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Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 45:1-28
Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he
cried out, “Have everyone withdraw from me!”
After Y'hudah offered himself as a
substitute for Binyamin to save his father grief, Yosef could no longer contain
himself. He clears the room of all Egyptians and reveals his identity to his
brothers. His first questions are about his father. But he quickly reassures
them, and perhaps helps allay their quilt concerning their actions when in verse
5 he tells them not to be distressed, but that it was God's plan to send him
ahead to prepare a way for his family.
Pharaoh joins Yosef in sending the brothers to bring Ya'akov and his
entire household to Mitzrayim (Egypt), promising them the best of the land.
Initially Ya'akov could not believe that Yosef was still alive, but comes
to believe and travels to Egypt.
Qeriath, 1Kings 18:30-40
In this well-known story, we read one of the most exciting - and fun -
stories of the contest between HaShem and Baal for the hearts of the people of
Israel.
King Achav (Ahab) has married "Izevel"/Jezebel from Sidon for political
and economic reasons. She has brought the prophets of Baal into prominence, and
killed many of the prophets of HaShem. Eliyahu challenges 450 prophets of Baal
and 400 prophets of the asherah; they are to build an altar, place a bull as
offering on it, but do not light the wood. Eliyahu will do the same. Then,
whichever God sends fire to consume the offering will be the God that the people
worship. The people agree that this is a good idea.
So, the prophets of Baal go first - and no fire comes. They dance and
shout to their god baal, and Eliyahu taunts them, saying shout louder - maybe he
is sleeping, or on a trip, or maybe he's in the bathroom! Still, no fire comes
all day long. At the time of the evening offering, Eliyahu rebuilds an altar
that had been torn down by Izevel, using 12 stones to signify the sons of
Ya'akov. He prepares the offering, and has the sacrifice, the wood and altar
soaked with water. This water would have been associated with the power of Baal
- that perhaps he could not ignite the wood; perhaps he could prevent Adonai
from igniting Eliyahu's offering. Eliyahu says simply to Adonai, God of Avraham,
Yitz'chak and Isra'el, to let it be known that He is God in Isra'el and that He
is turning their hearts back to Him.
And the fire of Adonai fell, consuming the offering, the wood, the altar,
the stones, the dust and the water! And in an act of repentance, all the people
fell on their faces and said “Adonai is God! Adonai is God!” (Adonai Elohenu!
Adonai Elohenu!)
Da'ath, Colossians 3:12-17
Rav Shaul is instructing the Messianic Congregation at Colosse in their
halachah, or way of living out Adonai’s mitzvoth (commands). We are to live
humbly, with compassion for each other, and forgiving each other for the sins
they commit against us. We are to be ruled by the love of Yeshua that lives in
us.
Igarath, James 4:11-17
Ya'akov continues his letter,
telling the believers in the Diaspora not to speak harshly about each other, or
judge each other. Doing that is the same as judging Torah, and attempts to set
oneself up as equivalent to Adonoi, the only Judge of Torah. He continues by
telling us not to presume on HaShem's provisions for the future by making our
own plans with no regard to the wishes of Adonoi. We should instead recognize
that our fate is in the Hands of God. The reading ends with the statement that
anyone who knows the right thing to do, and fails to do it, is committing a sin.
Conclusion
Who is in charge - Adonai or the power of evil? In Torah Yosef declares
that Adonai used evil actions to bring about the salvation of His people.
Qeriath shows Adonai bringing His people to repentance by again demonstrating
His superiority over Ba'al. Da'ath
specifically tells believers that we should exhibit the same forgiveness that we
have seen from Yosef. Igarath reminds us that, as Yosef recognized, Adonai truly
holds our fate in His hands.
Barukh HaShem,
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Shalom