Parashah 10 (At the End) Mikketz (At the End) {Genesis 41:1-44:17} Haftorah: M'lakhim Alef {1 Kings 3:15 4:1}

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1 Terry L. Newman, Parashah 10 (At the End) Mikketz (At the End) {Genesis 41:1-44:17} Haftorah: M'lakhim Alef {1 Kings 3:15 4:1} B rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah Acts 7:9-16 (emphasize on 9-10), 2 Timothy 2:1-10; Luke 4:1; Matthew 27:1-2; Matthew 27:38-42; 28:5-7; 28:7-9; 27:11-14; 27:22-44; Hebrews 2:9; Luke 3:23; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelations 21:9; Romans 11:11-31; Romans 11:25, 26 This week's portion is from Genesis 41:1-44:17 (Bold, Underlining and Italics added for emphasize){nkjv-new King James Version, CJB-Complete Jewish Bible, TEV-Today's English Version} Let us start with prayer for understanding of G-d's word with His promises and requirements for us: Psalm 86:11,6 (NKJV) " 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name." This week we continue the history of covenant, G-d s Grace and G-d s choices. The Parashah continues with Joseph in Egypt and his resultant dealings with his family, specifically his brothers who were sent to obtain more grain for the family (during the severe famine) that included bringing Benjamin the youngest to show the man they knew not was their brother Joseph, they were telling him the truth and were not spies. Aside from the historical value, today's Parashah contains several lessons showing G-d is in charge no matter what and that He can and He will arrange events for His glory. G-d can and will arrange and manipulate events to take care of his people and bring them to understanding of his will and purpose, a lesson we do well to learn. River; Genesis 41:1 (CJB) 1 At the end of two years, Pharaoh had a dream: he was standing beside the Nile Genesis 41:8-14 (CJB) 8 In the morning he found himself so upset that he summoned all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one there could interpret them for him. 9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, Today reminds me of something wherein I am at fault: 10 Pharaoh was angry with his officials and put me in the prison of the house of the captain of the guard, me and the chief baker. 11 One night both I and he had dreams, and each man s dream had its own meaning. 12 There was with us a young man, a Hebrew, a servant of the captain of the guard; and we told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us he interpreted each man s dream individually. 13 And it came about as he interpreted to us I was restored to my office, and he was hanged. 14 Then Pharaoh summoned Yosef, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in to Pharaoh. 1

2 Joseph had already suffered much for many years, including these two years after the chief cupbearer was restored to Pharaoh's service as Joseph had interpreted his dream to be. Surely Joseph thought at some point, the cupbearer had completely forgotten about him. So true it was; the cupbearer had forgotten about Joseph that is until G-d's time to have Joseph remembered. Take note, make a note and pay attention, Joseph was far more mature now in his dealings and answer with Pharaoh. Genesis 41:15-16 (TEV) 15 The king said to him, "I have had a dream, and no one can explain it. I have been told that you can interpret dreams." 16 Joseph answered, "I cannot, Your Majesty, but God will give a favorable interpretation." Give an interpretation indeed how G-d spoke through Joseph! With the interpretation, G-d also gave Pharaoh the information needed to survive the coming great famine. Joseph was now being vindicated from all that he had suffered. Look what a Pharaoh, a believing and trusting Pharaoh did. Genesis 41:37-45 (TEV) 37 The king and his officials approved this plan, 38 and he said to them, "We will never find a better man than Joseph, a man who has God's spirit in him." 39 The king said to Joseph, "God has shown you all this, so it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. 40 I will put you in charge of my country, and all my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. 41 I now appoint you governor over all Egypt." 42 The king removed from his finger the 2

