Day 7: Vayeshev/Genesis 37:1-40:23

Torah uses Yacov as a teaching tool showcasing lifestyle, family, and dwelling places. Going from freely living where his father, Abraham, had sojourned—the land of Canaan—to Haran and then coming again, he became a resident of the Promised Land. Yet, the end of Yacov’s life concludes with the disclosure of captivity in Egypt and of the hope of a future of justice presiding between Elohim and His people.

Similarly, while in Egypt, Yosef had already lived out a form of intercession on behalf of Israel. Yoseph found himself in the dungeon of Pharaoh because of righteousness. His moral choice to abstain from Potiphar’s wife caused him to be incarcerated. However, Yoseph’s obedience released the opportunity to counsel others that were close to the king. While he was being afflicted, YHVH was actually broadening his boundaries and expanding his borders. Similar to his father, Yoseph had to walk in the land of affliction in order to mature and gain the stature of one of YHVH’s elect and patriarch.

Yacov spent much of his life afraid or running from someone or something. Once again, he found himself in fear and sadness that he had lost his son and bear that scar, transferring the emotions upon his youngest son, Benyamin.

Because of the call and purpose upon Yacov and Yosef, they were both preserved. This preservation was not only for their own feelings of well-being but also for the preservation of all of Israel. It is a big-picture point-of-view.

When the children of Israel finally leave Egypt, they were accompanied by a “mixed multitude”. One could assume that some of these multitudes were Egyptian, along with Ishmaelites and other captives that were, also, slaves in Egypt. While a majority of the Egyptians lost first-born and cattle and underwent all the plagues, some would have used wisdom and followed after the one true Elohim, or His people, in proxy. The blessing to Abraham was not just for his seed, but that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through his seed/descendants.

We must remember Paul’s exhortation that “All things work together for the good for those who love YHVH and are called according to his will and purpose.” As such, our lives cross into the paths of other lives on a daily basis. The trials and testing that we endure and overcome are for our purification. Moreover, they are for others to be blessed through, as well. We carry the righteous seed, Yeshua, within us, everywhere we go.

All things for all who love YHVH and are called means more than just us four and no more. Our tribulations are for others to attest to the greatness of YHVH in our lives. They should serve as reminders to others to pray for us, to learn lessons through our ordeals, and to be drawn closer to the Creator through the Ruach by praying on our behalf, or just by witnessing our lives as Yeshua through us.

Others who come into contact with our lives and our families serve the same purpose to us. We are to love them as we love ourselves. While we pray for ourselves and look for encouragement and example, we should do nothing less for those around us. Yosef had this infused into his heart, no doubt, by the Ruach Himself. Yoseph gave of himself, even when he was in places of despair and sorrow.

What trials do you face right now? Look around and realize that others are watching for your reaction to tribulation, as well as the outcome. They are longing to see if the water is safe for them to enter. They want to see that YHVH is trustworthy through your actions and lifestyle.

Take courage to walk before YHVH in the manner He has asked of you. Those that look into your lives are the witnesses to how things work out and they see the trust you place in the Father through the trials of prison, pain, as well as, pleasure and prosperity.

Dwell upon Romans 8:28, “And we know that YHVH causes all things to work together for good to those who love YHVH, to those who are called according to His purpose.”