Vayechi | ויחי | "He lived "

Vayechi | ויחי | "He lived "       My sTudy is from Torah Portions, First Fruits of Zion.

• Torah: Genesis 47:28-50:26   

The Torah says little about life after death.  It is more concerned with how life is lived here on earth. A sect of Sadduccees, who did not believe in an afterlife were known in the time of the apostles. Another sect were the Pharisees who did believe in an afterlife and resurrection fromt he dead.  The Pharisees believeed that God promised to give the land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and not to their descendents. The patriarchs died in faith and without receiving the promises. (Hebrews 11:13). Jacob made Joseph promise that he would be buried in the tomb with his fathers in Canaan.  

• Israel (Jacob and his family) lived in the land of Egypt in Goshen with possessions and grew exceedingly becasue of Joseph.
• Jacob being old, asked Joseph that he not be buried in Egypt but back to his fathers’ burial place in the cave in the field of Machpelah bought by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite.  Joseph agreed.
• Jacob then blessed Joseph’s sons as his own sons… “May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.” Asking God to cause one’s negative past to be forgotten and his future to be fruitful.
• Jacob blessed Joseph by blessing his sons and then told him, "Behold I am dying but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers and gave one portion about his brothers to him."
• Jacob called his sons so that he might tell them what was in their futures which was a result of sin for the most part...
• Reuben   who was Jacob’s might and the beginning of strength, excellency of dignity and power, but unstabel as water so that he will not excel. He sinned by sleeping with Jacob's concubine and not worthy to recieve the first born birthright so that Joseph's sons received the first born birthright.
• Simeon and Levi who are two of a kind, instruments of cruelty, with no honor, no council but self-willed so that they murder.  Their anger is cursed and they will be divided and scattered.
• Judah whose brothers shall praise and bow down to you and your hand is on the neck of enemies.  Judah is a lion’s whelp (still dependent) and lies down as a lion but in the future Judah will rule and the people will obey. The donkey bound to the vine and its colt to the choice vine. He washed his garments in wine & clothes in the blood of grapes, who’s eyes are dark and teeth are white.  [Symbolic ~ Shiloh (the peaceful one) will come and  bind his donkey and colt to a vine. Shiloh will be washed in wine (blood). His eyes will be dark and his teeth white.]
• Zebulun will dwell in the sea and is a haven for ships.
• Issachar is a strong donkey, lying between two burdens, restful and pleasant; and ends up as  a band of slaves.
• Dan is a judge, a serpent, a viper that bites the horse’s heels and causes the rider to fall back saying I have waited for your salvation, O LORD.
• Gad as warriors who are trampled but triumph at the last.
• Asher is rich, with much bread and royal dainties.
• Naphtali as a deer on the loose using beautiful words.
• Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well whose branches run over it; archers grieved him but his bow was strength & he was strong by the hands of God & God will bless from heaven and from the deep, and blessings of children and fathers, of land and rule.
• Benjamin as a ravenous wolf who devours  prey in the morning and divides the spoil at night.
• Then Israel (Jacob) died and was embalmed Egyptian style & after 40 days, Joseph pleaded with Pharoah to let him take his father to the land of Canaan to bury him and he did. 
•  Afterwhich, Joseph’s brothers feared that he would seek revenge after Jacob’s death but Joseph reassures them that all is well.
• Joseph's last days... They continued to live in Egypt together.  When Joseph was 110 years old,  he died and was embalmed and buried in Egypt.

 

We are born and we die.  What we do with the life that is given to us is what ultimately counts with God.

His Word to Me...

My early morning devotions began with face to the ground prayer. 

Next, when I sat down to read scripture, it was time to read Matthew 5, which has become one of my favorites.  Back when I was in my 20s, my favorite scriptures were from Proverbs. Who can say why? I only know that I enjoyed those best. Now that I'm (LOL) a little over half a century old, my favorites have changed.

In these words, He says "Blessed are you when..."

You may think it odd, but I wanted to see what "blessed" really meant and not just what I thought it meant.  I've heard it preached before as "happy" and for years have thought this whenever reading it.  Well, being happy may be part of it but I find that "happy" is a frivolous state of being and that it doesn't usually last very long.  Would God really be telling me to keep on being so frivolous?  Well, I don't think so and that's why I looked up the word blessed.  I found several different ways to describe and define what it is but through all this, I've come to know that to be blessed means, 'you are worthy, you are holy, you are consecrated in my eyes'.

Imagine that?!  It's not about being "happy" at all".  My Lord is saying,

• "You are Holy when you are poor and weak in spirit, when you recognize your state of being.
• You are Holy when you mourn and cry out in grief.
• You are Holy when you are meek and not conceited or stuck up thinking you are better than others.
• You are Holy when you hunger and thirst for righteousness because He is righteous.
• You are Holy when you are merciful (compassionate).
• You are Holy when you are pure in heart, without defilement of thought.
• You are Holy when you are a peacemaker.
• You are Holy when you are persecuted for righteousness.
• You are Holy when others revile you and tell lies about you because of Him.

In all this, My Lord tells me that he expects me to act and react in holy ways at all times. When I do these things, He blesses me, He calls me Holy! I am to do these things without working for them, without thinking of reward. But at the same time He makes promises....

He promises that:

•  the kingdom of heaven is mine
•  I will be comforted
•  I will inherit the earth
•  I shall be satisfied
•  I shall have mercy
•  I shall see God
•  I shall be called as a son (daughter) of God
•  the kingdom of heaven is mine!!!!

He goes on to tell me that I am to rejoice and be glad when others are cruel to me because of Him.

