Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Judah steps forward, Joseph breaks down and history changes direction. Join me to discover why this single act of self sacrifice unlocks redemption in this week's five Minute Torah.
[00:00:18] Shalom and Blessings from Shalom Macon, the place where disciples of Yeshua learn, connect and grow. I'm Darren and before I get into the five minutes of my five Minute Torah commentary, let's cover a few quick facts about this this week's Torah portion this week we are studying the 11th portion of the new Torah cycle. We are in the portion of Vayagash, Genesis 44:18 4727 and here are the three things that you need to know about it. Number one Joseph unmasked revealing the Lost Brother Last week's tour portion ended with Benjamin being taken into custody by Joseph's men because of a scheme Joseph had orchestrated. This week's portion opens with Judah stepping forward to plead for Benjamin's release, going so far as to offer himself in Benjamin's place. When Joseph heard Judah's plea, his resolve finally broke. Judah's willingness to protect his brother proved that the brothers had truly repented of their betrayal. They were determined not to let their father lose yet another son. Joseph dismissed his attendants and wept openly before his brothers. Rather than confronting them with their past crime, he revealed his identity with the words ani Yosef, I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? What followed was a deeply emotional reunion that restored what had once been shattered. Number two Jacob's Immigration Descending into Egypt after the reconciliation, Joseph sent his brothers back to Canaan to bring their father and the rest of the family back to Egypt, where he could provide for them throughout the famine. He loaded their animals with generous gifts for Jacob, signaling both honor and abundance. When the brothers told their father what had happened, Jacob was stunned and initially unbelieving. But the caravan of wealth confirmed their story, and he reluctantly agreed to return with them to Egypt to see his long lost son. Knowing Jacob's fear and hesitation, God reassured him through a dream affirming that this descent was part of a greater plan. Strengthened by that assurance, Jacob gathered all he had and set out for Egypt to be reunited with Joseph and Number three Prosperity in Goshen, the precursor to slavery Jacob and his family finally arrived in Egypt, and Joseph formally introduced his father to Pharaoh. Pharaoh granted them permission to settle in the land of Goshen, where they would live in peace and prosperity. During this time, Joseph administered Egypt's resources, exchanging food for land and consolidating ownership of the entire country under Pharaoh's authority. The portion closes on what appears to be a hopeful note. Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they gained possession in it and were free, fruitful, and multiplied greatly. This is Genesis 47:27. Yet the Torah quietly hints at what lies ahead. This season of blessing sets the stage for a future transformation, one that will eventually lead Israel from prosperity into bondage. The Five Minute Torah series is your guide to uncovering messianic connections within each week's Torah portion. Pulling together the Torah and the teachings of the apostolic Scriptures in just five minutes you'll discover how the Torah connects to your life as a disciple of Yeshua with with insights that are both practical and deeply spiritual. The Five Minute Torah books are the weekly Torah portion with a messianic connection in just five minutes. Don't wait. Order yours today.
[00:03:35] This week's Torah commentary is called Bitter or Better and comes from a book, Five Minute Torah, Volume 1. Ani Yoseph I am Joseph. You could have heard a pin drop when Joseph spoke those two Hebrew words to his brothers. Their mouths fell open and their jaws nearly hit the floor. Their eyes bulged as they strained to recognize their younger brother hidden beneath the Egyptian garb. Confusion and despair rushed over them from head to foot. In an instant, an icy chill coursed through their veins at the sudden realization that the man who stood in front of them, the second most powerful man in Egypt, was the one they had betrayed over 20 years previously. The next few seconds played out as if they were in slow motion. As they began to process those two words, their minds rewound the moment and zoomed in on his lips as he spoke. Ani Yosef. Did he really just say what we think we heard? It probably seemed like an eternity as millions of thoughts, fears and regrets all collided in their minds simultaneously. Time stood frozen solid as the implications of this simple statement firmly landed on each one of them. We are so dead, they probably thought to themselves. The ghost of Joseph has come back to haunt us and take us down to the grave with him. This explains why he's been so cruel to us. We are doomed. It probably took them a few more moments to realize that Joseph had said something else also something about their father. What was it? Oh yes, he said. Is my father still alive? But they couldn't answer. They were literally speechless. They were still in shock at the realization that Joseph was still alive and all of the potential ramifications of that reality. The Torah tells us his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. This is Genesis 45:3. Rather than beginning as a joyous family reunion of estranged brothers, their reunion with Joseph was initially infused with terror. What would he do? Would they all be sold into slavery for the rest of their lives? Or would he simply execute them for their cold hearted betrayal of their younger brother? Simeon and Levi quickly glanced at one another as guilt and remorse flooded over them. At that moment, the cards were definitely not stacked in their favor, so they immediately braced themselves for the full impact of the wrath of Joseph. But it never came. He probably even had to repeat himself. Is my father still alive?
[00:06:16] Judah blinked. Reuben gasped. Gad exhaled deeply. Benjamin cocked his head in bewilderment as he attempted to process all that had taken place over the last few weeks. Is my father alive? Joseph asked yet another time, with his voice choking and tears beginning to roll down his face. They still couldn't answer him. So Joseph began to comfort their fears, saying, I'm your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here for God sent me before you to preserve life. This is Genesis 45, 4 and 5. If it hasn't been obvious, Joseph's response is atypical. He doesn't respond with anger. He doesn't retaliate. He doesn't harbor bitterness toward his brothers for literally selling him out. He sees everything that happened to him as a part of a larger plan that God was weaving together over the many years of his misfortune in order to create something larger and more elaborate than a peaceful life for himself. God was using Joseph throughout his difficult life to accomplish his purposes in the earth. And though he did not understand why at that time, his continual comfort, however, was his assurance that ultimately God was good and he was constantly good despite the circumstances Joseph found himself in. The Scriptures tell us he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. This is verse 14. Because Joseph's eyes were constantly on God and His gracious sovereignty, he did not look to man as the one who controlled his destiny or or his happiness. Yes, his brothers did something awful to him with ill intent, but he did not let that event be his filter for the rest of his life. His filter was God's goodness. Therefore his heart could never be bitter toward his brothers. They were merely tools in the hands of God to bring about his greater purposes. In that case, it was the salvation of the world. How could Joseph be bitter about that?
[00:08:24] The next time things don't go our way, or we get frustrated or we're mistreated, let's step outside of ourselves and imitate Joseph. We can either allow someone else to control us, or we can control ourselves. No, we probably won't understand our situation any better, but we can make the choice to overcome our flesh and to find comfort in the goodness of our Creator. We can become bitter, or we can become better.
[00:08:50] The choice is ours. If you've been feeling stuck spiritually, relationally, or just worn down by the pace of life, I've got something for you. Last year this time I shared a teaching called Reboot 2025 bringing in the new you. Even though it was recorded at the start of 2025, the message still needs to be heard today. The need to reset, refocus, and reclaim our time doesn't disappear when the year changes, and it's just as relevant as we head into 2020 26. It's not about hype or more New Year's resolutions. It's about living with intention. With that in mind, I want you to ask yourself one honest question. What am I doing with the next 24 hours I've been given? Just click the link right here to get started.
