You Gotta Serve Somebody

Parashat Mishpatim (Sh’mot/Exodus 21:2–24:18)

Rabbi Stuart Dauermann, Shuvah Yisrael Messianic Synagogue , Plainview, New York

Today’s parasha, Mishpatim, examines a variety of mitzvot including laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, Shabbat, the sabbatical year, holidays, and uprooting idolatry. 

In our drash, we only get to pick one of these themes. Let’s look at slavery. 

Our parasha mentions two kinds of slaves. One was Hebrew slaves (Exod 21:2) who exchanged their freedom to pay a debt or to escape poverty. Their period of servitude was six years, unless they chose to remain slaves longer, even for life. The second kind of slavery mentioned was that of Hebrew women who, due to poverty in their families, could be sold as slaves (Exod 21:7–11). If  these women became wives of their masters or his sons, there were special measures in place ensuring that they were treated with dignity and not as discardable property. 

In Vayikra/Leviticus 25:44–46, we read of yet a third category of slaves, those bought from other nations or captured as prisoners of war. In the case of women in this position, they were allowed a month to mourn for their families from whom they were separated, showing that even under these tragic circumstances, Torah sought to preserve human dignity. 

But slavery is not simply old news. In fact, all of us are slaves.

The Bible says it, and Bob Dylan sang it years ago: “It might be the Devil or it might be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody.”

Chances are, you don’t like that idea. In fact, human experience continually proves that we find this idea offensive and intrusive. 

The root of that offense is what Paul calls “the law of sin” — a kind of reflex living in us which I term the “Oh Yeah? Principle.” This names our insistence on maintaining autonomy at all costs, as manifest in a rebellion against being directed or restricted, even by God. And when he tries to direct or restrict us, isn’t it true that our response is sometimes, if not often, “Oh Yeah?”

The testimony of scripture recommends not going that route. Sefer Mishlé, the Book of Proverbs, puts it this way, “There can be a way which seems right to a person, but at its end are the ways of death” (14:12). Dylan was right, our choice is a binary one: the Devil or the Lord, life or death. Sefer Mishlé strikes this chord again, saying, “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining ever brighter until full daylight. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they don’t even know what makes them stumble” (4:18–19). 

Our way through this binary morass is lit by a paradox: It is by serving as a slave of God that we find our deepest freedom. Saint Augustine of Hippo touches upon this, referring to “God, ‘whom to serve is to reign.’” The Anglican liturgy picks this up referring to God “whose service is perfect freedom.” And John Donne, 16th–17th century, pointed us toward the words of Paul, saying, “I, except you enthrall me, never shall be free. Nor ever chaste except you ravish me.” 

Like Donne and Augustine, Paul commends the path of slavery as the road to freedom. 

In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, he says, “The fact is, you don’t belong to yourselves; for you were bought at a price. So use your bodies to glorify God.” 

Notice, Paul is not calling us to be servants of God. Servants receive a wage. He calls us to become slaves of God, bought with a price. 

In 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 , Paul sketches the different classes whom the Spirit brought to Yeshua-faith in the Roman world, before naming the class into which God has placed us all throughout time: 

Were you a (Roman) slave when you were called? Well, don’t let it bother you; although if you can gain your freedom, take advantage of the opportunity. For a person who was a slave when he was called is the Lord’s freedman; likewise, someone who was a free man when he was called is a slave of the Messiah. You were bought at a price, so do not become slaves of other human beings. (CJB)

Notice, when God calls us to himself, he calls us to live as his slaves, bought with a price.

The word in Greek for slave is doulos. The word for servant is diakonos. 

John MacArthur reinforces the difference for us:

There are six or seven Greek words that mean “servant” in some form. (Diakonos is the most prominent of those words). Doulos never means “servant.” A servant is someone hired to do something. The slave (doulos) is someone owned. Big difference, huge difference, and yet all through (almost every translation of) the New Testament the word (doulos) “slave” is masked by the (English) word “servant.”

Servant or Slave?,” Grace to You, August 26, 2010, https://www.gty.org/library/sermonslibrary/ GTY129/servant-or-slave

Paul outlines for us two consequences of our being slaves of God. First, our bodies do not belong to us, but to the Holy One. Because we are bought with a price, we must glorify God in our bodies, which belong to God (1 Cor 6:20). 

Second, because we were bought with a price we must not become slaves of other human beings (1 Cor 7:23), and that includes not becoming wage slaves, as many employers expect. Our relationships with people should not curtail our availability to God. We belong to him and are answerable to him first in all things.

Being called slaves of God rankles our contemporary sensibilities. It tweaks the sin principle living in us. But Yeshua told us that the only choice we have is to whom we will be enslaved: “Yes, indeed! I tell you that everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin. So if the Son frees you, you will really be free” (Yochanan 8:34, 36), Yeshua sets us free to become slaves of God. Or, as the Lord said to Pharaoh through Moshe, “Let my people go, that they may serve me” (Exod 8:1).

If we would know the freedom to which God calls us, we must remember we are not hired, we are owned.  We have been bought by the kindest of masters with the most precious of prices, the blood of his Only Begotten Son. 

Our Yom Kippur liturgy has the last word here, reminding us who Adonai is, and who we are. 

Like the clay in the hand of the potter—
he expands it at will and contracts it at will—
so are we in Your hand, O Preserver of kindness,
look at the covenant and ignore the Accuser.

Like the glass in the hand of the blower—
he shapes it at will and dissolves it at will—
so are we in Your hand,
O Forgiver of willful sins and errors,
look to the covenant and ignore the Accuser.

So who are you gonna serve? 

“It might be the Devil, and it might be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody.” 

How to Have Peace with the In-laws

Parashat Yitro, Exodus 18:1–20:23

Matt Absolon, Beth T’filah, Miramar, FL 

Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. (Exodus 18:7–9)

Much of the biblical text is spent recounting the pitfalls and bad relationships that serve as examples of what not to do in our connections with each other. This week's portion gives us a welcome respite from that trend in showcasing the relationship between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro. In the catalogue of family relationships that are notorious for being contentious, the “in-laws” take a special place at the top of the page. Regardless of this tendency, Moses and Jethro’s relationship shared a special intimacy, one that echoes down to the modern-day friendship between Israel and the Druze peoples.

What lessons might we learn from Moses and Jethro that can help us navigate our in-law relationships today?

