Torah Commentary Archives

Vayechi (He Lived)

Genesis 47:28-50:26

1Kings 2:1-12

Hebrews 11:21-22

1Peter 1:3-9; 2:11-17


Enjoying the Fruit


Ya'akov is 130 years old when he arrives in Egypt. The following 17 years will be a gift in which he will be able to enjoy the fruit of his life, his family. During this time he will watch his boys mature, marry and bring forth children. Possibly the most joy he will have is spending time with the sons of Yosef. His appreciation and thanksgiving for them had to be very special.


Ya'akov knows his days are numbered and begins one of the greatest honors a father can give, blessing his children. He begins not with his sons, but rather his two grandsons, Efrayim and M'nasheh. It makes me wonder if these two, now young adults, were concerned about what would become of them after Ya'akov died. Had they been told the story of how Yosef was treated and wondered if they would be fully accepted after his death? Any doubts as to their place in the family were laid to rest as Ya'akov changed their family status from grandsons to sons. Efrayim and M'nasheh were not to feel like second class citizens in the family of Israel. May we receive this message in our day.


The teaching of the blessings is so rich, not only for them, but for us as the first words of the blessings tell us he was speaking more to a family living at the end of time than in their time. For those who would like to dig further into these blessings there are four messages I recorded some years ago called “The Twelve Tribes.” The mp3 downloads are available at TRIBES


When Ya'akov finishes the blessings the verse says he breathed his last and was gathered to his people. I find these words rich. For Ya'akov, death was as natural as life. In fact, most of his life had been a struggle; his death was one of the easiest steps he took. What a contrast to most people's lives today. Ya'akov may have taught his family as much in his death as he did in his life. This is a great lesson to ponder.


The last request of Ya'akov was regarding his burial. He did not leave his wishes to chance or for his family to discuss. He made sure his wishes were known. This is another good lesson to ponder. For Ya'akov, his last words proved that for him, you may take the man of covenant out of Israel, but you can never take Israel out of the man of covenant.


A couple more points. First is concerning the sons and their suspicion of Yosef. Though the 17 years Yaakov was alive, the sons of Yaakov never really accepted that Yosef had fully forgiven them, it is evident through their last recorded words prior to the death of Yosef that this had been a topic of conversation.  Just how many sons were still alive to bring forth these words? Yosef was one of the youngest. Had the suspicions of possible retribution been passed to their sons? We do not know the details, but there is something for us to consider.


Yosef is again a type and shadow of Messiah son of Yosef. Let me ask you this, “When it comes to your life and trusting our sins to be forgiven, do we fully trust or have doubts?” Is there a haunting thought in the back of your mind that there was that one thing you are just not sure has been forgiven?  Take a look at Psalm 103:12. Notice the verse does not say north and south. Why? For if he removed sins from north to south they could be found again. Think of it regarding the sphere of the earth. From south you can only go so far north till you find it and vice versa. East and west never meet. Allowing His forgiveness of ALL THINGS is a very freeing day. The story of Yosef allows us to walk in that forgiveness.


The end of the days of Yosef approach as we come to the end of Genesis. What are his last instructions? Don't leave my bones in Egypt! Though his life has been one of great honor and prosperity in Egypt, he learned and walked in the example of his father, “You can take the man of covenant out of Israel, but you can't take Israel out of the man of covenant”.

Let us live that lesson well!