- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Jul 8, 2022 18:22:12 GMT -8
This Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Genesis 42:18-43:23
Haftara- Isaiah 50:10-52:11
D’rash: Let’s start with a familiar verse from our haftara:
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
This is military terminology. Non-combatants were either hidden, typically in the hills, or locked securely in walled cities. When it became evident which way the battle was going, runners were sent to give the news- either prepare for the worst or for a celebration. This is also a description of Ha’Moshiach Yeshua, and as a type, Yoseph. He stood now before his brothers, handsome and dressed in rich attire, bringing them forgiveness and reconciliation, and salvation from the famine. But they see only guilt, blame, and condemnation which, unfortunately for them fell squarely upon their shoulders.
Genesis 42:22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.”
Reuven’s conscience, not quite so seared as his brothers is starting to kindle feelings of guilt. He as the oldest should have done more to save Yoseph. However his reaction is a very human one- he tries to pass the blame. And yes. they bore more blame in their predisposition to murder; however he as the one who should have taken charge bore the blame of a leader. It is a biblical principle that the judgement of those in whom authority is vested will be more stringent:
Hebrews 13:17a Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.
Genesis 42:25,28 And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them. … He said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”
מַה־זֹּ֛את עָשָׂ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לָֽנוּ ma’tzot asah Elohim lanu (my ‘best’ Hebrew), “what is this that has done God to us?” This is telling, as they blame God for the calamity that has apparently befallen them. Nowhere in all the ill treatment of Yoseph do we see him blaming God. Quite a contrast still in their attitudes.
Symbolically their getting back the money they gave is another contrast. They are ‘getting back what they gave to Yoseph,’ only they gave death in bondage while he, again as a type of Ha’Moshiach gave them life in abundance.
Genesis 42:36 And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.”
It sounds here as though Ya’aqov had his suspicions about the circumstances of the death of Yoseph.
Genesis 42:38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
Their hearts must have sunk at these words. Their fears were coming to pass.
Genesis 42:37,43:8-9 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.” … And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.
Ye’hudah here in his willingness to take responsibility shows why he will eventually receive the blessing of the firstborn. Re’uvin has already shown a lack of leadership, and will not get the blessing and double portion because of his lack of leadership and because he slept with Bilhah, Ya’aqov’s concubine. It is true Re’uvin wanted to give his own sons as surety for Benyamin’s return. But it is doubtful Ya’aqov would have killed them. Yehudah however was willing to take the responsibility, and thus any consequences upon himself: “I will be a pledge of his safety,” אָֽנֹכִי֙ אֶֽעֶרְבֶ֔נּוּ anochi arevenu (again, my best propinquity of Hebrew), “I will be sureity for him.”
Genesis 43:14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
God Almighty [El Shaddai] can also mean “God the Provider.” Again we see here a couplet, as either or (most likely) both meanings may apply. In the mind of Ya’aqov, it is in the hands of Almighty God to provide both sustenance and protection to the family in general and Benyamin in particular.
Genesis 43:18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.”
Again the irony is thick. They had sold Yoseph into slavery in Mitzrayim, now they fear the same for themselves.
Genesis 43:23 He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
And yet they still see God’s mercy. Kinda gives hope to those of us who don’t quite measure up to the standard of Yoseph. Still, as God still deals with us, so Yoseph will further test his brothers, as we will see reading forward.
Mekorot: All scripture from the ESV unless otherwise specified; the Hebrew from the Westminster Leningrad Codex; Green’s Interlinear Bible; JPS Study TNK; my father and others
Next Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Gen 43:24-44:17
Haftara- Jer 42:12-17; 43:12-14
* Apostolic references will be given in the darashot
Parashah- Genesis 42:18-43:23
Haftara- Isaiah 50:10-52:11
D’rash: Let’s start with a familiar verse from our haftara:
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
This is military terminology. Non-combatants were either hidden, typically in the hills, or locked securely in walled cities. When it became evident which way the battle was going, runners were sent to give the news- either prepare for the worst or for a celebration. This is also a description of Ha’Moshiach Yeshua, and as a type, Yoseph. He stood now before his brothers, handsome and dressed in rich attire, bringing them forgiveness and reconciliation, and salvation from the famine. But they see only guilt, blame, and condemnation which, unfortunately for them fell squarely upon their shoulders.
Genesis 42:22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.”
Reuven’s conscience, not quite so seared as his brothers is starting to kindle feelings of guilt. He as the oldest should have done more to save Yoseph. However his reaction is a very human one- he tries to pass the blame. And yes. they bore more blame in their predisposition to murder; however he as the one who should have taken charge bore the blame of a leader. It is a biblical principle that the judgement of those in whom authority is vested will be more stringent:
Hebrews 13:17a Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.
Genesis 42:25,28 And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them. … He said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”
מַה־זֹּ֛את עָשָׂ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לָֽנוּ ma’tzot asah Elohim lanu (my ‘best’ Hebrew), “what is this that has done God to us?” This is telling, as they blame God for the calamity that has apparently befallen them. Nowhere in all the ill treatment of Yoseph do we see him blaming God. Quite a contrast still in their attitudes.
Symbolically their getting back the money they gave is another contrast. They are ‘getting back what they gave to Yoseph,’ only they gave death in bondage while he, again as a type of Ha’Moshiach gave them life in abundance.
Genesis 42:36 And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.”
It sounds here as though Ya’aqov had his suspicions about the circumstances of the death of Yoseph.
Genesis 42:38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
Their hearts must have sunk at these words. Their fears were coming to pass.
Genesis 42:37,43:8-9 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.” … And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.
Ye’hudah here in his willingness to take responsibility shows why he will eventually receive the blessing of the firstborn. Re’uvin has already shown a lack of leadership, and will not get the blessing and double portion because of his lack of leadership and because he slept with Bilhah, Ya’aqov’s concubine. It is true Re’uvin wanted to give his own sons as surety for Benyamin’s return. But it is doubtful Ya’aqov would have killed them. Yehudah however was willing to take the responsibility, and thus any consequences upon himself: “I will be a pledge of his safety,” אָֽנֹכִי֙ אֶֽעֶרְבֶ֔נּוּ anochi arevenu (again, my best propinquity of Hebrew), “I will be sureity for him.”
Genesis 43:14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
God Almighty [El Shaddai] can also mean “God the Provider.” Again we see here a couplet, as either or (most likely) both meanings may apply. In the mind of Ya’aqov, it is in the hands of Almighty God to provide both sustenance and protection to the family in general and Benyamin in particular.
Genesis 43:18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.”
Again the irony is thick. They had sold Yoseph into slavery in Mitzrayim, now they fear the same for themselves.
Genesis 43:23 He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
And yet they still see God’s mercy. Kinda gives hope to those of us who don’t quite measure up to the standard of Yoseph. Still, as God still deals with us, so Yoseph will further test his brothers, as we will see reading forward.
Mekorot: All scripture from the ESV unless otherwise specified; the Hebrew from the Westminster Leningrad Codex; Green’s Interlinear Bible; JPS Study TNK; my father and others
Next Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Gen 43:24-44:17
Haftara- Jer 42:12-17; 43:12-14
* Apostolic references will be given in the darashot