 As a first impression, we see that Moses maintains deep respect for Jethro. He “bowed down and kissed him.” Moses keeps himself humble before Jethro and pays respect to both the man and the position of father-in-law. When navigating relationships, it is often helpful for us to differentiate between the person and the title they hold. When we honor our in-laws, we honor the position they hold, not just the person. This distinction helps us overlook dissimilarities in personality and allows us to honor our in-laws for who they are.

In following Moses' honor towards Jethro, we read, “they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent.” It becomes evident that Moses and Jethro genuinely care for each other. Naturally we lean towards the concern and welfare of our immediate parents and might be inclined to make negotiated concessions for our in-laws. However, we see that Moses and Jethro share a deep concern for the welfare of each other. Sometimes in the bustle of life, marriage, and children, we forget that we are not the only concern in the life of our in-laws. Oftentimes the children-in-law expect care and concern to flow down to them while overlooking the duty they have to direct care and concern upwards to the parents-in-law. The grandchildren might be the focus, but the in-laws are also people with cares and concerns beyond just the children. Moses displays this mutual concern in the way he cares for Jethro.

In the next verse we capture a glimpse of Jethro’s character trait of good will. “And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel” (18:9). Jethro was cheering for Moses’s success. The wellbeing of the family ought to be expressed in both words and deeds. Jethro verbalized his support and encouragement to Moses, after all the difficulties that Moses had endured. Before Jethro offered Moses advice, he showed him that he was for Moses and his success.

If we can imagine for a moment the overwhelming situation that Jethro found before him, it would have been understandable for him to take a skeptical approach. In this hypothetical setting, Jethro could have logically asked the following:

What are you thinking that you will lead two million people into the desert?!

Burning bushes and sticks to snakes, what has gotten into you?!

Moses, are you sure this is God's plan for your life?!

This was not the deal when you married Zipporah!

Instead of being the sceptic, Jethro validates the pain and hardships that Moses has endured, and is presently carrying, in fulfilling God's will in his life. Despite the obvious ways in which God's calling will impact Moses and his marriage to Zipporah, Jethro was supportive of God's calling in Moses’s life.

After Jethro shows his steadfast support for God's work in Moses' life, he then displays his care by offering reasoned critique with well-thought-out solutions. “What you are doing is not good. . . . You are not able to do it alone. . . . I will give you advice, and God be with you!” (Exod 18:17-19). Jethro did not fall into the trap of offering biting critique without a solution. It seems to me that Jethro spent time pondering Moses’s predicament before he decided to critique him. Jethro exemplified true care in his readiness to work through the problem, enhancing Moses’s well-being, and allowing him more time to be with his children. Jethro was committed to the health of his grandchildren by offering tangible support to his son in-law. 

Finally, “Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country” (18:27). Moses and Jethro understood the need for personal space. They understood that, although we share common values which will align us towards common goals, yet God has an individual purpose for us all. They demonstrated that we bring strength to the family as we walk in harmony side by side, but not too close, leaving space for each other’s individual privacy. 

In the final analysis, the respect and affection that Moses and Jethro shared continues to bear fruit to this day. Today, the Druze Israelis honor Jethro, Moses' father in-law, as their forefather and founder of their faith. This relationship between Jethro and Moses has given us their patriotism as fellow Israelis living and fighting beside the Jewish people to establish Eretz Israel as a land of peace and prosperity. Their love and devotion to the Jewish people is recorded as far back as the 12th century, when Jewish traveler Benjamin of Tudela commented on the Druze in his diary that they were “mountain dwellers, monotheists who . . . love the Jews” (Mordechai D. Nisan, Minorities in the Middle East: a history of struggle and self-expression). We both honor our family connection and, although we walk in harmony, we both make space for each other’s privacy. 

Truly, peace in the home is a righteous goal. The example we find in Moses and Jethro offers us some guidelines to work towards that goal. Their example offers us the hope that when we build genuine love and peace between the in-laws, the blessing is for us and for the generations to come.

God Bless you all and a warm Shabbat Shalom. 

Being God's “Hope Dealers”

Parashat Beshalach, Exodus 13:17-17:16

Rabbi Isaac S. Roussel, Congregation Zera Avraham, Ann Arbor, MI

This week’s parasha, Beshalach, is one of the most dramatic and inspiring portions in the Torah. It tells of Israel’s miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea — a moment when all seemed lost, and yet, through divine intervention, salvation came.

In our parasha it says, “The Children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold! Egypt was advancing after them. They were terrified, and the Children of Israel cried out to Hashem” (Exod 14:10).

The Israelites found themselves trapped between the sea and the might of Pharaoh’s army. Their immediate response was fear, despair, and even bitterness toward Moshe: “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?” (Exod 14:11).

Moshe responds to this complaint: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance Hashem will bring you today. . . . Hashem will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exod 14:13-14).

But Hashem does not merely call for stillness—He calls for action: “Then Hashem said to Moshe, 'Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward'" (Exod 14:15).

Rabbinic commentary in the Midrash (Mechilta d'Rabbi Yishmael on 14:15) suggests that this was not merely about walking into the water but about taking a leap of faith. The Talmud (Sotah 37a) tells us of Nachshon ben Aminadav, who stepped into the sea before it parted, demonstrating faith in motion.

My birthday is this week. As my family asked me for gift ideas, I found myself browsing the internet for inspiration. While looking at hats, I came across one with a stylized font that, at first glance, seemed to say “Dope Dealer.” It startled me, prompting a closer look. To my surprise, I realized it actually said, “Hope Dealer,” created by a company that supports those overcoming addiction.

That phrase resonated deeply with me. In these turbulent times, filled with uncertainty and despair, I reflected on the idea that we, as followers of Hashem and disciples of Yeshua, are called to be Hope Dealers—not just to have hope, but to actively share it. Hope is not something we passively receive; it is something we must distribute generously. Just as Hashem called Israel to step forward in faith at the Red Sea, we are called to step forward and be bearers of light, demonstrating through our words and deeds that redemption is always near. In a world thirsting for reassurance, let us become vessels of divine hope, spreading it wherever we go.

This imperative of hope is illustrated through three powerful events in Israel’s history: the Song of the Sea, God's command to erect memorial stones, and the revelation at the Burning Bush.

