10 Miketz

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MIKETZ { ‫( } ִמ ֵּקץ‬At the End of…)


Genesis 41:1-44:17; 1 Kings 3:15-4:1; Matthew 27:13-46

A Messianic Jewish Commentary


by Hannah Nesher

www.voiceforisrael.net

“And it came to pass at the end of (miketz) two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed a
dream (chalom): and, hinei (behold), he stood by the river.” (Genesis 41:1)

The opening verse of this week’s parashah gives us the title, Miketz, which is a Hebrew
word meaning ‘at the end of’. Finally, after
a lengthy period of trials, Joseph was about
to come to the end of his ordeal and enter
into his destiny.

In last week’s study, Joseph had been


persecuted by his brothers and treated
unjustly by others. His brothers threw him
into a pit, sold him to slave traders; his 'boss'
had him thrown in prison on a false charge
of raping his wife; even the chief butler of
Pharaoh, for whom Joseph interpreted his
dream, forgot all about him after his release.

But we see in this week’s study that it was


in God's plan for Joseph to be forsaken and
forgotten in prison, in order that he would be
in the right place at the right time to fulfill
his destiny. When we also are tempted to
wonder, “What am I doing here in this
difficult place?” we can think of Joseph and
be reminded that God is at work behind the
scenes, setting everything up in our favor.
Joseph and His Brethren Welcomed by Pharaoh, watercolor by James Tissot (ca. 1900).

Suddenly!
When Pharaoh dreamed a dream that none could interpret, the butler suddenly
remembered the Hebrew man, Yoseph, and his uncanny ability to interpret dreams.
Pharaoh called Joseph out of the prison and, after giving all glory to God, he correctly

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interpreted Pharaoh's dream as a coming season of plenty, followed by a season of famine


and lack. Joseph went from the prison to the palace in one day.
“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the
dungeon; and he
shaved, changed his
clothing, and came to
Pharaoh.” (Genesis
41:14)

Did you notice that


word ‘quickly’?
Sometimes we think
that an improvement in
our situation is going to
take time – a lot of it!
And granted,
sometimes things do
take time to change; but
we may also experience
these ‘suddenlies’ in
our lives.
Joseph Interprets the Dream of Pharaoh (19th Century painting by Jean-Adrien Guignet)

Things don’t seem to be improving in the least; we don’t see a thing happening; it could
even be going from bad to worse. But God! SUDDENLY! He can bring us out better
off than we could ever ask, think or imagine. It can happen in a day!

We may have been waiting for a long time to see some positive changes in our lives; it
seems like it will never happen and we are tempted to give up. If we look at this story of
Joseph, however, we will see that not only was God working in Joseph’s heart throughout
his lengthy trial, not only was God with Joseph to grant him favor, even in prison; but
Joseph needed to wait until the exact right moment when Pharaoh had a disturbing
dream.

Sometimes God is not waiting on us to ‘fix’ something; but he may be waiting on


someone else to be fully ready. All circumstances, people, and places must line up in
God’s perfect order and timing for His good plan for our lives to come to pass.

In the meantime, these trials that go on and on and on… the ones that try our faith to the
very uttermost limit - are the very things God is using to developing deep within us the
beautiful quality of steadfast patience. We don’t like to hear this but it’s true.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

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A Man of Wisdom
Joseph not only interpreted the meaning of Pharaoh's dream, he also gave practical advice
on how to deal with the coming
crisis. We see that Joseph is not
just a ‘dreamer’ but also a wise,
prudent and practical man. We,
also, must not only be 'spiritual',
hearing the voice of the Lord, but
also practical people, knowing how
to act upon the insights God gives
us.

