Hello readers! My family is still here spending their vacation with me, but no one else is awake yet so I'm good to go.
Shemot (Exodus) 2:1-4 "And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him."
First off, yes the mother and father were related. I'd guess they were more like distant cousins than anything particularly close, but that's not for me to know. Second, it looks like Pharaoh's law concerning the death of all newborn males is still in effect. Third, remember that ark means box. So she made him a box of bulrushes (which appear to be cattails when looked up in Google Images), covered it with asphalt and pitch (remember Noah's ark, how he covered it in pitch to make it waterproof), and put him in the ark and the ark in the reeds. It doesn't say she left, but since his sister is watching over him, it's implied that she's gone. Sounds like a fine example of bad parenting, yes? No. Mom knew that if he was found in her house, he would die for sure. Found in some reeds, possibly by an Egyptian, and he might just make it. A mother does what she needs to do.
Shemot 2:5-6 "Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, 'This is one of the Hebrew's children.'"
It says she has compassion for him, but is she the kind of daughter who would kill him to honor her father, or is she the kind of daughter who would save him to honor her heart?
Shemot 2:7 "Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?'"
Who can guess who the girl has in mind? Also, looks like we're about to find out what's going to happen to the baby.
Shemot 2:8-10 "And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go.' So the maiden went and called the child's mother. Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, 'Because I drew him out of the water.'"
Yay! Question: Why tell the story of a single baby of a particular family unless he is significant in some way? I'll admit I've read this story several times, so I know what's going to happen, but I'd like to know what you think of this. Comment box!!
Shemot 2:11-15 "Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, 'Why are you striking your companion?' Then he said, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' So Moses feared and said, 'Surely this thing is known!' When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well."
The question arises: Did Moses know he was Hebrew, or did he think he was Egyptian? It says he went out to his brethren but we know they were his family. He may or may not. Either way, it's apparent that he sympathizes with the Hebrews, and that makes him a threat to Pharaoh.
Shemot 2:16-17 "Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father's flock. Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock."
This passage is a little confusing, but Moses was helping the girls, not the shepherds, as we'll soon see.
Shemot 2:18-20 "When they came to Reuel their father, he said, 'How is it that you have come so soon today?' And they said, 'An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.' So he said to his daughters, 'And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.'"
The guy just did your job for you and you didn't even bring him by to feed him? Remember Genesis, when the two angels came to let Abraham and Sarah know they would have a child? Abraham made sure they angels were fed (he asked someone to kill a cow for them if I recall correctly and another person to make them cakes) before he even knew they were angels or what kind of news they had. As far as he knew, they were two wandering strangers. Where's that old testament hospitality, girls?
Shemot 2:21-25 "Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, 'I have been a stranger in a foreign land.' Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to Elohim because of the bondage. So Elohim heard their groaning, and Elohim remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And Elohim looked upon the children of Israel, and Elohim acknowledged them."
Sounds like good things are coming up soon for the children of Israel, in spite of their current distress. It also sounds like the new Pharaoh is probably following in the footsteps of his father.
Homework: Listen to "The Orphan" by Newsboys, and check out the movie The Prince of Egypt.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
This Blog Has Been Temporarily Interrupted Due To Family, Tune in Next Week for Our Regularly Scheduled Program
Hey everybody,
I apologize for no post on the 24th, my family has come over to spend the week. Not for holidays, actually, just to hang out when everyone has a vacation.
To those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, Chanukah, or any of the other spellings, have an awesome week! Play some dreidel and enjoy latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts)!
To the rest of you, happy holidays and have a peaceful vacation!
-Kj
I apologize for no post on the 24th, my family has come over to spend the week. Not for holidays, actually, just to hang out when everyone has a vacation.
To those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, Chanukah, or any of the other spellings, have an awesome week! Play some dreidel and enjoy latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts)!
To the rest of you, happy holidays and have a peaceful vacation!
-Kj
Saturday, December 17, 2011
When the Darkness Closes In...
With a new book comes a new name. The book of Exodus is called Shemot. Shemot means names, but Exodus is Greek for departure. Shemot took its name from the second word of the book, while Exodus took its name from the general idea of the entire book, which we'll be studying in the coming weeks. Actually, if I can stick to one chapter per week, we'll be studying it for the coming year. Keep the suspense up with those chapter ending cliffhangers!
Shemot (Exodus) 1:1-7 "Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation. But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them."
Now this is all just fine, I mean, Abraham was promised a nation decades ago and it looks like they're finally growing big enough to start at least a city if not a country. Why then, are they still living in Egypt? I know they had the good life, but shouldn't they have moved out when the famine ended?
Shemot 1:8-14 "Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, 'Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.' Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. An they made their lives bitter with hard bondage - in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor."
Ok... I have some problems with this paragraph. First off, how in the world did the Pharaoh not know Joseph?? I totally understand if Joseph was old and/or dead when Pharaoh was born, but they wrote their history all over their walls. Walls upon walls are covered in hieroglyphs, telling their story. You would think some scribe would write about the man who saved the entire known world. And you would think that Pharaoh would have at least heard of the man who worked with his great grandfather to save the world, from family myths and tales to simply reading the stories on the walls, how could he have missed out on that huge piece of history?? Second. I totally understand he's uneasy about the huge population of people living in Egypt who are not, in fact, Egyptian. So the thing to do would be to get on their good side so they wouldn't even think of rebellion. Why rebel against someone who is treating you well? But no. He turned them into slaves. Not just any slaves, but slaves who were forced to do their work with pep in their step. No slowing down, no breaks, just work. That is not how you get on someone's good side.
Shemot 1:15-19 "Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, 'When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.' But the midwives feared Elohim, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, 'Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?' And the midwives said to Pharaoh, 'Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.'"
From a cold, calculating, hard-hearted, strictly political/scientific point of view, I can understand where the Pharaoh is coming from. Get rid of the boys and you end the Hebrew line as the girls grow up and marry the Egyptians. This by no means is me saying he was right in doing this. No. Not at all. I hate what he did. I can't imagine all the boys I know being stolen away and murdered because of their family lines. I understand that genocide has happened before and will sadly probably happen again, but that does NOT make it alright. On a separate note, kudos to the midwives! Let it be known that Egyptian and Hebrew women were likely about the same level on the liveliness scale while giving birth. The midwives were saving the boys that they helped birth. They were there, they helped the women give birth to their children, they knew whether the children were boys or girls, and they told a baldfaced lie to the Pharaoh because they knew that Yahuah is greater than he could ever be. That is so fantastic, it makes me smile in spite of what is coming. Also, you notice that you know their names; Shiphrah and Puah. As far as names go, a lot of times it is the men who are named, not the women. They are named in the Bible as recognition for their great act. How awesome is that?
Shemot 1:20-22 "Therefore Elohim dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared Elohim, that He provided households for them. So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, 'Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.'"
See, Yahuah recognized the bravery of the midwives and provided for them! But can't you just see in your minds eye the Nile running red with the blood of every baby boy? Their little bodies being eaten by crocodiles and snakes? The screaming mothers as their children are stolen from them? The tears of the fathers knowing that they'll never see their boys again? While the Shiphrah and Puah did a fantastic service, it wasn't enough to keep the Pharaoh from committing genocide.
The world of Exodus is an ugly place. In many ways, it is much uglier than Genesis ever was. Our heroes have been stamped underfoot, reduced to slaves, and were having their children stolen from them and murdered. Also, you'll notice that our focus is much larger. Rather than one family, you now have twelve families all being trampled by the laws made specifically to bring them down. Pharaoh was right, they are a force to be reckoned with, but honestly, the bloodthirsty king did not have to resort to killing all the baby boys to get the people to submit to him. He could have been a kind and patient king, loving his subjects and admired by all. But no. He was feared and with good reason. Thankfully, the midwives were right, Yahuah is greater than any Pharaoh could ever be.
Song for the day: "Blessed be Your Name" by Newsboys. It's about how sometimes life is good, and sometimes it's bad (or downright horrible), but the faithful bless His Name either way.
Another note: Shiphrah and Puah mean Beautiful and Splendid, respectively. They truly were beautiful and splendid, and you don't even have to see them to know it.
Source for names: Dictionary.com
Shemot (Exodus) 1:1-7 "Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation. But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them."
Now this is all just fine, I mean, Abraham was promised a nation decades ago and it looks like they're finally growing big enough to start at least a city if not a country. Why then, are they still living in Egypt? I know they had the good life, but shouldn't they have moved out when the famine ended?
Shemot 1:8-14 "Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, 'Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.' Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. An they made their lives bitter with hard bondage - in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor."
Ok... I have some problems with this paragraph. First off, how in the world did the Pharaoh not know Joseph?? I totally understand if Joseph was old and/or dead when Pharaoh was born, but they wrote their history all over their walls. Walls upon walls are covered in hieroglyphs, telling their story. You would think some scribe would write about the man who saved the entire known world. And you would think that Pharaoh would have at least heard of the man who worked with his great grandfather to save the world, from family myths and tales to simply reading the stories on the walls, how could he have missed out on that huge piece of history?? Second. I totally understand he's uneasy about the huge population of people living in Egypt who are not, in fact, Egyptian. So the thing to do would be to get on their good side so they wouldn't even think of rebellion. Why rebel against someone who is treating you well? But no. He turned them into slaves. Not just any slaves, but slaves who were forced to do their work with pep in their step. No slowing down, no breaks, just work. That is not how you get on someone's good side.
Shemot 1:15-19 "Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, 'When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.' But the midwives feared Elohim, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, 'Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?' And the midwives said to Pharaoh, 'Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.'"
From a cold, calculating, hard-hearted, strictly political/scientific point of view, I can understand where the Pharaoh is coming from. Get rid of the boys and you end the Hebrew line as the girls grow up and marry the Egyptians. This by no means is me saying he was right in doing this. No. Not at all. I hate what he did. I can't imagine all the boys I know being stolen away and murdered because of their family lines. I understand that genocide has happened before and will sadly probably happen again, but that does NOT make it alright. On a separate note, kudos to the midwives! Let it be known that Egyptian and Hebrew women were likely about the same level on the liveliness scale while giving birth. The midwives were saving the boys that they helped birth. They were there, they helped the women give birth to their children, they knew whether the children were boys or girls, and they told a baldfaced lie to the Pharaoh because they knew that Yahuah is greater than he could ever be. That is so fantastic, it makes me smile in spite of what is coming. Also, you notice that you know their names; Shiphrah and Puah. As far as names go, a lot of times it is the men who are named, not the women. They are named in the Bible as recognition for their great act. How awesome is that?
Shemot 1:20-22 "Therefore Elohim dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared Elohim, that He provided households for them. So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, 'Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.'"
See, Yahuah recognized the bravery of the midwives and provided for them! But can't you just see in your minds eye the Nile running red with the blood of every baby boy? Their little bodies being eaten by crocodiles and snakes? The screaming mothers as their children are stolen from them? The tears of the fathers knowing that they'll never see their boys again? While the Shiphrah and Puah did a fantastic service, it wasn't enough to keep the Pharaoh from committing genocide.
The world of Exodus is an ugly place. In many ways, it is much uglier than Genesis ever was. Our heroes have been stamped underfoot, reduced to slaves, and were having their children stolen from them and murdered. Also, you'll notice that our focus is much larger. Rather than one family, you now have twelve families all being trampled by the laws made specifically to bring them down. Pharaoh was right, they are a force to be reckoned with, but honestly, the bloodthirsty king did not have to resort to killing all the baby boys to get the people to submit to him. He could have been a kind and patient king, loving his subjects and admired by all. But no. He was feared and with good reason. Thankfully, the midwives were right, Yahuah is greater than any Pharaoh could ever be.
