In a world where “maleness” is becoming classified as something to be softened, controlled, or frowned upon, I would like to cover three critical areas when approaching the value and purpose of men. And no, the existence of men is not limited to the act of pro-creation. It is much broader than this and can be easily shown in this week’s Torah study, through the lives of Jacob, Judah, and Joseph. Care to look?
Thomas Jefferson once wrote these words: “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.” I believe this statement is not just for a nation or a group of people, but is sound advice for marriages, family, relationships, and personal growth. Through the stories found in VaYeshev (And He settled), we will see pictures of what this can actually mean.
In the beginning, we are told YHWH made male and female, and that “they” were made in the image of Elohim. (Gen 1:27) The Hebrew word for male is Zakar (H2145) which means “most noteworthy” or “to be remembered.” This is slightly different than most of our modern-day descriptions of men. Is it not? Rather down playing “maleness,” the Bible calls for men to be remembered in a noteworthy fashion.
When Yahweh made Adam, he did so from the dust of the earth and gave him direct breath. He then placed Adam in the garden to cultivate and to eat, before the woman was formed and brought to him (Gen. 2).
It’s here our first purpose for men is found. Men were made to provide. Through the cultivating and gathering of food in the garden, the man prepares for his partner. Today, I know many men who feel they are unable to supply a huge paycheck. Societal and governmental restrictions are narrowing the ability of men to earn a “stand alone” living. But, can men allow themselves to be discouraged in this area? Absolutely not. For when men become discouraged, they retreat into addictive caves that drown out their purpose. Therefore, men cannot overlook their gift and calling as being a provider.
A provider is not limited to just being the main bread winner or wage-earner in the family. It can also include being a contributor in many other areas. If a man is presently without outside work, consider work that provides benefits for the home. You can still build, make, and grow. Consider providing insight, wisdom, and knowledge. Organize home finances, budget, and invest. There are many ways to provide while looking for a better opportunity.
In Genesis chapter two, we find another purpose for man which was given before the woman was formed and brought to him. We read:
“Then Elohim took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.”
In this text, we find that man is meant to be the Priest of the home. Adam was given the insight to stay clear of the tree of good and evil. But in Genesis chapter three we read that Adam’s wife strayed and found herself taking fruit from this tree, bringing sin into the world. As spiritual leaders, men are given the responsibility of not allowing evil to enter. Instead, man was directed toward the tree of life, to be a priest, and walk with Yahweh while interceding for his family.
Finally, man is told to leave his mother and father and become one with his wife. What does this mean exactly? The concept “to be one” in Hebrew means to cleave or keep close. H 1692. For me, this implies that man is made to shield his family physically. He becomes the covering Protector. Modern thought seeks to take this away from men, telling them not to bear arms or protect their loved ones. But, if I am to keep my family close, I should seek ways to keep my family safe.
When Good Men Say Nothing:
Ok, so how do the stories of Jacob, Judah, and Joseph demonstrate the responsibilities of being “male?” And how does the title of “And He settled” describe how men should operate?
I found it fascinating to find that whenever Jacob or Judah “settled” that there was an inclination for them to fall short in their purpose. This isn’t to say that Jacob and Judah were not good men. It’s just to say that even good men make bad choices, especially when they “settle.”
“Now Jacob heard that he (son of Hamar) had defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob said nothing until they came in.” (Gen. 34:5)
In this text, we find a good man choosing to remain silent rather than call for justice when his daughter Dinah had been defiled. Is the quote, “evil abounds when good men do nothing” making sense to you now? Jacob wanted to remain in the land as a “good neighbor” rather than face revenge or warfare. (Gen. 34:30)
In Genesis chapter 34, we can easily see that this story didn’t go the way Jacob had in mind. He was furious towards his sons for taking revenge towards the men of Shechem, worried more about his standing than being righteous.
Fast forward to this week’s lesson we read:
“Now Jacob lived (settled) in the land where his father had lived as a stranger, in the land of Canaan.” (Gen. 37:1)
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a multicolored tunic. 4 And his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated (Aleph Tav) him (Joseph) and could not speak to him on friendly terms.” (Gen. 37:4)
“He (Joseph) also told it (the dream) to his father as well as to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Am I and your mother and your brothers actually going to come to bow down to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (37:10-11)
In these three texts, we begin to see similar pictures still being displayed in Jacob’s life. Instead of speaking up to clarify, or set the record straight with all the boys, Jacob elects to remain silent while seemingly showing favor to only one son. When we continue to read the rest of the story, we can see how and why things turned bad in this family. The sons of Jacob were allowed to go “unchecked” in their jealousy, as well as their hatred towards Yahweh’s plans (the Alev Tav-Gen. 37:4) and they begin to devise plans to harm Joseph. Could Jacob have played his role as a father a bit better, by moving the matter outside of his memory only and actually correct his children towards Yahweh?
The DNA tendency to not stand up against wrong doing is passed on even to Judah. As we continue to read chapter 37, we find;
“And Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.” (Gen. 37:26-27)
In this case, we see Judah actually speaking up. But, Judah does not call out evil for being evil. Instead, he just comes up with another evil plot. Judah fails to act righteously due to fear.
Fast forward again, after the the sale of Joseph, we find Judah doing something that many men do. He carries his guilt, leaves his support system, and chooses to follow his flesh.
“And it came about at that time, that Judah departed from his brothers and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her as a wife and had relations with her.” (38:1-2)
Judah should clearly have known better. It was Canaanite women that gave Isaac and Rebekah grief a few years back. Instead, Judah leaves the ways of his family. Does he do this to run from his terrible guilt in selling Joseph? I don’t know, but his choices don’t stop here. Judah continues to remain silent, while turning his back on family responsibility. In fact, Judah goes a step further by letting go of his spiritual and physical authority due to self-appointed fear.
11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house. (38:11)
Due to this action, Tamar is forced to sell herself to gain her inheritance. And Judah, due to falling towards sexual temptation, relinquishes the family covering.
“He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” So, he gave them to her and had relations with her, and she conceived by him.” (38:18)
When Good Men Say Something:
Here is where I admire and start to respect Judah, for once being confronted with wrong doing, Judah admits to his failure and changes course:
“And Judah recognized them (seal, cord, and staff), and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.” (38:26)
As men, this can be our first step in changing our life’s direction. Confront our sin, confess it, and make a change in direction. We have purpose. That purpose is to provide, protect, and operate as priest.
After Judah makes a change of direction we begin to read the story of Joseph, who is being held in captivity. Like many men, Joseph is in bondage to the slave masters, but still, even while being held as a slave, Joseph speaks openly about truth when being tempted by a woman of evil intent.
“But he (Joseph) refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put me in charge of all that he owns. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?” (39:8-9)
One of satan’s greatest tools is to lure men away from their purpose by placing sexually charged situations in their life path. This is why we read words of wisdom given in Proverbs 31:3 from the mother of the king.
“Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.”
Finally, in Genesis chapter 40 we see Joseph once again recognizing his purpose of being a protector and a doer of Yah’s word. He does this even when thrown into prison.
“And the captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them (baker and cupbearer), and he took care of them;” (40:4)
As men, we are called to be a Joseph and stop complaining about our circumstance. Men need to look for opportunities to protect and care for those who may not be doing so well. We should not
settle for mediocrity for we are to be remembered. We should not “settle” or relax when in the land of bondage for we are instead, supposed to be noteworthy. We are called to use the gifts given to us by Yah and accept our role of protector, provider, and priest.
May you be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn