Life in the Midst of Death!

Have you ever wondered how you might die?  No, I’m not being morbid in asking this question.  I think most of us have asked ourselves questions about death. Sometimes it’s as simple as, “Will people attend my funeral?  But many times, it’s a deeper question like, “Will I be able to say what I need to say before passing or will I truly know that I am in the hand or will of Yah?  From my studies, I do know that most of us want to die in an honorable fashion.  Though do we even know what that might be?  I believe Jacob’s story gives us a glimpse into an honorable life while dying. 

In this week’s study of VaYechi, I found three areas that Jacob was able to live while dying. 

1. Knowing whom he worshipped.
2. Coming clean with his failures.
3. Blessing his grandsons and his sons through the wisdom given to him by YHWH.

Our study starts with Jacob asking Joseph to deal with him kindly.  Why would Jacob ask this?  Could it be that Jacob felt anguish in knowing the family of Israel had left Joseph to fend for himself.  This request is indeed touching in that Jacob is humbled toward his son.  Joseph in turn places his hand on Jacob’s thigh in an act of agreement.  Jacob makes it known that he wants to be among his fathers—the men who worshipped YHWH.  Once Joseph makes the vow to do so, Jacob bows in worship at the head of his bead. Two things seem to occur in this text:  1) Jacob is assured that Joseph holds no animosity towards him allowing him to rest in peace.  2) Jacob is assured that Joseph will view his true roots or origin aside from his Egyptian identity in that Joseph will leave Egypt to take his bones.  This is all speculation of course, but it seems to give reason as to why Jacob would bow and worship in thanks at the head of the bead. 

There were most likely many stories Jacob wanted to tell Joseph. Critical years passed, after Joseph was sold to Egypt.  Jacob chooses one story that seems to be the most pressing to mend the heart of Joseph.  This would be the death and burial of his mother Rachel.  So, in Genesis 48:7, Jacob explains why Rachel was buried along the road.  In short, Jacob comes clean with Joseph over this action and makes amends by adopting the first two sons of Joseph into the family of Israel.

In my estimation, this may be one of the reasons Jacob blesses the youngest over the oldest.  Consider for a moment the names of the two sons of Joseph.  The Hebrew root of the name Menashe means “to forget,” and Joseph is transparent about the name’s symbolic meaning: “God has made me forget my hardship and my parental home completely” (Genesis 41:51). When Joseph becomes a parent for the first time, he doesn’t want to merely write a new chapter in his life’s story, but an entirely new story. He believes that he can force himself to forget the suffering he experienced at the hands of his family — suffering that began, ironically, when his father Jacob elevated him above his brothers.

But the name Joseph gives to his second child reveals a different attitude. Ephraim’s name means “God has made me fertile in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41:51). At Ephraim’s birth, Joseph acknowledges that although he has prospered, he lives in a foreign land that afflicts him. The Torah doesn’t explicitly say why Joseph, now a close advisor to the Pharaoh and a wealthy man, feels afflicted, but it’s not difficult to speculate. We witness how emotional Joseph becomes when he reveals his identity to his brothers and how tearful he is when he greets his father after many years. He never forgot them.

At Jacob’s deathbed, Jacob seems to know that he cannot bless future generations through the son whose name means to forget the past. But he chooses to place Ephraim first because the meaning of his name acknowledges both past and present relationships, whether painful or enriching. It exemplifies forgiveness and acknowledges Yah’s direction.  Again, Jacob makes another bridge in mending the heart of Joseph.

Another picture of wisdom given to me in this week’s study was the action of blessing Judah with the scepter of leadership (Gen. 49:8-12).  Why would Jacob do this?  Wasn’t Judah involved in terrible actions such as not providing cover for Tamar and selling Joseph to Egypt? 

Again, it’s my estimation, but Judah was chosen to be the leader because he represented action.  Judah was blessed with leadership specifically because he had the humility and dedication to take responsibility for his actions, although this caused him great embarrassment. Jacob blessed Judah with the words “He launders his garment with wine.” Garments represent action; they are not the person himself, but rather the tools through which he interacts with the world around him. Thus, Judah is blessed for having the strength of character to take the proper action. 

Other sons may have come clean like Judah.  They may have sought forgiveness like Judah. But in reading their stories they seem to think more about their obligation or role.  Whereas, a true leader thinks in terms of needs. What are the needs of this person? This organization? This population? And on sensing a need, he doesn’t rest until it has been filled. 

Judah thought of the others when admitting he had sinned against Tamar.  As she was being taken away, Tamar held out Judah’s staff, seal, and cloak, which he had given her as a pledge, and said: “The man to whom these belong is the father of my child.” Tamar delicately put the ball in Judah’s court, leaving it up to him to identify himself. Judah now faced a dilemma: If he failed to own up, innocent lives would perish. Despite his humiliation, he said: “She is right! It is from me!” Tamar’s life was spared, and she gave birth to twin boys, one of whom, Peretz, became the ancestor of King David.

Likewise in the court of Joseph, Judah placed the needs of Jacob, Benjamin, and his brothers over his personal need.  Judah took the blame and acted upon it.  Leadership calls for action in acknowledgment and in deed.  It’s the act of putting others before oneself.  Jacob while on his death bed trusted in YHWH’s direction and gave the position of leadership to Judah, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes.”  Oh, for the day, when Judah will “come clean” once again for the benefit of others, for the failure in not seeing the Messiah. I believe Judah will stay true to form and acknowledge their sin.

My friends, there is a lot to learn about living while approaching death.  Know Who you worship.  Come clean with your failures and then trust YHWH in blessing those around you. 

Be Blessed this Sabbath,

Rollyn