RECOGNITION

2. RECOGNITION THE MESSIANIC PROPHECY BIBLE PROJECT http://www.messianicbible.com HEAR O ISRAEL www.hearoisrael.org SHEEPFOLD GLEANINGS WRITTEN BY JULIE PARKER www.sheepfoldgleanings.com MESSIANIC ISRAEL ALLIANCE http://www.messianicisrael.com AZAMRA TORAH FOR OUR TIME – RABBI AVRAHAM GREENBAUM http://www.azamra.org

3. MIKETZ “At the End OF” TORAH: Genesis 41:1-44:17 HAFTORAH:Zechariah 2:10 – 4:7 B’RIT CHADASHAH: John 6:1-71 All references: The Scripture 1998+ unless otherwise noted

4. END TIMES The story of Joseph and his brothers reveals a pattern of one of the central themes of the Torah: Sin Punishment/Discipline Teshuva (Repentance) Redemption All of these components operate within the intended final goal of family unity. When the brothers sin, it goes against this goal; and it is to this goal that they will all return upon repentance. This pattern began in the Garden and cycles and recycles until we get to the last pages of Revelation. For this reason, there is much for us to learn in our story about Joseph that will help us Mikeitz– at the end. In fact, end times are exactly where our Torah parasha points us: Bereshith 41:1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.

5. REPENTANCE What is the point of Yosef’s lengthy story? Repentance, reconciliation, and family unity. What did the brothers need to repent of? The sin of “selling” a “brother” is one of the more serious sins and according to the Torah, worthy of death: Devarim 24:7 " If a man is found kidnapping a soul of his brother of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you. “Selling” Yosef is connected with the 1st sin listed as a cause for the wrath of YHVH upon Israel: Amos 2:6 Thus says YHVH: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver… Yeshua also was sold by His brethren for “silver”, resulting in “bloodguilt” which YHVH promises will be “pardoned”: Joel 3:21 "Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon….

6. RECONCILIATION Thus Yosef understands the need to send his brothers on a journey of repentance. Their awful act – the sale of a brother – was a sin that had the potential to haunt the family for generations. Yosef desired to bring repentance and unity to the family; and although he was not spoken to directly by the Father, through his dreams he understood the authority he was given. A wise Yosef knew that one shows full repentance by facing the same situation in which one sinned initially and this time, showing restraint. So Yosef places his brothers in situations whereby they must choose between themselves and their younger brother, now known as their father’s favorite. Yosef’s objective then, is to lure his brother Benyamin to Egypt and thereby expose the hearts of his brothers.

7. A PARENT KNOWSLegends of the Jews It is a law of nature that however much one may grieve over the death of a dear one, at the end of a year consolation finds its way to the heart of the mourner. But the disappearance of a living man can never be wiped out of one's memory. Therefore the fact that he was inconsolable made Jacob suspect that Joseph was alive, and he did not give entire credence to the report of his sons. His vague suspicion was strengthened by something that happened to him. He went up into the mountains, hewed twelve stones out of the quarry, and wrote the names of his sons thereon, their constellations, and the months corresponding to the constellations, a stone for a son, thus, "Reuben, Ram, Nisan," and so for each of his twelve sons. Then he addressed the stones and bade them bow down before the one marked with Reuben's name, constellation, and month, and they did not move. He gave the same order regarding the stone marked for Simon, and again the stones stood still. And so he did respecting all his sons, until he reached the stone for Joseph. When he spoke concerning this one, "I command you to fall down before Joseph," they all prostrated themselves. He tried the same test with other things, trees and sheaves, and always the result was the same.

8. THE COVENANTLegends of the Jews Jacob spoke: "The covenant that God made with me regarding the twelve tribes is null and void now. I did strive in vain to establish the twelve tribes, seeing that now the death of Joseph hath destroyed the covenant. All the works of God were made to correspond to the number of the tribes--twelve are the signs of the zodiac, twelve the months, twelve hours hath the day, twelve the night, and twelve stones are set in Aaron's breastplate--and now that Joseph hath departed, the covenant of the tribes is set at naught.“ His mourning lasted all of twenty-two years, corresponding to the number of the years he had dwelt apart from his parents, and had not fulfilled the duty of a son toward them. In his mourning Jacob put sackcloth upon his loins, and therein be became a model for the kings and princes in Israel, for David, Ahab, Joram, and Mordecai did likewise when a great misfortune befell the nation.

9. MITZRAYIM “EGYPT” The “oppressor” is Pharaoh, the King of Mitzrayim. “Mitzrayim”, means “constriction” and “bondage”. “Mitzrayim” was also the third son of Ham. The scriptural references to Ham‟s descendants from B’reshith Chapter 10, show that they have come to represent bondage and sexual sin in the world. The Land of Egypt became the “stronghold” of Mitzrayim (constriction and bondage) and has, from the time of Avraham until Moshe, tried to “uncover the nakedness” of Yisra‟el. It was Pharaoh who kidnapped Sarah, in order to pollute Avraham‟s genealogy. It took what B’reshith 12:17 describes as “great plagues” to force Pharaoh into releasing her. And, it was Pharaoh who enslaved and brutalized B‟neiYisra‟el, and killed their male children, at the time of Moshe‟s birth.