After the miraculous crossing, Israel bursts into song:

Then Moshe and the Israelites sang this song to Hashem: “I will sing to Hashem, for He is highly exalted. Both horse and driver He has hurled into the sea.” (Exod 15:1)

This moment is not just about celebration but about prophecy. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 23:11) teaches that just as Hashem redeemed Israel then, He will redeem them in the Messianic Age. This song is a foretaste of the greater redemption in Yeshua, of whom it is written:

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood, You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9)

Just as Israel’s song was a declaration of freedom, so too is the song of the redeemed in the Messianic Age. The victory of Hashem is not just for the past—it is for today and for eternity.

God revealed His name as YHVH to Moshe at the Burning Bush. This is often translated as “I am Who I am.” The Talmud (Berachot 9b) offers another interpretation: “I am with you in this trouble and will be with you in future troubles.” His name embodies both a present and future assurance.

God also instructed Israel to erect memorial stones. For example, after crossing the Yarden River, they erected a pile of stones as “a memorial to the people of Israel forever” (Josh 4:6-7).

Similarly, today, we may experience dire straits, but as Hope Dealers, it is our role to recall past acts of deliverance and recognize them as signposts of future redemption. God’s demonstrated emunah (faithfulness) is the source of our hope. As Hope Dealers, it is imperative that we sing the songs of redemption, point to the memorial stones, and proclaim Hashem’s enduring name.

Parashat Beshalach is a call not only to hope but to become Hope Dealers. It reminds us that:

• God is our deliverer, parting the seas before us.

• Faith requires action, stepping forward in trust.

• We are called to sing the song of redemption, even in the wilderness.

• We must actively share hope with those around us, bringing light into the darkness.

As we face the trials of our time—whether personal, communal, or global—let us remember the words of the Lord through Isaiah:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” (Isa 43:1-2)

Our Messiah has already won the ultimate victory and promises that he will be with us to the very end of the age. This promise sustains us, reminding us that we do not walk alone, but as vessels of divine hope, carrying His presence wherever we go.

Today, as we face a renewed onslaught on civil rights and human dignity, it is imperative that we become God's Hope Dealers—standing as beacons of hope and agents of divine justice in the world.

May we sing the Song of Redemption, reminding others that Hashem is with us through every trial.

May we point to the multitude of memorial stones stacked up throughout our lives and the lives of others, for each stone is a testament to God's faithfulness, a reminder of past victories, and a beacon of future deliverance.

May we constantly remind others that God's name literally means that He will be with us in all our trials.

And in doing so, we will truly become God's Hope Dealers!

Shabbat Shalom.

Reading Renewal Forward

Parashat Bo, Exodus 10:1–13:16

Rabbi Paul L Saal, Congregation Shuvah Yisrael, West Hartford, CT

Let’s talk about renewal. There’s something powerful about starting fresh—about moving forward, not just physically, but spiritually. It’s about embracing change and becoming more of who we’re meant to be as Israel, the people of the God of Israel. To do so, we need to break free from a bad habit: reading backward and, as a result, living backward. The historical church has often reduced the experience of Israel to nothing more than a warmup act for the coming of Yeshua. While they have rightly concluded that Yeshua continues Israel’s story and purpose, they often overlook the fact that he does so in partnership with the rest of B’nai Yaakov.

This week’s parasha, Bo, continues the story of redemption and renewal as God not only prepares but enacts Israel’s Exodus from Egypt.  In last week’s parasha, Va’era, God shared something profound with Moses. He said, “I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (Exod 6:7). This promise is about so much more than just escaping Egypt. It’s about creating a real, deep relationship. God wasn’t just pulling the Israelites out of physical slavery—he was inviting them into a new way of life, a new understanding of who he is and who they are in him.

When we reflect on this, we realize that it’s not just a historical event. It speaks into our lives today. The Israelites were being delivered, yes, but they were also being invited into something bigger. God’s purpose wasn’t just freedom from Egypt; it was to reveal his power, his presence, and his authority in a way that would change everything—not just for Israel, but for the whole world. But the covenant starts with Israel and will not continue without Israel.

One thing I love about this passage is how Moses emphasizes that the journey ahead is for everyone. “With our youngsters, with our elders shall we go; with our sons and daughters, with our flock and our cattle shall we go” (Exod 6:9). The whole community, from the youngest to the oldest, is invited into this new chapter. One commentator points out that no celebration is complete without children. It’s a beautiful reminder that the next generation plays a vital role in what God is doing. Another commentator notes that even the elderly, who might feel past their prime, are included because they, too, are rejuvenated by the promise of freedom. It’s an all-encompassing, inclusive journey.

As we dive deeper into this story, we realize that God’s deliverance wasn’t just about freeing people from physical oppression. It was about making his name known, declaring his power and greatness. In Exodus 9:16, God says, “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, so that I might show you my power, and that my name may be declared in all the earth.” This wasn’t just about Israel’s personal freedom; it was about the whole world knowing that there’s a God who reigns, who is active, and who has authority over everything—yet is also faithful to fulfill his promises. Prior to calling Moses into service, the Torah tells us that God “remembered the covenant with the patriarchs” (Exod 2:24). Therefore, the liberation through Moses is part of the natural progression of the patriarchal covenant.

That leads us to today. There’s a lot of talk, especially among younger generations, about needing something real, something bold. Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein, in his book Gonzo Judaism, talks about how many in his generation feel disconnected from the way Judaism has been practiced, yet they’re still hungry for spiritual truth. He says, “We don’t need to be treated with kid gloves—we need to be agitated. Our generation calls for a Judaism that is bold, confrontational, and smack in your face. We want to be pushed. And we want to push back” (p. 125). Honestly, I think that sentiment is true across the board. We may want a faith that’s nice and comfortable, but we need a faith that challenges us, that pushes us to grow, and that makes us confront the deep urges in our lives.

This is exactly what God was calling Israel to—something bold, something life-changing. When they were brought out of Egypt, it wasn’t just to escape hardship; it was about embracing a new identity, declaring that God is King, that his name matters, and that they—along with the whole world—are meant to live with that truth at the core of everything. The God of Israel is the God over the world.

This brings me to something Franz Rosenzweig, a 20th century Jewish theologian, stated in a 1945 commentary on Zionism: “The Jewish individual needs nothing but readiness.” Are we ready for what God will do next? Are we ready for the changes he wants to make in us, for the way he wants to transform our lives? Are we ready to embrace a renewal that may look different from what we’re used to?

I think this is the challenge we face today—whether we’re young or old, whether we’re new to faith or have been walking this road for years: Are we ready to embrace what God has for us next? Are we open to the bold, radical, and transformative ways he might want to work in us?

