Parasha 38: Preparation for Tribulation

 

Preparation for Tribulation

-- T O R A H   P O R T I O N --

Introduction:

How do you prepare for the coming storm, famine, and other tribulation?

Last week, Joseph interpreted the dreams of the two officials of Pharaoh—the cupbearer and the baker. The fulfillment of their dreams came to pass after three days, during the birthday of Pharaoh. He lifted up the head of the cupbearer and the baker. Then Pharaoh restored the cupbearer to his position, and again he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. In the case of the baker, he was hanged as Joseph had interpreted. But the cupbearer did not remember Joseph.

Our Torah portion starts with the dreams of Pharaoh. Verse 1 says, “At the end of two full years,” meaning Joseph was really forgotten. Was he forsaken? Absolutely not! Adonai YHVH had a great purpose, for He knows what’s best for Joseph. So after two years, Pharaoh dreamt as he was standing by the river. I believe this river was the Nile River, which was one of the gods of the Egyptians and the source of their life.

Also, part of Pharaoh’s dream was the cow. The cow goddess in Ancient Egypt was Hathor—a woman having the head of a cow. This goddess was linked to the Nile River as being the goddess of fertility. Since the two dreams of Pharaoh are one, and it’s all about the coming tribulation (famine), what can these two goddesses of Egypt do about it? Nothing! Even the magicians and wise men in the land couldn’t interpret.

So here comes Joseph, for he was remembered by the cupbearer, came out of the dungeon, shaved, changed his clothes, and approached Pharaoh with humility.

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”

Now Joseph told Pharaoh that only Adonai YHVH would give him an answer of peace. Pharaoh began sharing his dreams, and Joseph interpreted. The seven good cows and heads are both seven years, which represent seven years of great plenty, and the seven thin and ugly cows and the seven empty heads are seven years of famine.

In verse 32, it says that Pharaoh dreamed twice about it because it was established by Adonai, and He will bring it to pass. This time, Joseph advised Pharaoh on how to prepare for the coming tribulation:

He told Pharaoh to select a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.

V.33 “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.”

Here, we can see that Joseph is the best for this position for two reasons: First, Adonai YHVH was with Joseph, as He was the source of his wisdom and success. Second, he had experience being an overseer of Potiphar. That’s why in verses 38–39, Pharaoh acknowledged that there is no one as discerning and wise as Joseph. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.” Pharaoh acknowledged the same thing that Potiphar acknowledged, the same thing that the warden approved—and that is that man whom God favored.

He told Pharaoh to appoint officers to collect the produce of the land of Egypt.

V.34–36 “Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”

Since Egypt would prosper for seven years, there would be a time to gather all the food in the land and reserve it for seven years.

What are the lessons that we could learn from our Torah portion?

Adonai YHVH is the only powerful God – I believe God allowed the famine in Egypt to show His amazing power, like what He did during the ten plagues. Even Pharaoh himself and the goddesses of Egypt couldn’t interpret dreams and couldn’t do anything about the coming famine in the land. In fact, the huge message of the Scripture is that God is powerful.

Jeremiah 32:17 says: “‘Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

Psalm 147:4–5 says: “Adonai determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.”

Adonai YHVH is the source of wisdom – Joseph always mentions Adonai, even to the point of interpreting a dream, because it’s clear to him that only Adonai should receive all the credit. Despite having difficulties in life, Joseph still points to God. For us to have wisdom like Joseph, we should follow His Torah (Instructions).

Psalm 19:7: “The Torah of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

Another thing is that for us to gain wisdom, we should fear the LORD like Joseph, who avoided the temptation of Potiphar's wife.

Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Adonai YHVH wants us to prepare for tribulation/affliction – In our times, we are already surrounded by episodes that we could consider as signs of the end. Just like in Egypt, Adonai used Joseph to warn and give Pharaoh instructions on how to prepare for the famine. But now, the Scriptures are the instructions of Adonai for us to prepare.

What should we be doing to get ready for the great tribulation and the second coming of Yeshua?

1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

Adonai YHVH redeems – The favorite son of the patriarch Jacob was sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, and was also sent into prison and forgotten—yet his name would at last be remembered, and he would be redeemed and exalted as the second most powerful man in the land of Egypt. Adonai’s sovereign control over Joseph's life and position shows that He is a great Redeemer, the One who saves from destruction or danger.