“So Pharaoh asked them, “Can


we find anyone like this man, one
in whom is the spirit of God?”
(Genesis 41:38)

Just as Pharaoh could see that God had filled Joseph with His Spirit of wisdom, so should
people be able to see that as believers, we walk in wisdom from above; for the Word of
God promises,
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream (fresco circa 1816–1817 by Peter von Cornelius)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and
without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the
secret heart.” (Psalm 51:6)

Many of us lack confidence in our ability to make wise decisions. Perhaps we have made
some choices that led us straight into a troublesome or even disastrous situation. If we
experience enough of these ‘failures’, we can start to doubt our ability to make decisions.

We need to take hold of this promise and ask in faith for wisdom, without doubting: for
doubting ourselves will cause us to become double minded and make it difficult to
receive anything from the Lord.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is
like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6-7).

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Bread of Life
Pharaoh gave Joseph a new
name, "Zaphenath -Paneah"1
Which means 'food-man'- 'of
the life'. Isn't it interesting that
Yeshua also called Himself the
'bread of life'. In Hebrew, this
is ‫' לחם חיים‬Lechem-chayim'. 2

It is no coincidence that
Yeshua was born in the town
of Bethlehem, which is in
Hebrew Beit – Lechem - the
House of Bread.
A painting of Bethlehem 1882

Just as Joseph provided physical sustenance for the people, thus preventing them from
perishing, Yeshua provides spiritual life, in order that all who believe in Him, as it is
written, will not perish, but have everlasting life! 3 It is not only physical food that we
need but spiritual nourishment for our soul:

“Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the
mouth of God.’(Matthew 4:4)

Gentile Jesus or Hebrew Yeshua?

"Joseph recognized his brethren, but they did not recognize him." (Genesis 42:8)

Changing Yoseph's name to an Egyptian one helped conceal his Hebrew


identity from his brothers when they came to Egypt. Yeshua's Hebrew
name has also been changed to the Gentile form of ‘ Jesus.’ This is an
important factor that effectively prevents the Jewish brethren of Yeshua
from recognizing him as their Hebrew brother, Messiah, and King.

Some people become disturbed when they begin to see how Yeshua has
been changed into a ‘Gentile Jesus’, so foreign to his true identity as a
Hebrew and a Jew. Some Christian children's videos portray this Jesus
breaking bread on Passover (when yeasted bread is biblically forbidden)
and instead of Pesach (Passover) it becomes 'The Easter Story'.

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Genesis 41:45
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John 6:35
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John 3:16

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But we may see from this account of the life of Joseph that just as his transformation into
'an Egyptian' was in God's perfect plan Yeshua also became a ‘Gentile to the Gentiles’, in
order to bring them salvation - until the time of the fullness of the Gentiles has come
in. (Romans 11:11, 25)

This small word, until, carries a significant meaning. God kept Joseph in prison ‘until’ a
certain appointed time for his release. “He sent a man before them—Joseph—
who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons until
the time that his word came to pass.” (Psalm 105:17-19)

Similarly, when the appointed time of the fullness of the Gentiles arrives, the temporary
blindness that has been placed upon the eyes of
the people of Israel, the Jewish brethren of
Yeshua, will be lifted, "And so all Israel will be
saved." (Rom 11:15-16) Halleluyah!

Of course, no one can be one hundred percent


certain of the exact time, but scripture gives us a
clue – it involves Jerusalem: "And Jerusalem
will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of
the Gentiles are fulfilled." (Luke 21:24)

The city of Jerusalem remained under Gentile,


foreign rule for around 2000 years - until the year
1967 when it returned into Jewish hands.
Even hardened Israeli soldiers were overcome
with emotion when, after a valiant battle, they
reached Jerusalem’s Western Wall during what is
called the ‘Six Day War’. They stood in awe and
wept at the historic and prophetic significance of
returning this last remnant of the Holy Temple
into Jewish hands, after centuries of being
'trampled by Gentiles'.
IDF Paratroopers at Jerusalem's Western Wall shortly after its capture

One remaining foreign object, as a


speck in the eye of Jerusalem, is the
Dome of the Rock, which sits upon
the location of the ancient Holy
Temple. Many believe that this
foreign presence sitting upon such a
holy place in Jerusalem will also one
day be removed and replaced by the
Third Temple.

