Day 2: Vayigash/Genesis 44:32-45:8

Throughout our world, famine exists in real-time. Yes, there are places on earth where rain is rare and where people are on the brink of starvation; but, there is an even worse famine ensuing in the world today. There is a famine for the Word of YHVH, i.e.,Torah and Yeshua, Who is the Word come to us. In our western societies, we are so blessed to have the Word proclaimed and Yeshua discussed openly. Nonetheless, there is a day coming when the depletion of the human soul will be the result of the famine of all famines. In that day, “People will stagger from sea to sea and from north even to the east; they will go to and fro to see the Word of YHVH, but they will not find it.” Amos 8:12

Yosef was, also, in the midst of a famine. He had stored up grain during the years of plenty to have enough grain to feed nations during the seven years of famine. He used the wisdom appropriated to him by the Ruach haKodesh in the time of plenty.

With this in mind, Yoseph’s brothers come before him a second time and is only the second year of famine. Five years of hardship remain. Yosef reminds his brothers of this as he reveals to them why YHVH had allowed him to be sold into slavery.

This is a precursor to the end of this present age. As we can denote according to Scripture that “the end is revealed in the beginning”, we are apprised that there will be a tribulation upon the face of the earth, like none other in the history of this world. However, in the midst of tribulation and sorrow, YHVH does give us hope. Not only does the Master foretell and allow for seven years of plenty to transpire prior to seven years of famine, but He defines what will take place within the seven years of hardship.

Yosef, portrayed as a Messianic figure, reveals himself to Israel. He gives renewed hope by offering a set apart place in the wilderness for Israel as a safe haven, and to be nourished for the remaining five years of tribulation.

This Torah narrative foretells the futuristic events in our lives. A remnant of Israel will be saved through the upcoming Great Tribulation as was a small band of people, reckoned as the true Israel and saved as a remnant through Yosef’s hand. Even during a time of great and terrible trial, the Elohim of Israel will reveal His outstretched arm to His nation for deliverance/escape.

We must be careful in our own complacency about the riches we have or the knowledge we have accumulated. Revelation 3:17 reminds us that we are really “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” Here, Yeshua further advises the church of Laodicea to buy refined gold and white garments and eye salve from Him. These are all attributes of purification and walking out His Torah in Yeshua and bearing His attributes over our own sin nature.

The need for YHVH’s Truth is never more prevalent than in today’s cultures and societies. Indeed, a spiritual famine has begun. Maybe not the last great famine, but it is still the beginning of the severe lack of YHVH being taught or memorialized.

Remember to seek Him while He may be found. Look for the grains of Righteousness while they are still available. Prepare for the future possibilities of going through famine for the lack of the Word. This is different than storing up supplies that spoil or are consumed only to be eliminated. Store for up yourself the riches of Yeshua who died for you to receive the Kingdom of Heaven as the Ruach writes upon the walls of your heart the revelation of His Truth.

Dwell upon Amos 8:11, “Behold, days are coming,” declares Elohim YHVH, “When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of YHVH.”