3 ring engraved with the royal seal and put it on Joseph's finger. He put a fine linen robe on him, and placed a gold chain around his neck. 43 He gave him the second royal chariot to ride in, and his guard of honor went ahead of him and cried out, "Make way! Make way!" And so Joseph was appointed governor over all Egypt. 44 The king said to him, "I am the king and no one in all Egypt shall so much as lift a hand or a foot without your permission." 45 He gave Joseph the Egyptian name Zaphenath Paneah, and he gave him a wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, a priest in the city of Heliopolis. Joseph was thirty years old when he began to serve the king of Egypt. He left the king's court and traveled all over the land. Joseph immediately set about to save the land of Egypt and prepare for the severe conditions G-d had shown were going to be coming about. Joseph had a lot to do and did it with the blessing of G-d. Now we see that the famine occurs just as G-d had said it would. The famine stretches around the known world of the time. It is affecting the well being of the fledgling nation of Israel who were still in Canaan. Jacob the patriarch knew of the grain in Egypt and its availability for purchase. Therefore he sent his sons to buy grain to help sustain the household. However because of the loss of Joseph, Jacob refused to allow his youngest son, Benjamin to go with his older brothers. Genesis 42:1-5 (TEV) 1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt; he said to his sons, "Why don't you do something? 2 I hear that there is grain in Egypt; go there and buy some to keep us from starving to death." 3 So Joseph's ten half brothers went to buy grain in Egypt, 4 but Jacob did not send Joseph's full brother Benjamin with them, because he was afraid that something might happen to him. 5 The sons of Jacob came with others to buy grain, because there was famine in the land of Canaan. 3

4 What starts occurring next is important for the many things it represents. Genesis 42:7-22 (CJB) 7 Yosef saw his brothers and recognized them; but he acted toward them as if he were a stranger and spoke harshly with them. He asked them, Where are you from? They answered, From the land of Kena an to buy food. 8 So Yosef recognized his brothers, but they didn t recognize him. 9 Remembering the dreams he had had about them, Yosef said to them, You are spies! You ve come to spot our country s weaknesses! 10 No, my lord, they replied, your servants have come to buy food. 11 We re all the sons of one man, we re upright men; your servants aren t spies. 12 No, he said to them, you ve come to spy out our country s weaknesses. 13 They said, We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Kena an; the youngest stayed with our father, and another one is gone. 14 Just as I said, replied Yosef, you re spies! 15 Here s how you can prove you re not lying: as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave here unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother. Meanwhile, you will be kept in custody. This will prove whether there is any truth in what you say. Otherwise, as Pharaoh lives, you are certainly spies. 17 Then he put all of them together in prison for three days. 18 On the third day, Yosef said to them, Do what I say, and stay alive, for I fear God. 19 (v) If you are upright men, let one of your brothers remain incarcerated in the prison you re being kept in, while you go and carry grain back to relieve the famine in your homes. 20 But bring your youngest brother to me. In this way your statements will be verified, and you won t die. So they did it. 21 They said to each other, We are in fact guilty concerning our brother. He was in distress and pleaded with us; we saw it and wouldn t listen. That s why this distress has come upon us now. 22 Re uven answered them, Didn t I tell you, Don t wrong the boy? But you wouldn t hear of it. Now comes the reckoning for his blood! 4

5 Pharaoh is completely unaware of Joseph s background and his two dreams. He only knows Joseph as an interpreter and he sees the famine as an internal, Egyptian problem. But Joseph understands that Pharaoh s dream is not meant for Pharaoh at all, but rather for himself! And most importantly, Joseph finally understands that the success he will have in interpreting the dreams is meant to move the family of Jacob towards their destiny, not an opportunity for him to become a successful ruler over his family. The truth that burned in Joseph s soul, telling him that his own dreams would be fulfilled, was beginning to take shape. He understood why his brother s sheaves would bow down to his sheaves. During times of severe famine, Abraham relied on the abundance of Egypt. G-d Almighty had positioned Joseph to be in the right place at the right time in order to rescue and sustain the family of Jacob, the fledgling nation of Israel. Now that Joseph understood his first dream (sheaves) and his role in providing sustenance to his family during the years of famine, he turns his attention to the fulfillment of his second dream. Recall that last week we mentioned that Joseph s second dream had spiritual ramifications. Joseph was shown through his second dream that he would play a key role in molding the future of the nation of Israel. The second dream with the stars bowing before him would be realized when he was able to bring his brothers face to face with their sin. Only upon repentance, could he be properly reunited with his family. Don t miss that it is repentance that is necessary before we are able to unite with our Messiah as the complete family of Israel. How could he bring this plan to fruition? In the interaction that Joseph has with his brothers, we see him engaged in a clearly deliberate plan of action. At times it is hard for us to see the reason for his behavior. But we will marvel as Joseph puts his brothers in the same situations in which they had placed him. His goal will be to bring his brothers toward repentance for their terrible deeds. Although he was anxious to ultimately 5

