Midrash "Miketz" (Genesis 41:1-44:17) "God is not finished with you yet"

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

 

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

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 King 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.

The study begins with the words "At the end of two years.." but two years from what? From the time the cupbearer and the baker were released from prison. The baker to meet his death and the cupbearer to regain his life and former job. Two years pass, then Pharaoh has his dream.

So, keep on trusting in the LORD, even when times seem glum, and dark clouds are overhead, He has a plan for your life, and when the time is right, His major plan will be revealed. So, don't lose hope! even though it may seem hard at times.

Yosef 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 need to also understand the social system in ancient Egypt. There were 3 social classes. Royalty (Pharaoh and his family and relatives) Free men and women (priests, merchants, common citizens, farmers, etc) and slaves (many were captives of war). Yosef went from "slave" to "Royalty"

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”

This 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 gives not only the interpretation but also the “solution”. What good is an interpretation of a dream that speaks “calamity” if there is no solution to the problem? Yet Yosef understands the problem and comes up with a solution.

With mankind, SIN was the problem, and YESHUA was/is the solution. There was nothing WE could do, it was ALL that God could do. All we have to do is ACCEPT THE PLAN OF SALVATION. And during our sojourn on Earth, let us not let spiritual famine ruin our lives. We have the best grain of all, Yeshua, the Bread of Life, and His "Living Torah".

We need to understand Egyptian culture to perhaps understand the seven years of famine. Egypt had three seasons: "Akhet" (flooding of the Nile), in which fertile and rich soil and sediments overflowed onto the desert soil, thus making it possible to grow grains (barley and wheat); "Peret" (season of planting seed); and "Shemu" (season of harvesting). In the "Akhet" season, the farmers probably worked for the Pharoah in building projects since the lands were flooded with water from the Nile River.

One possibility for the years of famine would be that God did not allow the Nile River to flood onto the desert land, so no crops could be grown, and no food = famine. Yet we must remember that even in Canaan, there was famine, so there must have been more causes for the famine to reach even where Israel and his 11 sons were living.

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, eyes painted, Egyptian clothing, he now speaks Egyptian as well.

God knows all of us, even when we don't know HIM. He longs to reach out and touch us, to come into a personal relationship yet we need a new attitude, a new spirit. Just as the brothers didn't recognize Yosef, yet Yosef recognized them, he longed for that "renewed" relationship, but they would have to be tested first.

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.” yet this is in the next study session.

When we were lost sinners, Yeshua was in the position of our “judge.” Many who will continue to reject the free gift of salvation 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 become “Family” members, and we will be treated as “family”.

We will all live in the times of plenty. We have "x" number of years to serve our Messiah and LORD, taking advantage of our spiritual gifts. Storing up riches in Heaven, yet many will live their lives on earth as if there is "famine" and showing "no fruit" for their earthly lives. Once death closes our eyes, our rewards or lack of rewards are sealed. Our goal is to be faithful stewards to our Master Yeshua and store up riches in Heaven, by planting "good works" while we are on Earth.

Yosef is a “Messiah type” who saved the local world from physical famine. Yosef was subject to Pharaoh and submitted himself to him. Yeshua submitted himself to the Father in Heaven, being under his guidance. "Not my will, but your will Abba" (If the cup can not be passed over, I will be subject to your authority Father) Yeshua saves the world from “spiritual famine” to all those who come to HIM and accept him as Savior and LORD!

Tonight will be the 6th night of Hanukkah.