10. RABBI AVRAHAM GREENBAUM “Our parsha MIKETZ traces the successive stages in which the snare was laid to force Jacob and his Twelve Sons to follow Joseph down into exile in Egypt in preparation for the ultimate redemption of the Children of Israel years later on that same date. The net is artfully prepared by Joseph, who alone of all the sons of Jacob had the power to stand in the House of Pharaoh. Joseph is the archetype of the Tzaddik who enables us to survive in This World. Having been drawn down to Egypt by Joseph, the Children of Israel are eventually redeemed by Moses, who, having been brought up in the House of Pharaoh, had the power to stand there. Moses is integrally linked with Joseph, and thus Moses ‘took the bones (the essence) of Joseph with him’ up out of Egypt. Moses is the Tzaddik who teaches us the path leading through the wilderness of This World to the Land of the Living -- the Land of Israel.”

11. MIKETZ The Hebrew word “Miketz” has two meanings. “at the end”, as in the end of Yoseph‟s imprisonment. “at the beginning”, as in the beginning of his rise to rulership and being given the authority to “stand in Pharaoh’s House”. Rabbi Eli Touger writes in The Garden of Torah, “Similarly, the Zohar speaks of the ketzdismola, „the left end,’ and the ketzhayamin, ‘the right end’. According to the first interpretation, mikeitz refers to the most difficult challenges Yosef faced in Egypt, for it is before daybreak that the darkness becomes most powerful. According to the second interpretation, mikeitz refers to the dawning of Yosef’s redemption. There is a connection between the two. Hidden within the challenges of ketzdismola and the last moments of exile are Godly sparks. Confronting these challenges taps these Godly energies and brings ketzhayamin, the beginning of the Redemption”.

12. TWO YEARS At the end of two years, .. (Genesis 41:1 CJB) Our parsha begins by telling us; “Vay‟heemiketzsh‟nachim”. This literally translates; “It was the end of two years of days..” “two years of days”, when we read about the life of Avraham and Sarah, Torah referred to them, in the Hebrew, as “walking in their days” and that “their years were full of days”. “Hebrewism” refers to the fact that they occupied or filled their days. Yoseph, didn’t just mark time in prison; he served YHVH and literally “fulfilled” his days in prison. Joseph had a decision to make: Was he going to live and rest in the knowledge and understanding that ALL was in YHVH’s care or take matters into his own hands? Joseph chose wisely. He chose to grow with the situation of hardships and trials and allow his Heavenly Father to guide, correct and mould him into the image and destiny YHVH purposed for his life. Letting go of self (earthly realm) until only YHVH existed (heavenly realm). Prophetic symbolism: Two years = 2000 years before Yeshua will raise us up so that we can rule and rein with Him.

13. YE’OR …he was standing beside the Nile River; (Genesis 41:1 CJB) The Hebrew word “Ye‟or” (which is Egyptian) is exclusively used to mean the Nile, Mitzrayim‟s chief river. In fact, it was worshipped as the source of life in those days by the Egyptians. The wording here shows that in his dream, Pharaoh was standing over, or ruling, the Nile. Pharaohs, like Caesars and other pagan sovereigns were often worshipped as elohim (with a small „e‟). As YHVH is bringing plagues of judgment upon Pharaoh and all Mitzrayim, in ParshaVa ‘era, we read in the Haftorah from Ezekiel 29:2-3; “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh the sovereign of Mitsrayim, and prophesy against him, and against Mitsrayim, all of it. Speak, and you shall say, „Thus said the Master YHVH, “See, I am against you, O Pharaoh sovereign of Mitsrayim, O great crocodile (serpent) who lies in the midst of his rivers, who has said, „My River (in Hebrew Ye‟or = the Nile)is my own, and I, I have made it for myself.‟

14. PHARAOH DREAMS Pharaoh had a dream: he was standing beside the Nile River; and there came up out of the river seven cows, sleek and fat; and they began feeding in swamp grass. After them, there came up out of the river seven more cows, miserable-looking and lean; and they stood by the other cows at the edge of the river. Then the miserable-looking and lean cows ate up the seven sleek, fat cows.. and dreamt a second time: seven full, ripe ears of grain grew out of a single stalk. After them, seven ears, thin and blasted by the east wind, sprang up. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven full, ripe ears…. (Genesis 41:1-7 CJB) Legends of the Jews: This was not the first time Pharaoh had had these dreams. They had visited him every night during a period of two years, and he had forgotten them invariably in the morning. This was the first time he remembered them, for the day had arrived for Joseph to come forth from his prison house.

