesied to be the offspring of Eve that would crush the head of the snake. Then later prophesied to come from Noah’s son Shem, and to further single out from who he would be born; the descendants of Abraham. In this passage his genealogy narrows and we are told he will come from the line of Judah. Later in Scripture we will see clearly he will be born to a descendant of King David, who is a descendent of Judah.
Genesis 50 records the death of Jacob. After Israel died Joseph threw himself upon his father weeping over him and kissing him. Joseph called for the physicians in his service and instructs them to embalm his father, taking a full forty days according to Egyptian custom. The Egyptians mourned Jacobs’s death an entire 70 days. Joseph then receives permission to take the body of Jacob and bury it in the tomb he dug for himself in Canaan. Joseph’s entire household accompanied him leaving only the children. Pharaoh also sent his entire company of officials (the dignitaries of Egypt), along with chariots and horsemen.
When they reached Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly there with Joseph for seven days. The Canaanites, seeing the way they mourned, named this area Abel Mizraim (the mourning of the Egyptians). In this passage we can see that Jacob was loved not just by his family, but by Egypt as well.
Now that their father has died, Joseph’s brothers feel it necessary to concoct another scheme. This is because they are afraid that with their father dead Joseph will now punish them. Forgetting how well the first scheme worked for them, they send word to Joseph that their father has left some final instructions, requesting their sins to be forgiven. This caused Joseph such sorrow he wept. His brothers then came to him throwing themselves down at his feet saying, “we are your slaves!” Joseph tells his brothers, “do not be afraid, am I in the place of God?” He tells them again that what they intended for harm God intended for good, and the saving of many lives. He then tells his brothers he will provide for them and their families.
In total Joseph lived 110 years and as he approached his death he spoke to his brothers. His final words are recorded in Genesis 50:24-25 and conclude the book of Genesis:
And 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 them swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”
What Joseph and his brothers were unable to know, is that while God had used his brothers’ actions to see to his families’ welfare, in the end, God also intended to use Joseph’s life and this story as a type of events to come with the Messiah. Joseph was able to assist Pharaoh in preparing for the famine and save probably much of North Eastern Africa and the Middle East from death, including his family. But God also was using Joseph’s life to show us His redeeming power and that He would redeem us with a far greater salvation through Messiah Yeshua.
If we look back to the blessings (Gen. 49:8-12) we can see the Messiah will come from the line of Judah. We can see some prophecy of some events during His time here on earth, and of the things to happen when He returns to earth to bring all things to completion. His brothers could only see events from the present and looking back, but God was working with future purposes in mind and Joseph knew the Lord would bless them all.
As we close the book of Genesis, and look back I thought about what is the main take away from this book? Perhaps it the story of Creation, or of a fallen humanity that continually survives only by the grace of God? The book of Genesis contains many lessons, but one of the great themes, is that this is the story of Salvation. It is part of God’s way of continually showing us His plan, revealing a little at a time how He will not let all of humanity be cast into destruction. But instead to be redeemed by the gift he gave through Yeshua’s death, burial and resurrection.
I wonder when we receive a blessing in our lives do we see things from a bigger perspective and think of the potential implications in our future or others in these blessings like Joseph did? I know it makes me begin analyzing the things God has done for me and how these blessings mold me, direct me, and affect others through my life. I wonder were the brothers of Joseph able to see any of this or were they perplexed by the meaning of some of their blessings and their cursings?
I also know that many times God’s blessings have already passed before I recognize it, but I’m all too quick to recognize when I feel I may be receiving punishment, or not receiving favor from God. We as believers need to be constantly aware of God’s movements in our lives. We need to be close to God, like Joseph, praying and ready to thank God for everything that comes our way. If we do this when a blessing comes we can hopefully recognize it and truly thank God for it. I know I’m thankful for Gods wonderful gifts of salvation, food, family, a wonderful congregation, and a way to provide for my home.