So, as we think about all of this, let’s ask ourselves: What’s God calling us to right now? How can we be a part of this larger story—one that’s not just about us but about the whole world knowing who God is? And are we ready to step into that story with everything we’ve got?

This brings us back to the concept of reading forward, of living forward. Yeshua came to deliver us from the grip of death, to bring us individually and corporately before the throne of grace and mercy. But he also asks us to pick up our crosses and follow him (Matt 16:24). While this may not feel like a quintessentially Jewish ideal, it is consistent with the historical Jewish experience and calling. I like to say that Yeshua did not come instead of us; rather, he came ahead of us.

Let’s think about it together and see what happens next.

Thanks for reflecting on this with me today. Let’s be ready for the renewal God has in store.

I Have Put My Words in Your Mouth

Parashat Va’era, Exodus 6:2 - 9:35

Rachel Wolf, Congregation Beth Messiah, Cincinnati

Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. (Exodus 4:12)

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.’” (Exodus 8:1)

I have put my words in your mouth
    and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
to plant the heavens
    and lay the foundations of the earth,
    and say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ (Isaiah 51:16)

This week’s portion, Va’era (“I appeared”), dramatically documents the series of confrontations between Pharaoh and Moses and Aaron, as well as the first seven plagues. Moses knew the heart of Pharaoh and doubted the success of God’s plan (6:12), but God had commanded him to speak these words – God had put these words in his mouth – “Let my people go that they may serve me.”

As we shall see, in Exodus 6 Moses is told to deliver the “good news” – God’s message of deliverance – to the enslaved Israelites. Moses is told to say to Zion: “You are my people!”  In doing so, Moses is “planting the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth” (Isa 51:16).

The Purpose and Meaning of the Exodus from Egypt

At the end of last week’s portion, when all the Israelites turn against him, Moses says to God, “I told you this wouldn’t work!” (5:22-23). But God remains unperturbed. He explains to Moses (Ex. 6:1-8) that it is all part of the plan. God makes two points regarding this plan:

1. Fulfillment of the Covenant

The plan of God at this point in history is to restart the action toward the fulfillment of God’s covenant with the sons of Jacob: “Go to the Land I will show you!.” We know this because God explains the plan to Moses by reviewing the history of the covenant, mentioning each of the fathers by name. He does not say: “this is about freedom” or “this is a metaphor for coming out of sin into the atonement in Jesus.” He summarizes his talk with Moses: “And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as an Inheritance” (6:8). This inheritance is not merely for land. It is an essential stage in God’s eternal plan to set up his “tent,” to actually dwell with us on the earth – on Har Tzion, Jerusalem.

2. Gotta Serve Somebody – First Stop: Sinai

God’s words that he puts in Moses’ mouth are: Let my people go to serve me in the wilderness – not “so that they can be free.” They are to serve the true God; they are not to serve the gods of the Egyptians.

Concerning Freedom and Servitude

The Israelites are God’s people! They are not to serve another! In fulfilling the eternal covenant, the Israelites need to know who they are and whom they serve.  Human beings, especially in the West after the Enlightenment, have cultivated the illusion that something called “freedom” is the elixir for happiness. This is not completely wrong. We need freedom. But, while we are created with free will and the ability to choose, especially to choose our actions, there are also invisible forces that bend each of us toward serving one of the sides in the raging war for sovereignty over the earth.

The Shema, when seen in context, is stating that Hashem is the only true God, and that Israel must serve only their God. There are lots of other gods, including men who make themselves into gods, but Israel must serve only the true God who calls himself by their name.

But the great paradox is this: to serve God takes freedom! In the scriptures you will always come up against a paradox if you study deeply enough, because God’s ways are higher than our ways. A paradox is something that is intuitively true, even though it may fail to follow strict rules of logic. The enemy of our souls enslaves us, often against our will. But we need freedom of spirit and will to serve the living God. Gifted individuals throughout history have been able to muster their freedom of spirit even under the harshest slavery. These include the likes of Viktor Frankl during the Holocaust and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in the Gulag. But most people can utterly lose hope in these “hopeless” situations.

The Inability to Hear Good News and to Choose

We need at least a degree of freedom in our spirit to be able to serve the living God. When we are forced into bitter slavery to another god, whether Pharaoh or any other man or program, it can become difficult to muster the strength to make choices. The ability to choose takes a freedom of spirit that allows for even a small degree of hope. When hope is gone, the human spirit gives up and, often, can no longer choose to serve the living God.

This is what happened to the Israelites as we read in our parasha. God commands Moses to deliver this message to the Israelites: 

“And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob . . . as a heritage: I am the Lord.” So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they could not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage. (6:9)

They had no hope left. They were thoroughly heartbroken. Egypt had taken not only their outer freedom, but also their freedom of spirit, their hope.

How does all this relate to our Messianic Jewish Vision and mission in the 21st century?

I have put my words in your mouth
    and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
to plant the heavens
    and lay the foundations of the earth,
    and say to Zion, “You are my people.” (Isaiah 51:16)

We are called to be a part of fulfilling the purpose of creation by reawakening the Jewish people, by believing and proclaiming God’s words: “You are My People!” “Behold, your God reigns”

Speak support and encouragement.

Bring freedom of Spirit and hope to awaken the ability of our people to serve the Living God.

Joseph (who in many ways prophetically represents the Messiah) sent away all of the Egyptians when he knew it was time to reveal himself to his brothers. This was a heart-to-heart meeting between him and his brothers.

It is not for us to convince, but we are called to facilitate, and perhaps hasten, this special (Joseph-like) reunion between Yeshua and his family! Our mission is to counter the Enemy’s plan to deeply plant “anguish of heart” into the Jewish people in order to sap the strength of their soul, so that they can’t believe the good news of God’s promised salvation from our enemies: “You are My People!” “Your God Reigns!”

Many Jewish people today are too realistic and “modern” to believe the old stories about the Holy God coming to earth to set things right and to actually dwell with us, reigning from Mt. Zion!

Yeshua, the Revealer of the Father

But somehow, Yeshua, like Joseph, reveals the reality of the spiritual realm and the faithfulness of God’s words through our own prophets. 

In the New Testament, Luke records the seminal prophecy of Zechariah, Yochanan’s father. If you read the text as the apostles understood it, you will see a deep connection between Zechariah’s words and the words of the prophets of Israel. You will also see the clear connection between Yeshua’s mission and the archetypal events of the Exodus. Look especially at Luke 1:72-74: “To grant that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear.” 

