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VAYIGASH
Bereshit/Genesis
44:18-47:27
Yechezkel/Ezekiel
37:15-28
Luke 6:9-16
In the
last Parasha, Judah stepped forward on behalf of Benjamin and all the
other brothers. As we continue in this week’s Torah portion, Joseph
cannot restrain himself and reveals himself to his brothers (chapter 45).
Verse 16: Pharaoh hears the good tidings of
Joseph and his brothers being reunited
Verse 21: Joseph dispenses gifts and sends his
brothers off to their father Jacob.
Verse 26: Jacob was told the wonderful news of
his son being alive in Egypt. His heart is revived.
In chapter 46 Jacob begins the journey to see
Joseph.
Verses 29-30: There are 70 souls living in
Egypt.
Chapter 47: Jacob meets Pharaoh and his family
settles in Goshen.
Joseph could not restrain himself (chapter 45)
and he commanded everyone to leave the area. He cried to his brothers in
a loud voice. He wept aloud and the Egyptians heard it, as well as the
household of Pharaoh.
This reminds me of when Yeshua lamented over
Jerusalem. (Luke 19:41) As He approached He saw the city, and He wept
over it exclaiming, “Would that you had known personally, even at least in
this your day, the things that make for peace, for freedom, from all of
the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin upon which your
peace-your security, safety, prosperity and happiness depend. But now
they are hidden from your eyes.”
Matthew 23:37 opens this portion further by
stating: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering the prophets and stoning those
who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children
together as a mother hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you
refuse!”
As we read about Joseph revealing himself to
his brothers, they show fear and respect in front of him. He is the
second in command, next to Pharaoh. He told them, “be not grieved nor
angered with yourselves that you sold me, G-d sent me here to preserve
life.” In Yeshua’s day, the leaders of the tribes had no fear or respect
for Him and did not recognize that He was the one who was sent to preserve
life and forgive past sins, just like Joseph forgave his brothers. They
did not realize that the time of the visitation had come to set them
free. They did not realize what they had done.
The HafTorah portion in Ezekiel goes along with
this Torah portion because it reveals how the divided tribes will one day
be reunited under the leadership and kingship of David’s greater son, whom
we recognize as Messiah Yeshua.
In that day, the Lord shall save and give
victory to the tents of Judah. The Lord will guard and defend the
inhabitants of Jerusalem. “In that day, I will pour out upon the House of
David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace, unmerited
favor and supplication. And they shall look upon Me whom they have
pierced and they shall mourn for Him as one who mourns for his only son.”
Just as Messiah cried out for Jerusalem, the
people will cry out for Him and He shall be their King. Cry out to Him
and make Him your king.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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