Miketz - Reading #6

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Reading #6 - Genesis 43:16–29

My Thoughts:

Isn’t it amazing that a supposedly Egyptian ruler (Joseph) says to Benjamin in v.29 “G-d be gracious to you.” Is he speaking of the Hashem of Abraham, or is he just speaking to “their'' G-d?  In other words, do his brothers just think he is recognizing their G-d, and of course not really believing in Him? Probably. But, in all reality Joseph really did believe in the one true Elohim. I have friends who recognize the Hashem I serve, but they do not believe in Him. Not yet. It is my prayer that I will be His light to them, and that they will be attracted to His light. And that ultimately they will choose to believe in the one true Elohim. 

Challenge: 

I challenge you today to be such a “light” to those around you that do not yet believe in Hashem. To reflect His love, His truth and that He is Life. That you would so strongly reflect Him, that they would say to you, “G-d be gracious to you.” Even though they do not yet believe in Him. Pray about how you can be that “light”.

READING #6 - Genesis 43:16–29

43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.”

17 The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, we’re brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys.” 19 They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food. 21 When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hand. 22 We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”

23 He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the G-d of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them. 24 The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder. 25 They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to the earth before him. 27 He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”

28 They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly. 29 He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “G-d be gracious to you, my son.”

Miketz - Reading #5

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Reading #5 - Genesis 42:19–43:15

My Thoughts:

This reading seems to be abundant in “fear”. The brothers are fearful for their lives, for their brother’s lives and for the reaction of their father. And probably fearful of starvation and accusation of stealing money. Jacob is fearful that he might lose Benjamin. It seems like not only in Scripture, but in our own lives that fear dominates us at times. I know it has happened in my life. It is so easy to trust Hashem when things are going well, but when they are not -- we exhibit great fear. Maybe we need to practice having trust when little disturbing things happen in our lives, so when larger things come our way we are more prepared. Also, it is good to have other people pray for us during those tough times. They can help us to have “peace” during hard situations.

Challenge: 

Regret. Clearly the brothers are displaying regret for what they did to Joseph years ago. They feel that the sin of abandoning him is now “catching” up with them. Do you have any regrets in your life? Is there something you can do to repair what you have done? Spend some time in prayer and ask Hashem to show you. Ask Him if there is a way to fix what has occurred -- to restore the situation to something good. I know it’s hard to do things like that, but rather than regret it forever.

READING #5 - Genesis 42:19–43:15

9 If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison; but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses. 20 Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.”

They did so. 21 They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22 Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required.” 23 They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them. 24 He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him before their eyes. 25 Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore each man’s money into his sack, and to give them food for the way. So it was done to them.

26 They loaded their donkeys with their grain, and departed from there. 27 As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the mouth of his sack. 28 He said to his brothers, “My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!” Their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that Elohim has done to us?” 29 They came to Jacob their father, to the land of Canaan, and told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30 “The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us, and took us for spies of the country. 31 We said to him, ‘We are honest men. We are no spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is today with our father in the land of Canaan.’ 33 The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your houses, and go your way. 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. So I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’”

35 As they emptied their sacks, behold, each man’s bundle of money was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 Jacob, their father, said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children! Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin away. All these things are against me.”

37 Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again.”

38 He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”

43 The famine was severe in the land. 2 When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.”

3 Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food; 5 but if you don’t send him, we won’t go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”

6 Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?”

7 They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down?’”

8 Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones. 9 I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever; 10 for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”

11 Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds; 12 and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man. 14 May Elohim Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”

15 The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

Miketz - Reading #4

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Reading #4 - Genesis 41:53–42:18

My Thoughts:

Famine came to Canaan, to the Land. Who would think that Hashem would allow this? But, He did. But, He also put in place a plan to save them from starvation. And He used an important G-dly descendant of Abraham -- Joseph. Sometimes He does allow sad and horrible things to happen to His people. But, He always has the perfect plan to use the suffering for something good. We can be guaranteed of that. He is an Elohim of mercy and grace. And we love Him. Think of the times where you almost gave up. Where you suffered beyond what you thought capable. But, after it was all over you could see the hand print of Hashem over everything. It is just amazing. He never forsakes or leaves us!

Challenge: 

Timing. Sometimes life is about timing. It seems like Joseph was in the right place at the right time -- Hashem made it so. He was planted there to save his country, his people and his family. And Hashem equipped Joseph to know how to handle it all. Today’s challenge is to look at Hashem's timing in your life. Think about a time when you were at a loss, maybe even ready to give up -- when Hashem appeared and did a miracle. Or He used you to carry out a miracle, just like Joseph. When you remember this special situation, tell Hashem how grateful you are to Him and how much you love Him. When you start to remember His miracles it will encourage you to go on in your present situations in life. And to be sure to watch Him move, once more.

READING #4 - Genesis 41:53–42:18

41:53 The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end. 54 The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” 56 The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

42 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” 2 He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.” 3 Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.” 5 The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth. 7 Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, “Where did you come from?”

