And He Lived
Genesis 47:28-50:26

"In this concluding Sedrah of Genesis, we see the sunset of Jacob's career. We behold this storm-tossed soul on his deathbed, blessing his children. He is not afraid to die: 'I will sleep with; my father,' he says. He is at peace with God. 'I wait for Thy Salvation O LORD,' are among the last words he utters. He knows that he can never travel beyond God's care. He is at peace with man. Esau, Laban, Dinah, Joseph-what a world of strife and suffering and anguish did each of these tragedies bring him-and yet he dies blessing! Though starting as 'a plain man dwelling in tents', his is no cloistered virtue, and he certainly is no sinless being. But he possesses the rare art of extracting good from every buffeting of Destiny. He errs and he stumbles, but he ever rises again; and on the anvil of affliction his soul is forged." Pentateuch page 180

If you have ever been buffeted along the path of taking hold of your destiny, if you have ever experienced the anvil of affliction by which a righteous soul is forged, then the words penned above are words of beauty and hope for your soul.

This week's portion opens up with a soul stirring word, "Veyyechi" which means, "And He Lived." Here Jacob is in his closing moments of time and yet, the portion opens up with "And He lived." Not only are these words prophetic as Jacob awaits his future redemption, but it also describes Jacob's sojourning life upon this earth-Jacob Lived. The commentary on this phrase is as follows: "Of how few men, asks a famous modern Jewish preacher, can we repeat a phrase like, 'And Jacob lived'? When many a man dies, a death-notice appears in the Press. In reality, it is a life-notice; because but for it, the world would never have known that that man had ever been alive. Only he who has been a force for human goodness, and abides in hearts and souls made better by his presence during his pilgrimage on earth, can be said to have lived, only such a one is heir to immortality."

The word "Chai" is "Life" in Hebrew. "Life" in the scriptures is attached to "Righteousness." Jacob was a man who knew the anguish associated with the depths of deceit and the blessings associated with the heights of righteousness. He deceived and was deceived on numerous occasions. And yet, through it all Jacob knew how to bow his knee to the Almighty. He trusted in God. His children were also deceivers and all of them bowed when confronted with Truth. All of them turned from sin unto righteousness when they saw Yosef-a type of Messiah. Jacob received the ultimate blessing as he wrestled with sin and prevailed with God; his name was changed from deceiver to Prince (one who prevails with God), "Israel." To this day the legacy of Jacob's life lives as an example to all mankind that "when one turns from his wicked way unto righteousness-He shall live." Jacob lived and so can you-Put your trust in the LORD, obey his word and Live!

Without belaboring words or the use of numerous scriptures, there are three specific insights in this week's portion that are noteworthy. Let us briefly consider each one.

THE NATURAL AND THE SPIRITUAL WORK TOGETHER
The first being the blessings of Zebulon and Yissichar, Genesis 49:13-14. "Zebulon shall dwell at the shore of the sea, and he shall be a shore for ships, and his flank shall be upon Zidon (the territory of Zebulon stretched from the Sea of Galilee to Mt. Carmel, close under Tyre and Zidon.). Issachar is a large-boned ass, couching down between the sheepfolds. For he saw a resting-place that it was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant under taskwork"

Issachar and Zebulon were known as tribes of war. The men of Issachar were known as valiant men of might and later the Bible (1 Chr. 12:32-33) as men that "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment." Zebulon, on the other hand, was expert in war. They were skillful with the weapons of war and it is said of them that they "could keep rank: they were not of a double heart."

Jewish history reveals that the descendents of Issachar became Bible Scholars while the descendents of Zevulon were merchants. Issachar and Zevulon had a unique relationship in that Zevulon's descendents supported Yissachar's descendants so that the latter could learn without worrying about how to make a living.

God knows that not everyone can sit and learn all day. The tribe of Zevulon was better at making a living than at learning, while the tribe of Yissichar was better at studying than at working in the marketplace. Together, they were an unbeatable team. From this we learn that if, for one reason or another, it is hard to sit and learn Torah, you can still share in the commandment of learning by helping to support one who learns.