15. JOSEPH SUMMONED Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today reminds me of something wherein I am at fault: Pharaoh was angry with his officials and put me in the prison of the house of the captain of the guard, me and the chief baker. One night both I and he had dreams, .. a young man, a Hebrew, .. interpreted each man's dream individually. And it came about as he interpreted to us — I was restored to my office, and he was hanged." Then Pharaoh summoned Yosef, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in to Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:9-14 CJB) Why mention he shaved himself? Legends of the Jews: They brought him hastily out of the dungeon, but first Joseph, out of respect for the king, shaved himself, and put on fresh raiment, which an angel brought him from Paradise, and then he came in unto Pharaoh.

16. EGYPTION PROTOCOLLegends of the Jews If a prince or other distinguished person came to have an audience with the king, it was the custom for him to advance and mount to the thirty-first step of the throne, and the king would descend thirty-six steps and speak to him. But if one of the people came to have speech with the king, he ascended only to the third step, and the king would come down four steps from his seat, and address him thence. It was also the custom that one who knew all the seventy languages ascended the seventy steps of the throne to the top, but if a man knew only some of the seventy languages, he was permitted to ascend as many steps as he knew languages, whether they were many or, few. And another custom of the Egyptians was that none could reign over them unless he was master of all the seventy languages. “When Joseph came before the king, he bowed down to the ground, and he ascended to the third step, while the king sat upon the fourth from the top”

17. GOD WILL GIVE THE ANSWER Legends of the Jews: Joseph asked the king first whence he knew that the interpretation given by the wise men of his country was not true, and Pharaoh replied, "I saw the dream and its interpretation together, and therefore they cannot make a fool of me.“ Pharaoh said to Yosef, "I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; but I've heard it said about you that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it." Yosef answered Pharaoh, "It isn't in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer that will set his mind at peace." …"(Genesis 41:15-16 CJB) Legends of the Jews: And for such modesty he was rewarded by sovereignty over Egypt, for the Lord doth honour them that honour Him. Thus was also Daniel rewarded for his speech to Nebuchadnezzar:"There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, but as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart."

18. INTERPRETATION The dreams of Pharaoh are the same: .. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears of grain are seven years — the dreams are the same. Likewise the seven lean and miserable-looking cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted by the east wind — there will be seven years of famine. ..Here it is: there will be seven years of abundance throughout the whole land of Egypt; but afterwards, there will come seven years of famine; and Egypt will forget all the abundance. The famine will consume the land, and the abundance will not be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, because it will be truly terrible. Why was the dream doubled for Pharaoh? Because the matter has been fixed by God, and God will shortly cause it to happen. "Therefore, Pharaoh should look for a man both discreet and wise to put in charge of the land of Egypt. .. he should appoint supervisors over the land to receive a twenty percent tax on the produce of the land of Egypt ...and they should store it. This will be the land's food supply for the seven years of famine that will come over the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish as a result of the famine.“ (Genesis 41:25-36 CJB)

19. REPETITION Repetition in the Torah is a literary device often used to reveal hidden truths. It is good to line up the details of the events and look for similarities and/or discrepancies. One set of differences involves the use of unique synonyms to describe the fat and thin cows in the text and then in Pharaoh’s recounting of the dream: Bereshith 41:2 Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking (Yefotemareh -) and fat (briyote); and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly (raotemareh ) and gaunt (dakotebasar), and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. Bereshith 41:18 "Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fat (briyote) and beautiful of form (yefotetoar); and they fed in the meadow. "Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor (dalote) and very ugly (raotetoar) and gaunt (rakotebasar), such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt.

20. LEAH AND RACHEL There are two different synonyms in Pharaoh’s recounting: • Beautiful of form (yefotetoar) • Gaunt (rakote) These two synonyms appeared in a previous story: Bereshith 29:17 Leah's eyes were delicate (rakote), but Rachel was beautiful of form (yefottoar) and appearance. From these special words pointing back to Leah and Rachel, as recounted by Pharaoh, Joseph understands that the time has come for the re gathering of the divided House of Israel. Catching the significance of these words was a confidence builder for Joseph to proceed with the interpretation of the dreams.

21. THE ADDITION Pharaoh’s repetition of the dream contained an added detail of despair concerning the cows: When they (gaunt cows) had eaten them (fat cows) up one could not see that they had eaten them, for their appearance was as bad as it had been at the start Did Pharaoh really see this in his dream, or did he add it in his retelling? If it was an addition, then would Joseph include it in his interpretation? Were the other wise men rejected because they had not caught the addition? Bereshith 41:25 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. These verses conclude Joseph’s interpretation of the dream.

