A few months ago I visited a book shop in Jerusalem and was talking to the shop manager about a new book that they had on display. Towards the end of our conversation, the manager offered to give me the book as a gift. The book’s value is approximately $50 (USD) and I thought he was joking. I asked him if he was serious and he said yes. I still hesitated to take the book from him because I did not really believe that he was ready to give me this book but then he said, “Well if you do not want it, you do not have to take it.” I then realized that he was truly offering me this book as a gift and I received it with a grateful heart.
It is sometimes difficult to believe good news when we first receive it. We struggle to believe whether or not what we are hearing is actually true. Unfortunately, this can be how we approach the word of God and our relationship to Him. In this week’s Torah Portion we are reminded to always be ready to receive good news from God especially when everything in life seems to be against us.
Miketz – מקץ – The End
The story of Joseph develops rapidly in this week’s Torah Portion as his prison sentence comes to an abrupt end as a result of Pharaoh’s dreams. The first verse in this week’s reading sets the stage for us:
Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. – Gen. 41:1
Two full years passed since Joseph had correctly interpreted the dreams of the chief baker and the cupbearer to Pharaoh. We are never told the total number of years that Joseph was in prison, however, we do know that two full years passed from the time that the cupbearer was restored to Pharaoh’s service until Pharaoh dreamed his dreams (Gen. 40:21-23). The cupbearer had forgotten Joseph in prison during those two years, however, a new day was dawning.
The first few words in Hebrew of the above verse are ויהי מקץ שנתים ימים – Vayehi Miketz Shnataim Yamim – “And it happened that after two years of days…”, and then the verse continues. The word מקץ – Miketz literally means “the end of” something, however, it can also mean “the beginning of” something. We see a clear example of this in Deuteronomy regarding the Shmitah, the release of debts: “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.” (Deut. 15:1) This verse begins with the phrase מקץ שבע שנים – Miketz Sheva Shanim and is literally translated “At the end of seven years…”, however, we know here that it actually means at the beginning of every seven years because this is the law of the release from debts consistent with the rest of Scripture:
Now you shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield, but in the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie uncultivated, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the animal of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. – Ex. 23:10-11
Every seventh year was to be a Sabbatical year or a Shmitah year when the land would rest and there was to be a release from all debts. The land was to be worked for six years and then lie fallow during the seventh year, when there was a release of debts.
Although the most natural translation of the word מקץ – Miketz is “the end of” something, we see how it can also mean the beginning of something. When something ends, something new always begins. The understanding of Miketz as both the end of a period of time as well as the beginning of a period of time is mysterious but it is also prophetic. We see this play out in the life of Joseph as those two years came to an end while a new season was beginning.
Pharaoh’s Dreams
As we continue in this week’s reading we are given the details of Pharaoh’s first dream followed by his second dream:
And behold, from the Nile seven cows came up, fine-looking and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and thin, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. Then the ugly and thin cows ate the seven fine-looking and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. But he fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. And the thin ears swallowed the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. – Gen. 41:2-7
Pharaoh had two dreams in one night which were quite vivid and they carried a similar message.
As the story continues to unfold, we know that Pharaoh was troubled by his dreams and wanted to know their interpretation. We then read the following:
Now in the morning his spirit was troubled, so he sent messengers and called for all the soothsayer priests of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh. Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I would make mention today of my own offenses… – Gen. 41:8-9
None of Pharaoh’s wise men could interpret the dreams for Pharaoh, however, in the midst of trying to find someone to help Pharaoh understand his dreams, the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh that he was aware of someone who could help and interpret his dreams. Pharaoh immediately had Joseph brought before him. Joseph came to Pharaoh and, with the help of God, he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams for him.
The dreams that Pharaoh saw would not only change his life but also Joseph’s life, the lives of the Egyptians, and the lives of everyone in the surrounding world of Egypt at that time:
And Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. – Gen. 41:25
God had given Pharaoh these specific dreams and God had communicated to Pharaoh what would happen in the forthcoming fourteen years which would have a dramatic affect on the world: seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. It was a God ordained moment in history.
Yakatz – יקץ – To Awake
At the end of each of Pharaoh’s dreams we read in the text: “Then Pharaoh awoke.” (Gen. 41:4,7). Awakening from sleep seems innocent enough, however, Pharaoh did not simply awake from sleep, he also had just received two special dreams which were messages from God.
When we read the words “…Then Pharaoh awoke…” we read the same phrase twice in the original Hebrew וייקץ פרעה – VaYikatz Paroh. This phrase simply means “Then Pharaoh awoke” but this specific wording in Hebrew anticipates more. Pharaoh’s dreams had come to an end and he had awaken from his sleep but more than this, something new from God was about to begin and God’s word had awoken as well. The whole world was about to change and the dreams that God had given Jospeh thirteen years earlier would be fulfilled in parallel with the dreams of Pharaoh.