Song for the day: "Blessed be Your Name" by Newsboys. It's about how sometimes life is good, and sometimes it's bad (or downright horrible), but the faithful bless His Name either way.
Another note: Shiphrah and Puah mean Beautiful and Splendid, respectively. They truly were beautiful and splendid, and you don't even have to see them to know it.
Source for names: Dictionary.com
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Bittersweet Ending
Genesis 50. It's finally here. It feels really good to be finished with the first book, and I can only hope that maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to keep to a schedule and work through Exodus in a timely manner.
Beresheet (Genesis) 50:1-3 "Then Joseph fell on his father's face and wept over him and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days."
Why do you suppose the Egyptians mourned too? He was just an old Hebrew shepherd in their eyes, right? Well... He was also the father of the man who saved the known world. That particular fact aside, he may very well have been liked in Egyptian society. Maybe they could appreciate his peculiar (to them) ways and maybe they made friends.
Beresheet 50:4-9 "Now when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, 'If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the hearing of Pharaoh, saying, "My father made me swear, saying, 'Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.' Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come back."' And Pharaoh said, 'Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.' So Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, as well as all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father's house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds they left in the land of Goshen. And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering."
I think Joseph probably found favor in Pharaoh's eyes several years back when he interpreted the dream for him... But it's always nice to ask your higher-ups before you go off on an extended vacation, even if it is to bury family.
Beresheet 50:10-11 "Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and they mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation. He observed seven days of mourning for his father. And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, 'This is a deep mourning of the Egyptians.' Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan."
Interesting, isn't it? A few dozen chapters ago, Cain murdered his brother Abel, and now the word Abel means "mourning."
Beresheet 50:12-14 "So his sons did for him just as he had commanded them. For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as property for a burial place. And after he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers and all who went up with him to bury his father."
If anyone has respect for the dead, they are these men.
Beresheet 50:15-21 "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 'Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.' So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, 'Before your father died he commanded, saying, Thus you shall say to Joseph: 'I beg you, forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.'" Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the Elohim of your father.' And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, 'Behold, we are your servants.' Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of Elohim? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but Elohim meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.' And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."
I'm not sure if I should retract my last statement or not. It would seem that the brothers put words in the mouth of their dead, mummified father in order to save their own skins. What? The expression that best sums this up is, I think, -_-; Really?? They've lived with Joseph for SEVENTEEN YEARS now and they've obviously not gotten into any major fights since moving in... Does Joseph really seem like the kind of guy who would hurt his brothers after greeting them with hugs and tears? Sure he played mind games with them, but that's all.
Beresheet 50:22-23 "So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father's household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph's knees."
I sense more sadness coming very soon.
Beresheet 50:24-26 "And Joseph said to his brethren, 'I am dying; but Elohim will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.' Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, 'Elohim will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.' So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt."
And thus, the end of Genesis is bittersweet. Bitter because we read about Israel and Joseph dying and we'll likely have an entirely new generation of people to learn about shortly. Sweet because it is indeed finished, and we have the whole rest of the Bible to go through, one chapter at a time.
You already got your homework from the chapter before, so go listen to MercyMe!
Thank you all so much for reading and I'll be back with Exodus next week =D
-Kj
Beresheet (Genesis) 50:1-3 "Then Joseph fell on his father's face and wept over him and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days."
Why do you suppose the Egyptians mourned too? He was just an old Hebrew shepherd in their eyes, right? Well... He was also the father of the man who saved the known world. That particular fact aside, he may very well have been liked in Egyptian society. Maybe they could appreciate his peculiar (to them) ways and maybe they made friends.
Beresheet 50:4-9 "Now when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, 'If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the hearing of Pharaoh, saying, "My father made me swear, saying, 'Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.' Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come back."' And Pharaoh said, 'Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.' So Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, as well as all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father's house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds they left in the land of Goshen. And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering."
I think Joseph probably found favor in Pharaoh's eyes several years back when he interpreted the dream for him... But it's always nice to ask your higher-ups before you go off on an extended vacation, even if it is to bury family.
Beresheet 50:10-11 "Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and they mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation. He observed seven days of mourning for his father. And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, 'This is a deep mourning of the Egyptians.' Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan."
Interesting, isn't it? A few dozen chapters ago, Cain murdered his brother Abel, and now the word Abel means "mourning."
Beresheet 50:12-14 "So his sons did for him just as he had commanded them. For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as property for a burial place. And after he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers and all who went up with him to bury his father."
If anyone has respect for the dead, they are these men.
Beresheet 50:15-21 "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 'Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.' So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, 'Before your father died he commanded, saying, Thus you shall say to Joseph: 'I beg you, forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.'" Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the Elohim of your father.' And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, 'Behold, we are your servants.' Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of Elohim? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but Elohim meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.' And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."
I'm not sure if I should retract my last statement or not. It would seem that the brothers put words in the mouth of their dead, mummified father in order to save their own skins. What? The expression that best sums this up is, I think, -_-; Really?? They've lived with Joseph for SEVENTEEN YEARS now and they've obviously not gotten into any major fights since moving in... Does Joseph really seem like the kind of guy who would hurt his brothers after greeting them with hugs and tears? Sure he played mind games with them, but that's all.
Beresheet 50:22-23 "So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father's household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph's knees."
I sense more sadness coming very soon.
Beresheet 50:24-26 "And Joseph said to his brethren, 'I am dying; but Elohim will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.' Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, 'Elohim will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.' So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt."
And thus, the end of Genesis is bittersweet. Bitter because we read about Israel and Joseph dying and we'll likely have an entirely new generation of people to learn about shortly. Sweet because it is indeed finished, and we have the whole rest of the Bible to go through, one chapter at a time.
You already got your homework from the chapter before, so go listen to MercyMe!
Thank you all so much for reading and I'll be back with Exodus next week =D
-Kj
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Finally Home
This is the second-to-last chapter of the Book of Genesis. It is mostly a blessing, and it tells some interesting character traits Israel has observed in his sons over the years. Keep in mind, this is written more like a poem or a song than the rest of the book. You'll notice if you read it from your own Bible that it the words aren't center-justified any more, but left-justified, and the punctuation is peculiar.
Beresheet (Genesis) 49:1-2 "And Jacob called his sons and said, 'Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: 'Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, / And listen to Israel your father.'"
In other words... Pay attention, this is important.
Beresheet (Genesis) 49:3-4 "'Reuben, you are my firstborn, / My might and the beginning of my strength, / The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. / Unstable as water, you shall not excel, / Because you went up to your father's bed; / Then you defiled it - / He went up to my couch.'"
Yeah... Remember that whole thing with his step-mom / aunt / I-still-don't-know-what-to-call-her? Yeah. That one. His dad remembers it on his death bed. If anyone didn't know about it before, *coughcough Joseph cough* they sure do now.
Beresheet 49:5-7 "'Simeon and Levi are brothers; / Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. / Let not my soul enter their council; / Let not my honor be united to their assembly; / For in their anger they slew a man, / And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. / Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; / And their wrath, for it is cruel! / I will divide them in Jacob / And scatter them in Israel.'"
Remember the Dinah incident? Yeah... Simeon and Levi were behind the deaths of every single man in the entire city and they expressed no guilt or shame for it.
Beresheet 49:8-12 "'Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; / Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; / Your father's children shall bow down before you. / Judah is a lion's whelp; / From the prey, my son, you have gone up. / He bows down, he lies down as a lion; / And as a lion, who shall rouse him? / The scepter shall not depart from Judah, / Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, / Until Shiloh comes; / And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. / Binding his donkey to the vine, / And his donkey's colt to the choice vine, / He washed his garments in wine, / And his clothes in the blood of grapes. / His eyes are darker than wine, / And his teeth whiter than milk.'"
What, or who is Shiloh? None of my books could help me so if you know or have an idea, leave a comment!
Beresheet 49:13 "'Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; / He shall become a haven for ships, / And his border shall adjoin Sidon.'"
Sidon was (or maybe still is) a city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Beresheet 49:14-15 "'Issachar is a strong donkey, / Lying down between two burdens; / He saw that rest was good, / And that the land was pleasant; / He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, / And became a band of slaves.'"
No idea what Issachar did to earn him that title, and I'll probably never know.
Beresheet 49:16-18 "'Dan shall judge his people / As one of the tribes of Israel. / Dan shall be a serpent by the way, / A viper by the path, / That bites the horse's heels / So that is rider shall fall backward. / I have waited for your salvation, / O Yahuah!'"
If you look up the name Dan, you'll find that it means "Judgement," while Daniel and Danielle both mean "God is my Judge."
Beresheet 49:19 "'Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, / But he shall triumph at last.'"
How does he know this? I have no idea. Maybe Elohim blessed him with the inspiration of these blessings, incorporating some of each man's family's future as he went.
Beresheet 49:20 "'Bread from Asher shall be rich, / And he shall yield royal dainties.'"
If Israel wasn't lying on his deathbed right now, do you think Asher would get some teasing for that? He is surrounded by brothers, dontcha know.
Beresheet 49:21 "'Naphtali is a deer let loose; / He uses beautiful words.'"
I wonder if today's modern writers (those who have obvious talent) are descended from Naphtali... Hey, it's not too big of a stretch; he did live a few thousand years ago, that bloodline is probably spread out a LOT by now.
Beresheet 49:22-26 "'Joseph is a fruitful bough, / A fruitful bough by a well; / His branches run over the wall. / The archers have bitterly grieved him, / Shot at him and hated him. / But his bow remained in strength, / And the arms of his hands were made strong / By the hands of the Mighty Elohim of Jacob / (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), / By the Elohim of your father who will help you, / And by the Almighty who will bless you / With blessings of heaven above, / Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, / Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. / The blessings of your father / Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, / Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. / They shall be on the head of Joseph, / And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.'"
He got a bigger blessing than several of his older brothers combined, but can you really blame Israel? He lived a long time believing that his son was dead, and now that he's back, the thankfulness is obvious in the blessing.
Beresheet 49:27 "'Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; / In the morning he shall devour the prey, / And at night he shall divide the spoil.'"
Wow. I wonder what he did to earn that.
Beresheet 49:28 "All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing."
Each man was unique. Even if we didn't get to know them all, their father sure did, and he treated them individually in the end, rather than as a group.
Beresheet 49:29-33 "Then he charged them and said to them: 'I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.' And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people."
Your song for the day: "Finally Home" by MercyMe.
Beresheet (Genesis) 49:1-2 "And Jacob called his sons and said, 'Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: 'Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, / And listen to Israel your father.'"
In other words... Pay attention, this is important.
Beresheet (Genesis) 49:3-4 "'Reuben, you are my firstborn, / My might and the beginning of my strength, / The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. / Unstable as water, you shall not excel, / Because you went up to your father's bed; / Then you defiled it - / He went up to my couch.'"
Yeah... Remember that whole thing with his step-mom / aunt / I-still-don't-know-what-to-call-her? Yeah. That one. His dad remembers it on his death bed. If anyone didn't know about it before, *coughcough Joseph cough* they sure do now.
Beresheet 49:5-7 "'Simeon and Levi are brothers; / Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. / Let not my soul enter their council; / Let not my honor be united to their assembly; / For in their anger they slew a man, / And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. / Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; / And their wrath, for it is cruel! / I will divide them in Jacob / And scatter them in Israel.'"
Remember the Dinah incident? Yeah... Simeon and Levi were behind the deaths of every single man in the entire city and they expressed no guilt or shame for it.
