VAIYEISHEV וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב (And he dwelt) GENESIS 37:1-40:23

PROPHETS: AMOS 2:6-3:9 | GOSPEL: MATTHEW 1:18-25

Text by Min. Donald H. Garrett

TORAH:

And “Jacob” dwelt. The choice of this title, by those who sectioned the Torah, is a little misleading since the main characters are Joseph and Judah. This portion begins with Joseph’s sale into slavery because of jealousy. This jealousy arose from Joseph’s dreams and the reports on his brothers. This still occurs today. Families don’t work together and siblings become rivals over differences and speciality shown by the parents. In the Bible, this does seem to be a very common recurring theme beginning with Cain and Abel. Jealousy can be very destructive. We always mention pride as the devil’s downfall, but what about the jealousy over YaH’s love for us (humans) and for YaH’s power. Could it be jealousy that is truly behind all evil deeds in the world; jealousy of someone else’s money, jealousy of someone else’s position, jealousy of someone else’s beauty, etc?

The second character is Judah; discussing his marriage, his sons, the death of his two oldest and his wife, and his consorting with his daughter-in-law. At this point it appears Judah has separated himself from his family and settled in the area near Timnah because he sheared his sheep there. By today’s standards, we may see his consort with Tamar as inappropriate, but notice how it was orchestrated by YaHVaH. Both of Judah’s sons died due to their evil ways. Yet, YaHVaH had a purpose that out of Judah and Tamar would come the Messiah from their descendants (see Matthew 1:3). Therefore, we have to be very careful on condemning children from inappropriate relationships. YaHVaH creates life and has a purpose for every child created. Whether that child follows YaH’s purpose is the child’s choice; however, instead of degrading the child, we should treat the child with love and encourage the child to seek that purpose.

Next, we return to Joseph, who is brought to Egypt. Joseph finds favor in all places in Egypt. The favor is due to Joseph’s righteous walk with YaHVaH. First is in Potiphar’s household where he is a trusted servant, until he is falsely accused of impropriety with Potiphar’s wife. Could jealousy have been a factor here as well, just like before with his brothers? Potiphar’s wife lusted for Joseph, but could she have been jealous of the status he had acquired in the house from Potiphar? The second time is in jail. He is trusted in the jail, and it is here that he interprets two dreams from disgraced servants of the Pharaoh.

PROPHETS:

The prophet Amos is delivering messages from YaHVaH. He warns Israel that YaHVaH has ignored 3 of their sins, but will not ignore their 4th one. The 4th sin is threefold. First, it is for selling men for money/shoes. Second, it is for acquiring the land of the poor and twisting judgment against the humble. Third, is for a man and his son having sex with the same female maiden (maiden here could mean a teenage girl, a virgin young lady, or an unmarried lady). Either way, father and son having sex with the same maiden is not approved by YaHVaH.

YaHVaH then reminds the Israelites of all the blessings He has done for them in bringing them to Israel. Next, He informs them of the punishments: Encumbrance, the swift will become slow, the strong will be weak, the mighty and horse riders will not save their souls, the archers will not stand, the swift of feet will not save themselves, and the bold hearted will run naked.

Chapter 3: YaHVaH tells them only did them did He know, but He will punish them for all their iniquities. Nature is then used as an illistration. Lastly, is a notice that nothing will be done unless YaHVaH sends a prophet to prophesy His words and that once the words have been spoken, they will happen.

GOSPEL:

Here we find the announcement of Yeshua. Mary (a virgin), espoused to Joseph, is found with child. Joseph not wanting her to be subject to public humiliation, debates putting her away privately to protect her. However, an angel appears to him in a dream and tells him to take Mary as his wife, for the child was produced from the Holy Spirit of God Himself. Here, we see another Joseph subject to humility, but by following YaHVaH’s Will is to be raised up with full honors. He obeys the angel and takes Mary as his wife. He therefore is honored for All eternity as the father who raised the Savior of the world, Yeshua.

© Copyright December 2022, 2023 Min. Donald H. Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.

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