Portion Vayigash: Gen 44:18 – 47:27
Outline:
The previous portion ends with a moment of tension: will Benjamin be taken away from his brothers and have to stay with Joseph? Judah steps forward to save his young brother: he implores Joseph to release Benjamin explaining that their father will not live if his young son does not return safely. Joseph is moved by Judah's words and starts weeping. Then, he reveals to them that he is their brother Joseph. He begs them to return to Canaan and call Jacob to move down to Egypt.
Hearing that his son Joseph is alive, Jacob indeed moves down to Egypt. The family is reunited and the clan lives in the land of Goshen. At this time, famine sweeps the land of Egypt. Joseph sells the food that was stored up during the years of abundance. In time, the Egyptians run out of money and begin selling first their livestock, then their lands to him in return for food. In this way, Joseph buys all their lands for Pharao.
The previous portion ends with a moment of tension: will Benjamin be taken away from his brothers and have to stay with Joseph? Judah steps forward to save his young brother: he implores Joseph to release Benjamin explaining that their father will not live if his young son does not return safely. Joseph is moved by Judah's words and starts weeping. Then, he reveals to them that he is their brother Joseph. He begs them to return to Canaan and call Jacob to move down to Egypt.
Hearing that his son Joseph is alive, Jacob indeed moves down to Egypt. The family is reunited and the clan lives in the land of Goshen. At this time, famine sweeps the land of Egypt. Joseph sells the food that was stored up during the years of abundance. In time, the Egyptians run out of money and begin selling first their livestock, then their lands to him in return for food. In this way, Joseph buys all their lands for Pharao.
Genesis 45:1-4
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
Joseph had a lot to forgive:himself, for his pride in the past; Potiphar, who had accused and condemned him who was innocent; the chief butler who forgot to mention him to Pharaoh; his brothers, for their unfaithfulness, betrayal and cold-heartedness when they sold him into slavery.
Just think about the trauma caused to a seventeen-year old. How would we have felt in Joseph's place and how would such events have crushed our psyche?
Joseph harbored deep pain of rejection and certainly anger, as well, and sadness. Yet he stopped himself and did not allow these emotions to grow a root of bitterness in him, neither did he seek vengeance. He stayed close to God.
Then comes the moment when those who destroyed his life come to seek help from him. Now could have been the time for revenge.
Joseph had been faithful to God, throughout the years in Egypt. When his brothers suddenly appear, he does not reveal his identity or authority and power to them, but helps them in their trouble. It seems that he already enjoyed the freedom of forgiveness. Otherwise, how could he stay close to God over the years? Certainly, he thought and prayed a lot, until he reached the decision to release them. Later, in Genesis 50:19-21, we see that he had truly forgiven his brothers.
To forgive demands a price and it is a time-demanding process. The price Joseph payed was 20 years of separation from his family, slavery and even prison.
In order to forgive we have to face our pain. Forgiveness is also a decision and demands initiative to do something on our part.
Genesis 45:1-4
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
When Joseph revealed himself he did more than reveal his identity. He asks his brothers to draw near, not just physically, but also emotionally. He did not hold back his emotions. In verses 1 to 3, he sent everyone out and made sure he was alone with his family. His emotions were so strong that even the Egyptians heard him cry. Joseph was transparent and spoke the truth. He exposed himself and made himself vulnerable. In this emotional moment, Joseph called his brothers to be close to him, rather than avoiding them.
In order to forgive someone, we must come close to him/her who hurt us in the past. Rather than forgiving we often prefer to:
Politely greet the other – but we don't want to be in close touch with them.
We say we have nothing against them – but it is better to be far apart.
Or, we simply ignore those we have not forgiven.
Yet, if we fail to forgive, then the person we ought to forgive will determine our lives because of our unwillingness to release them in forgiveness.