6 reveal himself; before doing so, he wanted to make sure they had first performed proper teshuva (repentance). Repentance was a requirement before G-d Almighty could move forward with the covenant promises made to their forefathers. The sin of the brothers in selling Joseph into slavery was one of the most severe sins that can be committed, and merits the death penalty. (Shemot/Exodus 21:16; Devarim/Deuteronomy 24:7) Do not miss that our story line is about Joseph (Yeshua), the sin of his brothers (Israel), and repentance for sin committed. All this must happen BEFORE restoration. Had not Joseph been successful in leading his brothers to heart-felt repentance, the account might have ended with something similar to the flood, Babel, or Sodom. Joseph will attempt to repeatedly bring his brothers face-to-face with what looks like divine retribution for their sin, i.e. measure-for-measure punishment. As Joseph s brothers unjustly accused him of spying on them, the shoe is now on the other foot and the brothers see this accusation as the result of their treatment of Joseph. The brothers had imprisoned Joseph in a pit, and eventually their actions caused him to spend several years in an Egyptian prison. Now, here in Egypt, they are given their own taste of prison. They all spend three days in jail where they have time to consider unjust enslavement. The brothers, with the exception of Simeon, are released from prison, but told they must bring Benjamin to Egypt in order to verify the truth of their words. Now that Benjamin is in Egypt, Joseph can find out how they really feel about their younger brother. Would they be willing to dispense with him also (as they had Joseph) and leave him in Egypt as a slave? He had to find out. Joseph presents the brothers with a test. He gives them opportunity to envy Benjamin (he is now the favored son of Jacob, who believes Joseph dead), just as they once envied and hated Joseph. The brothers leave for home, but again Joseph tests them through the plot of the silver cup. He arranges for Benjamin to be caught. Genesis 44:1-12 (TEV) 1 Joseph commanded the servant in charge of his house, "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's money in the top of his sack. 2 Put my silver cup in the top of the youngest brother's sack, together with the money for his grain." He did as he was told. 3 Early in the morning the brothers were sent on their way with their donkeys. 4 When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to the servant in charge of his house, "Hurry after those men. When you catch up with them, ask them, 'Why have you paid back evil for good? 5 Why did you steal my master's silver cup? It is the one he drinks from, the one he uses for divination. You have committed a serious crime!' " 6 When the servant caught up with them, he repeated these words. 7 They answered him, "What do you mean, sir, by talking like this? We swear that we have done no such thing. 8 You know that we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money we found in the top of our sacks. Why then should we steal silver or gold from your master's house? 9 Sir, if any one of us is found to have it, he will be put to death, and the rest of us will become your slaves." 10 He said, "I agree; but only the one who has taken the cup will become my slave, and the rest of you can go free." 11 So they quickly lowered their sacks to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 Joseph's servant searched carefully, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 6

7 Joseph gives the brothers reason to hate Benjamin. They could now justifiably turn over Benjamin to become an eternal slave in Egypt. Instead, however, the brothers stick with Benjamin, despite their inability to understand what has happened. They choose to forfeit their own freedom and return with Benjamin. Joseph has recreated the event of his own sale as closely as he possibly could. Joseph now begins to hear the true repentance on the part of his brothers. Genesis 44:13-17 (TEV) 13 The brothers tore their clothes in sorrow, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city. 14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, he was still there. They bowed down before him, 15 and Joseph said, "What have you done? Didn't you know that a man in my position could find you out by practicing divination?" 16 "What can we say to you, sir?" Judah answered. "How can we argue? How can we clear ourselves? God has uncovered our guilt. All of us are now your slaves and not just the one with whom the cup was found." 17 Joseph said, "Oh, no! I would never do that! Only the one who had the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back safe and sound to your father." 7

