מקץ

At the end of the last portion, we read that Joseph had interpreted the two dreams of the Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker both of which came true. Before the cupbearer left the prison, Joseph asked him not to forget him to Pharaoh. Our sages say that because he didn’t trust G-d but instead looked to a man for his deliverance, G-d allowed Joseph to remain two more years in prison.  We could wonder, after seeing all that G-d had done for Joseph, why would he still doubt?  Does that sound familiar?   The Scriptures do not make our men into heroes but show that G-d uses ordinary people do extraordinary things through Him. Everything was already written. G-d had a plan for Joseph, what he would do and what would happen to and through him. What happened to Joseph is no mere coincidence; in fact his story paints a clear picture of Mashiach ben Yosef, the Messiah, son of Joseph, the suffering servant. In this parashah we will see the fulfillment of one of Joseph’s dreams where his brothers would bow down to him.  Joseph went from being a suffering servant to being enthroned. Our Messiah suffered to the point of death and according to prophesy will return as King Messiah. Joseph’s name was changed by Pharaoh to Zaphenath Paneach meaning the one who interprets secrets. Not only did Joseph interpret Pharaoh’s two dreams, he even corrected them, making sure that Pharaoh knew that the interpretation of dreams belongs to only G-d. Our Messiah’s principle function was to bring us back to truth, to clarify the Torah in the right way, G-‘d’s way, not mans. He said, “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free. (John 8:12)”

Compare Joseph’s life with our Messiah Yeshua…Joseph was a shepherd, concerned for the well being of his people, as is our Messiah. Joseph was beloved of his father, anointed by his father, sent forth by his father to go to see how his other children were doing. His brothers did not believe him as they do not believe Yeshua to this day. They refused his leadership as do our people today. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him, they stripped him of his robe and as they did to Yeshua. They sold him for several pieces of silver; they ate a meal while he was in the pit referring to Pesach. They raised him out of the pit, he was made a slave; he was taken to Egypt to avoid being killed. They covered his robe in blood; he was full of the presence of G-d; he was made an overseer; he was falsely accused; he made no defense for himself; he was imprisoned with two other men; he was exalted by the world except for his own people; he had a gentile wife…on other words, he was given to the gentiles. Through him, bread was given to the nations. Joseph started to work with Pharaoh around 30 years old. Joseph had to reveal himself to his brothers in the only way they could understand as one day Yeshua will reveal himself as the one who was pierced (Zechariah 12 :10)

Yeshua is known as the savior of the world, having made alive from the dead, the redeemer of Israel being crowned with glory and honor just like Joseph.  What a wonderful picture we see here.  The Jews did not exalt Joseph as G-d but they knew that he was given the power to save them. For us there is only one G-d. No one is equal to G-d and G-d is not a man.