Genesis 45:5-8
5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
The fact that Joseph forgave his brothers opened the way to repentance. The incident with Joseph's silver cup caused Joseph’s brothers to tear their clothes and through this crisis they came to understand that repentance opens the way to salvation. As they were speaking truth, they began to change (Genesis 44:32-33)
32 Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’
33 “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
The Lord used Joseph in Judah’s life for him to become a man of faith and love. It was Judah, who many years earlier had gathered up the brothers against Joseph, with the evil plan to sell him as a slave. At this moment, however, he shows the ability and willingness to submit to another and to take responsibility, to care not just for himself, but for his father and younger brother, and ultimately for his people.
Genesis 50:19
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
Joseph was a man of faith and he knew that God had always had the bigger picture. God uses problems in order to change us; he has a plan and sees ahead. It was His plan to bring the people of Israel to Egypt and, many, many years later to set them free with his mighty and outstretched arm.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
Joseph had a lot to forgive:himself, for his pride in the past; Potiphar, who had accused and condemned him who was innocent; the chief butler who forgot to mention him to Pharaoh; his brothers, for their unfaithfulness, betrayal and cold-heartedness when they sold him into slavery.
Just think about the trauma caused to a seventeen-year old. How would we have felt in Joseph's place and how would such events have crushed our psyche?
Joseph harbored deep pain of rejection and certainly anger, as well, and sadness. Yet he stopped himself and did not allow these emotions to grow a root of bitterness in him, neither did he seek vengeance. He stayed close to God.
Then comes the moment when those who destroyed his life come to seek help from him. Now could have been the time for revenge.
Joseph had been faithful to God, throughout the years in Egypt. When his brothers suddenly appear, he does not reveal his identity or authority and power to them, but helps them in their trouble. It seems that he already enjoyed the freedom of forgiveness. Otherwise, how could he stay close to God over the years? Certainly, he thought and prayed a lot, until he reached the decision to release them. Later, in Genesis 50:19-21, we see that he had truly forgiven his brothers.
To forgive demands a price and it is a time-demanding process. The price Joseph payed was 20 years of separation from his family, slavery and even prison.
In order to forgive we have to face our pain. Forgiveness is also a decision and demands initiative to do something on our part.
Genesis 45:1-4
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
When Joseph revealed himself he did more than reveal his identity. He asks his brothers to draw near, not just physically, but also emotionally. He did not hold back his emotions. In verses 1 to 3, he sent everyone out and made sure he was alone with his family. His emotions were so strong that even the Egyptians heard him cry. Joseph was transparent and spoke the truth. He exposed himself and made himself vulnerable. In this emotional moment, Joseph called his brothers to be close to him, rather than avoiding them.
In order to forgive someone, we must come close to him/her who hurt us in the past. Rather than forgiving we often prefer to:
Politely greet the other – but we don't want to be in close touch with them.
We say we have nothing against them – but it is better to be far apart.
Or, we simply ignore those we have not forgiven.
Yet, if we fail to forgive, then the person we ought to forgive will determine our lives because of our unwillingness to release them in forgiveness.
Genesis 45:5-8
5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
The fact that Joseph forgave his brothers opened the way to repentance. The incident with Joseph's silver cup caused Joseph’s brothers to tear their clothes and through this crisis they came to understand that repentance opens the way to salvation. As they were speaking truth, they began to change (Genesis 44:32-33)
32 Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’
33 “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
The Lord used Joseph in Judah’s life for him to become a man of faith and love. It was Judah, who many years earlier had gathered up the brothers against Joseph, with the evil plan to sell him as a slave. At this moment, however, he shows the ability and willingness to submit to another and to take responsibility, to care not just for himself, but for his father and younger brother, and ultimately for his people.
Genesis 50:19
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
Joseph was a man of faith and he knew that God had always had the bigger picture. God uses problems in order to change us; he has a plan and sees ahead. It was His plan to bring the people of Israel to Egypt and, many, many years later to set them free with his mighty and outstretched arm.