He reminds me that....

•  I am the salt and I am the light
•  He came to fulfill the law.

In all things he tells me what to do.  He tells me what to do with my anger~ duh ~ make peace. He tells me not to lust and not to divorce. He tells me not to swear. He tells me that I am not to be revengeful and to love even my enemies. Now, alone I am unable to do even the one of these things faithfully.

But he's not asking.  He commands me that I must be perfect, as my heavenly Father is perfect.  That is what He expects. My duty then is to strive for His perfection and in so doing He will give me what I need to accomplish it! What powerful scripture to start my day! WOW!

Shemot | שמות | "Names " Jan. 14 2012

My study is taken from the Torah Portions from First Fruits of Zion, http://torahportions.org/.   This week's scriptures are:  Luke 5:12-39, Exocuds 1:1-61 and Isaiah 27:6-28:13 & 29:22-23.

Connections:
I like to find connections in my scripture readings and this week is no exception.

The Torah Portion title is "Shemot" (שמות),which means “names.”  Generally, titles for each Torah Portion can be found within the first verses of the portion. That being said, we find that the Exodus reading begins by giving the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt. 

My study habits have transformed from being satisfied with just surface knowledge into seeking to know more about the author and finisher of my faith, My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I have grown accustomed to asking deeper questions at the onset of my study.  One question has become, "What is the greater importance of the title and how is this connected to the scripture readings for the week?"

I have been taught that there is no Hebrew word for coincidence.  This just means to me that God's plan doesn't allow for coincidence. Since there are no coincidences then there must be a reason for the order and format of my study. Now, everyone will not agree with me on this matter, but that's okay.  I'll move on anyway...

• I began by looking at the scriptures from Luke and questioned how "Names" was connected. The scripture is interesting in that the the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this...?"  They seek a name, an answer to know who is it that does all these healing miracles?  Without realizing, they are seeking The Name above all names.  The answer is not clearly given to them, but with a deeper than surface understanding, we can see that The Name is Jesus, the Son of God. Hallelujah! 

· Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy …But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Word of mouth drew the people to Him for what He could do for them, that He could heal them…


· Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man…Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal… And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” Yes, with the crowds, even the scribes and Pharisees came. But they came not only to see but to condemn. This reminds me that there will always be those around who do not understand and do not want to understand when God is moving. Those who think they know everything will not be willing to see God because they will have blinded eyes and deafened ears!
· Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) …a tax collector named Levi…Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Still the scribes and Pharisees stand in judgement…

· A Discussion about Fasting “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” I wonder who is asking this question.  Could it be one of the scribes and Pharisees or just someone who has taken notice?  Is the qustion asked in judgement or from the perspective of a sincere desire to know?  We do not know the answer to this.  But God knows and there is a reason that it is recorded for us.   Is the bridegroom with us? Isn't He supposed to be spiritually speaking?  Or does it mean, physically? Has the bridegroom been taken away from us?  Questions to ponder...                                                                 

• Next, I read the Torah Portion and the title emerges: Now these are the names (shemot) of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob (Exodus 1:1).  Each son came with his own household:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,  Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,  Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.  All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt.  Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation.  But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.  As we continue to read, we find the people, enslaved, being mistreated and mistrusted by Pharoah and the Egyptians. They cry out to God. Various events take place and God raises up Moses to act on His behalf.  But Moses is hesitant and questions God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”  God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”  This is the Name above all names!  At the end of this portion, the promise is given: But the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”  Although in this portion, the people are not delivered out of Egypt yet, but God has not abandoned them.  The upcoming readings reveal the story.  Much of the surface of the story, we all know.  But what of deeper meanings?  How can the life of the people of Israel be likened to the people of the United States or even of any country?  How are we like Moses or Aaron, or not like them?  How are we like Pharaoh or the Egyptians, or not like them?  What lessons are here that reveal our relationship to God Almighty?  Each of us must answer these questions on our own...

Many things stand out in these scriptures, but the points highlighted in color were the most important to me during this study this time and represent the basis for my understanding.

· Exodus 1:1

Introduction ~ the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt…

· Exodus 1:8
The Israelites Are Oppressed …the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad…they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves… birth sons were to be killed…

· Exodus 2:1
Birth and Youth of Moses …saved for a greater purpose, raised in the Pharoah’s home, raised as royalty with all the advantages

· Exodus 2:11
Moses Flees to Midian …after killing an Egyptian, hides away and makes a new life… the new life is one of hard work and few advantages

· Exodus 3:1
Moses at the Burning Bush …God reveals Himself to Moses

· Exodus 3:13
The Divine Name Revealed …“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” “I Am has sent me to you.”

· Exodus 4:1
Moses' Miraculous Power …the staff of Moses becomes a serpent…that they may believe… the leprous hand was cleansed… the water of the Nile turned to blood… God send Aaron along with Moses to be his mouth…

· Exodus 4:18
Moses Returns to Egypt …the people believed and wanted to worship & sacrifice to the Lord

· Exodus 5:1
Bricks without Straw …but Pharaoh punishes the people

· Exodus 6:1
Israel's Deliverance Assured …God promises the people will be delivered

• Last, the reading of Prophets: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23. Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:“Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.   Again, there it is the Name above all names!

 · Isaiah 27: …The time is coming when Jacob’s descendants will take root. Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole earth with fruit!

· Isaiah 28 …A Message about Samaria…proud people brought down… the Lord will send a mighty army against it…

· Isaiah 29 …A Message about Jerusalem…Suddenly, in an instant, I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, will act for you with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and storm and consuming fire. All the nations fighting against Jerusalem* will vanish like a dream!