22. THE CANCELLATION What follows these verses is a plan that Joseph proposes to accumulate grain throughout the seven years of plenty, so as to SOLVE the problem of the famine. In doing so, he addresses Pharaoh’s addition (Pharaoh’s despair) to the actual dream: Bereshith 41:31 "So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. This is the dire prediction, as interpreted by Joseph. Joseph is about to suggest a way to NEGATE Pharaoh’s addition which is not really part of the dream. If the Pharaoh and the Egyptians will follow Joseph’s instructions, then the accumulation and storage of food will make it possible to eat during the times of famine.The actual dream was a prophecy but the outcome could wisely be managed! Pharaoh feared his dream was pointing to a catastrophic future for Egypt. In reality, the only thing the dreams prophesied was years of plenty and years of famine. The despair was Pharaoh’s own invention and inability to rely on YHVH (Yahweh)!

23. ANOTHER FAMINE The prophet Amos speaks of another coming famine: Amos 8:11 " Behold, the days are coming," say Adonai YHVH, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing (shema) the words of the YHVH. This famine is not of bread or water, but one of hearing….shema the words of YHVH. To “shema” is to “hear” and to “obey”. We must all learn to make the best use of our time during this season of “plenty”. The coming famine is a fact, but our task is to find ways of dealing with the suffering that it is likely to cause due to people’s inability to “shema”. Yeshua spoke of this:

24. YESHUA Matthew 6:19-33 " Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. " The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! " No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve Elohim and mammon." Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?... "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of Yah and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

25. UNDISCIPLINED VS DISCIPLINED Pharaoh only asked to know what his dreams meant but he gets a word of knowledge on what to do next, in light of the interpretation. Why would that be? Interestingly, the word “Pharaoh” (or Paroh in Hebrew = Pey-reish-ayin-hey) means “king”, “prince” or “ruler”. But, with different vowel markings, which don‟t appear in the Hebrew Torah, it is the word “paru‟ah”, which means “undisciplined”. He does not know how to conserve and save for lean times. Pharaoh's self-seeking is rooted in the fundamental flaw of Adam: KERI, spilling the seed in vain -- waste. Joseph used the Seven Years of Plenty to teach the Egyptians to put limits on IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION AND GRATIFICATION in order to SAVE for the FUTURE. Yoseph lays out the perfect discipline of storing up the excess of the abundance to cover the shortage of the following famine. Yoseph‟s name means “added to” or “abundance”.

26. CONFORMATION Legends of the Jews: Joseph did more than merely interpret the dreams. When the king gave voice to doubts concerning the interpretation, he told him signs and tokens. He said: "Let this be a sign to thee that my words are true, and my advice is excellent: Thy wife, who is sitting upon the birthstool at this moment, will bring forth a son, and thou wilt rejoice over him, but in the midst of thy joy the sad tidings will be told thee of the death of thine older son, who was born unto thee but two years ago, and thou must needs find consolation for the loss of the one in the birth of the other.“ Scarcely had Joseph withdrawn from the presence of the king, when the report of the birth of a son was brought to Pharaoh, and soon after also the report of the death of his first-born, who had suddenly dropped to the floor and passed away. Pharaoh said to his officials, "Can we find anyone else like him? The Spirit of God lives in him!" So Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Since God has shown you all this — there is no one as discerning and wise as you — (Genesis 41:38-39 CJB)

27. APPROVALLegends of the Jews The astrologers, who were his counsellors, demurred, saying, "A slave, one whom his present owner hath acquired for twenty pieces of silver, thou proposest to set over us as master? ..“this Hebrew knows none but his own tongue, and how were it possible that a man should rule over us who cannot even speak the language of our land? Pharaoh yielded, ..and he appointed the following day as the time for examining Joseph. During the night Gabriel appeared unto Joseph, and taught him all the seventy languages, and he acquired them quickly after the angel had changed his name from Joseph to Jehoseph. The next morning, when he came into the presence of Pharaoh and the nobles of the kingdom, inasmuch as he knew every one of the seventy languages, he mounted all the steps of the royal throne, until he reached the seventieth, the highest, upon which sat the king, and Pharaoh and his princes rejoiced that Joseph fulfilled all the requirements needed by one that was to rule over Egypt. Jasher 49:14 And the angel roused him from his sleep, .. and behold the angel of the Lord was standing opposite to him; and the angel of the Lord spoke with Joseph, and he taught him all the languages of man in that night, and he called his name Jehoseph.

28. REWARD So Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Since God has shown you all this — there is no one as discerning and wise as you —you will be in charge of my household; all my people will be ruled by what you say. Only when I rule from my throne will I be greater than you." Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Here, I place you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Yosef's hand, had him clothed in fine linen with a gold chain around his neck and had him ride in his second best chariot … (Genesis 41:39-44 CJB) Legends of the Jews: Without delay the people prostrated themselves, and they cried, "Long live the king, and long live the deputy of the king!" And Joseph, looking down from his horse upon the people and their exultation, exclaimed, his eyes directed heavenward: "The Lord raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the needy from the dunghill. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee."

