Saturday, December 15, 2018

CHUCK KOLB 12/15/2018

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayigash - God's Prophetic Plan and Seasons of Trials !!!

Previously posted ... 
44 Libtard Ex-Senators Write Dangerous Period Letter !!! 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2018/12/chuck-kolb-12132018.html 

#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion), which is called Vayigash (Then He Drew Near). We know you will be blessed as you study with us this portion that will be read in synagogues around the world on this Shabbat (Saturday).  Enjoy!


In last week’s Torah portion Miketz, Pharaoh appointed Joseph administrator over all of Egypt in order to save the people of the nation from the coming famine.  That famine affected much of the region; and because of Joseph's wise stewardship, the nations looked to Egypt as a source of food. When Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain, Joseph recognized them but did not reveal himself right away.  He wisely tested their integrity through a series of character challenges. This week, Parasha Vayigash begins with a plea from Judah, brother of Joseph, on behalf of his younger half-brother, Benjamin.  A silver cup had been deliberately planted in Benjamin’s bag by Joseph, causing Benjamin to be in danger of having to remain a slave in Egypt.

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...
Vayigash: Like Judah, Like Yeshua 

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/vayigash-like-judah-like-yeshua-3/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/category/torah

Parasha Reading Schedule 5779 
http://free.messianicbible.com/torah-reading-schedule 

Jewish holiday calendars & Hebrew date converter 
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm - https://www.hebcal.com 
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day 
http://www.wildolive.co.uk/feasts_of_the_lord.htm 

Why Are Christians Adopting Jewish Practice of Studying the Weekly Torah Portion?
https://theisraelbible.com/christians-adopting-jewish-practice-studying-weekly-torah-portion/ 
http://restoringtheway.org/messianic-homeschooling/ 

Can A Jew Be Messianic? 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/117371/jew-messianic/ 

Restoring the Broken Relationship of the Garden with the Tabernacle 
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/restoring-the-broken-relationship-of-the-garden-with-the-tabernacle/ 

Are You a Watchman on the Wall? 
In many ways, Believers in the God of Israel and Messiah Yeshua are also called to be watchmen.   
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-watchman-on-the-wall/ 

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth 
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible. 
http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/holy-holy-holy-lord-hosts-yhvh-sabaoth/ 

The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb 
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/the-prophetic-significance-of-the-passover-lamb/ 

Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday - The Feast of Tabernacles !
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2017/10/chuck-kolb-10082017.html 

Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/dancing-joy-simchat-torah/ 

Rabbi Friedman - The Soul and the Afterlife: Where Do We Go From Here? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzFUXKk2B4I (43:40) https://www.sinai-indaba.com/ 

Is It a Man, Angel, or God?
The angel of the Lord appears many times in Scripture, but is it really an angel or is it God? 
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/is-it-a-man-angel-or-god/ 

What is His Name? 
http://www.baruch-hashem.com/index.php/resources?start=22 

The Daniel Timeline 
http://www.davidjayjordan.com/Danieltimeline.html 

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Parshat Vayigash 

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3224/jewish/Vayigash-in-a-Nutshell.htm 
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=12/15/2018 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ... 

Altar Dedication Ceremony: The Temple Institute 

A short video clip from the stone altar dedication ceremony that took place on Monday, the 8th day of Chanukah. vid> https://www.facebook.com/22738684968/videos/2334693506764789/ (0:30) 

Weekly Torah Portion: Vayigash 
The supernal sparks flew when Yehudah approached Yosef. Ready to engage in cosmic battle for the life of Binyamin, Yehudah's anguish turned to joy when Yosef revealed his true identity. We all share in the joy of the reconciled and reunited brothers, and in the return of Yosef to his father Yaakov. This story of reconciliation is the paradigm and blueprint for the great redemption that is to come, when the brothers will once again unite, in heart and soul and might. 