They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

8 Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him. 9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

Miketz - Reading #3

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Reading #3 - Genesis 41:39–52

My Thoughts:

Names have meaning and can set your destiny. Look in verses 51 and 52; “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “Elohim has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” The name of the second, he called Ephraim; “For Elohim has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”” Clearly, his sons names have relevant and purposeful meanings -- as is played out in the future.

Names are important. What we name our children will carry with them and become a part of their identity for their whole life. Sometimes people will name their children after someone they know. It is really important that this is given careful thought. You may want to ask yourself if that person is kind, reputable, generous, G-dly, and fair. Do not name your child after someone just because it is cool at the time. 

Do some research. See what your own name means. See what your children’s names mean. Try to fit in the definitions with what Hashem has planned for you and for them. Throughout Scripture we see the meaning of names. Pay attention.

Challenge: 

Joseph’s last statement in this reading is that Hashem has made him fruitful during his affliction. How can we relate to that in today’s world? When we feel afflicted either in health, finance, emotions or spiritually -- can Hashem make us fruitful? That doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be rich like Joseph and have “influence”. Maybe it means that you can still be “fruitful” in displaying the love of Hashem during difficult times in your life. I challenge you today, that if you are going through a rough time to try and be “fruitful” by showing love and kindness to others around you. If you can do this (and it is possible that you are able), you will see the quality of your life improve dramatically. Give it a try.

READING #3 - Genesis 41:39-52

41:39 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because Elohim has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 In the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly. 48 He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He stored food in each city from the fields around that city. 49 Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number. 50 To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “Elohim has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” 52 The name of the second, he called Ephraim; “For Elohim has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Miketz - Reading #2

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Reading #2 - Genesis 41:15–38

My Thoughts:

I really believe we all have a “calling”. We have a purpose to fulfill by Hashem in our lives. He can’t “force” us to receive our callings, but He sure will equip us to carry them out! Joseph had a calling. He was to save that part of the world from starvation. He was to help Pharaoh to make a plan and execute it very carefully. And we know that this did happen. What if Joseph had been unwilling or scared to reveal all this to Pharaoh? After all, he could have made the recommendation and interpretation and the Pharaoh could have rejected it all. Failure can sometimes stop us from doing something Hashem has called us to do. Don’t walk in fear, trust in Hashem!

Challenge: 

Take a moment to reflect on what Hashem has “called” you to do. Are you living out your “calling” or are you afraid to step into it. I challenge you today to make a decision to try out what you have been called to do. Pray first of course and ask Hashem for the steps to get there. If you are already walking in your calling, then I challenge you to encourage someone else to walk in theirs. Maybe they have been afraid -- you can pray for them and give them confidence to pursue it. You will be blessed for sure.

READING #2 - Genesis 41:15–38

41:15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. Elohim will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

17 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river; 18 and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass; 19 and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for ugliness. 20 The thin and ugly cattle ate up the first seven fat cattle; 21 and when they had eaten them up, it couldn’t be known that they had eaten them, but they were still ugly, as at the beginning. So I awoke. 22 I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good; 23 and behold, seven heads of grain, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What Elohim is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh. 26 The seven good cattle are seven years; and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. The dream is one. 27 The seven thin and ugly cattle that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty heads of grain blasted with the east wind; they will be seven years of famine. 28 That is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. Elohim has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. 30 Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, 31 and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous. 32 The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by Elohim, and Elohim will shortly bring it to pass.

33 “Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s produce in the seven plenteous years. 35 Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 The food will be to supply the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt; so that the land will not perish through the famine.”

37 The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of G-d?”

Miketz - Reading #1

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Reading #1 - Genesis 41:1–14

My Thoughts:

Does Hashem speak to us through dreams? I think he does. He was speaking something really important to Pharaoh and although he didn’t understand it, he sought help to get some interpretation. Little did he know that Hashem was going to use this dream to save literally thousands of lives (from starvation). Joseph was there and gave him the prophecy. Sometimes, it is all about paying attention. Paying attention to dreams and also what Hashem is doing in our lives. And it’s also about seeking help when we need it. Who knows, it could save a life!

Challenge: 

Think about something in your life that you could use some help with. Then reach out to an appropriate person and ask them for help. And in the reverse, if someone else needs help -- be there for them. Sometimes we are just afraid to ask, and we are also timid to help others. But as we learn in today’s reading -- our asking for help from someone could be profound. Even if it is just to interpret a dream.

READING #1 - Genesis 41:1–14

41 At the end of two full years, Pharaoh dreamed, and behold, he stood by the river. 2 Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. 3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. 4 The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 He slept and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good. 6 Behold, seven heads of grain, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief cup bearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my faults today. 10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, with the chief baker. 11 We dreamed a dream in one night, he and I. Each man dreamed according to the interpretation of his dream. 12 There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams. He interpreted to each man according to his dream. 13 As he interpreted to us, so it was. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothing, and came in to Pharaoh.

Miketz - Week #10

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Luke 24:13-2

1.1 First reading — Genesis 41:1–14

1.2 Second reading — Genesis 41:15–38

1.3 Third reading — Genesis 41:39–52

1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 41:53–42:18

1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 42:19–43:15

1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 43:16–29

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 43:30–44:17