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The True Identity of Yeshua Revealed


Whether or not the time of the fullness of the Gentiles has actually come, we definitely
live in a time of transition. The veil is being lifted on both sides: Jewish brethren are
beginning to recognize Yeshua, and Christian brethren are beginning to see 'Jesus' as the
Hebrew Messiah, Yeshua.

The true identity of Yeshua is slowly but surely being revealed, just as Yoseph revealed
his true identity to his brothers, by saying, ‘Ani Yoseph’ ‫( אני יוסף‬I am Joseph), one day
Yeshua will be reconciled to his brethren and say to
them, ‘Ani Yeshua’ ‫ אני ישוע‬, your brother and
Messiah. Joseph recognized his brothers, even
though they did not recognize him. The Jewish
people may not recognize this ‘Jesus’; but He
certainly knows them by name.

Joseph's brothers protested that they would never bow


down to their hated brother, as his dream foretold.4
When Joseph was exalted to high position, after his
deep suffering, all were required to bow their knee to
him.

“And he had him ride in the second chariot which


he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the
knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.”
(Genesis 41:43)
The Glory of Joseph (watercolor circa 1896–1902 by James Tissot)

Yeshua also, after his intense time of suffering betrayal, torture and death on the cross,
was highly exalted to the right hand of the Father.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became


obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has
highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.”
(Philippians 2:8-9)

God’s word promises that after a period of suffering, we too will be established:“After
you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His
eternal glory in Messiah, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish
you.” (1 Peter 5:10) Therefore let us take heart even while suffering. God is at work,
and the end will be glorious.

Just as Joseph’s brothers hated him, many Jewish people also hate this 'Jesus' as they
know of him, due to centuries of persecution of Jews at the hands of so-called Christians.
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Genesis 37:8

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To most Jewish people, the sign of the cross is not one of divine love, but of hatred.5
Suffice to say that most Jews would rather die than bow their knee to this 'Jesus' out of
their loyalty to God, in the tradition of our ancestors who were martyred for their refusal
to bow to a foreign god (which is mostly how Jesus is viewed by Jews at present).

But God's plan will be fulfilled, despite the protests of man. Joseph's brothers did, in the
end, "bow down to him with their faces to the earth." (Genesis 42:6) So, too, will
Yeshua's brethren one day bow down to Him: "that at the name of Yeshua every knee
should bow…" (Phil. 2:11)

How is it possible that we, as Jewish people, can bow our knee to Yeshua? In the book
of Daniel, the Son of Man, coming on the clouds of heaven, approaches the Ancient of
Days. To this Messiah is given "dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples,
nations, and languages should serve Him." (Daniel 7:14)

We are warned in Psalm 2:12 to "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the
way.” One blessed day, in the fullness of time, the Jewish people will bow down to
worship the King of Kings and Lord of
Lords; but today, most Jewish people still
do not recognize Yeshua as the Messiah.
And yet He knows His own.

Joseph’s brothers freely admitted, "We are


verily guilty concerning our brother…"
(Genesis 42:21) It must have been a terrible
burden for Joseph’s brothers to carry the
guilt of their crime all those long years. We
must unload our heavy burden our guilt, so
that we may find peace and rest for our
soul.
Joseph Converses with Judah, His Brother (watercolor circa 1896–1902 by James Tissot)

Just as Joseph's brothers admitted their guilt with sincere remorse and repentance, so will
the Jewish people one day confess their sins and find divine forgiveness in Yeshua. One
day God will pour His Spirit out upon the people of Israel and they too will grieve
because of their sin towards their own Messiah.

"And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the
Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes,
they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one
grieves for a firstborn." (Zech 12:10).