Now his (Yohanan’s) father Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied saying,

Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed His people.

And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago,

That we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 

[cf. Psalm 106:10]

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant,

The oath which he swore to our father Abraham:

To grant that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. (Luke 1:67-75)

If we, today, speak the words of the Prophets with grounded faith and deep compassion, these words will “plant the heavens and lay foundations on the earth,” as we assure the Jewish community of Hashem’s faithfulness: “You are my people!”

How Are You Wired?

Parashat Shemot, Exodus 1:1–6:1

Rabbi Stuart Dauermann, Shuvah Yisrael Messianic Synagogue, Plainview, New York

This may shock you, but in my sixty years of Yeshua-faith, I have on occasion had a revelatory dream. I'd say this has been on the average of once every 10 years, so don't imagine that I've become a raving lunatic or am laying claim to Elijah’s mantle.

In one of those revelatory dreams, I was moving into an old and big house, but it needed to be rewired. After it had been rewired, I went to throw the switch to turn the lights on and the lights blew. The message of the dream came clearly to me. God was telling me, “It takes more to rewire something than you think.” I believe Hashem was telling me that during the course of my life he was going to be rewiring me, changing the way I operate, but the process was going to be more involved than I might imagine. I'm 80 years old now: the dream was true. It's taken his infinite patience and considerable time for me to be rewired. And the work is ongoing.

How about you? How are you wired? What makes you tick?

God creates and redeems us to be lights in the world, lights of different kinds. Some of us will be lights of creativity. Some, lights of justice and truth. Some of us are lights of compassionate action. Some are lights of supernatural power. And on and on.

Whatever the case, God wants us to be lights in the world. That’s why he pays attention to how we are wired and so should we.

In today’s parasha, we get an early peek at how Moshe is wired. Just for background, we know that he was born into a Levitical family under slavery in Egypt. We know his mother saved his life in infancy, floating him in a basket on the Nile only to be discovered by Pharaoh's daughter who adopted him on the spot. He would be nursed by his birth-mother and when weaned would grow up in the royal household..

Next we read about how he conducted himself as an adult, and this introduces us to how he was wired. 

One day, when Moshe was a grown man, he went out to visit his kinsmen; and he watched them struggling at forced labor. He saw an Egyptian strike a Hebrew, one of his kinsmen.  He looked this way and that; and when he saw that no one was around, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. The next day, he went out and saw two Hebrew men fighting with each other. To the one in the wrong he said, “Why are you hitting your companion?” He retorted, “Who appointed you ruler and judge over us? Do you intend to kill me the way you killed the Egyptian?” Moshe became frightened. “Clearly,” he thought, “the matter has become known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he tried to have Moshe put to death. But Moshe fled from Pharaoh to live in the land of Midyan. One day, as he was sitting by a well, the seven daughters of the priest of Midyan came to draw water. They had filled the troughs to water their father’s sheep, when the shepherds came and tried to drive them away. But Moshe got up and defended them; then he watered their sheep. (Exod 2:11-17)

These three incidents provide for us a window on how Moshe was wired, and they foreshadow what will be his life’s work.

Already here, at the beginning of his story, Moshe is wired to take action against oppression and injustice. We might term him a prophetic activist. He is prophetic because he cares deeply about the truth. And he is an activist who cannot see the truth or falsehood without acting on it.

How did he come to be like this? Perhaps it was in part genetic. And no doubt, spending all that time in his mother’s house being nursed and weaned until about the age of five he heard stories about his people, the Jews, his tribe, the Levites, and his ancestor Levi who was himself a man of action, as when he and his brother Shim’on took revenge on Hamor the son of Shechem and  his entire village for having humiliated their sister. Their father Ya’akov disowned them for their violence and indiscretion. 

In all of this we see Moshe being shaped by what was going on at the time of his birth and his familial context, what his family was like, and how they raised him in his early years.

Inspired by the life of Moshe, let’s examine four factors that contribute to how God wires us.

How have these shown up in your life and how is God using them to shape you into an instrument of his will?

Entry Context—Looking back on our life we will often see how God used the setting into which we were born to shape us. This retrospection provides insight into the purpose for which God is shaping us. Our entry context would include things like the family, the generation, the location, the historical context in which we were born. Broadly speaking, we’re talking about being shaped by our starting point and first influences.   

 Natural abilities—Inborn capacities that show up early in life, develop, and remain. You might term these your creational inheritance.  

Acquired skills—Abilities that are the consequence of training and education. This covers things you have studied, learned, or were taught to do: not what you were born with but rather  what has been added along the way.

Spiritual gifts—God-given unique capacities imparted to each believer for the purpose of releasing a Holy Spirit empowered ministry via that believer.         

These four factors establish how you are wired, and how you are wired indicates what you ought to be doing with your life as God’s created and redeemed servant.

Each of us will have a focal point, that aspect of our wiring that is most prominent, our leading edge. For some people it will be natural abilities, such as being highly articulate since childhood. Another person’s focal point might be their prowess as a classical musician, an acquired skill. Another person has a reputation for successful healing prayer: that’s spiritual giftedness

Finally, when your wiring is working well, your entry context, natural abilities, acquired skills, and spiritual gifts will work in synergy, feeding off of and feeding into each other.

Why not consider all these factors and take another look at yourself?

Torah teaches clearly that Moshe was wired to deliver Israel. What are you wired for? And where and how should your light be shining?

The Never-Ending Story

Parashat Vayechi, Genesis 47:28–50:26

Dr. Vered Hillel, Netanya, Israel

This week, as we are reading Parashat Vayechi (“and he lived”), the United States is remembering President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29. In Israel the country mourns hostage Youssef al-Zidayne, whose body was discovered in a Gaza tunnel on January 8, along with evidence that his son Hamza was also dead. In their honor, and in honor of the three soldiers of the IDF killed in Gaza the same day, we post this commentary on Parashat Vayechi, originally published January 2020.

We all like a good story. Stories are an integral part of our lives. They are part of our culture, our family values, and our faith. Bible stories are known as narratives. We’ve all heard the term biblical narrative, or canonical narrative, or the patriarchal narratives. Why are these biblical stories called narratives? The answer lies in the distinction between a story and a narrative. A story has a distinct beginning, middle and end. The tension in a story is resolved before the last page, and once the story is resolved, it is more or less over. On the other hand, a narrative is a collection or system of stories that together paint a larger narrative. Episodes or stories within a narrative may be resolved, but the narrative itself continues. The power of a narrative lies in the connection between the stories contained within it.  