Vayigash (Genesis 44:18 - 47:27) Parashat Vayigash is read on Shabbat: Tevet 7, 5779 / December 15, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOAkGek3_Y4 (19:52) 
https://www.youtube.com/user/henryporter2/videos 
Published on Dec 12, 2018 - The Temple Institute  
https://www.templeinstitute.org/events.htm 
http://www.templeinstitute.org/ 
Weekly Newsletter - http://is.gd/4BUvi 

Special ... Broadcasting from Jerusalem with Rabbi Chaim Richman, Yitzchak Reuven 
Temple Talk Radio: The Amazing Reconciliation of Yosef and His Brothers 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_P5WrO8VgM (46:11) 
Published on Dec 11, 2018 - The Temple Institute 
The Month of Tevet and Anger Management 
Ofra Drive-By Shooting Victims: Praying for a Precious Family 

This week's edition of Temple Talk ushers in the month of Tevet, with its unique challenges and opportunities for spiritual growth. Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman share thoughts on the Torah portion of Vayigash featuring the unification of Yosef and his brothers, and discuss the spiritual, as well as the political ramifications of the horrific terrorist attack that took place this week outside the community of Ofra. 

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Rabbi Chaim Richman: The Dedication of the Third Temple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTNRQ-ulUFA (54:11) The Temple Institute 12/4/18 
Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute of Jerusalem, speaks about the dedication of the Third Temple, and shares insights and progress towards the rebuilding of the Holy Temple in our time, and its meaning for all mankind. This teaching was recorded on November 7, 2018, in Rogers, Arkansas. Filmed and edited by James Long, Lightcatcher Productions.

Hillel Richman: The True Location of the Temple Mount 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEYOuYjqWwQ (52:35) The Temple Institute 12/3/18 
Archaeologist Hillel Richman, Senior Researcher and Past Supervisor, Ancient Jerusalem Sifting Project and Temple Mount Sifting Project, refutes the spurious theories claiming that the Temple Mount was in any other place other than Mount Moriah, with an emphasis on the 'City of David' theory, while providing incontrovertible historical and archaeological proof that the Holy Temple was, and will be, located on what is today referred to as the Temple Mount. 

The Coming Temple - Full Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTO8YYs29c (48:17) NuBeat Music 12/21/16 
Filmed in the Old City of Jerusalem, this ground-breaking documentary investigates the research of renowned Biblical archaeologists, Bob Cornuke, David Sielaff and Earnest L. Martin who claim that Solomon and Herod's Temples never stood on the Haram al Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. If they are right, then there is nothing to stop the Jewish people building their long awaited for Third Jewish Temple in the actual site where the Temples once stood. 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/  https://israel365.com/ 

The Portion of Vayigash 
https://theisraelbible.com/reading-plan/genesis/portion-vayigash/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/weekly-torah-portion/ 

The Israel Bible side-by-side English and Hebrew text along with audio being read in Hebrew.

https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/chapter-1#verse-1 
https://theisraelbible.com/hebrew-alphabet-chart/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/proper-noun-directory/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/glossary/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/maps 

Nikki Haley Replacement, Heather Nauert, Helped Further Trump Administration’s Pro-Israel Platform 
by JNS.org  

Nauert is expected to face a tough Senate confirmation due to her lack of foreign-policy experience even though she served as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, the fourth-highest ranking position in the State Department. As Foggy Bottom’s top spokesperson, Nauert helped further the administration’s pro-Israel platform. She denounced last month’s rocket attacks into Israel from Hamas in Gaza. “We condemn in the strongest terms the rocket, missile and mortar attacks that are taking place from Gaza into Israel,” she said. “We call for the sustained halt of those attacks. We stand with Israel as Israel defends itself against these attacks. It is simply unacceptable to target civilians.”
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/118317/nikki-haley-replacement-heather-nauert-helped-further-trump-administrations-pro-israel-platform/

Brazil Delivers on Israel Promise at United Nations
by JNS.org 

Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of Brazil’s president-elect Jair Bolsonaro and a member of the national parliament, tweeted: “This is the first time Brazil votes in favor of Israel and against the terrorist groups, this is a victory! Brazil will no longer be a diplomatic dwarf.” Bolsonaro said that this new diplomatic posture was a result of his father’s statements and the efforts behind the scenes to influence the country’s foreign policy in the transition period (Bolsonaro is set to take office in January 2019). A month ago, the president-elect said that his incoming administration will depart from Brasília’s pro-Palestinian stance. 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/118447/brazil-delivers-israel-promise/ 