What was Joseph's reaction to his brothers' confession of guilt? Was he angry with them?
Did he condemn them? No, he was moved to tears of compassion; he forgave them.

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See Messianic Jewish View of Purim for a study of Christian Anti-Semitism: www.voiceforisrael.net

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Joseph even tried to minister comfort to his brothers, assuring them that even the wrong
they did was within God's plan, for the salvation of many lives.

Yeshua, like Yoseph, is willing to forgive all who come to Him with sincere remorse for
our sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9)

It doesn't matter if we are Jewish or Gentile - Yeshua came for the lost sheep of the
House of Israel, but also as the Savior of all Mankind.

In order to receive God’s forgiveness and eternal salvation, you may pray the following
prayer or something spontaneous out of your own heart.

“God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I am guilty of sinning against You and against
others, for which I am truly sorry. I believe that Yeshua is your Son, and that He died as
the final atonement (kaparrah) for all of my sins. Please forgive me and cleanse me from
all unrighteousness. Give me a clean heart and restore to me a right Spirit that I may
serve You all the rest of my days. Lead and guide me according to Your perfect will.
Thank you for my salvation and for eternal life, which I receive by faith through Yeshua
Hamashiach (the Messiah).” Amen. 6

Haftorah Miketz

The prophetic portion (Haftorah) for this week’s


study focuses on a Biblical figure in whom, like
Joseph, is also found a spirit of wisdom – King
Solomon (Melech Shlomo).

In court, he is faced with an exceedingly difficult


judicial situation involving two prostitutes and a
baby. When Israel hears of his judgment in this case,
they hold King Solomon in awe, concluding that “He
had within him Divine wisdom to do justice.” (1
Kings 3:28)

In Hebrew, this phrase is “hochmat (wisdom) Elohim


(God) la’asot (to do) mishpat (judgment).”

Solomon and the plan for the First Temple, illustration from a Bible
card published by the Providence Lithograph company.

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If you prayed this prayer, please do let me know by e-mail or post so I can rejoice with you

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Jewish sages believed that the two different names for God, Elohim, ‫ אלהים‬and YHVH,
‫ יהוה‬each refer to different aspects of God. 7 Elohim is the name of God used in
reference to His justice; and YHVH ‫ יהוה‬is used to refer to God’s loving and merciful
nature.

King Solomon exemplified the kind of divine wisdom to do justice – hochmat Elohim.
However, there is another kind of wisdom – hotchmat (wisdom) YHVH ‫( יהוה‬God)
la’asot (to do) rachamin (mercy) – divine wisdom to do mercy.

God of Mercy and Lovingkindness


God’s lovingkindness is better than life! (Psalm 63:3)

How we need justice in this world – but oh, how we each so desperately need mercy. We
can become so hard-hearted by sin, our love can grow cold, and we can temporarily
forget how much we need the mercy of God.

We ask God to do justice for us and to repay those who have mistreated and taken
advantage of us; but we want God to treat us with an abundance of lovingkindness and
mercy. It doesn’t work this way. We receive what we give. If we give mercy, we receive
mercy; but if we give judgment, we will receive it in return. Yeshua said,
“Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

“Judge not, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you
will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ….”
(Matthew 7:1)

Yeshua made a radical request of us in asking us to pray, not for vengeance against our
enemies, but for mercy. As He prayed on the cross, “Father forgive them for they know
not what they do”, so are we to pray as He prayed. Even in our pain and suffering, we
are to forgive, as He forgave in His hour of pain.

I believe that the only reason God could use Joseph as He did to save the nation of Egypt
as well as His own brethren, was because Joseph was a man of compassion and mercy.
He knew how to forgive those who had hurt him; he overcame evil with good.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

Joseph was neither a wimp nor a ‘pushover’– he was not a ‘fryer’ as they call this kind of
gullible, weak, easy to take advantage of person in Israel. No one wants to be a fryer,
like I was when I was duped into buying a real lemon of a car in Israel. The transmission
and the motor failed within the first month. The ‘nice young man’ who sold it to me
must have laughed all the way to the bank.