Take, for example, the biblical narrative (Genesis–Revelation). It starts at creation; continues with Hashem’s election of, and interactions with, Israel through Moshe, Joshua, the judges, the kings and the prophets; and looks to a future eschatological era, which Yeshua proclaims and initiates through his teaching and actions but does not fully actualize. Thus, the biblical narrative has not reached a resolution and closure, but continues to look forward to a future age. We see the same in the Patriarchal narratives. Hashem promises Abraham that he will inherit the Land (Gen 12:7; 15:7; 15:18–21) and reaffirms this with Jacob (Gen 28:13), but by the end of the Torah the promise has not yet been fulfilled; the Children of Israel are still on the other side of the Jordan River.  

The Book of Genesis draws to a close in this week’s Torah portion, Vayechi. In this final parasha of Genesis, three distinct narratives converge: the patriarchal period (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), the Jacob narrative, and the Joseph biography. The patriarchal narrative begins with the calling of Abraham and the divine promise of nationhood (Gen 12:2), which is passed on to the twelve tribes of Israel at the end of Jacob’s farewell words to his sons in Genesis 49:28. The Jacob narrative also commences with a promise from Hashem that Jacob would have numerous offspring (Gen 28:14) and fittingly concludes with the death-bed scene of the dying Jacob surrounded by his sons and grandsons passing on this promise to them (Gen 49:1–33).  

Joseph’s narrative begins and ends with the complicated relationship between him and his brothers. The story progresses from Joseph’s bad reports to his father about the sons of the concubines (Gen 37:2), to his brother’s hatred and selling him into slavery (Gen 37:4, 18–38), to his promotion to viceroy of Egypt (Gen 41:41) and his interactions with his brothers there (Gen 42:3–44:33), to the revelation of his identity (Gen 45:1–5) and their reconciliation after Jacob’s death (Gen 50:16–21). Though Joseph’s story will end at his death, the narrative continues. On his deathbed Joseph expresses his firm belief to his brothers that God will fulfill the promises given to Abraham and Jacob that their descendants will return to the land of Canaan, and he makes them promise to take his bones with them when they return. Joseph dies, is embalmed and the people mourn, but he remains in Egypt for another 360 years before he is finally buried in the Promised Land. While the Book of Genesis closes with the death of Joseph, the narrative continues, looking forward to the future resolution of promises and unresolved issues.  

These three narratives in Vayechi are replete with connections that tie the biblical narrative together and move it forward. In addition to those mentioned above, Jacob’s choice of Ephraim over Manasseh is another important connection. The prominence of the second son over the first is a literary convention that runs through the biblical narrative. Adam had two sons, Cain and Abel; the younger’s sacrifice is accepted. Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac; the second is the son of promise. Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob; Jacob is the father of the twelve tribes that became the nation of Israel. Jacob’s younger son Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Jacob adopted as his own; the younger receives the primary blessing. By the time of the Judges the name Ephraim is synonymous with the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  

The prominence of the second son brings to mind a parable told by Yeshua: “A man had two sons” (Luke 15:11). A man with two sons recalls the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, where the second or younger is the recipient of the greater blessing. Can you imagine the shock of the original listeners when Yeshua relates that the younger son is the one who strayed? When the younger son returns and is warmly greeted by his father, he acknowledges his sin. Joseph’s brothers, on the other hand, do not seek forgiveness but remain silent when Joseph reveals his identity to them (Gen 45:1–5). When Jacob, whom the brothers see as their protection, is about to die, the family cohesion falls apart and the brothers anticipate Joseph’s revenge. Yet, Joseph initiates reconciliation and forgiveness, telling them that God intended everything that happened to him for good, for the survival of many people. As with Jacob’s sons, the relationship between the older and younger brother in the parable is strained and the family cohesion is falling apart. Unlike Jacob’s sons, the parable does not complete the story. Did the brothers reconcile? Did the older son choose reconciliation like Joseph? The parable is left open- ended for the audience to resolve from their own lives. Joseph’s actions and interactions with his brothers demonstrate an excellent resolution to the parable. 

Our lives are narratives. We do not know how they will end, but the decisions we make along the way and how we interpret those events influence the future. Our narrative will continue long past our physical lives have ended, intertwined with the lives of others and with the larger biblical narrative of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let’s be like Joseph and choose forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and God’s will over silence.

And Then I Saw His Face

Parashat Vayigash, Genesis 44:18–47:27

Suzy Linett, Devar Shalom, Ontario, California

When I was in 8th grade, one of the original “boy bands” appeared on television. The group was the Monkees, and they recorded a hit song called “I’m a Believer.” Written by Jewish singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, it gave a message of things previously believed that changed suddenly when the singer saw the face of true love. The lyrics proclaim, “And then I saw her face; now I’m a believer!” This week, we see a similar change through the story of Joseph and the truth revealed when his brothers saw his face.

This week’s parasha picks up after the partial reunification of Joseph and his brothers (Gen 42:6ff.). Joseph recognized them, but had not revealed his identity to them. The brothers were in a quandary. They knew their difficulties stemmed from the sin of selling Joseph into slavery and lying to their father. They repented, not knowing they had been understood (42:21–23). Joseph had a cup put in Benjamin’s sack, and after Judah rashly proclaimed the one who stole it should be put to death, it was revealed in whose sack it had been placed.       

Now, in Parashat Vayigash, Judah, in humility and respect, approaches the one who has the power of life and death over all of the family. Is that not the way we are to approach the One who has that same power over each of us? Judah makes no challenge of authority. Although he had not placed the cup in Benjamin’s sack, Judah knew he had sinned. As he understood this, he not only demonstrated sincere teshuvah, complete repentance; he also made an offer to take the place of Benjamin (44:33). We see a parallel with the Messiah. When we repent, and do not challenge God’s authority, when we do not claim life isn’t fair as an excuse, Yeshua will take the place for us.  Judah offers to become Joseph’s slave in place of his brother. Yeshua willingly died for us. 

Judah pleads with the “man in charge,” still unrevealed as his brother, to accept his willing sacrifice as a replacement to ransom Benjamin. John 15:13 states that there is “no greater love” than this offering of oneself for another. We see Messianic implications and prophecy here as well. When Judah reveals that Jacob is still alive, it becomes too much for Joseph. He clears the room, sobs, and then returns to his eleven brothers.  