The Hebrew root word יקץ – Yakatz is only used ten times in all of the Hebrew Scriptures (The Old Testament). In every occurrence of this word in the Scriptures something prophetic is revealed in the world. The following is a short summary of these occurrences:
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- Noah awoke and prophesied over his sons – Gen. 9:24
- Jacob awoke from a dream in which God communicated His plans and promises for him – Gen. 28:16
- Pharaoh received dreams from God and awoke to hear of God’s plans for the world through Joseph – Gen. 41:4,7,21 (3xs)
- Samson awoke to the threat of the Philistines – Judges 16:14,20 (2xs)
- Solomon awoke from a dream in which God promised him wisdom and even more than he asked for – 1 Kings 3:15
- Elijah challenged the people of God to wake up spiritually and choose to serve God alone. Elijah also taunted the prophets of Baal that perhaps Baal was sleeping and needed to be awaken. Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice of Elijah – 1 Kings 18:27
- God Himself awoke – Psalm 78:65
Whether individuals received a dream from God or simply awoke from sleep (whether physical or spiritual) to discover a new reality, we consistently see dramatic acts of God which are displayed on the earth following the end of sleep, Yakatz – to awaken, and the beginning of something new, something prophetic.
Psalm 78 is very unique in that we read a poetic story of the children of Israel and their history. Towards the end of this chapter we read several verses which speak of God Himself who is said to awaken (figuratively):
Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine. He drove His adversaries backward; He put on them an everlasting disgrace. He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved. And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever. He also chose His servant David and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with nursing lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands. – Psalm 78:65-72
At a time when it seemed that God had abandoned His people we read how “…the Lord awoke (ויקץ – VaYikatz) as if from sleep…” Then we read how God chose His servant David to shepherd His people Israel. God established David as king who was used to unify the tribes of Israel and establish Jerusalem as the capital.
The Awakening of God’s Word
These verses in Psalm 78 are not informing us of God’s sleep patterns, but rather, illustrating for us how God’s word is manifested on earth in His perfect timing. Long periods of time may pass without us seeing God move in our midst. It may seem like God has abandoned us or that He is unconcerned for the needs of His people. Then suddenly, God’s word awakens and we see the hand of God working in our midst. We see a good example of this in the New Testament gospel of Luke.
The Announcement of a Son
As we approach the traditional season for celebrating the birth of Yeshua, it is a good time to remember the events leading up to his birth. Months before the angel came to Mary to inform her that she was the chosen one to bear the Messiah, an angel was sent to Zechariah to inform him of a special child who was to be born to his wife Elizabeth:
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.
Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” – Luke 1:5-17
Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were set apart by God to bear a son who would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time that he was in his mother’s womb and would be set apart as a Nazarite all of his days. John was to call the people back to a righteous walk with God and prepare the people for the Lord.
This word of the Lord that was sent to Zechariah by the angel followed a period of approximately 400 years of silence from God. Outside of the Maccabean revolt which led to the overthrow of the Greeks and the rededication (Hanukkah) of the Temple and altar in Jerusalem in 164 BCE, it seemed that God was far from His people. But God’s word had just awoken. A new day was dawning and God had answered the prayer of His servant Zechariah who had prayed for a child, however, Zechariah was not ready to receive this news.
Listening for God’s Response
There was no one else in the Temple when Zechariah entered to perform his priestly service of burning incense on the altar of incense. Even though the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that God had heard his prayers, he struggled to accept this message from God:
Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years.” The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” – Luke 1:18-20
The good news which Gabriel shared with Zechariah was met with skepticism and, as a result, Zechariah was unable to speak until his son was born.
Although Zechariah was physically awake when the angel Gabriel shared with him the good news of his coming son, it was as if he was in a spiritual sleep. Zechariah was not ready to receive this prophetic word from the Lord. We know that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were both considered righteous in the sight of God (Luke 1:6). Zechariah was active in his priestly role and was in the right place at the right time but he was unable to believe the word of the Lord when it was first given to him.
Are you ready to hear the message that God has for you?
Just like Zechariah, many of us pray everyday and have a solid faith in the God of heaven and earth. We read the Bible and seek to live a righteous life through Yeshua our Messiah, however, just like Zechariah we can become so accustomed to our daily routine and to the apparent silence of heaven that we do not really expect God to reply to our prayers. Are you expecting God to answer your prayers today?
We need to be ready and expectant for God’s word whenever it awakes. Joseph was in prison and Pharaoh was asleep when God delivered His message to Pharaoh through his dreams. Both Pharaoh and Joseph responded immediately to God’s message when they were informed of these messages from God and the world was forever changed. Let us live our lives in hardy expectation of a living God who desires to speak to His people and give us good gifts:
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. – James 1:17
Shabbat Shalom!
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*All Scripture take from NASB Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
**The Hebrew name “Yeshua” is used in the biblical quotations in place of the English name “Jesus” to give emphasis to the meaning of this name, salvation. The word “Messiah” is also used in place of the word “Christ” to bring clarity to the office of Yeshua.