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Rabbi Zoe Klein, Haftarat Miketz, the Women’s Haftarah Commentary

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We don’t like to be taken advantage of, and Yeshua is not suggesting we become
doormats or idiots; but we are to forgive those who sin against us. Joseph was not a
‘fryer’ - he was most definitely a pragmatic man of wisdom; but he was a man who knew
how to weep.8

We see several times when Joseph simply


wept: he wept when he saw his brother
Benjamin, he wept when his brothers
confessed their guilt and remorse over what
they had done to him, and he wept when he
was reunited with his father, Jacob. Joseph
was not by any means a hard-hearted man.
The terrible trials he endured – the
betrayals, the injustice, the abuse, the long
periods of loneliness in being forgotten and
abandoned in a dungeon – all of these did
not serve to harden his heart but to soften it
with his own tears.
Joseph weeps, Wikipedia

Will our trials, our betrayals, our injustices, our loneliness serve to harden our hearts – or
to soften them by drawing us closer to the heart of God?

Yeshua was a man of sorrow, well acquainted with grief:

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him
not.” (Isaiah53:3)

Yeshua understands us when all we can do is weep. He knew what it was to cry. He
wept over Jerusalem when He could see their coming destruction and that so many
refused to come under the shelter of His wings He so lovingly wanted to provide – but
they were not willing.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, his soul was sorrowful even unto death. (Matthew 26:38)

Sometimes we are afraid to give in to weeping, ashamed of our tears of sorrow. We want
to walk in a continual state of bliss. But it is only when we allow ourselves to feel grief
that we can even begin to connect with the grief of others. Through suffering and sorrow,
we can choose to become bitter and hard hearted, or we can allow the Lord to make us
into merciful, compassionate human beings.

I will never forget the day I sat in the first Christian church I had ever set foot in and wept
in such anguish of heart. The father of my unborn son had abandoned us – and it was
Valentines Day!

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Genesis 42:26, 43:30, 45:2, 45:14, 46:29

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A gentle woman reached out to me and asked me the reason for my tears. After I shared
my tale of woe, she replied that her husband had also left her, years earlier, with five
small children. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “You have only two choices
here: you can either close your heart, becoming hard and bitter; or you can open your
heart to the love of God and allow Him to heal you.”

Thank God I chose the latter, better choice; but it was largely because this woman used
her sorrowful experience for good – to offer wisdom and comfort to me. Now I hope I
can pass that comfort on to others who have been abandoned and feel lost, betrayed and
alone. There is always hope.

This is God’s intention – that we may offer comfort to those who mourn because we have
known the comfort of the God of mercy.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua Hamashiach, the Father of
sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God who is the source of every comfort
(consolation and encouragement).” (2 Corinthians 1:3)

This was my devotion the day that the fires broke out on Mt. Carmel and also the day of
the terrible bus accident which killed forty young Israeli men in training to be prison
guards. Sometimes we can only weep and say, “Oh God, have mercy….”

Lev shomea – Listening from the Heart


King Solomon asked God for one thing – wisdom. He knew that this is the principal
quality that we need - more than anything else we may want.

Wisdom is "more precious than rubies, and all the things we may desire cannot
compare with her." (Proverbs 3:15)

In the Hebrew, however, it is written that he asked for a ‘lev shomea.” He literally asked
for ‘a heart that hears’ (as in ‘Shma Yisrael – Hear O Israel). So often, we make
decisions out of our intellect – our human reasoning – but there is also an intuitive
wisdom we may draw upon. If we are ever to know true wisdom that comes from above
– heavenly wisdom – then we must develop a unique listening skill – the ability to listen
from the heart.