Let’s read Genesis 45:4–8: 

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” So they came near. “I’m Joseph, your brother—the one you sold to Egypt,” he said. “So now, don’t be grieved and don’t be angry in your own eyes that you sold me here—since it was for preserving life that God sent me here before you. For there has been two years of famine in the land, and there will be five more years yet with no plowing or harvesting. But God sent me ahead of you to ensure a remnant in the land and to keep you alive for a great escape.  So now, it wasn’t you, you didn’t send me here, but God! And He made me as a father to Pharaoh, lord over his whole house and ruler over the entire land of Egypt.” 

They came near, and they saw his face. They were forgiven. Now, they believed! James 4:8 reads, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!”  

Centuries later, Paul would write in Romans 8:28, “Now we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Judah was willing to sacrifice himself for his brother in true repentance, and Joseph was able to proclaim the good that came from the evil done to him. The eleven brothers drew near; they saw the face of Joseph; they saw a face of forgiveness and love. 

The brothers return to get their father, wives, children, flocks, and herds. Obtaining forgiveness from Joseph was the easy part. Imagine having to tell your father that all of these years, not only has Joseph been alive, but they had sold him, they had lied about him, and more! How humbling, difficult, and yet complete this teshuvah must be! Jacob responds to their confession: “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him, before I die!” (Gen 45:48). In complete joy, forgiveness of the brothers is absolute. In this passage, Jacob’s spiritual name, Israel, is used – he was not overcome by fleshly anger, but instead, responded in pure joy. He longed to see the face of his son. 

The journey to Egypt begins. When Jacob gets to Beersheba, he stops and offers a sacrifice. Why there? Isaac had built an altar there (Gen 26:23–33). It is in the Negev desert, not far from Gaza. The name Beersheba means Seven Wells or Wells of the Oath, depending upon which meaning of the word Be-er is used. Both meanings work biblically. Now, on this site, Jacob has a dream. God tells him to not be afraid to go to Egypt and that he will become a great nation there. He is reminded that he left the land for 22 years to work for Laban and obtain his two wives, concubines, his daughter(s), and 11 of his 12 sons. When he and his sons, their wives, and children unite with Joseph, his wife and two sons, they total 70. Seven is the number of completion. Seventy is completion times 10. Although these are all from the same family, the number is of complete representation. Much later, the Gentiles will be invited to join the family of God and bring completion. 

At this point, Torah emphasizes the use of Israel as the name instead of Jacob – the same person, but now on a mission for the Lord. He leads his people to Egypt. Renewed by the recent dream received at Beersheba, he is on fire. Joseph shows deference to his father by harnessing a chariot and going to meet him (46:29). He could have remained in the palace; he could have had a servant prepare the chariot; but he harnesses the chariot himself to greet the father he has missed for all of these years. Jacob’s descendants become known as B’nei Yisrael – the sons of Israel. This phrase will be used throughout the remainder of the Tanakh. As promised, the family grows into a mighty nation. 

Joseph’s brothers saw his face; Jacob saw his face. We know love and we know redemption when we seek the Face of God. And then I saw His face – now I’m a believer. How about you? 

Scripture references are from the TLV.

Unity: The Ultimate Miracle

Parashat Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17) and Hanukkah

Rabbi Paul L. Saal, Shuvah Yisrael, West Hartford, CT

The conflict over the diversity of humanity is woven throughout the entire book of Genesis. From the moment of creation, the tensions between male and female, between parents and progeny, and of course between siblings pervade the narratives of the book. These tensions also mirror their own inner struggles and humanity’s struggle with the Creator and creation. 

This week we move very close to the conclusion of B’reisheet as Parashat Miketz prepares to bring the conflict between Joseph and his brothers to its inevitable climax. The intrigue of this portion demands a conclusion, but instead ends on a cliffhanger, as Benjamin, a complete innocent, is used as an apparent pawn in Joseph’s complex effort toward an unclear goal. Is Joseph seeking vindication, revenge, justice, continued aggrandizement, or true reconciliation with his brethren?   

As Genesis closes with the unification of Israel, the wholeness of this people is never truly completed. The descendants of the tribes remain in internal and intrafamily turmoil and will eventually end in the galut (diaspora) in which we presently find ourselves. This division will only truly conclude when a sovereign act of the Holy One of Israel will unite the entire people of Israel. In the interim, the progeny of Jacob remain on trial as they do in this week’s portion. Or is it God’s sustaining love for Israel that is on trial? 

This week we read Miketz, as we often do, during the intermediate days of Hanukkah. This juxtaposition, at first glance, is somewhat unrelated. But a deeper dive exposes the story that is quintessential to the entirety of Torah, the unity of Israel, and Hashem’s ability and desire to sustain his people.  Hanukkah is not principally a story of military might, religious freedom, or universal inclusivism. Rather it is a story of faithfulness, Israel’s faithfulness to its God, and God’s faithfulness to Israel. The miracle of Hanukkah, one day’s sanctified oil lasting eight days for the Temple menorah, is the symbolic gesture of the Holy One sustaining his light in the abode of his faithful servants. 

Thus, the rabbis’ choice of the haftarah reading for Shabbat Hanukkah. Though the Torah assigns no specific meaning to the seven-branch menorah, the Hanukkah haftarah portion is much more elucidating. Zechariah’s vision explains that the menorah symbolizes God as judge and the lights are his eyes roving providentially over all the earth. The oil is “piped” directly from an olive tree to the menorah, representing God’s direct provision (Zech. 4:10-14). 

Zechariah’s vision is in fact a prophetic drama. It uses a courtroom motif to vindicate the salvation of Hashem when the returning remnant were downtrodden during failed attempts to rebuild the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel. In this drama, Joshua the high priest stands before the angel of the Lord and the Satan (Adversary) is in effect the prosecuting attorney. I believe it is no accident the name Joshua itself means “Hashem’s Salvation.”  In this scenario the angel of the Lord who serves as the “defense attorney” rebukes the accuser, and the vindicated hero is described as a “brand plucked from the fire.”  Joshua has his ragged clothes removed, and he is adorned in attire appropriate to a Kohen and crowned with a “pure turban” (Zech. 3:1-5). This would be an appropriate time to “drop the mic” and move on, since the God of Israel has once again made his point. But this drama of deliverance has a sequel which is introduced with a “post-credit trailer.”  God declares to the court, “Hearken well, O Kohen Gadol Joshua, you and your fellow priests sitting before you. For those men are a sign that I am going to bring my servant the Branch” (3:8).