Beresheet 49:8-12 "'Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; / Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; / Your father's children shall bow down before you. / Judah is a lion's whelp; / From the prey, my son, you have gone up. / He bows down, he lies down as a lion; / And as a lion, who shall rouse him? / The scepter shall not depart from Judah, / Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, / Until Shiloh comes; / And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. / Binding his donkey to the vine, / And his donkey's colt to the choice vine, / He washed his garments in wine, / And his clothes in the blood of grapes. / His eyes are darker than wine, / And his teeth whiter than milk.'"
What, or who is Shiloh? None of my books could help me so if you know or have an idea, leave a comment!
Beresheet 49:13 "'Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; / He shall become a haven for ships, / And his border shall adjoin Sidon.'"
Sidon was (or maybe still is) a city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Beresheet 49:14-15 "'Issachar is a strong donkey, / Lying down between two burdens; / He saw that rest was good, / And that the land was pleasant; / He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, / And became a band of slaves.'"
No idea what Issachar did to earn him that title, and I'll probably never know.
Beresheet 49:16-18 "'Dan shall judge his people / As one of the tribes of Israel. / Dan shall be a serpent by the way, / A viper by the path, / That bites the horse's heels / So that is rider shall fall backward. / I have waited for your salvation, / O Yahuah!'"
If you look up the name Dan, you'll find that it means "Judgement," while Daniel and Danielle both mean "God is my Judge."
Beresheet 49:19 "'Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, / But he shall triumph at last.'"
How does he know this? I have no idea. Maybe Elohim blessed him with the inspiration of these blessings, incorporating some of each man's family's future as he went.
Beresheet 49:20 "'Bread from Asher shall be rich, / And he shall yield royal dainties.'"
If Israel wasn't lying on his deathbed right now, do you think Asher would get some teasing for that? He is surrounded by brothers, dontcha know.
Beresheet 49:21 "'Naphtali is a deer let loose; / He uses beautiful words.'"
I wonder if today's modern writers (those who have obvious talent) are descended from Naphtali... Hey, it's not too big of a stretch; he did live a few thousand years ago, that bloodline is probably spread out a LOT by now.
Beresheet 49:22-26 "'Joseph is a fruitful bough, / A fruitful bough by a well; / His branches run over the wall. / The archers have bitterly grieved him, / Shot at him and hated him. / But his bow remained in strength, / And the arms of his hands were made strong / By the hands of the Mighty Elohim of Jacob / (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), / By the Elohim of your father who will help you, / And by the Almighty who will bless you / With blessings of heaven above, / Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, / Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. / The blessings of your father / Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, / Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. / They shall be on the head of Joseph, / And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.'"
He got a bigger blessing than several of his older brothers combined, but can you really blame Israel? He lived a long time believing that his son was dead, and now that he's back, the thankfulness is obvious in the blessing.
Beresheet 49:27 "'Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; / In the morning he shall devour the prey, / And at night he shall divide the spoil.'"
Wow. I wonder what he did to earn that.
Beresheet 49:28 "All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing."
Each man was unique. Even if we didn't get to know them all, their father sure did, and he treated them individually in the end, rather than as a group.
Beresheet 49:29-33 "Then he charged them and said to them: 'I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.' And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people."
Your song for the day: "Finally Home" by MercyMe.
The Younger Before the Elder
Not sure if I can make it to my goal tonight, but I think you'll be able to tell from my time stamp that these posts are all one after the other. If not, I'll fiddle with it a bit and work it out so you can.
Beresheet (Genesis) 48:1-8 "Now it came to pass after these things that Joseph was told, 'Indeed your father is sick'; and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And Jacob was told, 'Look, your son Joseph is coming to you'; and Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed. Then Jacob said to Joseph: 'Elohim Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, "Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession." And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; they will be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. But as for me, when I cam from Padan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).' Then Israel saw Joseph's sons, and said, 'Who are these?'"
Yes, Israel did just call Joseph's sons by name and claim them as his own. No, he apparently had no idea what they looked like. Maybe he was going blind. Maybe he had Alzheimer's. I have no explanation for what happens to the human body when it passes the age of one-hundred and thirty. I don't really think anyone else does either, considering no one's been that old in a LONG time.
Beresheet 48:9-11 "Joseph said to his father, 'They are my sons, whom Elohim has given me in this place.' And he said, 'Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.' Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph, 'I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, Elohim has also shown me your off-spring!'"
Maybe Israel thought the boys were a lot younger than they actually were. He obviously knew they existed, but maybe his vision was just too blurry to know what they looked like.
Beresheet 48:12-16 "So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near him. Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph, and said: 'Elohim, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, / The Elohim who has fed me all my life long to this day, / The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, / Bless the lads, / Let my name be named upon them, / And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; / And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.'"
Why do you suppose he crossed his arms, putting his right hand on the younger brother's head when he blessed them? It's not traditionally done, but Jacob was the youngest, and Joseph was the second-youngest. Maybe he wanted to mix things up? Make a little mischief? I suppose we might find out.
Beresheet 48:17-22 "Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. And Joseph said to his father, 'Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.' So he blessed them that day, saying, 'By you Israel will bless, saying, "May Elohim make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!"' And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, 'Behold, I am dying, but Elohim will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow.'"
Even today, when blessing male family members or friends, we say "May Elohim make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." We also have a blessing for the girls, and it goes "May Elohim make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah."
Beresheet (Genesis) 48:1-8 "Now it came to pass after these things that Joseph was told, 'Indeed your father is sick'; and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And Jacob was told, 'Look, your son Joseph is coming to you'; and Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed. Then Jacob said to Joseph: 'Elohim Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, "Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession." And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; they will be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. But as for me, when I cam from Padan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).' Then Israel saw Joseph's sons, and said, 'Who are these?'"
Yes, Israel did just call Joseph's sons by name and claim them as his own. No, he apparently had no idea what they looked like. Maybe he was going blind. Maybe he had Alzheimer's. I have no explanation for what happens to the human body when it passes the age of one-hundred and thirty. I don't really think anyone else does either, considering no one's been that old in a LONG time.
Beresheet 48:9-11 "Joseph said to his father, 'They are my sons, whom Elohim has given me in this place.' And he said, 'Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.' Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph, 'I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, Elohim has also shown me your off-spring!'"
Maybe Israel thought the boys were a lot younger than they actually were. He obviously knew they existed, but maybe his vision was just too blurry to know what they looked like.
Beresheet 48:12-16 "So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near him. Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph, and said: 'Elohim, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, / The Elohim who has fed me all my life long to this day, / The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, / Bless the lads, / Let my name be named upon them, / And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; / And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.'"
Why do you suppose he crossed his arms, putting his right hand on the younger brother's head when he blessed them? It's not traditionally done, but Jacob was the youngest, and Joseph was the second-youngest. Maybe he wanted to mix things up? Make a little mischief? I suppose we might find out.
Beresheet 48:17-22 "Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. And Joseph said to his father, 'Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.' So he blessed them that day, saying, 'By you Israel will bless, saying, "May Elohim make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!"' And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, 'Behold, I am dying, but Elohim will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow.'"
Even today, when blessing male family members or friends, we say "May Elohim make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." We also have a blessing for the girls, and it goes "May Elohim make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah."
The End is Near for Jacob
Three chapters left of Genesis!
Beresheet (Genesis) 47:1-4 "Then Joseph went and told Pharaoh, and said, 'My father and my brothers, their flocks and their herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan; and indeed they are in the land of Goshen.' And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, 'What is your occupation?' And they said to Pharaoh, 'Your servants are shepherds, both we and also our fathers.' And they said to Pharaoh, 'We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.'"
I don't quite get this, wouldn't Joseph be able to tell him just as well as they would have been able to tell them? I suppose it would be an honor to speak with the Pharaoh, but I guess I don't quite get why it's necessary. Maybe it's tradition for newcomers.
Beresheet 47:5-6 "Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, 'Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.'"
Pharaoh is hiring! I guess because shepherds were considered an abomination, there likely weren't any competent shepherds in Egypt, but who's going to tell the Pharaoh that he can't have a leg of lamb for supper if he wants?
Beresheet 47:7-12 "Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob, 'How old are you?' And Jacob said to Pharaoh, 'The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.' So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father's household with bread, according to the number in their families."
Jacob's saying he hasn't lived as long as his father and grandfather etc., and he probably won't. Also, his life wasn't all happy and rosy. Another note, the Israelites were given land "in the land of Rameses." This is the first time I've heard the name of any Pharaoh; perhaps the Pharaoh that Joseph was working alongside was Rameses I?
Beresheet 47:13-17 "Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, 'Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.' Then Joseph said, 'Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.' So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year."
I imagine you're wondering: "Why in the world would they sell good livestock for bread? They can slaughter their livestock if they're really hungry, can't they?" The answer: Yes, they could. Why didn't they? I have no idea. It doesn't make sense to me either. Maybe they just needed the fiber in their diet. Maybe bread was a major staple. Maybe they didn't like eating their pet cows. Maybe they didn't like feeding their pet cows. Maybe all of the above. If you can come up with a better answer (even if it isn't necessarily historically accurate), then please do.
Beresheet 47:18-22 "When that year had ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, 'We will not hide from my lord that our money is gone; my lord also has our herds of livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? But us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land may not be desolate.' Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh's. And as for the people, he moved them into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end. Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had rations allotted to them by Pharaoh, and they ate their rations which Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their lands."
How bad was the famine? Well, here you have an entire nation selling themselves into slavery just to survive. It was, in a word, horrible.
Beresheet 47:23-26 "Then Joseph said to the people, 'Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass in the harvest that you shall give one-fifth to Pharaoh. Four-fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and for your food, for those of your households and as food for your little ones.' So they said, 'You have saved our lives; let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.' And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh's."
Anybody know when "to this day" was, and if it is currently in effect? I'm aware that there are no longer Pharaohs in Egypt, but there is a ruler there. Does he still own all the land except for where the priests used to live?
Beresheet 47:27-31 "So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob's life was one hundred and forty-seven years. When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, 'Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.' And he said, 'I will do as you have said.' Then he said, 'Swear to me.' And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed."
Why put his hand under his thigh? I have no idea. I'll be getting in touch with some biblical scholars and professors in the very near future though, maybe I'll ask them and see what they think. Also, why does it matter where he is buried? Well, would you want to be buried in a foreign land that considers you an abomination because of your job, or would you rather be buried with family?
Almost done with Genesis!
Beresheet (Genesis) 47:1-4 "Then Joseph went and told Pharaoh, and said, 'My father and my brothers, their flocks and their herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan; and indeed they are in the land of Goshen.' And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, 'What is your occupation?' And they said to Pharaoh, 'Your servants are shepherds, both we and also our fathers.' And they said to Pharaoh, 'We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.'"
I don't quite get this, wouldn't Joseph be able to tell him just as well as they would have been able to tell them? I suppose it would be an honor to speak with the Pharaoh, but I guess I don't quite get why it's necessary. Maybe it's tradition for newcomers.
Beresheet 47:5-6 "Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, 'Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.'"
Pharaoh is hiring! I guess because shepherds were considered an abomination, there likely weren't any competent shepherds in Egypt, but who's going to tell the Pharaoh that he can't have a leg of lamb for supper if he wants?
Beresheet 47:7-12 "Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob, 'How old are you?' And Jacob said to Pharaoh, 'The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.' So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father's household with bread, according to the number in their families."
Jacob's saying he hasn't lived as long as his father and grandfather etc., and he probably won't. Also, his life wasn't all happy and rosy. Another note, the Israelites were given land "in the land of Rameses." This is the first time I've heard the name of any Pharaoh; perhaps the Pharaoh that Joseph was working alongside was Rameses I?
Beresheet 47:13-17 "Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, 'Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.' Then Joseph said, 'Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.' So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year."
