Parsha Page

  Shalom
  to you,

Wellsprings of Torah,  www.TorahWellsprings.org
Rick Wills - Messianic Elder,  Mishareth@TorahWellsprings.org

Parsha 10:  Miketz - At the End


Torah:  Genesis 41:1-44:17

    “At the end of two years, Pharaoh had a dream: he was standing beside the Nile River; and there came up out of the river seven cows, sleek and fat; and they began feeding in swamp grass. After them, there came up out of the river seven more cows, miserable looking and lean; and they stood by the other cows at the edge of the river. Then the miserable looking and lean cows ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. At this point Pharaoh woke up.”

    This Parsha begins with the words “at the end.” This was the end of Yosef’s 12 years of imprisonment, but the beginning of his leadership in the land of Egypt. We will continue to see that Yosef has been given great wisdom by God, and that Yosef uses that wisdom to bring glory to HaShem, and to provide a means of salvation for his people.

    The cupbearer, who had been imprisoned with Yosef, but released 2 years earlier, tells Pharaoh about Yosef. Thus Yosef is brought before Pharaoh to interpret the dream. And Yosef interprets immediately, humbly, using the gift that God has given him, without any hype or fanfare.

    Yosef interprets the dream and prophecies 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. He also provides specific recommendations for Pharaoh to follow. As always, Yosef gives glory to HaShem before Pharaoh, saying that it is God that has provided the interpretation. And in verse 38 we see that this has opened Pharaoh’s eyes, and he declares that (asher Ruach Elohim bo) The Ruach Elohim (Spirit of God) lives in him!

    Yosef is set up as second in command, and given total authority over the land. He is given Osnat, the daughter of the priest Poti-Fera as his wife. Some people claim this is the same Poti-Fera he served as a slave; others claim that Osnat is actually the daughter of Dinah. In any case, Yosef has two sons, M’naseh (Cause to Forget) and Efrayim (Fruitful).

    He takes the seven years of plenty to prepare for the seven years of famine. When the famine comes, Yosef sells the stored food to the Egyptians, and to those from other nations who come to buy relief from the famine. Thus Yosef begins to bring enormous wealth into the coffers of Pharaoh.

    Chapter 42 begins with the first trip of Ya’akov’s sons to purchase food from Egypt. Binyamin was left behind with Ya’akov. They come before Yosef, even though he recognizes them, he hides his identity.

    He contrives a series of tests designed to bring his brothers to true t’shuva (repentance.) He will also force them to bring Binyamin back with them, for he remembered the earlier dreams he had where all eleven brothers bowed down to him.

    Shim’on (Simeon) is held hostage, and the others are released to return to Kena’an with their provisions to relieve the famine amongst their households. They are commanded not to return unless their youngest brother is with them. During the return trip, they discover that the money they paid for the food had been put back into their packs, and they are very afraid.

    This chapter ends with Yakov refusing to let Binyamin travel to Egypt, even though Reuven says he will take full responsibility for Binyamin’s safety.

    In chapter 43, the provisions have been eaten, and Yakov finally sends the sons back to Egypt. They go with gifts to present to Josef, still known to them only as the viceroy of Egypt. They also bring along the money that had been put in their bags, as well as double the amount of money required to purchase more food. Most importantly, they bring Binyamin.

    When the brothers come before Yosef again, he tests their sincerity. The final test occurs when Yosef’s silver goblet is placed in Binyamin’s sack. After they leave, Yosef has his men chase after them, find the goblet and accuse Binyamin of stealing it. The reading ends when the brothers appear before Yosef again, and Yosef demands that Binyamin stay and serve as his slave, while the others return to their father.


Haftarah:  1 Kings 3:15-4:1

    We start the Haftarah with another king, and another dream. This is just one connection with the Torah reading. It was during this dream that God has asked what Shlomo (Solomon) wanted from Him. Shlomo asked for an understanding heart, so that he could lead God’s people properly. So, God granted Shlomo great wisdom, and added great wealth and peace.

    Shlomo went to Yerushalayim, and made burnt offerings and peace offerings before Adonai. Then he prepared a feast for all his servants.

    At this time, two women were brought before him. Both of the women had given birth to infants. One of the babies had died in the night, and each woman claimed that the living one was hers. Shlomo ordered that the infant be cut in half, and each woman given half. Upon hearing this, the true mother pleaded with him to give the baby to the other woman instead, while the other woman calmly accepted the verdict. This proved to everyone the identity of the true mother.

    As with Yosef, Shlomo presented the wisdom given to him by Adonai quickly, without any hype. His comments were meant to lift up the righteous, bring others to repentance and glorify God.

    We can see the result of this display of wisdom in verses 3:28-4:1 "And all Isra’el heard of the decision the King had made and held the King in awe, for they saw that God’s wisdom was in him, enabling him to render justice properly. King Shlomo was King over all Isra’el."

    As with Yosef, the use of God’s gift resulted in Shlomo being elevated to a position of great power among the people.


Chadasha:  John 8:1-18

    Yeshua is approached by some Torah-teachers (Scribes) and P’rushim (Pharisees) with a woman that had been caught committing adultery. They try to trap Him by saying that the Torah would command that she be stoned to death. But he displays the wisdom that God has granted Him by saying in verse 7 “The one of you who is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

    In this way Yeshua leads some to teshuva. And in verses 12 through 18 He specifically says that it is Adonai, the Father who judges with Him.

    So in Torah, Yosef uses the wisdom that God has given him to bring Glory to God. And Shlomo continues to do the same. They are both exalted before their peoples. And when Yeshua speaks, He brings forth the wisdom of the ages. And in the age to come, He will be exalted by all peoples everywhere, when “Every knee will bow- in heaven, on earth and under the earth- and every tongue acknowledge that Yeshua the Messiah is Adonai, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11


Baruch Hashem,
George Robinson