A look at Genesis 41-44 (Joseph's life in Egypt)

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

Parashah: “Miketz” (at the end of)   GENESIS 41:1-44:17
 Gene

      When we look into this parashah study, we see Yosef, who was, in a way of speaking, in the “pit” He was cast into the prison for something he did not do, yet he continued to trust YHVH for his needs.  This reminds us of Melech David's words “You will not leave my soul in Sheol” This was a time of testing for Yosef. It was out of his hands.

     He came to Egypt as a slave, got a good position in Potiphar’s house, and went from a common slave to the comfort of a house, from house to the prison, and from prison to fame and fortune.  All in YHVH's perfect timing and planning.  We might ask ourselves, if Yosef could have managed an escape from the house of Potiphar, or even from prison, he probably would have headed straight back to his home in Canaan.  No one would have been in Egypt to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, and thus, save the world from starvation.

     Yet we see that Yosef did submit himself to the perfect will of HaShem, and he was finally taken out of prison via the “cupbearer” (Oh yes, now I realize my shortcomings, there IS a guy in prison that can interpret your dreams your majesty...)  Yet Yosef gives all glory to God, “God will give the interpretation” which is a positive witness to YHVH.  Pharaoh probably saw the shortcomings and weakness of the Egyptian priests who were “supposed” to get their wisdom from Egyptian gods, yet this foreign “Hebrew” gets his wisdom by interpreting dreams from an “invisible” God.

     Another thing we see is that Yosef not only gives the interpretation but also the “solution”.  For what good is an interpretation of a dream that speaks “calamity” if there is no solution to the problem? It is kind of like saying; “Hey king, your country is doomed, 7 years of famine, starvation, death...well OK.... nice meeting you Mr. King.” yet Yosef is faithful and brings a solution, through YHVH's wisdom and perhaps the experience he already had in agriculture and livestock when he was in Canaan as a teen.

     Now, he is elevated to “assistant in command” to Pharaoh, and goes from “rags to riches” He is now in a position to sort of “run the country” and we see that in time, Yosef's brothers come in search of food, of course they do not recognize him, in Egyptian clothing, some 20 years later, no beard, etc.  The brothers have to be tested to see if they are sorry for what they did to Yosef, Yosef needs to see “true repentance”.  Yosef is now in the position as “judge” yet when he tested them, using Benjamin, he sees true repentance through Y'hudah, now that he sees this, he reveals his true self,  “Ani Yosef!!” (I AM Yosef) He is no longer in the position of “judge” but “family”

     We can see the relationship between Pharoah and Yosef, like our Heaven Father and Yeshua.  Yeshua was in subjection to the Father as Yosef was under the command of Pharaoh, whose name was Sesostris I.  or Senwoset I.  (according to Egyptian archeology).  

     We can see Yosef as a type of Messiah, who saves Egypt and the countries nearby that are also suffering from famine, from physical starvation.  Yeshua has saved the repentant world of spiritual starvation.  He provided complete redemption through the "New Birth" yet we strive through life, through testing, falling down and getting up, maturing through the WORD,  and just "trusting the outcome" in God.   We all start with one light and then, life gets brighter as the other 7 lights are lit.  Keeping our eyes always on the "Servant" lamp.  The "Servant" has been "Lifted up, and is high" 

     The lamp of life was kind of dim for Joseph, being sold, being cast into prison, then the lamp got bright, as he became second in command, got married, had children, reconciled with his brothers, and saw his father once again. On the special Hanukkah Menorah lamp, we see 9 candle holders. and they can go from "Galut" (Exile) to "G'ulah (redemption) Joseph was "exiled" from his land in Canaan when he was sold by his brothers, and ended up in Egypt.  But as things got better for Joseph, we can see, as I mentioned, the "Lamps" getting brighter, and a bright and hopeful future is for Joseph and the whole world.  We see that "his brothers are redeemed" (in our next study) when they come before Joseph repentant of what they did. thus, we can see all 9 lamps are lit,  thus illustrating "from Galut to G'ulah.  (using the Menorah). 
  
     When we were lost sinners, Yeshua was in the position as our “judge” As many who will continue to reject the gift of salvation, they will be “judged” guilty by Messiah Yeshua at the Great White Throne Judgment, yet once we come to Yeshua and accept Him as our Savior and LORD, then, we come “Family” members, and we will be treated as “family”.  “Y'hudah” symbolizes “Israel” who, in the future, will recognize “HE who was pierced” and those in Israel will say, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of YHVH” as Yosef then “Talked” with his brothers, so YHVH desires to “talk” with us, through prayer and fellowship.  As Yosef invited ALL his family to Egypt, so ALL who come to recognize Yeshua as Mashiach, are invited to join the “Heavenly family”

     Yosef is a “Messiah type” who saved the local world from physical famine, Yeshua saves the world from “spiritual famine” to all those who come to HIM and accept him as Savior and LORD! 

Shalom, have a blessed week. 

 

VBS (Vacation Bible School) last day, "our Group" me in the middle.  Iglesia Salem en Ciudad Delgado, El Salvador.