Two women were brought to King Solomon with one baby. Each woman said that the
live baby was hers and that the dead baby belonged to the other. There were no witnesses.
How could Melech Shlomo judge this case with righteous judgment?

If we listen only to the facts and judge only from the standpoint of justice, then all we
hear is that a terrible criminal act has been committed: one of these women has
kidnapped the other woman’s baby and has also committed the crime of perjury – lying
in court under oath.

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But if we listen from the heart – if we have a ‘lev shomea’ – then we can hear another
voice. We hear the voice of
loneliness and desperation.
These two women are
prostitutes. Men come and go,
take what they came for, pay a
few sheckels, and leave.

Most likely these two women


experience little if any caring
or true affection in their lives.
The woman says, “we were
together” and “there was no
one else with us in the house”
and again, “no one except the
two of us in the house.” (1
Kings 3:18)
Fresco of the Judgment of Solomon

Can we hear from our heart that these two women, except for one another, were alone in
the world? No father to attend the birth; no midwife, no family member present to
welcome these little ones into the world. How very different from the loving embraces of
family who welcomed my children and grandchildren into the world.

These women were alone, without hope, without love – except for this one tiny ray of
light that had come into their lives through a little child - someone to cuddle, to nurse at
their breast, to look into their eyes and smile with a smitten love reserved for infants and
mothers.

Finally, there would be someone in their lives to give


a pure love, untainted by lust and corruption - finally
a bed companion that will not hurt or abandon. But
suddenly this spark of hope is snuffed out –
smothered into oblivion - when one of the infants
stops breathing.

Can we understand when we listen with our hearts,


the desperation of the woman who crept over and
ever so quietly exchanged her dead baby for the
living one?

King Solomon heard the case and proposed a just


solution – cut the baby in half and give a half to each
of the women. Here came a man, not with love, but
with brutality - much as these women, as harlots,
have likely known in their experiences with men. Nineteenth century engraving by Gustave Doré

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But Solomon is using this means to determine who is the real mother. He is not so much
after who the biological mother is, but who is the ‘real mother’, for a real mother is the
one who has compassion.

All mothers carry their infants in their womb for nine months; but a real mother is one
who carries the child all their lives with compassion. The Hebrew word for mercy is
rachamim ‫ – רחמים‬a word that stems from another word - ‘rechem’ ‫ רחם‬- the Hebrew
word for ‘womb’.

Each biological mother carries a child in her ‘rechem’; but a true mother has ‘rachamin’
for her child until the day she dies.

This is why abortion is such a grave sin – because the woman’s womb (rechem) was
created by God to be a place of mercy (rachamim) to her yet unborn child. And instead,
through abortion, it becomes a brutal, dangerous place for a helpless, developing infant.

And yet, even towards those who have experienced the pain and guilt of abortion (of
which I am the chief sinner)9, we need to have hatred for the sin, but love, mercy and
compassion for the sinner. May God grant grace, strength, and wisdom to all those
laboring in the harvest fields of pro-life ministries in Israel and in the nations around the
world.

We need both justice and mercy to walk in true wisdom; only God knows how to keep
these and administer each in perfect balance. Often we fail by falling into the ditch on
either side. But I believe that our sin nature tends to gravitate more easily towards justice;
which is why Yeshua emphasized the need for mercy.

He showed us the way of the cross; and as His followers we need to pick it up daily and
follow Him, showing mercy to those who may not necessarily deserve it.

One morning, I so wanted to administer justice towards my daughter, who was rude and
disrespectful when she left for school in the morning. Not only that, but she left her room
a total mess! I thought with my mind, “This has got to stop. She should honor and
respect me as her mother. She should keep her room neat and tidy already at her age.
She should….she should….” The list went on and on. I was so angry I only wanted to
think of a just punishment.

