W A L K T H R O U G H T H E W O R D vaY’ chi hjhu “and he lived” Torah: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12 B’rit Chadashah: 1 Peter 1:1-9 Sunday (Rishon) Genesis 47:28-48:9 Living In The Land of Promise (Sheni) Genesis 48:10-16 Adoption Makes You An Heir After Jacob’s family is finally reunited in Egypt, Jacob lives 17 more years and dies at 147 years of age (47:28). Because Jacob remains focused on God’s promises for a heritage in the Land, he makes Joseph promise to bring his body back there (vv.29-31). Based on God’s word to him in 46:4, where do you think Jacob expects to actually die? When Joseph returns to Jacob bringing his two sons (48:1-2), Jacob tells them about God’s promises to him at Bethel (vv.3-4; cf. 28:13-16; 35:11-12) and then reveals his intention to elevate Joseph’s two sons as full heirs of those promises (vv.5-6). After telling them about the fate of Rachel, their mother/grandmother (v.7), Jacob prepares to formally bless the kids (vv.8-9). & Jacob’s eyes are failing due to age (v.10; cf. 27:1ff) but his heart is full because he is beholding his beloved grandsons (v.11; cf. Prov.17:6a). We are given a slow-motion detailed picture of Joseph facing his father and preparing for his first-born son to receive the birthright blessing of preeminence (vv.12-13; Manasseh, the first-born is on Jacob’s right). But Jacob crosses his hands and continues the pattern of elevating the younger over the older (v.14; cf. Jacob over Esau, 25:23; Perez over Zerah, 38:27-30). When Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh, he is really blessing his beloved son, Joseph (vv.15-16). Despite even our best efforts to direct the flow of blessing and direct the course of history, God’s sovereignty is absolute and his mercy is not lacking (cf. Ro.9:16 and the surrounding context). Does this comfort you or discourage you? In what ways does God’s sovereignty leave you totally awed? In what ways does it leave you totally confused!? Monday (Shlishi) Genesis 48:17-22 Blessing “Switch-a-roo” (R’vi’i) Genesis 49:1-18 Judah’s Preeminence Why is Joseph displeased at the sight of his younger son being preeminently blessed and elevated to Jacob’s “right hand” (vv.17-18; cf. Ps.110:1 & Heb.1:3)? What is Jacob’s explanation (v.19; cf. his mother’s understanding, 25:23; and God’s word to him at Bethel, 35:11)? Jacob’s blessing over the two boys elevates Ephraim and effectually gives Joseph a double portion inheritance (v.20). Jacob also comforts his soon to be fatherless son with the promises of God’s Presence and his sure return to the Land (vv.21-22). & Jacob’s final blessing over all his sons is also a prophetic utterance (49:1-2). Leah’s sons are blessed first (cf. 35:23). Why are Reuben (vv.3-4; cf. 35:22), Simeon and Levi (vv.5-7; cf. 34:25-29) disqualified for the preeminent blessing? Judah, being next in line, is promised what preeminent leadership role in redemptive history (vv.8-12; cf. Micah 5:2; 1 Sam.17:12; Mat.2:6)? Zebulun (v.13) and Issachar (vv.14-15) are also each given their appropriate blessings. After Leah had given birth to four of her six sons, Rachel’s concubine had the next child with Bilhah’s first-born, Dan, next in Jacob’s line (vv.16-18; cf.29:31-30:6). Genealogies, as well as accompanying narrative, can be confusing and cumbersome but they often contain potent theological truths – so hang in there! Tuesday (Chamishi) Genesis 49:19-26 Establishing the Sons (Shishi) Genesis 49:27-50:20 Leading the Reconciliation This section begins with Jacob’s blessing over Zilpah’s firstborn, Gad, whose birth resumed Leah’s progeny through her maidservant (49:19; cf. 30:9-11). The blessings for Asher (v.20) and Naphtali (v.21) conclude the blessings for the sons born to Jacob through his wives’ maidservants (cf. 35:25-26). Rachel’s sons are blessed last (cf. 35:24). While the ruler would come through Judah, the birthright was given to Joseph (vv.22-26; cf. 1 Chr.5:1-2; his “double portion” through Ephraim & Manasseh each receiving a full portion). & While Judah and Joseph receive the longest blessings, the final blessing is reserved for Benjamin (v.27). Consider that Israel’s 1st king, Saul, was from