Yeshua, an abbreviated name for Joshua (Yehoshua), entered the historical drama at a time when the salvation of Hashem was again placed on trial. Though he also was silent before his accusers, the highest court vindicated him and crowned him with the victory of God.  While Joshua the Kohen Gadol was often paired with Zerubbabel, a descendant of David and heir to the royal line, Yeshua stood on trial as both priest and king, the ultimate Messianic figure, the ultimate “Branch,” the quintessential “brand plucked from the fire.” He will also be the unifier of Israel and the intercessor who will make peace between Israel and Israel’s God. 

Yeshua is the light that dispels the darkness, the one who brings peace and unity. We live in a time when division often dominates our thoughts and our ambitions. We harbor suspicions of others punctuated by often unfounded assumptions. All too often we become the accusers of our brethren, of ourselves, and often of God. Certainly, our reliance upon the Holy One suffers and is diminished.  But we can rise above this. During this season, as we commemorate the great miracles that God has brought, let’s remember in unity the light that he brings into our midst, and among our brethren.

We Only Know That He Is with Us

Parashat VaYeshev, Genesis 37:1–40:2

Russ Resnik, UMJC Rabbinic Counsel

With this week’s parasha the great saga of Genesis takes a decisive turn. The dramatic visitations of God that characterized the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob come to an end. In the following story of Joseph and his brothers, we might be tempted to ask where God is amidst all that they have to go through. 

The narrative shift comes with the opening words of our parasha: Vayeshev Yaakov b’eretz m’gurey aviyv. “Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings.” These words hint at a crucial distinction: Jacob is dwelling, settling down, staying put, in the land where his father sojourned as a stranger. Yes, Genesis says that Abraham and Isaac also dwelt in the land, but this verse uses “dwelt” in contrast with “sojourning” to suggest that the pioneering era of sojourning is drawing to a close. Conditions for the sons of Jacob, the Children of Israel, will differ from those of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and come to resemble our own. 

In one of the last scenes before this shift, God had appeared and spoken personally to Jacob when he returned to Beth-El, reiterating the promises he’d earlier made—also in person—to both Abraham and Isaac. 

I am El Shaddai: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you. (35:11–12 ESV modified) 

With one exception, this is the last tangible manifestation of God in Genesis. The exception comes when God appears one final time to Jacob, encouraging him to go down to Egypt and be reunited with Joseph (46:2–4). In the rest of Genesis 37–50, Jacob’s sons experience God in less direct fashion, in a fashion that resembles the experience of succeeding generations including our own. Later in the Tanakh, prophets occasionally arise and are granted the same sort of direct encounter with the Almighty as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Later still, such encounter is embodied in the person of Messiah Yeshua, and is available to his followers through the gift of the Spirit. But in our day-to-day lives we are far more familiar with the sort of divine connection that is sometimes evident, and often hidden, in the saga of Joseph and his brothers. 

As the story opens, Jacob favors his son Joseph, the first-born of his uniquely beloved Rachel, and gives him a richly ornamented tunic as a sign of his status. Joseph foolishly flaunts his status and two visionary dreams he has, which depict it. His older, less-favored brothers come to hate him. One day, they go off to the region of Shechem to pasture their father’s flock, and afterwards Jacob sends Joseph off to check on his brothers and bring back a report. When Joseph finds his brothers, wearing his magnificent tunic of favor, the brothers strip it off him and throw him into a pit. He ends up being carted off by traders and sold as a slave in Egypt. God’s presence is far less evident here than in the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Indeed, we might ask where God is while all this is going on.

Well, God might have been at work behind the scenes when Joseph was still trying to find his brothers. Shechem is about fifty miles from the region of Hebron, where Joseph started out, and when he finally got to Shechem . . .

A man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. (37:15–17)

This man appears out of nowhere, conveys crucial information to Joseph, and disappears from the narrative with not a word of explanation. He’s like the “man” who appeared back at the ford of the Jabbok in chapter 32, who wrestled with Jacob, blessed him, conveyed some crucial information, and disappeared from the narrative. Jacob was convinced he’d seen God face-to-face. Is Joseph’s encounter with this man another divine visitation? The events about to unfold all depend on that encounter, because without it he’d never find his brothers, never be carried down to Egypt, and (spoiler alert!) never become the rescuer of his family many years later. 

When Joseph finally finds his brothers, they greet him by throwing him into a pit. He is soon pulled out of it, carried off to Egypt, and sold as a slave to Potiphar, an Egyptian official. At that very moment in Joseph’s ordeal, we’re told that the Lord was with him (39:2). But there’s no vision of angels, no voice from heaven, no place of revelation as with Joseph’s ancestors. And not only does the Lord not rescue Joseph, but things get worse. Potiphar’s wife is wowed by this young Hebrew slave and propositions him. Joseph turns her down and, for the first time, as far as we’re told, mentions God directly: “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (39:9). Joseph knows God is with him despite his endless tsuris and he behaves accordingly. Nevertheless, he is falsely accused of sexual assault by Potiphar’s lovely wife and thrown into prison. “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (39:21). The Lord shows Joseph steadfast love and favor . . . and leaves him in prison for years! If Joseph asked God why, he didn’t get much of an explanation, but he continued to faithfully serve. 

So, when events go bad, as they so often do in the post-Patriarchal era in which we’re still living, it doesn’t mean God is absent or uncaring, much less that we should give up on serving him. We might often have occasion to ask “Where is God?”—as many of us did on October 7, 2023, and countless times since. It’s part of our human make-up to ask this question at such times, or when a loved one unexpectedly dies, a partner or friend deserts us, or disease invades our bodies. There’s usually not an immediate answer to that question, but perhaps the simple words from Joseph’s story can provide some comfort: God is with us. The world is broken, dangerous, difficult, and we don’t know why God doesn’t repair it. We only know that he is with us. 

At the end of the story, Joseph will finally be able to make some sense of all that he had to endure. After their father Jacob dies, he tells his finally-repentant brothers: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (50:20). Through all their trials, God remained with Joseph and with his brothers, and worked out their deliverance in the end. As in Joseph’s day, God’s activity in the world today is often veiled, but we can be confident that he is at work, and that the final outcome, whether near or far off, will be for good and for life.  

Scripture references are from the English Standard Version, ESV.