So I posed a sign, much to that effect on her door and left it at that. Later in the day,
however, I came to understand better, by listening with my heart, how difficult it must be
for a 12 year old girl to wake up at 5:45 A.M. to get dressed quickly, not able to find
anything that matches, and rush out the door to catch an early bus to school, dreading the
hour long, winding bus ride that makes her feel sick, fearful of making the necessary
9
Read Hannah’s personal testimony in her book, Hannah, Grafted in Again, or watch the DVD, Because
He lives. Order through website www.voiceforisrael.net or by mail

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transfer at the busy Central Bus Station in Jerusalem. It has not been that long ago that a
bomb went off at that exact location. She is afraid to be young and alone.

Now, with my heart engaged, I did not condone her attitude, but I could understand. I
changed the sign on her door from one of justice to that of mercy. I wrote, “I appreciate
you being diligent to get up so early in the morning to get to school on time and I know it
is not always easy to take the bus to Jerusalem. I admire your courage and
determination, and I love you.”

I made her bed and quietly closed the door. My heart was once more at rest.

Law and justice came through Moses but mercy and grace through Yeshua Hamashiach
(the Messiah). “because while the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth
came through Yeshua the Messiah.” (John 1:17)

May we each ask God and receive, not only ‘hochmat Elohim’ - wisdom to do justice,
but also ‘hochmat YHVH ‫ יהוה‬- wisdom to do mercy - by listening with our heart and not
just our head.

Shabbat Chanukah Special Haftarah (Zechariah 2:14-4:7)

Miketz also includes a special prophetic reading for the Feast of Dedication this year,
since it coincides with the time of the festival, also called Chanukah or the Festival of
Lights. It is during this time of year when the winter nights are the longest that we sense
our need for the light more intently.

Some people even experience what has been termed S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
– a particular depression brought
about by a deficiency of sunlight.
Likewise, when we are going
through our ‘long, dark night of
the soul’, we feel more intensely
our desire to see even a glimmer
of light.

Joseph, in this portion of


Scripture, was brought out of the
darkness of an Egyptian dungeon
to interpret the strange dreams of
the Pharaoh. In one day, Joseph
was promoted from prison to
palace; his life was transformed
suddenly from darkness to light.
Photo by Liat Nesher

14
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The Hebrew prophet Isaiah, wrote of a ‘Great Light’ which would one day come to lift
people out of the gloomy darkness: “Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her
who is distressed … The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”
(Isaiah 9:1-2)

Who is this ‘great light’ of which Isaiah prophesied? The Light would come in the form
of a child, a son who would be destined to carry the very names of the Almighty God and
eventually to rule the nations in righteousness and justice, seated on the throne of His
father, David, for all eternity.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be
upon His shoulder and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace
there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it
and establish it with judgment and justice, from that time forward, even forever.”
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

Yeshua Hamashiach (the Messiah) said, “I am the


Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(John 8:12)

Chanukah is a celebration of light. This joyous festival


commemorated the salvation of the Jewish people from
the oppression of the Greeks. It was both a physical
salvation and a spiritual one, since the Jews were not
only rescued from persecution; but also liberated from
an enforced Hellenistic religion. They fought for
freedom to worship the one true God and keep His
commandments as written in the Torah.

Did Yeshua celebrate Chanukah? As a Jew, he likely kept the festival. Yeshua is
mentioned in the gospel of John, as walking in the courts of the Temple during
Chanukah: “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And
Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.” (John 10:22-23)

Chanukah is the anniversary of the re-dedication of the Temple after its defilement by the
Greco-Syrian armies. By all rights, it should have been a clear-cut defeat for the Jews;
they were completely outnumbered. But God…..

This is the lesson of all Jewish history and it can become our history as well if we will
allow God’s spirit to have free reign in our lives, rather than relying upon our own
abilities. For with man these things may be impossible; but with God all things are
possible.

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Chanukah was not simply a battle between the Greek-Syrian military forces and the small
band of Jewish freedom fighters called the Macabbees; it was a deeper spiritual battle,
still going on today, between a true Biblical faith and the powerful forces that attempt to
lure God’s people into paganism.