I imagine you're wondering: "Why in the world would they sell good livestock for bread? They can slaughter their livestock if they're really hungry, can't they?" The answer: Yes, they could. Why didn't they? I have no idea. It doesn't make sense to me either. Maybe they just needed the fiber in their diet. Maybe bread was a major staple. Maybe they didn't like eating their pet cows. Maybe they didn't like feeding their pet cows. Maybe all of the above. If you can come up with a better answer (even if it isn't necessarily historically accurate), then please do.
Beresheet 47:18-22 "When that year had ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, 'We will not hide from my lord that our money is gone; my lord also has our herds of livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? But us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land may not be desolate.' Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh's. And as for the people, he moved them into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end. Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had rations allotted to them by Pharaoh, and they ate their rations which Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their lands."
How bad was the famine? Well, here you have an entire nation selling themselves into slavery just to survive. It was, in a word, horrible.
Beresheet 47:23-26 "Then Joseph said to the people, 'Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass in the harvest that you shall give one-fifth to Pharaoh. Four-fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and for your food, for those of your households and as food for your little ones.' So they said, 'You have saved our lives; let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.' And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh's."
Anybody know when "to this day" was, and if it is currently in effect? I'm aware that there are no longer Pharaohs in Egypt, but there is a ruler there. Does he still own all the land except for where the priests used to live?
Beresheet 47:27-31 "So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob's life was one hundred and forty-seven years. When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, 'Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.' And he said, 'I will do as you have said.' Then he said, 'Swear to me.' And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed."
Why put his hand under his thigh? I have no idea. I'll be getting in touch with some biblical scholars and professors in the very near future though, maybe I'll ask them and see what they think. Also, why does it matter where he is buried? Well, would you want to be buried in a foreign land that considers you an abomination because of your job, or would you rather be buried with family?
Almost done with Genesis!
The Israelite Family Reunion in Egypt
Only four chapters to go!! ...Let it be known that I will not be ending this blog when I end Genesis. On the contrary, I plan on beginning writing Exodus the week following the end of Genesis.
Beresheet (Genesis) 46:1-4 "So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the Elohim of his father Isaac. Then Elohim spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, 'Jacob, Jacob!' And he said, 'Here I am.' So He said, 'I am Elohim, the Elohim of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.'"
It seems as though a great nation is already being built from Jacob, but they'll have a better chance in Egypt where there's food. Also, isn't it sort of strange that Yahuah is calling him by his original name, rather than the one He gave him? The whole change-names-in-the-middle-of-your-life-and-then-don't-worry-about-being-consistant thing is kind of annoying, but what can you do? Another thing; "Joseph will put his hand on your eyes." Is that a standard greeting, or the traditional gesture to do for the dead; close their eyes? Maybe we'll find out soon.
Beresheet 46:5-7 "Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. His sons and his sons' sons, his daughters and his sons' daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt."
Considering he had eleven sons (that didn't disappear) and one daughter (that we know of)... If all of the above got married, that's twelve couples. We'll suppose for the sake of argument that each family had between three and five children. How about we guess on the upper end of the scale, and go with five. We'll also suppose that at least a few of these children also had children. We're up past sixty people moving to Egypt. Verses 8-25 confirm this, and include a short genealogy. We'll pick up again at 26.
Beresheet 46:26-27 "All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob's sons' wives, were sixty-six persons in all. And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy."
They're not counting the wives... If you count the women, you're likely up around ninety or maybe one-hundred.
Beresheet 46:28-30 "Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said to Joseph, 'Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive."
Remember the hugging thing, he's not literally jumping on an old man's neck and crying, but instead giving his dad, whom he hasn't seen in YEARS a hug. Also, Jacob isn't depressed anymore. Saying "let me die" isn't literally saying, "kill me." The best way to put it that I can think of is referencing a TV show I was watching with my family a week or two ago. In it, there are a girl and a guy who are in some serious danger and they're not entirely sure they'll make it through the night. The guy promises her that he'll get her back to her dad safe and sound, but she expresses her doubts, mentioning that if she knew for sure that they wouldn't make it, she'd have to kiss him just because they were dating and hadn't done that yet. So, like a gentleman, he obliged. "Now, I can die," she said. Not because she knew for certain that death was right around the corner, but because she had found happiness and was content in spite of the dangerous situation. Also, just so you don't worry about them, they made it home okay, and the dad didn't kill her boyfriend for keeping her overnight and smooching her. In a tree. In the wilderness. Surrounded by hungry dinosaurs.
Beresheet 46:31-34 "Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, 'I will go up and tell Pharaoh, sand say to him, "My brothers and those of my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have." So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, "What is your occupation?" that you shall say, "Your servants' occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers," that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.'"
...What? Shepherds are an abomination? Did they worship sheep or something? ...Probably. But whatever, they'll be getting their own plot of land in Egypt, and all should go just fine.
Things have finally looked up. Joseph's brothers aren't jealous or guilty anymore, Joseph isn't playing mind games anymore, Jacob isn't depressed anymore, Benjamin has a full brother again, and the whole family is back together again. Yay! Onward to 47!
Beresheet (Genesis) 46:1-4 "So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the Elohim of his father Isaac. Then Elohim spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, 'Jacob, Jacob!' And he said, 'Here I am.' So He said, 'I am Elohim, the Elohim of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.'"
It seems as though a great nation is already being built from Jacob, but they'll have a better chance in Egypt where there's food. Also, isn't it sort of strange that Yahuah is calling him by his original name, rather than the one He gave him? The whole change-names-in-the-middle-of-your-life-and-then-don't-worry-about-being-consistant thing is kind of annoying, but what can you do? Another thing; "Joseph will put his hand on your eyes." Is that a standard greeting, or the traditional gesture to do for the dead; close their eyes? Maybe we'll find out soon.
Beresheet 46:5-7 "Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. His sons and his sons' sons, his daughters and his sons' daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt."
Considering he had eleven sons (that didn't disappear) and one daughter (that we know of)... If all of the above got married, that's twelve couples. We'll suppose for the sake of argument that each family had between three and five children. How about we guess on the upper end of the scale, and go with five. We'll also suppose that at least a few of these children also had children. We're up past sixty people moving to Egypt. Verses 8-25 confirm this, and include a short genealogy. We'll pick up again at 26.
Beresheet 46:26-27 "All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob's sons' wives, were sixty-six persons in all. And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy."
They're not counting the wives... If you count the women, you're likely up around ninety or maybe one-hundred.
Beresheet 46:28-30 "Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said to Joseph, 'Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive."
Remember the hugging thing, he's not literally jumping on an old man's neck and crying, but instead giving his dad, whom he hasn't seen in YEARS a hug. Also, Jacob isn't depressed anymore. Saying "let me die" isn't literally saying, "kill me." The best way to put it that I can think of is referencing a TV show I was watching with my family a week or two ago. In it, there are a girl and a guy who are in some serious danger and they're not entirely sure they'll make it through the night. The guy promises her that he'll get her back to her dad safe and sound, but she expresses her doubts, mentioning that if she knew for sure that they wouldn't make it, she'd have to kiss him just because they were dating and hadn't done that yet. So, like a gentleman, he obliged. "Now, I can die," she said. Not because she knew for certain that death was right around the corner, but because she had found happiness and was content in spite of the dangerous situation. Also, just so you don't worry about them, they made it home okay, and the dad didn't kill her boyfriend for keeping her overnight and smooching her. In a tree. In the wilderness. Surrounded by hungry dinosaurs.
Beresheet 46:31-34 "Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, 'I will go up and tell Pharaoh, sand say to him, "My brothers and those of my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have." So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, "What is your occupation?" that you shall say, "Your servants' occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers," that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.'"
...What? Shepherds are an abomination? Did they worship sheep or something? ...Probably. But whatever, they'll be getting their own plot of land in Egypt, and all should go just fine.
Things have finally looked up. Joseph's brothers aren't jealous or guilty anymore, Joseph isn't playing mind games anymore, Jacob isn't depressed anymore, Benjamin has a full brother again, and the whole family is back together again. Yay! Onward to 47!
An Old Man's Depression is Cured and Hope Revived
There are 50 chapters in the Book of Genesis. We're at 45. Think we can make it to Exodus today?
Beresheet (Genesis) 45:1-2 "Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, 'Make everyone go out from me!' So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it."
I knew he wouldn't be willing to put his father in danger, even if it meant giving up his games. Do you suppose he's forgiven his brothers?
Beresheet 45:3-8 "Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph; does my father still live?' But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, 'Please come near to me.' so they came near. Then he said: 'I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for Elohim sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And Elohim sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but Elohim; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.'"
Can you imagine? Here you've been, living with guilt for YEARS because you made your brother vanish and broke your father's heart, sending him spiraling into a depression from which he could not come out. You remember your little brother every day when you see your father's face, but you can't tell him the truth, because the very thought that you caused your own brother's disappearance would be enough to kill him. Imagine living with that for a couple decades, then finding out your brother is not only just fine, but is ruler over all of Egypt, working to save your family from starvation. What would you do?
Beresheet 45:9-11 "'Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, "Thus says your son Joseph: 'Elohim has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.'"'
Now imagine the brother you made disappear is now offering to give you everything you and your family needs for the rest of your life? How's that guilty feeling doing?
Beresheet 45:12-13 "'And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.'"
You notice he's kind of running a monologue right now? I'm thinking his brothers may have been struck speechless.
Beresheet 45:14-15 "Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with them."
Yep, speechless. Also, it isn't too peculiar to fall on someone's neck and weep on it. Methinks it's probably another way to say he gave them all a bear hug and cried on their shoulders because it's just so good to see them again, despite the circumstances.
Beresheet 45:16-20 "Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, 'Joseph's brothers have come.' So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, "Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. Now you are commanded - do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for you little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."'"
Family reunion is on the way! Everybody's going to leave their land and come live with Joseph in Egypt. Considering there is currently a country on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea called Israel, I think it's safe to say that they didn't stay there forever. We'll find out how that goes later.
Beresheet 45:21-24 "Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, 'See that you do not become troubled along the way.'"
In other words... Have a safe trip. Do you think Jacob will believe his sons? If he does, do you think he'll manage to not suffer a heart attack?
Beresheet 45:25-28 "Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.' And Jacob's heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, 'It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'"
How about that! Things are finally looking up (YAY!), we'll take a look at the next chapters pretty soon.
Beresheet (Genesis) 45:1-2 "Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, 'Make everyone go out from me!' So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it."
I knew he wouldn't be willing to put his father in danger, even if it meant giving up his games. Do you suppose he's forgiven his brothers?
Beresheet 45:3-8 "Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph; does my father still live?' But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, 'Please come near to me.' so they came near. Then he said: 'I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for Elohim sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And Elohim sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but Elohim; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.'"
Can you imagine? Here you've been, living with guilt for YEARS because you made your brother vanish and broke your father's heart, sending him spiraling into a depression from which he could not come out. You remember your little brother every day when you see your father's face, but you can't tell him the truth, because the very thought that you caused your own brother's disappearance would be enough to kill him. Imagine living with that for a couple decades, then finding out your brother is not only just fine, but is ruler over all of Egypt, working to save your family from starvation. What would you do?
Beresheet 45:9-11 "'Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, "Thus says your son Joseph: 'Elohim has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.'"'
Now imagine the brother you made disappear is now offering to give you everything you and your family needs for the rest of your life? How's that guilty feeling doing?
Beresheet 45:12-13 "'And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.'"
You notice he's kind of running a monologue right now? I'm thinking his brothers may have been struck speechless.
Beresheet 45:14-15 "Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with them."
Yep, speechless. Also, it isn't too peculiar to fall on someone's neck and weep on it. Methinks it's probably another way to say he gave them all a bear hug and cried on their shoulders because it's just so good to see them again, despite the circumstances.
Beresheet 45:16-20 "Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, 'Joseph's brothers have come.' So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, "Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. Now you are commanded - do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for you little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."'"
Family reunion is on the way! Everybody's going to leave their land and come live with Joseph in Egypt. Considering there is currently a country on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea called Israel, I think it's safe to say that they didn't stay there forever. We'll find out how that goes later.
Beresheet 45:21-24 "Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, 'See that you do not become troubled along the way.'"
In other words... Have a safe trip. Do you think Jacob will believe his sons? If he does, do you think he'll manage to not suffer a heart attack?
Beresheet 45:25-28 "Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.' And Jacob's heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, 'It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'"
How about that! Things are finally looking up (YAY!), we'll take a look at the next chapters pretty soon.
Uh-Oh Feeling is Back Again
It's official, we're on the home stretch. Think we can finish Genesis today? Maybe. Let's find out!
Beresheet (Genesis) 44:1-5 "And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, 'Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.' So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, 'Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, "Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing."'"
One thing: Can you imagine what the servant is thinking? Probably something like... "You sir, have gone off your rocker, but if I don't obey, I'll be punished, so alrighty then!" Or "This is what happens when you put a Hebrew in charge; they're all crazy." Or "Are you friggen kidding me?" Or "Why are you playing chess with innocent men's lives?" Or "MWAHAHAHA*cough*HA!" The latter being if he himself were a bit nuts.
Beresheet 44:6-9 "So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. And they said to him, 'Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing. Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house? With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves.'"
The boys are making quite the assumption; that no one has it in their bags. True, no one stole the money or cup, but there is more than grain in their bags. Allow me to share something with you which my mom has shared with me. Take a look at the word "Assume." What are the first three letters? Yeah. The fourth is U, and the fifth and sixth are Me. What happens when you assume? You make an @$$ out of U and ME. How about them apples?
Beresheet 44:10-13 "And he said, 'Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.' Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city."
Remember that feeling we discovered a couple weeks ago? The terrible one with the stomach falling in a pit? Yeah... It's happening again. Also, tearing one's clothes was not because they liked watching Superman cartoons when they were younger, but instead it was an outward sign of mourning. They promised they would bring Benjamin back safe and sound, and now look what's happening.
Beresheet 44:14-15 "So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. And Joseph said to them, 'What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?'"
Yeah... Right. This is more of Joseph's trying to blend in. He believes in Yahuah as his Elohim, and as such, he would know that He does not condone men practicing divination. This is a disguise, a ruse, to throw the brothers off his scent.
Beresheet 44:16-17 "Then Judah said, 'What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how will we clear ourselves? Elohim has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord's slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.' But he said, 'Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.'"
When do you suppose Joseph will quit playing games with his brothers' lives? Will he? When will it end? How will the brothers face their father without Benjamin? Joseph certainly has the power to detain him.
Beresheet 44:18-23 "then Judah came near to him and said: 'O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. My lord asked his servants, saying, "Have you a father or a brother?" And we said to my lord, "We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him." Then you said you your servants, "Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him." And we said to my lord, "The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die." But you said to your servants, "Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more."'"
Yes, Judah is basically summing up all that's happened thus far.
Beresheet 44:24-29 "'So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. And our father said, "Go back and buy us a little food." But we said, "We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us." Then your servant my father said to us, "You know that my wife bore me two sons; and the one went out from me, and I said, 'Surely he is torn to pieces'; and I have not seen him since. But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave."'"
Oh. I see where he's going with this. He's appealing to Joseph's humanity. He wouldn't allow an old man to die of grief, would he?
Beresheet 44:30-34 "'Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad's life, it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, "If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever." Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?'"
Well, we won't find out until the next entry. On the upside, I am planning on writing it today, so no cliffhanger for you!
So... How many of you have seen Joseph: King of Dreams?
Beresheet (Genesis) 44:1-5 "And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, 'Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.' So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, 'Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, "Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing."'"
One thing: Can you imagine what the servant is thinking? Probably something like... "You sir, have gone off your rocker, but if I don't obey, I'll be punished, so alrighty then!" Or "This is what happens when you put a Hebrew in charge; they're all crazy." Or "Are you friggen kidding me?" Or "Why are you playing chess with innocent men's lives?" Or "MWAHAHAHA*cough*HA!" The latter being if he himself were a bit nuts.
Beresheet 44:6-9 "So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. And they said to him, 'Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing. Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house? With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves.'"
The boys are making quite the assumption; that no one has it in their bags. True, no one stole the money or cup, but there is more than grain in their bags. Allow me to share something with you which my mom has shared with me. Take a look at the word "Assume." What are the first three letters? Yeah. The fourth is U, and the fifth and sixth are Me. What happens when you assume? You make an @$$ out of U and ME. How about them apples?
Beresheet 44:10-13 "And he said, 'Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.' Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city."
Remember that feeling we discovered a couple weeks ago? The terrible one with the stomach falling in a pit? Yeah... It's happening again. Also, tearing one's clothes was not because they liked watching Superman cartoons when they were younger, but instead it was an outward sign of mourning. They promised they would bring Benjamin back safe and sound, and now look what's happening.
Beresheet 44:14-15 "So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. And Joseph said to them, 'What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?'"
Yeah... Right. This is more of Joseph's trying to blend in. He believes in Yahuah as his Elohim, and as such, he would know that He does not condone men practicing divination. This is a disguise, a ruse, to throw the brothers off his scent.
Beresheet 44:16-17 "Then Judah said, 'What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how will we clear ourselves? Elohim has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord's slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.' But he said, 'Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.'"
When do you suppose Joseph will quit playing games with his brothers' lives? Will he? When will it end? How will the brothers face their father without Benjamin? Joseph certainly has the power to detain him.
Beresheet 44:18-23 "then Judah came near to him and said: 'O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. My lord asked his servants, saying, "Have you a father or a brother?" And we said to my lord, "We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him." Then you said you your servants, "Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him." And we said to my lord, "The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die." But you said to your servants, "Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more."'"
Yes, Judah is basically summing up all that's happened thus far.
Beresheet 44:24-29 "'So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. And our father said, "Go back and buy us a little food." But we said, "We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us." Then your servant my father said to us, "You know that my wife bore me two sons; and the one went out from me, and I said, 'Surely he is torn to pieces'; and I have not seen him since. But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave."'"
Oh. I see where he's going with this. He's appealing to Joseph's humanity. He wouldn't allow an old man to die of grief, would he?
Beresheet 44:30-34 "'Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad's life, it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, "If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever." Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?'"
Well, we won't find out until the next entry. On the upside, I am planning on writing it today, so no cliffhanger for you!
So... How many of you have seen Joseph: King of Dreams?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Back to Egypt
Genesis is almost done! Amazing what happens when I actually hold myself to a schedule, isn't it?
Beresheet (Genesis) 43:1-2 "Now the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, 'Go back, buy us a little food.'"
Um... Israel? Remember the whole your-sons-are-fugitives thing? They will probably be held accountable for the money that somehow made it back in their bags. Also, there's no way they can show their faces without Benjamin.
Beresheet 43:3-5 "But Judah spoke to him, saying, 'The man solemnly warned us, saying, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you." If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you".'"
Thank you Judah for reminding us all of the major issue at hand. Rachel is gone, one of her sons is gone, Benjamin is all Israel has left. And he says...?
Beresheet 43:6 "And Israel said, 'Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?'"
Well... Usually when someone asks if you have any brothers or sisters, it isn't that big of a deal to say yay or nay. How were they supposed to know that they'd have to bring baby brother on a field trip if they were ever going to get food from Egypt again?
Beresheet 43:7 "But they said, 'The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, "Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?" And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, "Bring your brother down"?'"
Wow. I promise I'm making my points of the sections previous before I read the next sections, I'm not reading ahead and trying to predict what's happening. Yes, I've read this story a few dozen times before, but this is starting to look a bit redundant. I'll look into thinking up more creative points.
Beresheet 43:8-10 "Then Judah said to Israel his father, 'Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.'"
Again, thank you Judah. Reuben's already promised to allow Israel to kill his sons if he doesn't bring Benjamin back, and now Judah's thinking along the same general lines. Has guilt taught them to be accountable for their actions these past thirteen years?
Beresheet 43:11-14 "And their father Israel said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man - a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. And may Elohim Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!'"
Smart man, that Israel. I mean, aside from the whole choosing favorites among your sons in the first place thing. Among other things *cough cough Esau's birthright cough*.
Beresheet 43:15-17 "So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, 'Take these men to my home, and slaughter and animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.' Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph's house."
What else has Joseph planned for his brothers? Can you imagine his face when he saw his baby brother?
Beresheet 43:18 "Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, 'It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.'"
Only the Bible can get away with a run-on sentence like that. Actually, apparently so can James Joyce's novel Ulysses, which apparently ends with a thirty-page run-on sentence. Or so I've been told. Grammatical issues aside, this is some serious stuff these guys are worried about. They could be made into slaves, imprisoned, killed, made into slaves in prison and then killed, or be made to take any number of terrible punishments for stealing food during a famine. I heard that some cultures will cut the hand off a thief, and that's not during a famine.
Beresheet 43:19-22 "When they drew near to the steward of Joseph's house, they talked with him at the door of the house, and said, 'O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; to we brought it back in our hand. And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.'"
Confessing exactly what went wrong: smart. All talking in unison: ...maybe not so smart, but as long as it was understandable, then it's fine. They seem to do that a lot, have you noticed?
Beresheet 43:23 "But he said, 'Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your Elohim and the Elohim of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.' Then he brought Simeon out to them."
Well how about that! By the way, I'm guessing everyone here is speaking Hebrew, and thus, I can offer a tidbit of the language. "Peace be with you" is directly translated from the Hebrew "Shalom alechem." Note that the "ch" in "alechem" has a weird guttural, kind of clearing-your-throat type sound to it, it does not sound like a standard English "ch" like "sandwich". It's best to hear someone say it... so if you know anyone who knows how to speak even a little bit of Hebrew, they can help you out. If not... then try Youtube or using a k sound is acceptable too.
Beresheet 43:24-25 "So the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. Then they made the present ready for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there."
Washing one's feet was pretty much standard operating procedure then and there. It was hot outside, so one would wear sandals; but it was also dirty and dusty, so the feet would get pretty nasty. This is a good way to keep guests comfortable, and to keep from having to sweep up dirty footprints.
Beresheet 43:26-28 "And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, 'Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?' And they answered, 'Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.' And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves."
It was probably a relief every time Joseph heard that, he knew his dad wasn't as young as he used to be, so it's good that he checked up on him when he got the chance.
Beresheet 43:29-31 "Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, 'Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?' and he said, 'Elohim be gracious to you, my son.' Now his heart yearned for his brother, so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, 'Serve the bread.'"
Joseph was an incredibly important man in Egypt at the time; wanna bet that bread isn't all they'll be eating?
Beresheet 43:32-34 "So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin's serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him."
Do you think the brothers have reformed? Benjamin's getting way more to eat than any of them, and yet it doesn't sound as if anyone is complaining. Also, do you suppose they noticed that they were seated by age? On a separate thought, do you think the Egyptians would think it an abomination to eat with Joseph? He's a Hebrew, but he's also second-in-command. He outranks them, but would they be weird about it?
That's all I have for today; we'll be done with Genesis in just a few more weeks, and then it's onward to Exodus!
Your homework? No music today... Instead, make a prediction on what you think will happen (or if you've read it already) what you would done if you were Joseph.
Beresheet (Genesis) 43:1-2 "Now the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, 'Go back, buy us a little food.'"
