Gateway To Freedom

Introduction:

Scripture reveals two Messiahs: One like Joseph and One of the promised character and lineage of the warrior king, David. Looking back in time, we can readily understand how the two different advents of Messiah fulfill these prophesies. However, this was initially a mystery even to the disciples who asked, immediately preceding his departure into heaven, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)

Review:

For YHVH's purposes the favored son has come down from his exalted position to prepare a way of salvation for Elohim's chosen people and the whole world. He prospered in his walk among the lost but was falsely accused and thrown into the pit. And now "at the end" (miketz) of two full years he is about to be brought out of the pit and become the revealer of secrets - Zaphnath-panaaneah.

Let's review some of the passages in the Hebrew Scriptures that point to the two different Messiahs:

Messiah Son of Joseph:

1. The Suffering Servant will die a martyr's death for the sins of his people (Isa 52:13–53:12).

2. In the end of times, the Jews will look upon him whom they pierced and mourn for him as one mourns for his only son (Zech 12:9–10).

3. Psalm 22:1 are among the last words to come out of Yeshua's mouth while he hung dying on the cross (my God, my God why hast thou forsaken me..).

4. John 1:45 may be an intended suggestion that Yeshua was not only the (adopted) son of Joseph, the husband of Mary, but to his being Messiah Ben Joseph (Son of Joseph), as well. In contrast..

Messiah Son of David:

1. He will restore righteous government in Jerusalem (Isa 1:26)

2. He shall judge the nations (Isa 2:4)

3. All on earth shall worship him (Isa 2:17).

4. He shall rule the earth and destroy the wicked (Isa 11:4).

5. Under his rulership, all Israelites will be restored to their homeland (Isa 11:12).

6. Expectations that the Jews identified Messiah as the Son of David include: Matthew 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9,15; 22:42

Understanding these differences, and even all the parallels to Yeshua's ministry, is only the historical "proof" of Yeshua being the Messiah. Without faith to believe, all the similarities between Joseph (and David) to Messiah, Yeshua have had minimal impact on those who were charged  with the preservation of the scriptures (the Jews) that bring us life .

Thus, I believe the Spirit of God would have us understand these two characteristics more personally in our salvation walk. As a reflection of our Savior, we two are destined to walk in these character traits. We, by Yeshua's commandment, are to be a suffering servant, revealer of secrets and reigning kings with Him.

1. Servant: And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:35)

2. Suffering: For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Tim 3:12)

3. Revealer of Secrets: And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19) Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)

4. Reigning kings: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:10) If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12)

As we read the passages in this week's parasha let us reflect upon not only Joseph's character/actions, but upon how much influence our society has formed some of our thinking patterns into opposing the very example given. How much of our personality is;

1. .. a childish, selfish "me first" versus allowing the will of others?

2. Are we willing to walk in humility and suffer embarrassment for the gospel or our brothers sake? Are we striving to "do it myself" or "do it my way," without relying upon the power of the cross?

3. Are we seeking (seek and ye shall find.. Pr 8:17), remembering God and "praying always" (Luke 21:6)? Or, do we just acknowledge Him and run to our daily endeavors? How shall we be among the revealers of secrets if we have not sought His Word to speak?

4. Are we truly looking with faith toward the prophesied promises of eternity or is the bulk of our thoughts drowning us in the "cares of this world" (Mark 4:19) and sucking the life of the Word from us?

Parasha - Miketz

41:1-13 Two years after the cupbearers release and thirteen years into Joseph's slavery, Pharaoh had the two dreams by the hand/power of YHVH's which would be the means to elevate the favored son from the pit of prison to the right hand of the king. Both Yeshua and the Levitical priests began their full ministry service at the same age as Joseph – being 30 years old at the time of his release.

It is worth noting the extended formation and testing time before Joseph's elevation. Many in the body of Christ have received visions, dreams and prophetic declarations regarding the call upon their life. However, seldom is God's timing as rapid as we'd like or thought – especially in times of testing and suffering. At such times it easy to forget the Word:

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)

It may be hard to remember that the pattern of the Son (and Joseph) was suffering before elevation. Thus, be encouraged in your time of waiting upon the appointed time of God and choose to overcome the discouragement and despair of the enemy.

41:14 "..and he shaved himself.." In this action Joseph probably shaved his full body, as was the custom of the Egyptians, in order to become a more acceptable vessel for the delivery of God's word. (1 Cor 9:20-22)

41:15 - 31 Joseph, as the shadow of Christ, is seen as a revealer of secrets (16,25,28) and warned of impending danger/judgment (29 -31). All of his abilities are accredited to God before the most powerful man in the land.

41:32 In scripture (and life) it seems that God often uses dreams to break through to kings and those who are not seeking to hear his word.

For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; (Job 33:14-15)

In contrast, "His sheep hear His voice," see open and closed visions of the Spirit, receive words of knowledge, etc. While dreams are also prevalent within the body, the (true) seer which YHVH has placed within the body of Christ is rare. In great part, they independently grope for the truths of their gifting because even most charismatic pastors (what's less Messianic shepherds) have given little insight or credence to the gift or its maturation within the body of Christ. This passage of interpretation are just a couple of those nuggets for discipleship that are often overlooked:

1. A repeated dream is "established by God" and

2. its closeness in proximity to the first dream denotes timing,

Multiple dreams on the same subject, timing, spacing, numbers, etc. are all principles that need to be taught. While we all need to understand these principles for interpretation, the seer's understanding is critical to effectively minister to the body in full revelation of the given dreams and visions to be spoken forth in authority of the Spirit.

