Vayeshev - וישב - "He settled" Genesis 37:1-40:23
When it comes to the book of Genesis, most people do not realize that Joseph plays a major role. In fact, Joseph’s account is the most extensive in the entire book. From here until the end of Genesis (the next 4 weeks), Joseph will be the main character that we read about.
Looking at the full account of Joseph, we can see why some people would say that he is a prototype of Yeshua our Savior. Just like Yeshua, Joseph did not fall for temptations of this world, he was prophesied to be a ruler and it came to be. Even in the way that he came back to life (sort of speaking) and saved his people from death can all be looked at as parallels to Yeshua’s life and purpose for us today.
This one Torah portion covers many topics that span many years. I wish I can cover all of the great topics, but for this week I will only cover one.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. (Genesis 39:6-10)
God created all life.
Every person on this planet breaths the same breath of life that was given to Adam. We are all made in God’s image so it is safe to say that a piece of God is within everyone whether they believe in Him or not. When I was a young believer I wanted to know where the line was drawn between who I should love and who I should not love. As time went on, and I drew closer to God I began to realize that line never existed.
Genesis 39:6-10 is a testament to the faith that Joseph was operating in. Unfortunately, a great number of people out there avoid doing certain wrongs simply because they fear getting caught, but not so with Joseph. It would appear that Joseph understood that God knows everything. To Joseph, keeping his relationship intact with God out weighed a few moments of pleasure.
Joseph could have slept with Potipher’s wife, they could have successfully kept it a secret from everyone, but Joseph knew that sinning against Potipher was ultimately a sin against God.
Whenever we hurt someone (physically or verbally), talk bad behind someone’s back or steal from someone, we are doing these things to God. When we are prejudice towards someone, look down on someone or simply hate someone, we must realize that we are not only doing those things towards those individuals, we must realize that we are doing these things to God also.
Next time you are in a heated situation with someone or if you get ill feelings towards someone, remember that Yeshua died for them just as much as He died for you.
If you struggle with hating someone, you must remember that it is God’s desire that all be saved and that everyone is special to God because he created all of us. Joseph seemed to have understood this when he was dealing with Potipher’s wife, which is why he couldn't bring himself to sleep with her because it would ultimately be a sin against God.
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