Um... Israel? Remember the whole your-sons-are-fugitives thing? They will probably be held accountable for the money that somehow made it back in their bags. Also, there's no way they can show their faces without Benjamin.
Beresheet 43:3-5 "But Judah spoke to him, saying, 'The man solemnly warned us, saying, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you." If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you".'"
Thank you Judah for reminding us all of the major issue at hand. Rachel is gone, one of her sons is gone, Benjamin is all Israel has left. And he says...?
Beresheet 43:6 "And Israel said, 'Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?'"
Well... Usually when someone asks if you have any brothers or sisters, it isn't that big of a deal to say yay or nay. How were they supposed to know that they'd have to bring baby brother on a field trip if they were ever going to get food from Egypt again?
Beresheet 43:7 "But they said, 'The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, "Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?" And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, "Bring your brother down"?'"
Wow. I promise I'm making my points of the sections previous before I read the next sections, I'm not reading ahead and trying to predict what's happening. Yes, I've read this story a few dozen times before, but this is starting to look a bit redundant. I'll look into thinking up more creative points.
Beresheet 43:8-10 "Then Judah said to Israel his father, 'Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.'"
Again, thank you Judah. Reuben's already promised to allow Israel to kill his sons if he doesn't bring Benjamin back, and now Judah's thinking along the same general lines. Has guilt taught them to be accountable for their actions these past thirteen years?
Beresheet 43:11-14 "And their father Israel said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man - a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. And may Elohim Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!'"
Smart man, that Israel. I mean, aside from the whole choosing favorites among your sons in the first place thing. Among other things *cough cough Esau's birthright cough*.
Beresheet 43:15-17 "So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, 'Take these men to my home, and slaughter and animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.' Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph's house."
What else has Joseph planned for his brothers? Can you imagine his face when he saw his baby brother?
Beresheet 43:18 "Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, 'It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.'"
Only the Bible can get away with a run-on sentence like that. Actually, apparently so can James Joyce's novel Ulysses, which apparently ends with a thirty-page run-on sentence. Or so I've been told. Grammatical issues aside, this is some serious stuff these guys are worried about. They could be made into slaves, imprisoned, killed, made into slaves in prison and then killed, or be made to take any number of terrible punishments for stealing food during a famine. I heard that some cultures will cut the hand off a thief, and that's not during a famine.
Beresheet 43:19-22 "When they drew near to the steward of Joseph's house, they talked with him at the door of the house, and said, 'O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; to we brought it back in our hand. And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.'"
Confessing exactly what went wrong: smart. All talking in unison: ...maybe not so smart, but as long as it was understandable, then it's fine. They seem to do that a lot, have you noticed?
Beresheet 43:23 "But he said, 'Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your Elohim and the Elohim of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.' Then he brought Simeon out to them."
Well how about that! By the way, I'm guessing everyone here is speaking Hebrew, and thus, I can offer a tidbit of the language. "Peace be with you" is directly translated from the Hebrew "Shalom alechem." Note that the "ch" in "alechem" has a weird guttural, kind of clearing-your-throat type sound to it, it does not sound like a standard English "ch" like "sandwich". It's best to hear someone say it... so if you know anyone who knows how to speak even a little bit of Hebrew, they can help you out. If not... then try Youtube or using a k sound is acceptable too.
Beresheet 43:24-25 "So the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. Then they made the present ready for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there."
Washing one's feet was pretty much standard operating procedure then and there. It was hot outside, so one would wear sandals; but it was also dirty and dusty, so the feet would get pretty nasty. This is a good way to keep guests comfortable, and to keep from having to sweep up dirty footprints.
Beresheet 43:26-28 "And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, 'Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?' And they answered, 'Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.' And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves."
It was probably a relief every time Joseph heard that, he knew his dad wasn't as young as he used to be, so it's good that he checked up on him when he got the chance.
Beresheet 43:29-31 "Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, 'Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?' and he said, 'Elohim be gracious to you, my son.' Now his heart yearned for his brother, so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, 'Serve the bread.'"
Joseph was an incredibly important man in Egypt at the time; wanna bet that bread isn't all they'll be eating?
Beresheet 43:32-34 "So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin's serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him."
Do you think the brothers have reformed? Benjamin's getting way more to eat than any of them, and yet it doesn't sound as if anyone is complaining. Also, do you suppose they noticed that they were seated by age? On a separate thought, do you think the Egyptians would think it an abomination to eat with Joseph? He's a Hebrew, but he's also second-in-command. He outranks them, but would they be weird about it?
That's all I have for today; we'll be done with Genesis in just a few more weeks, and then it's onward to Exodus!
Your homework? No music today... Instead, make a prediction on what you think will happen (or if you've read it already) what you would done if you were Joseph.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Uh-Oh.
I apologize for being unable to post the last few weeks, I was on vacation and had no access to my computer (or sadly, my Bible) and last week I came home to find that my computer would not connect to the internet. Believe me, I did want to post, but it just wouldn't work properly. I don't know what's changed, but I'm online now and I'm hoping that you're still with me.
Beresheet (Genesis) 42:1-2 "When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, 'Why do you look at one another?' And he said, 'Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.'"
Have you ever had a chore to do that you hesitated about before being told by your mom "Hey! What are you standing around for? Get it done!" That's pretty much what Jacob's telling his sons.
Beresheet 42:3-5 "So Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, 'Lest some calamity befall him.' And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan."
It's been years since Joseph was lost. YEARS. He was seventeen when he was taken, yes? Last chapter said he was thirty when he stood before Pharaoh. That's thirteen years gone. Benjamin is at least thirteen, probably closer to fifteen or seventeen. He should have been allowed to run around and play with his brothers and children from neighboring camps and enjoy his childhood. With Joseph gone at seventeen though, supposedly eaten by wolves, how do you think that impacted Rachel's only remaining son, Benjamin? Want to bet he didn't get to hang out in the fields much or at all? That he spent his days being supervised by his depressed father? Do you think his brothers resented him for this like they resented Joseph?
Beresheet 42:6-7 "Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, 'Where do you come from?' And they said, 'From the land of Canaan to buy food.'"
Ok, in the USA, you have parents who preside over their household. You have mayors who preside over a city's worth of houses. You have governors who preside over a state's worth of houses, and the president who presides over a country's worth of houses. Consider that Egypt wasn't divided into states, and the governor is a mighty powerful man, just as much as the Pharaoh.
Beresheet 42:8-9 "So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, 'You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!'"
...What? He knows they're not spies. Theoretically, if they were spies, now would be a perfect time to spy on Egypt considering they weren't exactly producing any new food. They'd be able to last a siege, but not more than the seven year limit Joseph predicted. But they're not spies. So what's up with Joseph? Revenge?
Beresheet 42:10-12 "And they said to him, 'No my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. We are all one man's sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.' But he said to them, 'No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.'"
Again, theoretically, if they were spies, Joseph could easily respond "That's what they all say." ...But they're not spies. Joseph doesn't have to outwardly believe them, but again, what??
Beresheet 42:13-17 "And they said, 'Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.' But Joseph said to them, 'It is as I spoke to you, saying, "You are spies!" In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!' So he put them all together in prison three days."
I understand his possible justification for this treatment of his brothers (they did sell him into slavery...), but honestly, it's been thirteen years!!
Beresheet 42:18-20 "Then Joseph said to them the third day, 'Do this and live, for I fear Elohim: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.' And they did so."
Well, he changed the deal a little bit; rather than send one, it's keep one and send the rest. He's probably cooled off a bit... Maybe. A little.
Beresheet 42:21-24 "Then they said to one another, 'We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.' And Reuben answered them, saying, 'Did I not speak to you, saying, "Do not sin against the boy"; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.' But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes."
It's been thirteen years and the guilt is still fresh in their minds. Also, even though Reuben has messed up in the past just as much as any of the others, he's showing his big brother status. For a really long time, I thought Judah was the eldest brother, since everyone always made such a big deal out of him (and his family really was a pretty big deal), but reading this, I'm reminded that it was Reuben. I'm an eldest sibling, and I've told my younger sibs similar stuff ("Didn't I tell you not to hang upside down from the monkey bars??") because when the parents aren't around, I'm kinda the substitute parent. I don't have the authority they do (and apparently neither did Reuben), but I'm there for my sibs and I occasionally hold them accountable for the stupid stuff they do (again, like Reuben).
Beresheet 42:25-28 "Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man's money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them. So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. So he said to his brothers, 'My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!' Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, 'What is this that Elohim has done to us?'"
You know that sinking stomach / OMG feeling you get when you flunk a test and you know your parents will find out? That you just messed up your chances of getting in at the school you want? That you know you'll see that bully you punched out the day before? That your boss fired you and you still have payments to make on your car? That you have a super important meeting to get to but you forgot to turn off the headlights before you parked your parents car (cause yours got repo'd) and it's out of batteries? When your video game takes you to a major boss you have to take down, but you just sold all your extra health packs? When you find you forgot to pay for your lunch and you somehow know the store won't be forgiving? Imagine all this happens in one day, multiply it by pi, double it, and resist the urge to pass out. That terrible feeling, like your insides just sank down into a pit, is kinda like what Joseph's bros are feeling right now. They know that the penalty for stealing food during a famine is not just a skip in the park. Wanna bet they don't wanna go back?
Beresheet 42:29-34 "Then they went to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying: 'The man who is lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. But we said to him, "We are honest men; we are not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan." Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, "By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. And bring your youngest brother to me; so I shall know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will grant your brother to you, and you may trade in the land."'"
Imagine Jacob's face as he hears that to get one son back, he must give up his most precious one.
Beresheet 42:35-36 "Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man's bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said to them, 'You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.'"
Jacob's forgetting that now ten of his sons believe they're wanted men; fugitives for stealing grain. And they have big families. They'll need more grain.
Beresheet 42:37-38 "Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, 'Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.' But he said, 'My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.'"
He would rather have Simeon rot in jail for the rest of his life than let Reuben take his youngest sibling on a road trip. How about that.
I have a song for you, "When the Tears Fall" by Newsboys. Consider this while you listen; the man you know as Jesus (I know him as Yeshua or Yehushua) was not yet born when this was happening. Jacob didn't have the comfort of knowing that no matter what happens, He would be there for him. He didn't trust that Benjamin would return home safe. He was depressed and there were no pills for it. Also, I'm running out of sad songs, so things had better start looking up soon!
Beresheet (Genesis) 42:1-2 "When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, 'Why do you look at one another?' And he said, 'Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.'"
Have you ever had a chore to do that you hesitated about before being told by your mom "Hey! What are you standing around for? Get it done!" That's pretty much what Jacob's telling his sons.
Beresheet 42:3-5 "So Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, 'Lest some calamity befall him.' And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan."
It's been years since Joseph was lost. YEARS. He was seventeen when he was taken, yes? Last chapter said he was thirty when he stood before Pharaoh. That's thirteen years gone. Benjamin is at least thirteen, probably closer to fifteen or seventeen. He should have been allowed to run around and play with his brothers and children from neighboring camps and enjoy his childhood. With Joseph gone at seventeen though, supposedly eaten by wolves, how do you think that impacted Rachel's only remaining son, Benjamin? Want to bet he didn't get to hang out in the fields much or at all? That he spent his days being supervised by his depressed father? Do you think his brothers resented him for this like they resented Joseph?
Beresheet 42:6-7 "Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, 'Where do you come from?' And they said, 'From the land of Canaan to buy food.'"
Ok, in the USA, you have parents who preside over their household. You have mayors who preside over a city's worth of houses. You have governors who preside over a state's worth of houses, and the president who presides over a country's worth of houses. Consider that Egypt wasn't divided into states, and the governor is a mighty powerful man, just as much as the Pharaoh.