41:33-36 Notice that full revelation not only revealed the warning of God, but also the solution to accomplish His will. Yeshua warned his hearers that the kingdom of God (and YHVH's judgment) was at hand and that he was the solution and "way" into it.

41:42–43 Joseph was publicly recognized and adorned with royal garments, gold chains and the signet ring of authority. All were to bow to Joseph even as all will bow to our glorified Savior (Rev 5:13, Phil 2:10).

41:45 Joseph was given an Egyptian wife named Asenath, daughter of the high priest of On. Have you considered that Yeshua was also (re)married (betrothed) to Israel, those who have the faith of Yeshua and keep his commandments. (Rev 12:17; 14:12) These were those who came from a rebellious Judah and pagan worshipping gentiles. Who arranged this marriage and the wedding feast which will follow? (read Matthew 22)

41:46-49 Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh to carry forth his mission and gathered up the grain in bountiful quantity. Yeshua gathered his disciples and those who had ears to hear from all around the land of Israel.

41:50-52 Asenath bore him two sons; Manasseh (forget) and Ephraim (fruitful). From the joy of his first born Manasseh came the forgetting of all the pain and anguish caused by his father's house (specifically his brothers). There is much speculation concerning Joseph's lack of contact with his family. In his exalted position he certainly could have made contact with his family if he chose to do so. Could he have known YHVH's plan or did he believe that he had lost His father's blessing because Jacob hadn't come to rescue him? After all, Joseph had no way of knowing that Jacob thought him to be dead.

41:53-57 During the years of famine Joseph became a savior by supplying bread to his own (the Egyptian's) first and then to all the nations. This is the same pattern of ministry reflected by Messiah – giving the bread of life to the Jew first (Matt 10:5,6 and 15:24) and then to the utter most parts of the earth (Ps 2:8).

42:6-8 When the brothers bowed before Joseph (a fulfillment of his sheaves dream – Gen 37:7) he recognized them, but they did not know him. Is it not so even today? The generational sons of Israel (Judah, Benjamin, some of Levi) identify themselves as Judah (Jews) but do not recognize their "wilderness" brothers, scattered to the nations (Ephraim/Northern Kingdom), who worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and his Son through faith. While the Jewish rabbis have long recognized that their Ephraimite brothers/the "lost 10 tribes," are scattered throughout the world, they perceive that their prophesied discovery and reunion is strictly physical. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Romans 11:25)

42:17–24 After confining them in prison for three days, Joseph insisted that they bring Benjamin before him in order to establish the truth of their claim that they were not spies.

42:21-24 By this act, the brothers' hearts were pricked to recognize their predicament as a judgment for the sin of selling Joseph into slavery. Although obscure in the scriptures themselves, one must wonder that, after all the years which had past, why did this blood guilt come to their minds now. The book of Jasher (ref; Jos 10:3 and 2 Sam 1:18) suggests that the brothers unsuccessfully sought their brother (Joseph) upon their entrance to Egypt. If credence can be given to this source, it might help explain their recorded repentance. Upon seeing this turn of heart, Joseph turned from them and wept. He then freed the rest of the brothers keeping only Simeon as surety.

42:25-38 Joseph has their money returned in the mouth of the sacks (neither can your salvation be purchased, except with Messiah's blood) and they return to Canaan. When they tell Jacob the conditions of their return and Simeon's release, Jacob flatly refuses to send Benjamin and counts Simeon as dead (vs. 36). Although Reuben offers his two son's lives as a promise of Benjamin's safe return, Jacob refuses a second time. A noteworthy distinction is made when the scriptures refer to Jacob (vs. 36) versus Israel (43:8). When "Jacob" is used, fear (flesh) dominates, but when "Israel" is used, faith in YHVH is evidenced. Also notice that his faith is sometimes stirred by such adverse circumstances that only faith and total submission to YHVH's will (43:14) can lead him through.

43:1-15 Israel tarries until starvation is upon them and they are forced to go to Egypt in order to survive. Judah offers his own life should anything happen to Benjamin. Israel sends them with the best of the land as a present, double the money and the money that was returned the first time. Just like his meeting with Esau, he knows how to make a gift open a door before him.

43:16-34 Joseph entertains the brothers (yet, setting himself apart from them), seating them by birth. He weeps upon seeing Benjamin and gives him five times the serving as the other brothers. Because the number five represents grace, we can see that Joseph elevated Benjamin's position by showing grace. (For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)

44:1-17 Joseph sets up the trial by putting his cup in Benjamin's sack. The brothers speak forth Benjamin's sentence of death and their enslavement. But, Joseph would not keep the innocent from returning to their father. Only the offender shall become his servant.

Next week: The conclusion of Joseph's story and a summary of similarities.

Haftorah
1 Kings 3:15-4:1

The Haftorah passages also deal with a prophetic dream by a king (Solomon). For both Pharaoh and Solomon, the dream from YHVH had a significant impact upon the kingdom which they ruled.

Immediately following Solomon's dream, he is given the opportunity to demonstrate his new gift of divinely originating wisdom by determining the true mother (both harlots) of a baby. This story may well be a prophetic shadow of a future events concerning Israel and Judah, but without further clues of the mothers' identities, a precise prophetic interpretation is unattainable. Thus, we must let the Haftorah passages serve as they were originally designed – a reminder of the actual Torah portion which was prohibited from being read during the times of foreign occupation.

Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Yeshua the Messiah, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal YHVH, so that all nations might believe and obey him - to the only wise YHVH be glory forever through Yeshua the Messiah! Amen (Romans 16:25-27)

Shabbat Shalom,

     Randy