For many, it’s hard to come clean. Our pride gets in the way when we become compelled to admit our belief system may be flawed or that a participative action was misplaced. When this happens, some of us may just confess, but the temptation to skirt the admission and to offer a solution of friendship can be easier. When Judah and his brothers are threatened by Egypt, does Judah come near to Joseph to save face or is the issue prophetically deeper?
“And he (Judah) drew near to Joseph and said, Oh my Lord, may your servant please speak a word in my Lord’s ear and do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal with Pharoah.” Gen. 44:18
Earlier in Genesis 44, we read about Joseph testing his half-brothers by putting a silver cup into Benjamin’s bag. When the set-up occurs, Joseph asks his brothers, “Why have you rewarded good with evil?” The brothers reply – they would never do such a thing and that if the cup was found in anyone’s bag, they would agree to the death of that person as well as becoming servants of Egypt themselves.
But, when the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, they all tore their clothes for they had agreed to protect Benjamin for the sake of Jacob. Judah’s heart is moved, and he tells his brothers that this is a divine act from Yahweh to expose their iniquity towards Joseph. It’s here that Judah draws near to Joseph to make his plea.
Though if we continue to read this text carefully, you will see that Judah does not say what they did to Joseph years ago. (Even when referencing Jacob, Judah and his brothers had never corrected Jacob’s belief that Joseph was dead.) Instead of coming completely clean in this area, Judah offers a solution to protect his oath to protect Benjamin, while still keeping a secret.
“So now, when I come to your servant, my father, and the boy is not with us—since our father’s life is so attached to the boy’s life— when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. So your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant, our father, down to Sheol in sorrow. For your servant accepted responsibility for the boy from my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then my father can let me take the blame forever.’ So now, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord instead of the boy, and let the boy go up with his brothers. For how shall I go unto my father if the boy is not with me? I fear that I may see the evil that would overtake my father.”
It’s this above statement that causes Joseph to Weep. Why?
At this point, I would like to draw out a couple of key points.
- Judah couldn’t “see” Joseph. But he felt guilt. In my estimation, this is a good place to be. His heart was pierced to such a place, that he began to seek a change.
- It was after Judah drew near to Joseph, that Joseph eventually revealed himself so Judah could “see” who he was. Likewise, Yeshua weeps for us in hopes that we too will “see.”
- Joseph states to his brothers that it was Yahweh’s Will to put Him in Egypt in order to preserve the remnant, thereby establishing the fact that Yahweh’s Ways are greater than ours.
Now, consider these questions in relation to the above points:
- If Judah represents a physical prophecy of a Jewish nation who rejects Messiah (exemplified by “Joseph” being cast into a pit), will they be moved by guilt? Likewise, if we try to live without Messiah, will we be tormented like Judah and need to face our sin as well?
- If at our lowest vulnerable point, will the Messiah reveal Himself to those who draw near?
- Is Yahweh actively protecting His remnant even now under the covering of Messiah?
In Genesis 45, we see Joseph tearfully rejoicing when transparency is displayed. Do you think Yeshua longs for us to be reconnected to the Heavenly Kingdom of His Father? Will He weep over us when we acknowledge who He Is and His Revelations? I think so.
In Luke 6:9, Yeshua draws near to the scribes and Pharisees to make a point about Sabbath keeping after eating food in the fields and healing a man’s hand. His question is simple: “I ask you is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, save a life, or to destroy it?”
Why does He ask this question. I am positive that He knew it would cause offense. But, I’m convinced that He draws near with a question to give an example of living in the fruits of the Spirit. The Pharisees were living by the works of men or laws based in measurable pride. Yeshua went out of His way to show the works of the Kingdom, which are at a higher order—to Love God and to Love our Neighbor.
On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught; and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 Now the scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse Him. 8 But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And he got up and came forward. 9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?” 10 And after looking around at them all, He said to him, “Stretch out your hand!” And he did so; and his hand was restored. 11 But they themselves were filled with senseless rage, and began discussing together what they might do to Jesus. (Lk 6)
Could the example of the man with the withered hand drawing near to Yeshua, be a heart check for all of us? Why would these religious leaders be drawn to rage over someone being healed? I believe when we draw near to Messiah, our hearts become either pierced or darkened. For a law keeping zealot, the gospel of the Good News (freedom in Messiah) can be a stumbling block. Works of man rather than the works of Messiah, causes a darkened spirit rather than becoming a new man with a new spirit!
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Matt. 23:13
Going back to our Torah section, I found it interesting that Judah draws near to make amends for his own sin. But it is Joseph who draws near to Judah and his brothers to bring about true healing. This picture is identical for us even today. As we acknowledge our sin, Yeshua steps forward to reveal and heal us.
What about prophecy and God’s purpose? As time comes to a close, there are those who are making choices to follow the house of Judah or the house of Ephraim. But I dare to say neither are correct. For any house built by the customs of man does not acknowledge the works of Yahweh.
“The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, 16 “Now you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.’ 17 Then put them together for yourself one to another into one stick, so that they may become one in your hand. 18 And when the sons of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ 19 say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am going to take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.”’ 20 The sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes. 21 And say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am going to take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations, and no longer be divided into two kingdoms. 23 They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their offenses; but I will rescue them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God.” (Ez. 37)
It is my opinion, if you are trying to side with a particular group of people in order to be saved, it will not end well for you. If you are trying to elevate one group over another you will be disappointed. For prophecy tells us that both Judah and Ephraim are defiled. They have both turned their back on Yahweh and have become corrupted. Their sticks will only be drawn back together by Yeshua and not by themselves. It was Joseph who shed light on the sins of the brothers. It was Joseph who restored them. So it will be in the last days. Yeshua will shed light on His called-out ones and His remnant. He will be the One who restores. Therefore, draw near to Messiah for a true heart felt change, for this is the purpose of Yahweh!
“Do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Heb. 13:16
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn