Ascendancy

[Shimon]

“Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one like this, a man in whom the spirit of G’d is?

• Genesis 41:38

Joseph’s ascendancy to viceroy of Egypt – second in command – was preceded by his lowly state, after being rejected by his brothers. For when they heard of his dreams, portending that he would rule over them, they became jealous. They conspired against him, threw him into a pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites, who were passing through Dothan.

Joseph descended into Egypt in this manner, where he became the Hebrew servant of Potiphar. He was put in charge of Potiphar’s household, because of his excellent organizational skills. However, Potiphar’s wife seduced him; and, when Joseph refused her advances, he was wrongfully accused by her. She accused Joseph of making advances on her; yet, he remained pious, and fled from her (Genesis 39:12).

As a result of being wrongfully accused, Joseph was sentenced to a term in prison. Yet, because G’d is Sovereign, another way to perceive Joseph’s circumstances is through the lens of hashgachah peratis (divine guidance), exemplified in the following passage: “He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant; his feet they hurt with fetters, his person was laid in iron; until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the L’RD tested him” (Psalm 105:17-19).

Joseph was tried by the L’RD, in order to test his mettle, so to speak. The Hebrew word zaraf, translated above as “tested,” can mean ”refined”, as in the verse, “as silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times” (Psalm 12:7). A crucible – furnace – is where the dross is removed from the silver, so that what is left is pure. Joseph was refined by the trials and tribulations that he endured. He met the challenges of being a servant, under the direction of Potiphar, and as a prisoner in jail, both with resolve and optimism – he succeeded in being a great benefit to others.

“And the L’RD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the L’RD was with him, and that the L’RD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found favour in his sight, and he ministered unto him. And he appointed him overseer over his house, and all that he had put into his hand” (Genesis 39:2-4).

“And, the L’RD was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because the L’RD was with him; and that which he did, the L’RD made it to prosper” (Genesis 39:21-23).

In prison, G’d arranged circumstances that would give way to his eventual release. Two of Pharaoh’s courtiers were placed into prison because of an offense against Pharaoh. At some point, they each dreamed a dream that Joseph was able to interpret. Before the wine cup bearer, was returned to his position in Pharaoh’s court, Joseph asked him to mention his plight to Pharaoh, explaining that he was wrongfully accused. Although the winecup bearer neglected to do so, another circumstance occurred whereof the winecup bearer recalled Joseph.

Pharaoh had dreamt two dreams, that would prove to be instrumental, in regard to the intervention of G’d for the sake of Joseph, his family, and all of Egypt, as well as the surrounding peoples of the known earth at that time. None of Pharaoh’s courtiers could interpret his dreams; so, the winecup bearer, spoke up concerning Joseph and his ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was rushed out of prison into Pharaoh’s court. Pharaoh was so impressed with his interpretation of the dream, as well as his recommendation for preserving food during the famine that would ensue (as the dream had portended) that Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of Egypt.

Pharaoh asks, “Can we find such a one as this, a man whom the spirit of G’d is? There is none so discreet and wise as thou. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled” (Genesis 41:38-40). Joseph’s ascendancy only occurred after many trials in his life. He suffered much throughout his life, until the L’RD’s word was fulfilled.

Joseph’s journey from suffering to leadership points toward the dual role of the Messiah, who fulfilled the role of Moshiach ben Yosef, aka “the suffering servant” (see Isaiah 53), and will return to fulfill the role of Moshiach ben David, “the victorious king,” when he reigns from Jerusalem. “Thou hast made him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:7).

(all scripture JPS, unless otherwise noted).