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2 FREE bumper stickers - I Stand with Israel 

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Hebrew “Trump 2016” Bumper Sticker 
https://israel365.com/store/i-love-israel/hebrew-trump-2016-bumper-sticker 

Jared and Ivanka Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ... 
Shana tova u'metuka! #RoshHashanah - 5779 
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https://twitter.com/ivankatrump  
http://ivankatrump.com/ 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 17+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 

Report: Saudi prince planning Netanyahu meeting, hosted by Trump

Report claims Saudi Crown Prince planning ‘game-changing’ meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, to be hosted by Donald Trump.
by Arutz Sheva Staff
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, is planning a “game-changing” meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the Middle East Eye reported Thursday. According to the London-based, Qatari-funded outlet, the sources in the Saudi kingdom claimed that the Crown Prince is “seriously considering” a “game-changing” meeting with Netanyahu, which would be hosted by President Donald Trump.
https://www.israpundit.org/report-saudi-prince-planning-netanyahu-meeting-hosted-by-trump/ 
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256178

Netanyahu doesn't rule out taking the battle to inside Iran
Netanyahu said his policy has always been “to stop bad things when they are small. So we meet Iran head-on in Syria, and if we need to, will do whatever we need to do protect ourselves, as you would.”
by Herb Keinon, JPOST 
Israel does not rule out acting militarily inside Iran’s border if it feels that is necessary for its security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday. Asked at an annual appearance before the foreign press if Israel would act inside Iran’s borders, Netanyahu said, “Our redline is our survival. We do what is necessary to protect Israel against the Iranian regime that openly calls for the annihilation of the Jewish state.”
https://www.israpundit.org/netanyahu-doesnt-rule-out-taking-battle-inside-iran/ 
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Netanyahu-doesnt-rule-out-taking-battle-inside-Iran-574228 

Ted Belman, editor and publisher of Israpundit 
https://youtu.be/2_2jJpjU3zA (5:10) ILTV ISRAEL DAILY 10/9/17 http://www.iltv.tv/ 

Ted Belman - 12/3/17 
https://youtu.be/EO5kIMNtZwA (1:08:08) Alexander Gendler 12/3/17 
The “Jordan-is-Palestine” idea, as the preferred resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conference was organized together with Mudar Zahran, Secretary-General of the Jordan Opposition Coalition, who lives in England under the protection of that country's police.

3 ways to help Ted Belman ... 
Please send checks payable to Ted Belman, 
Dan #33, Unit 25, Jerusalem, 93509, ISRAEL 
Or go to Israel Institute for Strategic Studies 
and use your credit card and mention "Israpundit" 
Donators will get a US tax deductible receipt. 
http://www.strategic-israel.org/  
http://www.israpundit.org/donate/ 

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Courtesy of Bible Gateway via Jewish Voice ... 
Free Map! Where are the Lost Tribes of Israel today?

https://www.salemoffers.com/campaign/lost-tribes-map-fall-2017-b/ 
http://jvmi.convio.net/assets/pdfs/lost-tribes-map.pdf (1 page pdf) 
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Yavoh ~ He is coming ! 
Yahweh - Yeshua -  Ruach Ha-Kodesh 
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BREAKING NEWS FROM ISRAEL 
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http://free.messianicbible.com/enter-prayer-wall/ 
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click continue to use PressDisplay.com 
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx 


This Week's *Shabbat Menu From Jamie* for Parsha Vayigash 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/olive-oil-shabbat-menu/ 

An easy Shabbat menu for you 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/caramelized-onion-chicken/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/salt-pepper-kugel-with-roasted-garlic-2/ 

Some favorite Shabbat sides!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/zucchini-and-red-bell-pepper-saute/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/ashkenazic-carrot-pudding-mehren-kugel/

Easy, healthy soups for a cold winter day
https://www.joyofkosher.com/browse/14-easy-healthy-soups/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/no-knead-artisan-bread/