29. ZAPHENATH-PANEAH Pharaoh called Yosef by the name Tzafnat-Pa`neach .. (Genesis 41:39-45 CJB) Zaphenath-Paneah, which means “He who explains what is hidden.” In the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament Joseph’s Egyptian name in the Coptic signifies: a revealer of secrets or the man to whom secrets are revealed; a priest or a prince. This translation is based on the fact that the name is Egyptian, requiring Coptic entomology; it refers to Joseph being a “shadow” of Yeshua. according to Gesenius‟ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon and the Jablonskii Lexicon, it means in Egyptian, “Salvation, or Savior of the Age”. Legends of the Jews: Each letter of the name Zaphenath-paneah has a meaning, too. The first, Zadde, stands for Zofeh, seer; Pe for Podeh, redeemer; Nun for Nabi, prophet; Taw for Tomek, supporter; Pe for Poter, interpreter of dreams; Ain for Arum, clever; Nun for Nabon, discreet; and Het for Hakam, wise.

30. ASENATH Pharaoh ..gave him as his wife Osnat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On. Then Yosef went out through all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:45 CJB) Yoseph‟s new wife‟s name was Asenath, which means “she who is like Neith” or “Isis” or “Minerva”, “Dianna” or “Semeramus” depending on the culture. Legends of the Jews: Asenath was the daughter of Dinah and Hamor, but she was abandoned at the borders of Egypt, only, that people might know who she was, Jacob engraved the story of her parentage and her birth upon a gold plate fastened around her neck. The day on which Asenath was exposed, Potiphar went walking with his servants near the city wall, and they heard the voice of a child. He took her home with him, and raised her as his daughter. The Alef in Asenath stands for On, where Potiphar was priest; the Samek for Setirah, Hidden, for she was kept concealed on account of her extraordinary beauty; the Nun for Nohemet, for she wept and entreated that she might be delivered from the house of the heathen Potiphar; and the Taw for Tammah, the perfect one, on account of her pious, perfect deeds.

31. 30 YEARS, GATHERING GRAIN Yosef was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt..Yosef stored grain in quantities like the sand on the seashore, so much that they stopped counting, because it was beyond measure. (Genesis 41:46-49 CJB) Yoseph was 30 years old when he accepted this “ministerial” role as Pharaoh‟s Viceroy; the same age at which Yahshua began His ministry. “Yoseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he ceased counting, for it was without number.” This is a prophetic symbol of the promises to Avraham, Yitzaq and Ya‟aqob that their seed would be as the “sand of the sea”, unable to be counted; and that Yahshua will gather much grain (as grain represents people in Scripture). Yeshua went about all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and weakness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his talmidim, "The harvest is rich, but the workers are few. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers to gather in his harvest.“ (Matthew 9:35-38 CJB)

32. GRAIN (BAR) Bereshith 41:49 Joseph gathered very much grain (bar) .. The word used for “grain/corn” (bar), is not the common word for grain/corn and is only found in five verses in the Torah. Bar is the Aramaic word for “son”. It is not always possible to distinguish between the “Son” and those who have joined themselves to the “Son”. Yeshua speaks of this unity: John 17:23 "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. We know from the name of our parasha that what we are reading about a pattern for the end times. According to 1 Corinthians 10:17, the unified body of Messiah (Israel), including Messiah, is “one bread”. What is bread made up of? Individual kernels of “grain”. Grain is what Joseph stored up in Egypt and grain is what Joseph’s 10 brothers came to Egypt to buy. There was only “grain” in Egypt because Joseph (shadow of Messiah) was there. Are we Joseph? We should be busy gathering “grain” in Egypt. Like Joseph, we’ve got to stop thinking about ourselves, and line up with the Almighty’s plan for the family of Jacob.

33. MANASSEH & EFRAIM Two sons were born to Yosef before the year of famine came; Osnat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On bore them to him. Yosef called the firstborn M'nasheh [causing to forget], "Because God has caused me to forget all the troubles I suffered at the hands of my family." The second he called Efrayim [fruit], "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortune." (Genesis 41:50-52 CJB) Legends of the Jews: Asenath bore him two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, during the seven years of plenty, for in the time of famine Joseph refrained from all indulgence in the pleasures of life. They were bred in chastity and fear of God by their father, and they were wise, and well-instructed in all knowledge and in the affairs of state, so that they became the favourites of the court, and were educated with the royal princes.