8 We are not finished yet, as Paul Harvey used to say, stayed tuned for the rest of the story. Next week will prove more learning in-depth as we find what happens. Haftarah - Prophets M'lakhim Alef {1 Kings 3:15 4:1} This week's Haftarah opens with the following words: 1 Kings 3:15 (NKJV) 15 Then Solomon awoke and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. This echoes this week's Torah portion, which opens with Pharaoh's dreams. Although it is not included in this Haftarah, in this dream G-d granted King Solomon his legendary wisdom. This Haftarah relates a famous episode that made all of Israel aware of their new King's great wisdom and discernment. 1 Kings 3:16-22 (CJB) 16 After this, there came to the king two women who were prostitutes. After presenting themselves to him, 17 one of the women said, My lord, I and this woman live in the same house; and when she was in the house, I gave birth to a baby. 18 Three days after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. We were there together; there was no one else with us in the house except the two of us. 19 During the night this woman s child died, because she rolled over on top of it. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from next to me, while your servant was sleeping, and put it in her arms; and she laid her dead child in my arms. 21 When I awoke in the morning to feed my child from my breast, there it was, dead. But when I took a closer look later in the morning, why, it wasn t my son at all not the one I gave birth to! 22 The other woman broke in, No! The living one is my son, and the dead one is your son! The first one said, No! The dead one is your son and the living one is my son! This is how they spoke in the presence of the king. Each woman claimed that the live child is theirs and the deceased child was the other's. King Solomon asks that a sword be brought and orders that the child be cut in half with each woman receiving one half. At this point, the mother of the living child exhorts the king to give the child to the other woman so that he may live. King Solomon's answer to this problem is legendary. God will guide one in making discerning decisions that are not readily apparent to the individual. G-d will give the means for making the proper determination as He did with King Solomon and with Joseph. 8

9 B'rit Hadashah New Testament Acts 7:9-16 (emphasize on 9-10), 2 Timothy 2:1-10; Luke 4:1; Matthew 27:1-2; Matthew 27:38-42; 28:5-7; 28:7-9; 27:11-14; 27:22-44; Hebrews 2:9; Luke 3:23; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelations 21:9; Romans 11:11-31; Romans 11:25, 26 Time to review and summarize this week s teaching and study. This week s Parashah continues with Joseph in Egypt and his dealings with his family, specifically his brothers who were sent to obtain more grain for sustenance for the family and bring Benjamin the youngest to show Joseph they were telling him the truth. This Parashah, aside from the historical value, contains several lessons to show God is charge no matter what and that he can and will arrange events for His glory. He also can and will arrange events to take care of his people and bring them to understanding of his will and purpose. This is a lesson we do well to learn. Not only did Yeshua/Jesus Himself use the "old testament" for teaching, the apostles and disciples do so also. Make a note when reading scripture, the disciples, apostles and Christ did not say it is written in Isaiah, Genesis, Deuteronomy, Proverbs, etc., etc. Why not, because the Jews knew the word of G-d and where everything was. They knew exactly where Christ, the disciples and the Apostles were quoting from when they taught from the word of G-d. More importantly they (the Jews) knew if the scripture was being quoted properly or not! Can we say that or do we have that intimate knowledge of G-d's word, ourselves? Stephen just before he was stoned to death for his preaching and belief in Yeshua/Jesus used the written word of G-d, the "Bible" to answer the false accusations of the scribes, Pharisees and religious leaders. Stephen used the events of Joseph to make a point about Yeshua being the Messiah. By the way the future Apostle Paul (Saul) was present at this "inquisition" and the martyrdom of Stephen. It would not be lost on the council that Stephen was comparing them, their persecution of the body of Yeshua/Jesus, to the events in the life of Joseph, nor would it be lost on them James meaning about the outcome of all the actions events they (the council) were placing into effect. It would not be lost on them that Stephen was also telling them all this would be to the Glory of God and His only begotten Son, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ). HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE YESHUA AS THE MESSIAH, THAT IS, YET!!!!!! Acts 7:9-16 (TEV) (blue with parenthesis added) (red added for emphasize) (italics, bolding added for emphasize) 9 "Jacob's sons became jealous of their brother Joseph and sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him 10 and brought him safely through all his troubles. When Joseph appeared before the king of Egypt, God gave him a pleasing manner and wisdom, and the king made Joseph governor over the country and the royal household. 11 Then there was a famine all over Egypt and Canaan, which caused much suffering. Our ancestors could not find any food, 12 and when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons, our ancestors, on their first visit there. 13 On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and 9