The Jewish Apostle Sha'ul (Paul) resorts to this very concept while communicating spiritual principals to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 9:9,11), "For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shall not muzzle the mouth of an ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?...If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" And again in the book of Acts this issue is emphasized, " Wherefore, brethren, look you out among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word...and all that believed were together and had all things in common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." (Acts 2 & 6)

COMMUNICATION: The Key To Successful Relationships
Secondly, this weeks Parsha is full of blessings. The first two to be blessed by Jacob is Yosef's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. In the blessing of these two sons, Jacob seems to make the same mistake with Joseph's sons as he did with Joseph. He blesses the younger Ephraim with the Patriarchal blessing instead of the firstborn Manasseh. When Jacob blessed Joseph as the son who would receive the birthright instead of Rueven all of the brothers became jealous. How did the brothers know that Joseph would be the chief of the tribes? Because of his coat of many colors. In Joseph's day, a coat of many colors was the insignia of a prince, leader, or chief. Joseph's brother's never questioned Jacob as to why he chose Joseph, neither did they know that they too were going to receive blessings and become great. Why? Probably because they never asked.

Jacob's blessing to his son starts out, "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." Only to be interrupted by Joseph's inquiry as to why his father is blessing Ephraim with his right hand (birthright, Patriarchal blessing) and Manasseh with his left. Jacob refused to change his hand saying, "I know it my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly the younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. And he blessed them that day saying, in thee shall Israel bless saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh."

We never read of Manasseh becoming jealous over his brother Ephraim. Manasseh heard the blessing and accepted it, understanding that he too would be blessed. Had the brothers asked their father to explain his actions, they might have understood that they too bore the seeds of greatness.

Nevertheless, there is a great lesson to be learned here. Assuming that you know what is behind another person's actions is often not enough. If a situation is unclear, you must seek to clarify it. Communication is the key to a successful relationship, whether between father and son, husband and wife, or just between friends.

This lesson is imperative in stopping gossip and talebearing in God's community and the world. Too often I have heard things said that, even if they held a grain of truth, were suppositions based upon assumptions. The damage is untold from such speech-it is best to go directly to the individual and inquire. You may be surprised at the understanding you receive. "Never judge a cover until you read the book."

Food for Thought? Could it be that the reason Ephraim was blessed first is because his name is a derivative of Ephrata (Beth-Lechem) the place where Rachel, his beloved wife, was buried?

THE BLESSING OF UNDERSTANDING
Proverbs 4:7 reads, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all the getting get understanding."

A wise man once made a statement to this affect, "pray for understanding, if you understand a situation you can negotiate it, if you can negotiate it you can make it through."

In the final chapter of Genesis, after reading about Jacob's death, the family's pilgrimage to the Machpelach cave where Jacob was to rest with his fathers, and the family's return to Egypt, fear falls upon the Joseph's brethren. In Genesis 50:15 we read, "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him." They fear for their lives and send a messenger to Joseph, saying, "thy father did command before he died saying, so shall you say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father."

Yosef cried when he heard this and his brethren mourned and came and bowed, offering themselves to him as slaves. Yosef tells them to "Fear Not." God put him in a position of authority and although his is not in the place of God, he has forgiven them. They may have wanted to kill him, but God changed their harmful actions into something good. Yosef assures them that he will continue to provide for their families. The brothers are comforted by these words.

Joseph understood. I am sure that Joseph had his internal battles with bitterness, yet through it all he became a beacon of light in the midst of darkness. God's favor was upon him turning what appeared to be a curse into a blessing. At some point, God opened Joseph's understanding and forgiveness flowed like a river. It could have been at the juncture when he became second in command to Pharaoh, it could have been when he recognized his brothers, but most likely was when he heard the intercession of Judah explaining why Benjamin had to return to his father. Understanding releases man to forgive and to bless. Joseph understood and his understanding eventually freed his brethren from their guilt and shame.

Joseph is a type of Messiah. When Yeshua hung on the cross he cried "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Although there has been a temporary separation between them and their brother, Messiah Yeshua, there will come a day of reconciliation.

The understanding that enabled Jesus to "forgive Israel" on the execution stake will eventually be the understanding that will release Israel from her guilt and shame. Zechariah 12:10 reads, "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitant s of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn.... In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness...and one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.... And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God." Israel will understand.