True preparation is not gathering grain, but hearing God before the famine comes.

Like Joseph, are you preparing for tribulation by seeking wisdom from Adonai and storing up not only physical provision but spiritual discernment?

Remember, when God reveals the future, it is not to spark fear, but to stir faith-filled preparation

-- H A F T A R A H P O R T I O N --

In the Haftarah, the prophet Isaiah envisioned the downfall of Ariel, which has been variously interpreted as “the lion of God” or “the hearth of God”—the city of King David. Though Jerusalem is where the feasts were celebrated, it would be meaningless to Adonai, for the city would be humbled to the dust. But there will be a transition in verses 5–8, where Adonai will judge the nations that fought against Jerusalem, as these nations will be likened to a nightmare when one awakes.

Going to verses 9–16, Isaiah returned to Israel's wickedness because they listened to the false prophets around them instead of listening to the prophet of Adonai. They became blinded because their hearts were far from Him.

Verses 13–14 speak about the future man-made laws (Oral Torah) of the Pharisees that governed their lives instead of the Written Torah. In Matthew 15:6–9, Yeshua refers to this passage in Isaiah to speak to the Pharisees. They have put the ways of men into God’s words.

“Then he need not honor his father or mother.” Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

When the heart strays from the Word, worship becomes noise, and tradition replaces truth.

Have we allowed man-made traditions or comfort to dull our sensitivity to Adonai’s voice? Are we honoring Him only with our lips while our hearts are distracted or distant?

Jerusalem celebrated feasts, but lost intimacy with Adonai. In the same way, we can appear spiritual but be spiritually asleep. Adonai desires obedience more than ritual, and surrender more than performance.

-- APOSTOLIC P O R T I O N --

Our Apostolic portion deals with the sealing and deliverance of the twelve tribes of Israel together with the Goyim. Going back to Revelation 6:12–15, the sixth seal was opened and the great day of Adonai YHVH’s wrath is about to come. The question is: who is able to stand?

In chapter 7, Adonai sent another angel to inform the four angels to make sure that the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel are sealed. Each tribe has 12,000 seals, and the meaning of the number twelve in Hebrew is God’s power and authority. Twelve can also mean government. Aside from the 144,000, John envisioned a great multitude which no one could number from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. They survived the great tribulation, and they’re clothed with white robes, holding palm branches in their hands, and crying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Since the number twelve means God’s power, authority, and government, these two groups of genuine believers will be delivered from the wrath of God because of His power and authority. And they will be one and become the government (Isaiah 9:7) of the Lamb, Messiah Yeshua, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. HalleluYAH!

Those who endure the fire of tribulation will shine with robes of glory in the presence of the Lamb.

Will you stand faithful when the shaking begins? Are you living like one sealed—separate, surrendered, and serving the Lamb without compromise?

The great multitude overcame not because they escaped the tribulation, but because they worshiped through it. You are not promised escape from suffering, but you are promised victory in Messiah Yeshua.

The connection of our Parasha is about suffering or tribulation. In the Torah, Joseph interpreted the two dreams of Pharaoh that speak about the seven years of bounty and the seven years of tribulation (famine) in the land of Egypt. In the Haftarah, Isaiah prophesied the tribulation (judgment) of Jerusalem because of her blindness, for her heart is far from Adonai. In the Apostolic portion, a great multitude from nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues will be delivered and will come out of the great tribulation.

Back to my introduction… Truly, there will be a great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, according to Yeshua (Matt. 24:21). Like Joseph and Pharaoh, they made a plan and preparation—and so should we.

Ezekiel 38:7

“Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.”

Preparation is not panic—it’s positioning. Position yourself in Yeshua now, before the storm comes. Like Joseph, like the sealed ones, like the faithful remnant—be found ready.

Preparation, purity, and perseverance—these are the marks of those who trust in Adonai through every trial until the Lamb reigns.

Remember: We only have one Refuge, and His name is YESHUA! Endure until the end.

Shabbat Shalom,

Topher

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-- S O U R C E S --

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superiorword.org

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israelmyglory.org

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twojourneys.org

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