Make leftovers the star! "Right"overs, Not Leftovers!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/browse/save-time-and-money-re-purpose-those-leftovers-16-recipes/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/blogs/clear-out-the-fridge-yummy-dishes-to-repurpose-leftover-produce/ 

No guilt tonight with THESE latkes!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/baked-zucchini-fritters/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/greek-yogurt-caesar-salad/ 

We've got a gift for you!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/good-for-you-family-dinners/ 
And...we want to take this opportunity to offer Fresh Families to you at just $1 
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There's nothing like a Chanukah brunch after a family Shabbat! 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/fried-egg-and-cheese-latke-slider/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/a-brunch-hanukkah-party-menu/

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Free Ebook: How To Cook Everything With Olive Oil 
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Finally! A Healthy Meal Plan for the Whole Family: Fresh Families by Jamie 
vid> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lQsuWGrrA (1:01) 
https://freshfamilies.us/ 

How to make delicious latkes and babkas - Today Show 12/3/18 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/latkes-and-babkas-on-the-today-show/ 
vid> https://www.today.com/video/make-delicious-latkes-and-babkas-for-hanukkah-1387224643985 (3:47)  
8 Epic Latke Sliders bonusvid> https://www.instagram.com/p/BqyzjlxF9V8/ 

Today Show - Make Jamie Geller’s tasty brisket with apples and honey cake 
https://www.today.com/video/make-jamie-geller-s-tasty-brisket-with-apples-and-honey-cake-1315037763843 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/easy-twists-on-holiday-favorites-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/as-seen-on-the-today-show-easy-oven-seared-soy-silan-brisket/

The Perfect Week for Matzo... As Seen on The Today Show
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/03/the-perfect-week-for-matzo-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
w vid Use matzo in 4 different ways for Passover!
https://www.today.com/video/use-matzo-in-4-different-ways-for-passover-1198725699778
https://www.today.com/food/easiest-most-delicious-matzo-ball-recipe-passover-t125845
Matzo Balls by Jamie Geller 
https://www.today.com/recipes/matzo-balls-recipe-t125837 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/best-ever-matzo-ball-soup/ 

Watch Jamie cooking Brisket with Megyn Kelly on The Today Show
by Shifra Klein 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/01/jamie-gellers-brisket-101-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
vid> https://www.today.com/video/make-3-hearty-winter-meals-with-this-delicious-classic-beef-brisket-recipe-1164913219668 
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Gellers-Brisket-101-LEFTOVER/dp/1976983851/ 

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Missing an ingredient? Improvise 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/jamies-tips-for-cooking-substitutions/ 

The Most Popular Recipe - Year 2017
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/potato-kugel-cups/ 
vid> https://youtu.be/ApKzja2XnWE (6:39) 
The Most Popular Recipes 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/search?query=Most%20Popular%20Recipes 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO Colavita recipes
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-and-avocado-toast/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/deviled-green-eggs/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/sun-dried-tomato-hummus/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-oat-clusters-fruit-nuts/ 

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Then Judah came near [Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ] unto him and said, ‘Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord.  Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. Genesis 44:18


Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayigash - God's Prophetic Plan and Seasons of Trials !!!


 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Welcome to this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion), which is called Vayigash (Then He Drew Near).
 
We know you will be blessed as you study with us this portion that will be read in synagogues around the world on this Shabbat (Saturday).  Enjoy!
 
VAYIGASH (Then He Drew Near)
Genesis 44:18–47:27; Ezekiel 37:15–28; Ephesians 2:1–22
 
“Then Judah came near [Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ] unto him and said, ‘Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord.  Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.’  
(Genesis 44:18) 
 
In last week’s Torah portion, Pharaoh appointed Joseph administrator over all of Egypt in order to save the people of the nation from the coming famine.  That famine affected much of the region; and because of Joseph's wise stewardship, the nations looked to Egypt as a source of food.
 
When Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain, Joseph recognized them but did not reveal himself right away.  He wisely tested their integrity through a series of character challenges.
 