34. SENDING OF LEADERS The famine in Canaan inspired Joseph with the hope of seeing his brethren. To make sure of their coming, he issued a decree concerning the purchase of corn in Egypt, as follows: "By order of the king and his deputy, and the princes of the realm, be it enacted that he who desireth to buy grain in Egypt may not send his slave hither to do his bidding, but he must charge his own sons therewith. An Egyptian or a Canaanite that hath bought grain and then selleth it again shall be put to death, for none may buy more than he requireth for the needs of his household. Also, who cometh with two or three beasts of burden, and loads them up with grain, shall be put to death.“ Now Ya`akov saw that there was grain in Egypt; so Ya`akov said to his sons, "Why are you staring at each other? Look," he said, "I've heard that there's grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us from there, so that we can stay alive and not die!" Thus Yosef's ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt, except for Binyamin, Yosef's brother. Ya`akov did not send him with his brothers, because he was afraid something might happen to him. (Genesis 42:1-4 CJB)

35. WAITING FOR THE DREAM Rabbi Chanan Morrison states, “It took a long time, but Joseph's dreams eventually came to pass. Joseph became viceroy of Egypt at age thirty, and nine years later .. his brothers came to buy food. So Joseph's dream that his brothers would one day bow down before him and recognize his greatness were fulfilled only when he was 39 years old. Since he had dreamt those dreams of future greatness at age 17, we see that they took 22 years to come true! ..Rav Kook noted that the Hebrew alphabet contains 22 letters. Through myriad combinations and permutations of these 22 letters, we can express all of our thoughts and ideas. If we were to lack even one letter, we would be unable to formulate certain words and ideas. The ancient work SeferYetzirah makes an interesting point concerning the creation and functioning of the universe. Just as hundreds of thousands of words are formed from a small set of letters, so too, the vast array of forces that govern our world are in fact composed of a small number of fundamental causes. If all 22 letters are needed to accurately express any idea, so too, 22 years are needed for the universe's elemental forces to bring about any desired effect. Thus, we should allow a dream as long as 22 years to come to fruition”.

36. 1st MEETING Yosef …sold to all the people of the land. Now when Yosef's brothers came and prostrated themselves before him on the ground, Yosef saw his brothers and recognized them; but he acted toward them as if he were a stranger and spoke harshly with them. He asked them, "Where are you from?" They answered, "From the land of Kena`an to buy food." So Yosef recognized his brothers, but they didn't recognize him. (Genesis 42:6-8 CJB) The Holy Spirit/RuachHaKodesh made Joseph ready to prepare the way for his family, the whole house of Jacob. Joseph and allowed YHVH to prepare him through every trial and hardship in his lives, so that he may hold the very key to a work the Father has prepared for him to do. Because of faith in Gods faithfulness, He can raised Joseph up for a much larger work to come: the redemption of the Whole House of Israel (John 8:39-40). But first Joseph devises a plan to bring his brothers to true repentance and teshuva. He engineered events that would cause his brothers to see and acknowledge the sin they committed to bring restoration and not condemnation.

37. AS PHARAOH LIVES ..Yosef said to them, "You are spies! … they replied, "your servants have come to buy food. .. "Just as I said," replied Yosef, "you're spies! Here's how you can prove you're not lying: as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave here unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother. Meanwhile, you will be kept in custody. This will prove whether there is any truth in what you say. Otherwise, as Pharaoh lives, you are certainly spies." … They said to each other, "We are in fact guilty concerning our brother. He was in distress and pleaded with us; we saw it and wouldn't listen. That's why this distress has come upon us now." Yosef turned away from them and wept; then he returned and spoke to them.. (Genesis 42:9-24 CJB) Legends of the Jews: The expression "by the life of Pharaoh" might have betrayed Joseph's real feeling to his brethren, had they but known his habit of taking this oath only when he meant to avoid keeping his word later. Yoseph becomes emotional, as he sees that they are beginning to show acknowledgment and remorse for what they did to him.

38. THREE DAYS Then he put all of them together in prison for three days. (Genesis 42:17 CJB) Three days is used quite significantly in the scripture as we see in the following pattern laid out in Hosea. For to Efrayim I will be like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Y'hudah — I will tear them up and go away; I will carry them off, and no one will rescue. I will go and return to my place, till they admit their guilt and search for me, seeking me eagerly in their distress." Come, let us return to Adonai; for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck, and he will bind our wounds. After two days, he will revive us; on the third day, he will raise us up; and we will live in his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know Adonai. That he will come is as certain as morning; he will come to us like the rain.. (Hosea 5:14-6:3 CJB) Legends of the Jews: God never allows the pious to languish in distress longer than three days, and so it was a Divine dispensation that the brethren of Joseph were released on the third day.