Beresheet 42:8-9 "So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, 'You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!'"
...What? He knows they're not spies. Theoretically, if they were spies, now would be a perfect time to spy on Egypt considering they weren't exactly producing any new food. They'd be able to last a siege, but not more than the seven year limit Joseph predicted. But they're not spies. So what's up with Joseph? Revenge?
Beresheet 42:10-12 "And they said to him, 'No my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. We are all one man's sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.' But he said to them, 'No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.'"
Again, theoretically, if they were spies, Joseph could easily respond "That's what they all say." ...But they're not spies. Joseph doesn't have to outwardly believe them, but again, what??
Beresheet 42:13-17 "And they said, 'Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.' But Joseph said to them, 'It is as I spoke to you, saying, "You are spies!" In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!' So he put them all together in prison three days."
I understand his possible justification for this treatment of his brothers (they did sell him into slavery...), but honestly, it's been thirteen years!!
Beresheet 42:18-20 "Then Joseph said to them the third day, 'Do this and live, for I fear Elohim: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.' And they did so."
Well, he changed the deal a little bit; rather than send one, it's keep one and send the rest. He's probably cooled off a bit... Maybe. A little.
Beresheet 42:21-24 "Then they said to one another, 'We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.' And Reuben answered them, saying, 'Did I not speak to you, saying, "Do not sin against the boy"; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.' But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes."
It's been thirteen years and the guilt is still fresh in their minds. Also, even though Reuben has messed up in the past just as much as any of the others, he's showing his big brother status. For a really long time, I thought Judah was the eldest brother, since everyone always made such a big deal out of him (and his family really was a pretty big deal), but reading this, I'm reminded that it was Reuben. I'm an eldest sibling, and I've told my younger sibs similar stuff ("Didn't I tell you not to hang upside down from the monkey bars??") because when the parents aren't around, I'm kinda the substitute parent. I don't have the authority they do (and apparently neither did Reuben), but I'm there for my sibs and I occasionally hold them accountable for the stupid stuff they do (again, like Reuben).
Beresheet 42:25-28 "Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man's money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them. So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. So he said to his brothers, 'My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!' Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, 'What is this that Elohim has done to us?'"
You know that sinking stomach / OMG feeling you get when you flunk a test and you know your parents will find out? That you just messed up your chances of getting in at the school you want? That you know you'll see that bully you punched out the day before? That your boss fired you and you still have payments to make on your car? That you have a super important meeting to get to but you forgot to turn off the headlights before you parked your parents car (cause yours got repo'd) and it's out of batteries? When your video game takes you to a major boss you have to take down, but you just sold all your extra health packs? When you find you forgot to pay for your lunch and you somehow know the store won't be forgiving? Imagine all this happens in one day, multiply it by pi, double it, and resist the urge to pass out. That terrible feeling, like your insides just sank down into a pit, is kinda like what Joseph's bros are feeling right now. They know that the penalty for stealing food during a famine is not just a skip in the park. Wanna bet they don't wanna go back?
Beresheet 42:29-34 "Then they went to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying: 'The man who is lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. But we said to him, "We are honest men; we are not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan." Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, "By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. And bring your youngest brother to me; so I shall know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will grant your brother to you, and you may trade in the land."'"
Imagine Jacob's face as he hears that to get one son back, he must give up his most precious one.
Beresheet 42:35-36 "Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man's bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said to them, 'You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.'"
Jacob's forgetting that now ten of his sons believe they're wanted men; fugitives for stealing grain. And they have big families. They'll need more grain.
Beresheet 42:37-38 "Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, 'Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.' But he said, 'My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.'"
He would rather have Simeon rot in jail for the rest of his life than let Reuben take his youngest sibling on a road trip. How about that.
I have a song for you, "When the Tears Fall" by Newsboys. Consider this while you listen; the man you know as Jesus (I know him as Yeshua or Yehushua) was not yet born when this was happening. Jacob didn't have the comfort of knowing that no matter what happens, He would be there for him. He didn't trust that Benjamin would return home safe. He was depressed and there were no pills for it. Also, I'm running out of sad songs, so things had better start looking up soon!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Joseph Got a Promotion!
Joseph's been forgotten, and he's in jail for an offense he did not commit. Is he ever gonna get out? We've been reminded several times through this story that Yahuah's been with him and has been blessing everything he does. They can't keep him in jail forever, can they? ...Probably... But that's beside the point.
Beresheet (Genesis) 41:1-8 "Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows te up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh."
Long section, I know, but it's important to keep it together. Anybody else have a wild guess about who might be brought up (possibly out of a nearby jail) to interpret Pharaoh's dream? What are your thoughts on his dream?
Beresheet 41:9-13 "Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: 'I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.'"
Why do you suppose the butler is referring to Pharaoh in the third person? According to Dictionary.com, it came from the word meaning "Great House" So perhaps the name is actually referring to the palace the Pharaoh inhabited? Maybe it was against the law to talk to Pharaoh in first person? I don't really know, but it's something to ponder.
Beresheet 41:14-15 "Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.'"
Aside from the obvious, that Joseph probably really needed a shave, a haircut, and some clean clothes, it was Egyptian fashion for a very long time to have a clean shaven face. Many Egyptians would also shave their heads and wear wigs instead to avoid lice. Why do you see pictures of Pharaohs wearing these weird, fake, rectangular beards? Why did a couple of Egyptian queens also wear these? I remember a show on the Discovery Channel a long time ago that explained that the fake beards were a status symbol. Here's a link for more research on the topic.
Beresheet 41:16 "So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, 'It is not in me; Elohim will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.'"
Smart Joseph, methinks Pharaoh has reached the end of his rope with all the magicians and wise men and just wants an answer, even if it comes from One whom he's never heard of before.
Beresheet 41:17-24 "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: 'Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.'"
Any guesses as to what the dreams might mean?
Beresheet 41:25-32 "Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'The dreams of Pharaoh are one; Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by Elohim, and Elohim will shortly bring it to pass.'"
If Elohim wanted to kill the Egyptians, he could easily blast them off the face of the earth, and chances are they wouldn't see it coming. Why is He telling Pharaoh what's going to happen?
Beresheet 41:33-36 "'Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of thse good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.'"
Ah-ha! He set it up exactly so that Joseph would save Egypt. He did bless him in all that he does, remember?
Beresheet 41:37-38 "So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of Elohim?'"
Saying Joseph converted Pharaoh is a huge stretch, considering the Pharaoh was himself considered a god among people. However, it's not such a stretch that maybe Pharaoh believes in Him too. In addition to the dozens of other gods. Yeah... This is not the best way to go about things if you're going to start believing in Yahuah, ideally, you'll believe in Him and Him alone.
Beresheet 41:39-41 "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as Elohim has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.' And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.'"
Wow. Just, wow. Who'd have thought? As far as I know, in all of Egyptian history, no Pharaoh ever gave all authority to a Hebrew ever again. Not because Joseph messed up, but because they were considered second class citizens. Joseph was the exception to the rule.
Beresheet 41:42-45 "Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, 'Bow the knee!' So he set him over all the land of
Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, 'I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.' And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of [an Egyptian god whose name I'll not record]. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt."
There appears to be a bit of a discrepancy over what Zaphnath-Paaneah means. Here's what Dictionary.com has to say about it.
Beresheet 41:46-50 "Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable."
I'm thinking they'll probably be able to make it through the seven years, considering Egypt still exists today... But they might've cut it close.
Beresheet 41:51-52 "And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of [an Egyptian god whose name I'll not record], bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: 'For Elohim has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.' And the name of the second he called Ephraim: 'For Elohim has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.'"
There's a common blessing in Israeli tradition, bestowed upon the sons of the family. It goes: May Yahuah make you like Ephraim and Manasseh. (The daughters have one that goes: May Yahuah make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.) Those names mean fruitful and forgetful, by the way. Why have Ephraim's name before Manasseh's in the blessing? Manasseh is the oldest, isn't he supposed to go first? We'll find out pretty soon.
Beresheet 41:53-57 "Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, 'Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.' The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands."
Scientists today might call that global warming, climate change, a solar flare-up, or something. How else could a famine cover the entire earth? Stop trying to explain it away. Even if that were the case, no one has 14 years of premonition in their dreams without Someone influencing it. Simple point, if Joseph weren't in that jail, if the butler didn't remember him, if Pharaoh hadn't had that dream or hadn't worried about it, then that famine that occurred a few thousand years ago could very well have killed us all off. It's all happening according to a plan, but what is the goal of the plan?
Music: "My Savior, My God" -Aaron Shust
Beresheet (Genesis) 41:1-8 "Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows te up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh."
Long section, I know, but it's important to keep it together. Anybody else have a wild guess about who might be brought up (possibly out of a nearby jail) to interpret Pharaoh's dream? What are your thoughts on his dream?
Beresheet 41:9-13 "Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: 'I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.'"
Why do you suppose the butler is referring to Pharaoh in the third person? According to Dictionary.com, it came from the word meaning "Great House" So perhaps the name is actually referring to the palace the Pharaoh inhabited? Maybe it was against the law to talk to Pharaoh in first person? I don't really know, but it's something to ponder.
Beresheet 41:14-15 "Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.'"
Aside from the obvious, that Joseph probably really needed a shave, a haircut, and some clean clothes, it was Egyptian fashion for a very long time to have a clean shaven face. Many Egyptians would also shave their heads and wear wigs instead to avoid lice. Why do you see pictures of Pharaohs wearing these weird, fake, rectangular beards? Why did a couple of Egyptian queens also wear these? I remember a show on the Discovery Channel a long time ago that explained that the fake beards were a status symbol. Here's a link for more research on the topic.
Beresheet 41:16 "So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, 'It is not in me; Elohim will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.'"
Smart Joseph, methinks Pharaoh has reached the end of his rope with all the magicians and wise men and just wants an answer, even if it comes from One whom he's never heard of before.
Beresheet 41:17-24 "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: 'Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.'"
Any guesses as to what the dreams might mean?
Beresheet 41:25-32 "Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'The dreams of Pharaoh are one; Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by Elohim, and Elohim will shortly bring it to pass.'"
If Elohim wanted to kill the Egyptians, he could easily blast them off the face of the earth, and chances are they wouldn't see it coming. Why is He telling Pharaoh what's going to happen?
Beresheet 41:33-36 "'Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of thse good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.'"
Ah-ha! He set it up exactly so that Joseph would save Egypt. He did bless him in all that he does, remember?
Beresheet 41:37-38 "So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of Elohim?'"
Saying Joseph converted Pharaoh is a huge stretch, considering the Pharaoh was himself considered a god among people. However, it's not such a stretch that maybe Pharaoh believes in Him too. In addition to the dozens of other gods. Yeah... This is not the best way to go about things if you're going to start believing in Yahuah, ideally, you'll believe in Him and Him alone.
Beresheet 41:39-41 "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as Elohim has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.' And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.'"
Wow. Just, wow. Who'd have thought? As far as I know, in all of Egyptian history, no Pharaoh ever gave all authority to a Hebrew ever again. Not because Joseph messed up, but because they were considered second class citizens. Joseph was the exception to the rule.
Beresheet 41:42-45 "Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, 'Bow the knee!' So he set him over all the land of
Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, 'I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.' And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of [an Egyptian god whose name I'll not record]. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt."
There appears to be a bit of a discrepancy over what Zaphnath-Paaneah means. Here's what Dictionary.com has to say about it.
Beresheet 41:46-50 "Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable."
I'm thinking they'll probably be able to make it through the seven years, considering Egypt still exists today... But they might've cut it close.
Beresheet 41:51-52 "And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of [an Egyptian god whose name I'll not record], bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: 'For Elohim has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.' And the name of the second he called Ephraim: 'For Elohim has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.'"