10 the king of Egypt came to know about Joseph's family. 14 So Joseph sent a message to his father Jacob, telling him and the whole family, seventy-five people in all, to come to Egypt. 15 Then Jacob went to Egypt, where he and his sons died. 16 Their bodies were taken to Shechem, where they were buried in the grave, which Abraham had bought from the clan of Hamor for a sum of money. Paul writes to a disciple, Timothy, exhorting him in trying times. While here Paul is not quoting scripture, he is using the knowledge and understanding all should have from God s word and the events of Yeshua s (Jesus ) ministry. Paul also uses secular references, which drive home the point of his exhortations. 2 Timothy 2:1-10 (TEV) (blue with parenthesis added) (red added for emphasize) (italics, bolding added for emphasize) 1 As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus. 2 Take the teachings that you heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. 5 An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules. 6 The farmer who has done the hard work should have the first share of the harvest. 7 Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will enable you to understand it all. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught in the Good News I preach. 9 Because I preach the Good News, I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains, 10 and so I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen people, in order that they too may obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory. Oh yes, Joseph had learned and matured! There is a noticeable gain of spiritual maturity. Because the flesh is weak, we many times seem to have to learn things the hard way, don't we? It is interesting to see how this is a foreshadow of, although not specifically pointed out, or scripturally said, it is a demonstration of G-d's grace, mercy and the manipulation of the events in life to bring about what could be looked at as one of the times of salvation or redemption of the nation of Israel and the sharing of the redemption and salvation of Israel with the "nations" (gentiles). Joseph foreshadows and parallels Yeshua HaMashiach/Jesus Christ the Messiah. No coincidences with G-d's word. Let us look at what we have so far in parallel, through a short list but pointed list: Coincidence or Prophetic foreshadowing decide for yourself: Ø Joseph - Filled with the Spirit of Elohim (Genesis 41:38) Ø Yeshua/Jesus - Filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) Joseph - For all intentional purposes "killed" by his brothers (Genesis 37:20) Yeshua/Jesus - Offered up for death, by his brothers, his Jewish brethren (Matthew 27:1-2) o Joseph - Put in the ground, a well that was to be his tomb (Genesis 37:24) 10

11 o Yeshua/Jesus - Buried in a grave, a tomb (Matthew 27:38-42) Joseph - Taken back out of "his tomb", what was his grave, essentially raised from the dead (Genesis 37:28) Yeshua/Jesus - Taken back out of the "tomb", raised from the dead (Matthew 28:5-7) Joseph - Now alive (Genesis 37:28) Yeshua/Jesus - Now alive (Matthew 28:7-9) v Joseph -Suffered false accusations (Genesis 37:9-19) v Yeshua/Jesus - Suffered false accusations (Matthew 27:11-14; 27:22-44) ü Joseph - Falsely criminalized and punished as a criminal (Genesis 37:19-20) ü Yeshua/Jesus - Falsely criminalized and punished as a criminal (Matthew 27:22-44) Ø Joseph - Vindicated and crowned with glory and honor (Genesis 41:38-45) Ø Yeshua/Jesus - Vindicated and crowned with glory and honor (Hebrews 2:9) ü Joseph - Thirty years old when started service to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:46) ü Yeshua/Jesus - Thirty Years old when He began His ministry (Luke 3:23) v Joseph - Given a Gentile bride (Genesis 41:45) v Yeshua/Jesus - Given a Gentile Bride (Ephesians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelations 21:9) Joseph - Brought salvation to the "nations" (gentiles) (Genesis 41:46-49) Yeshua/Jesus - Brought salvation to the "nations" (gentiles) (Romans 11:11-31) ü Joseph - Not recognized for who he was by his brothers (Genesis 42:6-9) ü Yeshua/Jesus - Not recognized for who he was (the Messiah) by his brothers, his Jewish brethren (Romans 11:25) Therefore, we learn that no matter what we see through our imperfect eyes and understanding, no matter 11

