#10 — Parshat Miqets
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Shalom in G-d’s Sovereign Purposes
G-d is at work. Miqets: at the end of two full years in prison, a great turnaround takes place. Joseph at last is taken out of the dungeon-pit to become Pharaoh’s grand vizier, ruler over all of Egypt. (Genesis 41:37-45)
G-d is at work. This is also the bottom line of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams: G-d is telling Pharaoh what He is doing. (Genesis 41:25, 28) In abundance and famine, the L-RD is sovereign and working out His purposes.
Our story portrays a young Hebrew putting all Pharaoh’s magicians and wise men to shame. When touted as the one who solves the riddles of prophetic dreams, Joseph shows true humility and makes a good confession. He literally says, “It is apart from me! G-d will answer concerning the Shalom of Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:16)
Forgetting the Past?
In response, Pharaoh exclaims about Joseph, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of G-d?” (Genesis 41:37)
We note the emphasis is on G-d. All our Shalom is dependent on Him! That’s true both on a personal level and on a large scale for entire nations – even superpowers like Egypt.
G-d also provides a wife for Joseph. Two sons are born. Joseph calls his firstborn, Manasseh [1]. “For G-d has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” (Genesis 41:51)
With this great reversal of his fortunes, Joseph has come to great heights. But old pains remain. Memories of his family back in Canaan are still connected with rejection, suffering, and hardship….
But G-d won’t leave matters this way; He has even better plans in mind. He will do more than simply let Joseph bury the past. Joseph’s own youthful dreams must be realized as well.
Lo and behold, driven by the famine in their homeland, Joseph’s brothers show up in Egypt seeking food. And, just as Joseph had dreamed, they bow down before him. (Genesis 42:6)
What a unique opportunity for vengeance! Will Joseph take it?
Peaceful Wisdom
No, G-d’s spirit, His peaceful wisdom, is in Joseph! And that wisdom prevails. Joseph keeps seeking the shalom of his brothers.
But the path to true shalom is not easy.
Joseph has to face his pain, reliving the rawness of his brothers’ callous rejection… being separated from his father’s love… sold into slavery.
The emotional turmoil is real, but Joseph seeks no vengeance. G-d’s wisdom is at work through Joseph, moving him to a godly response.
He confronts his brothers with their sinful past. Repentance is necessary for true reconciliation.
How will they respond?
Test of Repentance
The brother’s consciences are pricked and, by G-d’s grace, repentance starts to well up in the brothers’ hearts. They acknowledge their sin. (Genesis 42:21)
But we wonder, how deep is this repentance? Are they only distressed their sins are uncovered – or is deeper heart change taking place?
It seems there is – especially with Judah. He evidences sincerity by his willingness to take personal responsibility. Joseph has required the youngest brother must accompany them should they return to Egypt. When Jacob is unwilling to risk losing another son, Judah promises his father he will guarantee Benjamin’s safety.
But “talk is cheap.” Has Judah really learned his lessons? Is there real repentance in his life?
At the end of our Parsha Benjamin gets into deep trouble. Joseph’s personal cup is found in the youngest brother’s sack.
The horror of the situation sweeps over the brothers. Someone surely must pay for stealing the ruler’s cup.
To this point the brothers have defended Benjamin. But then Joseph gives them a real test: the chance to leave Benjamin and save their own skins. “Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father.” (Genesis 44:17)
What will Judah do now? Our story continues next week….
But a bigger question is…what will we do?
Spirit of Messiah
The spirit of wisdom who is found in Joseph is the spirit of Messiah. (Isaiah 11:1-3) And that same spirit who worked to convict the brothers of their sin convicts us of ours today.
He truly seeks our Shalom. But that also means He can’t simply gloss over our sins. He wants us to own up to our sins and help us turn from our sinful ways to live lives pleasing to G-d.
Joseph prefigures Jesus the Messiah. Jesus also doesn’t seek vengeance. He doesn’t desire that anyone should perish but rather the true repentance of everyone. (2 Peter 3:9)
No, our sins are not glossed over; they must be paid for. But thanks to G-d, Messiah Himself was willing to face the pain and the suffering.
He gave His life that we may be fully reconciled to G-d, enjoying His perfect peace and an abundant life. (1 Peter 3:18; John 14:27; John 10:10)
In the end, the one who forgives pays the highest price. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. (Isaiah 53:5)
Now, He is L-RD over all the earth. Are we bowing down before Him?
[1] Manasseh means “He who causes to forget.”