There's a common blessing in Israeli tradition, bestowed upon the sons of the family. It goes: May Yahuah make you like Ephraim and Manasseh. (The daughters have one that goes: May Yahuah make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.) Those names mean fruitful and forgetful, by the way. Why have Ephraim's name before Manasseh's in the blessing? Manasseh is the oldest, isn't he supposed to go first? We'll find out pretty soon.
Beresheet 41:53-57 "Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, 'Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.' The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands."
Scientists today might call that global warming, climate change, a solar flare-up, or something. How else could a famine cover the entire earth? Stop trying to explain it away. Even if that were the case, no one has 14 years of premonition in their dreams without Someone influencing it. Simple point, if Joseph weren't in that jail, if the butler didn't remember him, if Pharaoh hadn't had that dream or hadn't worried about it, then that famine that occurred a few thousand years ago could very well have killed us all off. It's all happening according to a plan, but what is the goal of the plan?
Music: "My Savior, My God" -Aaron Shust
The Butler and the Baker (No Candlestick Maker)
Quick recap: Joseph told on his brothers and thus became his father's favorite and someone whom they despised. Joseph told all of the above of his strange dreams regarding their wheat or their stars bowing down to his. Joseph was sent by his father to go check on the brothers, who then threw him in a pit. Reuben left the camp for a moment and he came back to find that Joseph had been sold and though he knew the likely consequences of their actions, he helped cover it up. I'm skipping the Tamar and Judah issue in this sum-up. Joseph was sold to Potiphar; a pretty important guy in Egypt. After proving himself, he is given the job of running the house. Potiphar's wife thinks Joseph is a hottie and follows him like a stalker. When he won't sleep with her, she grabs his clothes and he runs off. She told her husband that he tried to sleep with her, and Joseph is sent to jail, which is where we are now.
Beresheet (Genesis) 40:1-4 "It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for awhile."
Do the people who work at the prison still take orders from the captain of the guard or the prison keeper anymore? Looks like most of the authority went to Joseph. Also, what in the world could both the butler and the baker have done to tick off the Pharaoh?
Beresheet 40:5-8 "Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man's dream in one night and each man's dream with its own interpretation. And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the custody of his lord's house, saying, 'Why do you look so sad today?' And they said to him, 'We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.' So Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to Elohim? Tell them to me, please.'"
Ok, we all know Joseph has had some funky dreams. Good kind for him, notsogreat kind for his brothers. Hence, they sold him. But can he actually interpret dreams? Dreams in general are pretty funky. People have dreamed of everything from flying with angel's wings to making friends with geckos to being covered with spiders (the latter being a nightmare) and everything in between! Sometimes they mean something, sometimes they uncover something the person is worrying about, and sometimes they're just there to help pass the time between evening and morning. Sounds like Joseph is planning on leaving the actual interpretation to Yahuah, which is easily the smartest way to go about this.
Beresheet 40:9-11 "Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, 'Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.'"
This doesn't sound like a sad dream at all. If anything, it's a nice dream. Maybe the baker freaked him out with a similar dream on the same night, but I don't really see why the butler would be sad.
Beresheet 40:12-15 "And Joseph said to him, 'This is the interpretation if it: The three branches are three days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you his butler. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.'"
Happy day for the butler! I read somewhere (can't remember exactly where) that the butler to the king was also likely the wine taster. Basically, he took a sip of the king's wine, and if he dropped dead, the king was not going to sip the same wine. Very important man, maybe that had something to do with him ending up in jail?
Beresheet 40:16-17 "When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, 'I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.'"
Hmm... Though it is nice to feed the birds, I don't know if this is necessarily a good dream...
Beresheet 40:18-19 "So Joseph answered and said, 'This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh from you.'"
Ouch!! I wonder what he did that was this horrible. Maybe he tried to kill Pharaoh by baking poison into the bread? Maybe he was simply insolent? Maybe he was grouchy because he had a bad day? Either way, this guy's a goner.
Beresheet 40:20-23 "Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. But he hanged the chief baker; as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."
Everything's going exactly as Joseph said it would, but he was forgotten?! That's pretty sad for Joseph, but this isn't the end of the story; just the end of the chapter. Also, happy day for the butler!
If you have little brothers or sisters, kids of your own, or you happen to enjoy an animated movie, check out the movie Joseph: King of Dreams. It was one of Dreamworks' few animated films that was not entirely done on a computer. It's a good movie, and it tells the entire story of Joseph. It's not as epic as Prince of Egypt (made by the same company), but it's still good stuff.
Beresheet (Genesis) 40:1-4 "It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for awhile."
Do the people who work at the prison still take orders from the captain of the guard or the prison keeper anymore? Looks like most of the authority went to Joseph. Also, what in the world could both the butler and the baker have done to tick off the Pharaoh?
Beresheet 40:5-8 "Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man's dream in one night and each man's dream with its own interpretation. And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the custody of his lord's house, saying, 'Why do you look so sad today?' And they said to him, 'We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.' So Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to Elohim? Tell them to me, please.'"
Ok, we all know Joseph has had some funky dreams. Good kind for him, notsogreat kind for his brothers. Hence, they sold him. But can he actually interpret dreams? Dreams in general are pretty funky. People have dreamed of everything from flying with angel's wings to making friends with geckos to being covered with spiders (the latter being a nightmare) and everything in between! Sometimes they mean something, sometimes they uncover something the person is worrying about, and sometimes they're just there to help pass the time between evening and morning. Sounds like Joseph is planning on leaving the actual interpretation to Yahuah, which is easily the smartest way to go about this.
Beresheet 40:9-11 "Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, 'Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.'"
This doesn't sound like a sad dream at all. If anything, it's a nice dream. Maybe the baker freaked him out with a similar dream on the same night, but I don't really see why the butler would be sad.
Beresheet 40:12-15 "And Joseph said to him, 'This is the interpretation if it: The three branches are three days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you his butler. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.'"
Happy day for the butler! I read somewhere (can't remember exactly where) that the butler to the king was also likely the wine taster. Basically, he took a sip of the king's wine, and if he dropped dead, the king was not going to sip the same wine. Very important man, maybe that had something to do with him ending up in jail?
Beresheet 40:16-17 "When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, 'I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.'"
Hmm... Though it is nice to feed the birds, I don't know if this is necessarily a good dream...
Beresheet 40:18-19 "So Joseph answered and said, 'This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh from you.'"
Ouch!! I wonder what he did that was this horrible. Maybe he tried to kill Pharaoh by baking poison into the bread? Maybe he was simply insolent? Maybe he was grouchy because he had a bad day? Either way, this guy's a goner.
Beresheet 40:20-23 "Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. But he hanged the chief baker; as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."
Everything's going exactly as Joseph said it would, but he was forgotten?! That's pretty sad for Joseph, but this isn't the end of the story; just the end of the chapter. Also, happy day for the butler!
If you have little brothers or sisters, kids of your own, or you happen to enjoy an animated movie, check out the movie Joseph: King of Dreams. It was one of Dreamworks' few animated films that was not entirely done on a computer. It's a good movie, and it tells the entire story of Joseph. It's not as epic as Prince of Egypt (made by the same company), but it's still good stuff.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Dangers of Being Good Looking
The Joseph cliffhanger is officially over as of right now. We're done with Judah's drama, and we're back on track. Now we get to find out what what happened to Joseph.
Beresheet (Genesis) 39:1-6 "Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. Yahuah was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that Yahuah was with him and that Yahuah made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that Yahuah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahuah was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance."
Ok, what did we just learn here in this huge chunk of writing? Joseph was sold, but the Egyptian who bought him treated him well, and everything's looking up, things are going good! He's even a good-looking guy. Is this an extra bonus or could it mess stuff up later? One line in particular is interesting to me: "And he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate." What is this saying? That Joseph is in charge of everything, but he's taking nothing for granted? What are your thoughts?
Beresheet 39:7 "And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me.'"
...What?! I totally understand he's a hottie, but really? Didn't she know she could get in major trouble with your husband for this?!
Beresheet 39:8-9 "But he refused and said to his master's wife, 'Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohim?'"
Smart man. He knows his master literally trusts him with his life. He also knows that he has to be worthy of that trust or he'll easily lose everything. As far as the house goes, Joseph is in charge of everything. The master gave him the reins and he'll take them back if he sees fit.
Beresheet 39:10 "So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her."
It doesn't say anywhere that Joseph is tempted. If anything, the exact opposite is being said. He's not interested in this woman, but she's pining after him like a girl with a crush. All the power and authority that she would get from being the woman of the house is being undermined by her foolish actions. I don't know about you, but I don't see her as an authority figure like I would any other woman of any other house.
Beresheet 39:11-15 "But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me.' But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, 'See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.'"
Oh snap. There went Joseph's credibility and station. This stalker with a crush appears to be of the opinion that if she can't have him, no one can, so she's now out to ruin him.
Beresheet 39:16-18 "So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, 'The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.'"
Do you think his master has a better idea of his character than this, or will he send him away?
Beresheet 39:19-23 "So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, 'Your servant did to me after this manner,' that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoner's were confined. And he was there in the prison. But Yahuah was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because Yahuah was with him; and whatever he did, Yahuah made it prosper."
Sadly, Potiphar does not know his wife. Maybe she stalked him once too. At any rate, it's the servant's word against his wife's. Guess who wins. Even though Joseph's in jail now, it's still sort of looking up.
Music: "Be Still" by Storyside: B
Next time, we find out what happens while he's in prison.
Beresheet (Genesis) 39:1-6 "Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. Yahuah was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that Yahuah was with him and that Yahuah made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that Yahuah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahuah was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance."
Ok, what did we just learn here in this huge chunk of writing? Joseph was sold, but the Egyptian who bought him treated him well, and everything's looking up, things are going good! He's even a good-looking guy. Is this an extra bonus or could it mess stuff up later? One line in particular is interesting to me: "And he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate." What is this saying? That Joseph is in charge of everything, but he's taking nothing for granted? What are your thoughts?
Beresheet 39:7 "And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me.'"
...What?! I totally understand he's a hottie, but really? Didn't she know she could get in major trouble with your husband for this?!
Beresheet 39:8-9 "But he refused and said to his master's wife, 'Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohim?'"
Smart man. He knows his master literally trusts him with his life. He also knows that he has to be worthy of that trust or he'll easily lose everything. As far as the house goes, Joseph is in charge of everything. The master gave him the reins and he'll take them back if he sees fit.
Beresheet 39:10 "So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her."
It doesn't say anywhere that Joseph is tempted. If anything, the exact opposite is being said. He's not interested in this woman, but she's pining after him like a girl with a crush. All the power and authority that she would get from being the woman of the house is being undermined by her foolish actions. I don't know about you, but I don't see her as an authority figure like I would any other woman of any other house.
Beresheet 39:11-15 "But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me.' But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, 'See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.'"
Oh snap. There went Joseph's credibility and station. This stalker with a crush appears to be of the opinion that if she can't have him, no one can, so she's now out to ruin him.
Beresheet 39:16-18 "So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, 'The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.'"
Do you think his master has a better idea of his character than this, or will he send him away?
Beresheet 39:19-23 "So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, 'Your servant did to me after this manner,' that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoner's were confined. And he was there in the prison. But Yahuah was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because Yahuah was with him; and whatever he did, Yahuah made it prosper."
Sadly, Potiphar does not know his wife. Maybe she stalked him once too. At any rate, it's the servant's word against his wife's. Guess who wins. Even though Joseph's in jail now, it's still sort of looking up.
Music: "Be Still" by Storyside: B
Next time, we find out what happens while he's in prison.
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