12 what Satan the great deceiver says through his various medias of propaganda, GOD is in charge and His will is the end result!! The story of Joseph and how his brothers did not recognize him can likened to the prophecy which the Apostle Paul spoke of in Romans Chapter eleven where he talked about part of the function/purpose and role of the Gentiles in God s plan. Romans 11:25 (NKJV) 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Yeshua and Joseph, both with hidden Identities from their brothers: Ø Joseph s brothers did not know or recognize him in Egypt; Ø Yeshua s own people did not and do not recognize him. WHY??? Joseph s name was changed from a Hebrew name to an Egyptian name; Yeshua s Hebrew name was changed to a Gentile Latin Name Lesous, or Jesus in English (other names other languages) v Joseph was effectively removed from his HEBREW IDENITY by taking on the cultural look of the Egyptians; v Yeshua has been removed from his JEWSIH IDENTITY by being transformed into the Gentile Jesus, someone who in most cases does not resemble the Jewish Messiah. Romans 11:26 (NKJV) 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; Let s take a good look at this Ø God allowed Joseph to be transformed into an Egyptian. It was God s plan for the immediate, right then rescue/salvation of Israel. Ø God has allowed Yeshua to be presented/transformed in context as a Gentile, so that salvation will come to them. That is until the fullness of the Gentiles has come 12

13 in. and Israel comes to know who the Messiah is Yeshua HaMashiach/Jesus Christ the Messiah The word UNTIL IS KEY!!!! When the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, then God will lift the veil from the eyes of Israel and the temporary blindness will be gone. What happens then? Israel will recognize the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) and just as with Joseph and his brothers, there will be an emotional, tearful reunion, bringing Israel into full salvation and back to God s purpose and plan for them!!!!!! Closing: WE DO WELL TO LEARN HOW TO GET OUT OF GOD S WAY AND LET HIM WORK HIS PURPOSE THROUGH US. Use the example of Joseph as an example of getting out of God s way, so He can work His purpose through us, even when it doesn t happen the way or when we think it should. By the time Joseph was mentioned to Pharaoh because of his two dreams, TWO YEARS had passed since the Pharaoh s cupbearer had been restored to his position as per the interpretation God to Joseph for the cupbearer s dream. ALWAYS in God s time, according to His purpose. Hindsight is 20/20 when looking at the plans and purposes of G-d. Most difficult is having 20/20 vision, in the present as G-d works in our lives and as we live in the time of fulfillment of prophecy. Yet we can take comfort and consolation with the fact and evidence of how G-d is so patient, loving and forgiving to guide us even as we make mistakes due to spiritual immaturity. Reprinted from Messianic Torah Devotional 2008 by Kevin Geoffrey. Published by Perfect Word Messianic Publishing, Phoenix, AZ. Distributed by Perfect Word Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. "Lord G-d, may You alone be seen in me, that I may never be seen at all. I praise You, ADONAI let YOUR reputation precede me, so that all glory offered to me may be given to You Name. Teach me, Father, to trust in Your unchanging word and to rely not on my own understanding. Remind me of You promises, and grant me the patience to wait until they come to pass. I bless You, G-d of my fathers I am getting o board and out of your way. Thank You, O Lord, for revealing Your word to this servant, and for doing all Your great woks without me " YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE WORD, FOR THE WORD TO BE IN YOU! Shabbat Shalom, G-d Bless and Keep you! Terry L. Newman,