‘Chanukah’ ‫ חנכה‬is related to the Hebrew word hinukh which means education, derived
from the root – h-n-kh – ‫ – חנך‬to dedicate; therefore Chanukah is also known as the Feast
of Dedication.

Once Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, anointing it and consecrating it and all
its furnishings, it came time to offer up the ‘dedication offering’ (chanukat hamizbeach)
for the altar, thus the altar was dedicated unto the Lord.

“When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and
all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.”
(Numbers 7:1)

We may complete a work or project; it may be anointed and beautiful – but it is only
when we have truly dedicated it to Adonai that our true education may begin.

Although we live in this world, our ultimate allegiance is to God and His Torah. We can
re-dedicate ourselves at this season of Chanukah - and may our true education begin!

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach (Happy holiday)

About the Author:

Hannah Nesher grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home


and received her education in a religious Hebrew
school in Canada. During a crisis pregnancy, she
came to know Jesus (Yeshua) as her Messiah and
Savior. She now lives in Israel with her children and
grandchildren, bringing the Word of God from Zion to
the nations.

If you appreciate these teachings, your donations are


greatly appreciated. It is through your generous
financial and prayer support that we can continue to send
the Word forth from Zion and Jerusalem.

To contribute on-line through paypal:


http://www.voiceforisrael.net/donate

Or by mail: # 313-11215 Jasper Ave. Edmonton, Ab. T5K 0L5 Canada

16
Miketz Study Questions
1. What is the meaning of the Hebrew word ‘Miketz’?
2. How did Joseph show himself to be a man of practical wisdom when asked to interpret
Pharaoh’s dreams? How can we keep a balance between being spiritual and practical?
3. What can we do if we feel that we are lacking in wisdom?
4. Can you describe a time in your life when you experienced a ‘sudden breakthrough!’ ?
5. What are the parallels between Joseph and Yeshua regarding bread/food?
6. How was Joseph’s true identity hidden from his brothers? Do you see a relevance to the
identity of Yeshua (ie Jesus)?
7. What would be a sign that the time of the fullness of the Gentiles had come? What
awesome event would take place when this time comes?
8. How do most Jewish people see ‘Jesus’ today and why?
9. How did Joseph’s brothers react when they discovered his true identity?
10. What prophecy implies that one day the Jewish people will react in a similar way when
they discover that the one they crucified is actually the Messiah?
11. What was Joseph’s response to his brothers? How is this like Yeshua?
12. From the haftarah, explain the two different kinds of wisdom and how King Solomon
demonstrated both.
13. What is the meaning of ‘lev shomea’ for which Solomon asked of God. Why is it
important?
14. What is the meaning of the Hebrew word ‘rachamim’ and how does it relate to the
womb?

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About the Author:

Hannah Nesher grew up in an Orthodox Jewish


home and received her education in a religious
Hebrew school in Canada. During a crisis
pregnancy, she came to know Jesus (Yeshua)
as her Messiah and Savior. She now lives in
Israel with her children and grandchildren,
teaching the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

If you appreciate these teachings, your donations


are greatly appreciated. It is through your
generous financial and prayer support that we
can continue to send the Word forth from Zion
and Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3).

To contribute on-line through paypal:

http://www.voiceforisrael.net/donate

Or by mail: # 313-11007 Jasper Ave.


Edmonton, Ab. T5K 0K6 Canada

e-mail: nesher.hannah@gmail.com

website: www.voiceforisrael.net

COPYRIGHT POLICY: Articles by Hannah Nesher may be copied for free


distribution or personal use, provided they are reproduced in their entirety and
with no changes. If printed in a publication or included on a website, please include
our name, address and website and please send us a copy of the publication
containing the article.

There is no cost to use the materials but if you appreciate the information, please do
consider sending a donation to support the ministry. www.voiceforisrael.net

18

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