Gen 44:18-47:27
In this parash we’re going to see “forgiveness” play a big
role and changing most of the misfortunes of Jacob and his family. The act of
forgiveness will be demonstrated in the dramatic scene of Joseph reveling
himself to his brothers. This will allow Jacob’s soul to be revived and lead to
the prosperity of the Jewish people in the land of Egypt. But forgiveness can
only come from someone acknowledging a wrong doing and allowing God to change a
bad circumstance into a glorious type of redemption for all who are involved.
Most of the events of Israel’s patriarchs seem to be foreshadows of what will
happen to the nation of Israel as a whole, to even demonstrate the role of
Messiah in similar key events.
Last week’s portion is the backgrounds of Joseph acting in a
duplicitous way, having the brothers endure some trials that entrap them to set
the stage to this dramatic turn of events. It’s in the first reading (Gen 44:18-30)
we see Judah began to plead for Benjamin’s freedom, explaining that his father
deeply loved the boy and that returning to Canaan without him would surely be
the cause of his father’s death. By Judah’s willingness to remain in Egypt as
Joseph’s slave in the place of Benjamin clearly demonstrates the selflessness act
(mesirat nefesh in Hebrew) of a repented person. The speech of Judah appealing
for his young brother is what changes the tide in ending a long rift of strife
within the family. This speech isn’t a flamboyant expression on the part of Judah,
but a true expression of his heart, that doesn’t want to repeat the mischief
that they did to another beloved son of Jacob. Joseph finally gets irrefutable
proof of his brother’s new attitude and their sincere contrition for the crime
that was committed to against him. Reconciliation is the conclusion to the act
of forgiveness; this picture is seen within our own lives that are accomplished
through the great redemption of Messiah Ben Yosef.
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