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MIKETZ “At the end of”
24 DEC 2011
Genesis 41:1-44:17
Zechariah 2:14
1 Cor. 2:1-5

 

This Torah Portion continues to retell the story of Yosef.  He remains single minded in his desire to do what GOD has called Him to do.  Below is a comparison between Yosef and Yaakov, who were both strong in their faith and became great role models for us.

Yosef is Similar to Yaakov:

  • Both were righteous
  • Both mothers were barren and afterwards suffered hardship at the time of birth
  • Both mothers gave birth to two sons
  • Both had a brother who desired to kill him due to hatred
  • Both were shepherds
  • Both blessed by their fathers
  • Both had to leave Eretz Yisrael
  • Both married from outside the land
  • Both had children born outside of Israel
  • Both were made great by a dream
  • Both helped and provided sustenance for their family
  • Both died in Egypt
  • Both embalmed in Egypt
  • Both had their bones brought to Israel

Differences between Yaakov and Yosef:

  • Despite GOD’s promises to Yaakov, his actions and accomplishments are always accompanied by fear (2 Tim 1:7 GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but a sound mind…)
  • Yosef, however, was full of confidence.  GOD dealt with his pride in prison when he felt forgotten by the cupbearer for two years.  Depended upon GOD for help-not upon people who will disappoint (Psalm 60:11)

 

Exaltation:
GOD always exalts the humble-in due time (1Peter 5:6)

Yosef was a servant, but made into a ruler (Matt25:21) GOD will exalt a humble servant

Yosef experienced some suffering, but then he was lifted up (1 Peter 5:10-establishes, strengthens, security)

GOD invested 13 years in Yosef to build character
Yosef had a fruitful life-SO CAN YOU-and give
GOD the glory!

James 1:8 a double minded man is unstable in all…

Be like the Pharaoh in the time of Yosef, he is grateful and allows someone else to plan the salvation of his kingdom.

Do not be like the Pharaoh who dealt with Moses and Aaron, he was always double minded and eventually brought destruction upon his people.

At this season we remember the age-old story of the Maccabees who fought valiantly. With GOD’s hand, they succeeded in saving the Jewish people from spiritual destruction when the evil Syrian Greek King Antiochus IV wanted to destroy them.  He made a decree that any Jewish religious observance in the land would result in death to those participating.  He even carried off objects from the temple. GOD’s house was turned into a house of worship to the Greek god Zeus and a pig was slaughtered on the holy altar.

Despite this time of darkness, a small group of men under the direction of Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee, waged a war that eventually not only brought freedom to the Jewish people, but also brought forth the light that will forever illuminate the cause of righteousness and freedom in the heart of the Jewish people and the hearts of the entire world.

Hag Sameach Hanukkah

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Z

 


 

 

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