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Shabbat shalom, this week’s parasha is Vayigash, which means “and he drew near” and covers Genesis 44:18 – 47:27. This parasha begins with Judah telling Joseph that if Benjamin does not go back to their father, he will die. Judah in verse 28 reiterates the lie that they told their father about what happened to Joseph, not knowing that is who they are talking to. Judah then asks if he can take the place of Benjamin.

Genesis 45 starts with Joseph breaking down and crying loudly. He tells his brothers that he is the same brother that they sold into slavery. His brothers are then fearful of what he will do. What would you do if you were Joseph? Would you spare the lives of those who sold you into slavery? We find out what Joseph thinks in verses 5-8 when he responds to his brothers:
“And now do not be fearful or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God.”

Joseph’s response shows he has a God centered outlook on his situation. He doesn’t hold a grudge or try to get even with his brothers. Instead, he looks at how God has used him to save his family. What his brothers intended for evil, God has used for good.

After the reunion, Pharaoh tells Joseph to bring his whole family to Egypt. In chapter 46, the entire family is joyfully reunited. God then speaks to Jacob in a dream and tells him to go to Egypt. Jacob does as God instructs and goes down to Egypt with his whole household, which was 70 people. If we are honest with ourselves, we ignore what God is telling us to do.

Jacob and his family then go to Egypt and settle in the land of Goshen. Our parasha ends with them being fruitful and multiplying greatly in Egypt.

Now what is a key takeaway from this parasha? We tend not to see what God has in store for us. We live in the moment and only see what is in front of us. Unlike Joseph who saw that God put him in a place of power to help his family, so that they can live. We turn away from God, saying he is not by our side. He has left us. God doesn’t love us, for how could he since we are going through this hardship. Let’s look at Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. We can trust God, that in the end He is in control. The hardship may not make sense right now, but it will if we put our feet to the ground and walk the walk.

For me it is depression. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t shake the deep sadness I felt. It was like I was in a sea sinking to the bottom, I couldn’t see anything. I was at a point in college of walking away from God. I sat with my friend and mentor and told him what I was thinking. That I was going to walk away from it all. I thought God had left me. I felt alone. But what my friend said next changed my perspective. He said, “No matter what decision you decide, my home will always be open to you.” I never felt such love in that moment. That even though I was going to walk away, he still cared for me. It felt like someone reached down in the water and pulled me up. I knew that no matter what, God is always there. I began to see that circumstances and what people do will not change God’s plan. Just as the Proverbs said, trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t go by your own understanding. If I went by my own understanding and let the circumstances in life turn me away, I wouldn’t be giving this parasha. We have to be like Joseph and let go of what has been done to us in our lives. We need to stop living in the moment and allowing others to change how we do things. Let us live for Yeshua, trusting in Him, for He will never leave us. Giving up those grudges, that hate, that pain. His plan is far better then ours. His love for us is what keeps me moving forward. Focusing on what he wants and doing it. How do we do that, by reading his word. Talking to him. Spending every thought on him. I put a time aside out of my day to meditate on him. I encourage you to do the same. I pray that you get to know Yeshua’s love and trust in his plan for your life. Shabbat Shalom.