39. SIMEON ..He took Shim`on from among them and put him in prison before their eyes. (Genesis 42:24 CJB) Yoseph releases the brothers from prison, except Shimon, whom he has bound and taken before their eyes. “Shimon” means, “He who hears and obeys”. In the future split of the kingdom, the tribe of Shim‟on would go to be with Ephraim, their inheritance was in the middle of Yehudah‟s. And, it was Shim‟on, along with Levi, who plotted to kill Yoseph, rather than sell him. Scripture speaks of a group within Yehudah who plotted to kill Mashiach. Legends of the Jews: He did not detain Levi, too, for he feared, if both remained behind together, Egypt might suffer the same fate at their hands as the city of Shechem. Also, he preferred Simon to Levi, because Simon was not a favourite among the sons of Jacob, and they would not resist his detention in Egypt too violently, while they might annihilate Egypt, as aforetimeShechem, if they were deprived of Levi, their wise man and high priest. Besides, it was Simon that had lowered Joseph into the pit, wherefore he had a particular grudge against him.

40. ARRESTING SIMONLegends of the Jews Simon said to them, "Ye desire to do with me as ye did with Joseph!" But they replied, in despair: "What can we do? Our households will perish of hunger." Simon made answer, "Do as ye will, but as for me, let me see the man that will venture to cast me into prison." Joseph sent word to Pharaoh to let him have seventy of his valiant men, to aid him in arresting robbers. But when the seventy appeared upon the scene, and were about to lay hands on Simon, he uttered a loud cry, and his assailants fell to the floor and knocked out their teeth. Pharaoh's valiant men, as well as all the people that stood about Joseph, fled affrighted, only Joseph and his son Manasseh remained calm and unmoved. Manasseh rose up, dealt Simon a blow on the back of his neck, put manacles upon his hands and fetters upon his feet, and cast him into prison. Joseph's brethren were greatly amazed at the heroic strength of the youth, and Simon said, "This blow was not dealt by an Egyptian, but by one belonging to our house.“ He was bound and taken to prison before their eyes, but as soon as they were out of sight, Joseph ordered good fare to be set before him, and he treated him with great kindness

41. ALL TRIBES ARE GATHERED But the famine was severe in the land; so when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little food." Y'hudah said to him, "The man expressly warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.‘ Y'hudah said to Isra'el his father, "Send the boy with me; and we will make preparations and leave; so that we may stay alive and not die, both we and you, and also our little ones. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me responsible. If I fail to bring him to you and present him to your face, let me bear the blame forever. (Genesis 43:1-9 CJB) Their need for more grain urged Jacob to consider Egypt again. Judah reminded Jacob of the conditions needed for their return: “You will not see my face again unless your brother (Benjamin) is with you.” This was prophetic wedding language, for: “We will not see the Bridegroom (Yeshua) unless–and not until–all twelve tribes are together again.” (Acts 1:5; Acts 26:6-7). Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of YHVH’ (Luke 13:35 ref. Psalm 118:26). .

42. LAW OF THE SHEPHERD "If a person trusts a neighbor to look after a donkey, ox, sheep or any animal, ..If it was torn to pieces by an animal, the neighbor must bring it as evidence, and then he doesn't need to make good the loss. (Exodus 22:10-13 CJB) Rav Israel writes: “A shepherd has a special law in this regard. If a shepherd is given sheep to watch and one of the sheep is mauled by a wild animal, it is not by means of an oath that he may absolve himself of responsibility. Rather, he must bring evidence of the attack; once he has done this, he shows that he did not personally dispose of or sell that animal, but that it was set upon by wild animals and he bears no guilt.” We can see in the Yosef story that the brothers, according to the laws of the shepherd, take this “evidence” to their father. Thus the brothers have used this law to entirely acquit themselves of any guilt associated with the disappearance of Yosef.

43. JACOB’S ETHIC If one of your flock was destroyed by a wild animal, I didn't bring the carcass to you but bore the loss myself. ..(Genesis 31:39 CJB) Ya’acov always paid the price for animals “torn” by beasts as if he was personally responsible. He went over and above Torah requirements. So…now let’s compare the similar phrasing in how Ya’acov spoke of his commitment to Lavan with Yehuda’s promise to his father: I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me responsible. If I fail to bring him to you and present him to your face, let me bear the blame forever. (Genesis 43:9 CJB) Through his words, Yehuda shows his father that he has adopted Ya’acov’s own personal standard of responsibility. Ya’acov knows that Yehuda will use every effort to safeguard Benyamin. There will be no excuses like there was with Yosef! Yehuda is expressing tremendous faithfulness for the Father’s Son!! For Yehuda, the thought of abandoning Benyamin in Egypt would be a continuation of the grievous sin of selling Yosef. Yehuda shows that he has adopted the Father’s standards!

