Joseph first meets with his brothers after all those years of separation. He had by now forgotten the dream that God had given him when he was a young, very spoiled boy, the dream where his brothers would one day all bow down to him -Bereshit (Genesis) 42:8 "…Joseph remembered the dreams he had had about them…"

At first, it looks like Joseph was going to try to get even with his brothers for what they did to him. He was, after all human. Haven't we all wanted at one time to take revenge for some injustice that was done to us?

Having forgotten his dreams do you think that Joseph might at times lost sight of what God was going to do? We can all be optimistic pessimists when we forget that God is working behind the scenes. "God works with those who have been called in accordance with his purpose and turns everything to their good." Romans 8:28

Joseph was sent to a foreign country, dressed in foreign garb, spoke a foreign language so that his brothers did not recognize him and through him God saved the nation of Israel. Does that remind you of our Messiah ben Yosef who came to save the nation of Israel? His brothers did not know him; then or now for he is dressed in gentile clothing.

By coming to Egypt, Joseph's brothers were forced to bow down to the foreign nation, Egypt. It is not a coincidence that we are celebrating Hanukkah as we read this portion. Many of us have been put in positions where we are convinced to abandon our traditions as Jews and live in the gentile world and accept a foreign god. Yet, in the midst of all the difficult times he lived, Joseph never forgot who he was. Genesis 42:18 …"he feared God."

In 1Maccabees 2: 49, Mattityahu spoke to his sons, "this is the time, my children for you to have a burning zeal for the Torah and to give our lives for the covenant of our ancestors…" He reminded them of Joseph who never forgot God's Law.

Of special interest is his mention of Caleb…"for his testimony before the assembled people receive an inheritance in the land." Caleb being a gentile was given an inheritance in the land of Israel for his faithfulness to the God of Israel.

Antiochus Epiphanes tried to seduce everyone to become Greek in culture and religion. Many Jews of that day turned away from their heritage as they do today choosing secularism and materialism instead. Their festivals have changed from Hanukkah to Christmas, from Purim to "Carnevale" and Halloween.

Our duty as Messianic believers is not to accept a foreign religion and not to allow ourselves be divided into denominations. Which denomination did the Jews follow after Shavuot in the book of Acts when the believers spoke in different languages through the Ruach ha Kodesh? Did they run to a church and suddenly change religion? Ridiculous thought!

Our responsibility before God is to not allow ourselves to be contaminated by paganism. This is symbolically demonstrated in the holy oil used in the rededication of the Temple at Hanukkah. They found oil for only one day. It would have been easy to use any oil to light the menorah but God clearly commanded us to use specific formula for the holy oil. Contaminated oil intoxicates and gives smoke. Holy oil burns pure.

May we rededicate our lives and homes as we light each light of the hanukkiah and may God keep our lives pure and single heartedly directed to him. Let us not use foreign oil.

Rabbi Percy Johnson
[nxy [b lantn

© 2007 Use by Permission

Kehilat She’ar Yashuv