Joseph's Brothers Find the Silver Goblet in Benjamin's Pack (1833),
by Alexander Ivanov 
 
Judah Reveals His True Character 
This week, Parasha Vayigash begins with a plea from Judah, brother of Joseph, on behalf of his younger half-brother, Benjamin.  A silver cup had been deliberately planted in Benjamin’s bag by Joseph, causing Benjamin to be in danger of having to remain a slave in Egypt.
 
Judah can't bear to return to his father without his youngest brother, Benjamin.  He knows that the grief his father will endure for doing so will probably kill him.
 
He, therefore, pleads with Joseph, saying, “Please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.  For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”  (Genesis 44:33–34)
 
Judah seems to realize that his family's situation is related to the evil behavior of his brothers in selling Joseph, and he doesn't want such evil to befall them again if Benjamin is now lost in Egypt.
 
This confession of sin accompanied by sincere remorse and turning from the sin fulfills the Torah’s requirements for true repentance (teshuvah).
 

A Jewish man prays at the Western (Wailing)
Wall in Jerusalem.
 
Judah approaches Joseph privately and explains how it was difficult to bring Benjamin with him to Egypt since he is the only surviving son of Rachel, and his father is very attached to him.  He explains that he guaranteed the boy’s safety and is desperate to take his place as a slave.
 
Joseph, no longer able to control his emotions after seeing his brothers’ repentance, cries out for everyone to leave except his brothers.  He wants to be alone with them when he reveals his true identity.
 
“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone go out from me!’  So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.  And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.’”  
(Genesis 45:1–2) 
 
As Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he comforts them“I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.  But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”  (Genesis 45:5)
 

The Recognition of Joseph by His Brothers (c. 1816), by Peter Von Cornelius
 
God’s Sovereign Plan of Salvation Cannot Be Broken 
In placing Joseph in charge of Egypt’s food supply, God wanted to do more than preserve the lives of the Egyptians and the nearby world from starvation due to a present famine.By installing Joseph in a position of power to save his own family, God preserved the promise He made to Abraham, which included Israel being a blessing to the nations:
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  
(Genesis 12:2–3) 
 
Specifically, this promise would be passed down through Isaac, not his brother Ishmael (Genesis 26:3–5); through Jacob, not his brother Esau (Genesis 28:14–15); and the promise of the Messiah would exclusively come through the line of Judah, not his other 11 brothers:
 
“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.”  (Genesis 49:10)
 
The one to whom the sovereign staff of rule belongs is the Messiah.
 

A Jewish woman recites prayers at the Western
Wall in Jerusalem.
 
God sovereignly chose Joseph to ensure that His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (not only of land but also of being a blessing to all nations through the Messiah) would be fulfilled through the line of Jacob’s son, Judah
 
Why did God choose Judah? 
 
Perhaps because he is the only brother who showed compassion toward Joseph, saving his life when his brothers wanted to kill him (Genesis 37:26–27).  And as we saw earlier, he showed even more compassion toward Benjamin by offering to become a slave in his place.
 
Both of Judah's acts foreshadowed what Yeshua (Jesus) would do for all of us spiritually. 
 
“By this we know what love is:  Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”  (1 John 3:16)
 
In the end, neither envy, nor jealousy, nor murderous plots against Joseph in his early years could derail God’s love and plan of salvation for us—and the hatred against the Jewish People today still can’t derail it.
 

Torah scroll

Jacob Reunites with Joseph 
  “And they told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.’ And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them.”  (Genesis 45:26)
 
In this Parasha, Jacob is reunited with his beloved son Joseph.
 
Imagine hearing that your favorite child, whom you thought had been killed many years ago, is actually a governor of the nation next door!
 
This perhaps reminds many of us of the shock that Yeshua’s disciples experienced when they were told that Yeshua was not dead, but alive. 
 
They had seen Him die and witnessed His burial; yet, here He was alive and well, walking about because death was unable to hold Him.
 
“When they heard that Yeshua was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.”  (Mark 16:11)
 

The empty tomb
 
Joseph invited his father and all of his brothers into exile in Egypt to save them from the famine in Israel.  Leaving the Promised Land was not easy. 
 