44. GIFTS AND INTERCESSION Their father Isra'el answered them, "If that's how it is, .. bring the man a gift — some healing resin, a little honey, aromatic gum, opium, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take twice the amount of money with you; and return the money that came back with you in your packs — it could have been an oversight. Yes, and take your brother too; and get ready; and go again to the man. ..The men took that gift, and they took twice the money with them, and Binyamin; then they prepared, went down to Egypt and stood before Yosef. (Genesis 43:11-15 CJB) Benyamin travels to Egypt in a caravan transporting the same spices as when his brother was taken there. They will take the same route and arrive at the same destination. The only difference is that when Yosef was taken, it was the result of family discord and hatred. Now, the repentant family is united in its mission.

45. JACOB’S PRAYER Legends of the Jews: Is there aught else that you need?" And they replied, Yes, we need this, besides, that thou shouldst intercede for us with God." Then their father prayed: "O Lord, Thou who at the time of creation didst call Enough! to heaven and earth when they stretched themselves out further and further toward infinity, set a limit to my sufferings, too, say unto them, Enough! God Almighty give you mercy before the ruler of Egypt, that he may release unto you Joseph, Simon, and Benjamin."

46. THE MEAL When Yosef saw Binyamin, he said to his household manager, "Take the men inside the house, kill the animals and prepare the meat. These men will dine with me at noon.” (Genesis 43:16 CJB) Legends of the Jews: He ordered his son Manasseh, the steward of his house, to bring the men into the palace, and make ready a meal for them. But he was to take care to prepare the meat dishes in the presence of the guests, so that they might see with their own eyes that the cattle had been slaughtered according to the ritual prescriptions, and the sinew of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh had been removed. The sacrifice for the meal was prophetic reference to Yeshua’s payment and redemption for their souls. The banquet was also prophetic of all twelve tribes of Israel coming together in the Father’s house and eating at the Feast of YHVH (Tabernacles), the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:29-30).

47. AT THE ENTRANCE ..the men became fearful. They said, "It's because of the money that was returned in our packs the first time that we have been brought inside .." So they approached the manager of Yosef's household and spoke to him at the entrance of the house: "Please, my lord, the first time we indeed came down to buy food; but when we got to camp, we opened our packs, and there inside our packs was each man's money, the full amount. We have brought it back with us; moreover, we have brought down other money to buy food. We have no idea who put our money in our packs.“ (Genesis 43:18-22 CJB) This was symbolic of the confession of sins at the door of salvation before our redemption through Yeshua. Yeshua is the door. "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep” (John 10:1-7).

48. CHANGE OF STATUS The man brought the men into Yosef's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet…They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians included at the meal by themselves — Egyptians don't eat with Hebrews, because that is abhorrent to them. So they sat there facing him, the firstborn in the place of honor, the youngest in last place; and the men expressed their amazement to each other. Each was given his serving there in front of him, but Binyamin's portion was five times as large as any of theirs. So they drank and enjoyed themselves with him. (Genesis 43:24-34 CJB) As the brothers presented themselves in the house, Joseph had the stewards wash their feet. Washing represented a change of status and consecration. In the same way, Yeshua also washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:5). For the meal, they were seated in order of birth. The meal was served from Joseph’s table. He had the life-giving food. Benjamin was given five times what his brothers received. Five represents grace and the receiving of the Torah, the five books of Moses.

49. SETTING THE TABLELegends of the Jews When all was ready, and the guests were to be seated, Joseph raised his cup, and, pretending to inhale his knowledge from it, he said, "Judah is king, therefore let him sit at the head of the table, and let Reuben the first-born take the second seat," and thus he assigned places to all his brethren corresponding to their dignity and their age. Moreover, he seated the brothers together who were the sons of the same mother, and when he reached Benjamin, he said, "I know that the youngest among you has no brother borne by his own mother, next to whom he might be seated, and also I have none, therefore he may take his place next to me." The brethren marvelled one with another at all this. During the meal, Joseph took his portion, and gave it to Benjamin, and his wife Asenath followed his example, and also Ephraim and Manasseh, so that Benjamin had four portions in addition to that which he had received like the other sons of Jacob. Wine was served at the meal, the first time in twenty-two years that Joseph and his brethren tasted of it, they led the life of Nazarites, his brethren because they regretted the evil they had done to Joseph, and Joseph because he grieved over the fate of his father.

50. MINCHA When Yosef arrived home, they went in the house and presented him with the gift (mincha) they had brought with them, then prostrated themselves before him on the ground. (Genesis 43:26 CJB) The “mincha” was interpreted as the “grain offering” in the Temple: (6:14) It is to be well mixed with olive oil and fried on a griddle; then bring it in, break it in pieces and offer the grain offering (Mincha) as a fragrant aroma for Adonai. (Leviticus 6:21 CJB) The brothers offer the grain offering (mincha) … they offer themselves to be the ingredients (grain) in the “bread” which could now be made since all 12 brothers have once again been united. “Bread” (lechem) continues to be the focus: Then they made the present ready for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there. (Genesis 43:25 NKJV) Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, "Serve the bread. (Lechem)”(Genesis 43:31 NKJV)