Benjamin (cf. 1 Sam.9:1-2). How is Judah’s promised role of leadership fulfilled through king David taking the throne (cf. 2 Sam.7:8-16 and Judah’s cross references above)? Consider also that Israel’s 1st missionary to the Gentiles was another Saul from Benjamin (cf. Phil.3:5) and was sent to bring those from the nations into relationship with the God of Israel. How might Judah’s promised role of leadership be further fulfilled through all Israel, as a primarily Jewish nation, being saved (cf. Ro.11:25-27; Deut.26:18-19; 28:1, 13)? Blessings concluded (v.28), Jacob gives instructions regarding his burial (vv.29-32) and then dies (v.33). After mourning Jacob’s death and with Pharaoh’s permission, Joseph, along with many Egyptians, go to bury him in the Land with his relatives (50:1-14). Fearing revenge on them for past abuses now that their father is dead, Joseph’s brothers seek his favor (vv.15-18). How is Joseph able to forgive them (vv.19-20; cf. Prov.3:5)? Meditate on v.20. To whom may God be calling you to sincerely say this same thing? Can you lean on Him instead of your own understanding and forgive even the harshest of abuses? Wednesday (Shvi’i) Genesis 50:21-22 God’s Comfort in Exile (Maftir) Genesis 50:23-26 Joseph’s Hope of Aliyah Joseph cares for his family in Egypt (50:21) and lives out a long rich life (vv.22-23). Like his father, Joseph makes relatives promise to bury him in the Promised Land (vv.24-25; cf. 47:29-31). What kind of effect do you think his dying father’s words from 48:21 had on his own departing thoughts? What kind of impact do you think God’s message to Abraham in 15:13-15 had on Joseph as it was passed on from father to son (i.e. hope, peace, fear, confusion, etc.)? Why is Joseph praised as a hero of faith in Heb.11:22? For all the great things Joseph could have been remembered for, why is this the only thing singled out by the writer of Hebrews as worthy of remembering? For all the things you are striving for in your life, for what will you be remembered? Joseph dies at 110 years of age and is embalmed (v.26). The stage is set for the book of Exodus, which in Hebrew is called Sh’mot (“Names”). [The Hebrew name is taken from the opening sentence of the book just like the Hebrew name for each portion is taken from the opening sentence(s) of the portion. Incidentally, this also means that the name of a book of Torah has the same name as the first portion of that book.] Thursday (Haftarah) 1 Kings 2:1-12 Passing the Heritage Just as father Jacob establishes his sons with blessings for this nation-in-embryo in our Torah portion, King David establishes his son Solomon as the rightful king over the nation in our Haftarah (“completion”) portion. Departing words are usually noteworthy as they reflect the most important concluding thoughts. David’s final words to Solomon call him to faithful obedience to God (vv.1-4). David also gives his son instructions for dealing justly with Joab (vv.5-6; cf. 2 Sam.3:27), kindly with Barzillai (v.7; cf. 2 Sam. 19:31-39) and harshly with Shimei (vv.8-9; cf. 2 Sam.16:5-13; 19:16-23). Following these instructions will help Solomon establish his rule when his father is gone by dealing with those who are his enemies and opposed to his leadership. After 40 years of leading Israel, David dies (vv.10-11) and his appointed son is firmly established as the ruler (v.12). In Acts 20:17-38, read Paul’s final words to the leaders of the faith community of Ephesus. What is most important to Paul to pass on? Whose rule is he laboring to establish? Friday (B’rit Chadashah) 1 Peter 1:1-9 Inheriting the Blessing “Salvation of our souls is the goal of our faith! The outcome of this goal will be revealed at the last day. Meanwhile, how does one prepare? In Israel’s case, the eternal land and seed heritage blessings must be appropriated by faith, with the saving of the nation as the ultimate outcome of faith (Ro.11:25-27). For Israel and believers alike, our inheritance is reserved; and believers are protected until they come into the inheritance by God’s power. Until then, one waits with joy to inherit the blessing (1:8). Even life’s valuables, such as fine gold, are perishable (v.18).