God, however, assured Jacob that it was right to accept his offer, even though it would begin 400 years of brutal slavery for Jacob’s descendants.
 
“Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob!’  And he said, ‘Here I am.’  So He said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.  I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.’”  (Genesis 46:2–4)
 
During a previous famine, God instructed Jacob’s father, Isaac, to stay in the land.  But, in this instance, God told Jacob to leave.
 
This shows us how important it is to listen for God’s voice and obey rather than simply go with whatever decisions seem right to us, or rely on a solution that worked in the past.
 
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5–6)
 

Jewish boys pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
 
Joseph was not only a powerful man; he was also an excellent provider.  He brought his father and all of his brothers to Egypt where he made sure they were well looked after.
 
“Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with bread, according to the number in their families.”  (Genesis 47:12)
 
Again, we can draw a parallel to Yeshua—the living bread (lechem chayim) who was born in Beit-Lechem (Bethlehem),
the house of bread
 
The bread that Joseph provided for his brothers sustained them during their lifetime, but the bread that Yeshua gives us sustains life eternally.
 
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  Whoever eats this bread will live forever.  This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”  (John 6:51)
 

On Friday night just before sundown, Jewish families mark the Shabbat
with a special candle-lighting ceremony.  Following that, most families
recite prayers over wine and challah (braided egg bread).
 
Israel Reunites with Judah  
The theme of this wonderful story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers, after so many years of being separated, continues in the Haftarah (prophetic reading), with the reunion of the northern and southern tribes of Israel upon their return from exile.
 
How did this split between the tribes of Israel happen?
 
After the reign of King Solomon, the nation of Israel split into the Southern Kingdom (represented by the tribe of Judah & Benjamin) and the Northern Kingdom (represented by the ten other tribes, which are collectively called Joseph, Ephraim, or simply Israel).
 
While both kingdoms sinned, Judah (Yehudah) returned from exile and still exists today as the Yehudim (Hebrew word for Jews).  The ten northern tribes went into the nations and became “lost,” although some members of those tribes have returned.
 
Because of their idolatry, God broke the bonds of brotherhood between Judah and Joseph (Ephraim and Israel): 
 
“Then I cut in two My other staff, bonds, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.”  (Zechariah 11:14)
 

Jewish boys prepare to read the Torah.
 
According to Jewish thought, the animosity between Joseph and his brothers (all children of Jacob) foreshadows this later split between Judah and Benjamin with the other tribes of Israel (all children of God).
 
In an amazing prophecy, however, God promises that one day there will again be unity between them.
 
“Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.”’  (Ezekiel 37:19)
 
To make sure there is no misunderstanding, God plainly explains this prophetic symbolism:
 
“Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.  And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.”  (Ezekiel 37:21–22)
 
Of course, there is another reconciliation that God has brought about.  Through Yeshua’s sacrificial death on the Roman execution stake—the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has also been destroyed, resulting in “one new man” out of the two.
 
Jews and Arabs share the streets of Jerusalem.
 
Though divisions still do exist, God’s purposes are to reconcile us to Himself and to one another.
 
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the execution stake, thereby putting to death the enmity.”  (Ephesians 2:14–16)
 
There is an even greater reconciliation to come.  If we look prophetically at this story of Joseph, we may see that just as Joseph said, “Ani Yoseph: I am Joseph, your brother,” likewise, Yeshua one day will say, “Ani Yeshua: I am your salvation, your brother and your Messiah.  Halleluyah!
 
When the Jewish people recognize Yeshua as their Messiah, there will also be a great reconciliation that will bring about life-giving change all over the world.  How we long for that great day!
 
“For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”  (Romans 11:15)
 

A rabbi tends to a beautifully covered Torah scroll.
 
It is exciting to live in a day when we can see prophecy fulfilled before our very eyes as the Jewish people return home from all four corners of the earth.  So few Jews, however, realize that Yeshua is the Messiah of whom the prophecies in the Tanakh (Old Testament) foretell.
 
You can make a difference by standing united with Bibles For Israel as we proclaim the Messiah in these last days before He returns.
 
Shabbat Shalom from the Entire Bibles For Israel Family!

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