In our Torah portion this Shabbat, Joseph continues acting like a stranger to his brothers. He challenged them to prove to him that they’re honest men by two things: First, let one of their brothers be left. Second, they need to bring their youngest brother (Benjamin). These will verify their words, and they will not die. Now, as the sons of Jacob reunite, something happened:
There was REPENTANCE (vv. 21–22) — In verse 18, Joseph said: “Do this and live, for I fear God.” Ever since, God was with Joseph. And because of that, I believe God was working on the day of Joseph's reunion with his brothers, and part of this is their transformation. Joseph, through the help of God, is using a test to bring about a change in his brothers before he finally reveals himself to them. Notice the statement of Joseph’s brothers in verse 21. They didn’t say, “We are guilty,” but rather, “We are truly guilty.” Here, we can see that they admit their sin concerning Joseph. Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, reminded his brothers that they refused to listen when they planned to kill Joseph. Surprisingly, Joseph wept. Maybe he saw what he wanted to see from his brothers. Guilt can lead as the first step in repentance. Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
There was the start of RESTORATION (vv. 25–38) — Joseph commands his officials to fill the sacks of his brothers with grain and restore their money, as well as a provision for their journey back to Canaan. Here, not only the money has been restored, but the hearts of Joseph’s brothers as well. In verse 28b, they said, “What is this that God has done to us?” This time, Joseph’s brothers started to tell the whole truth to their father Jacob, compared to the time that they lied about the whereabouts of Joseph. In Psalm 23:3, it says, “He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.” That is what Adonai YHVH wants—to pull us back toward Him.
There was a REPRESENTATION for Benjamin’s sake (vv. 37–43:10) — First, Reuben represents himself to Jacob, that in case he failed to bring Benjamin back to him, Jacob could kill his two sons. But surely, Jacob wouldn’t do that since they’re his grandchildren. Second, Judah represents himself. He told his father Jacob that he would bear the blame forever in case he failed to bring Benjamin back. Judah here is a foreshadowing of Messiah Yeshua. He sacrificed himself for the surety of his brother Benjamin. Same as Yeshua from the tribe of Judah—He sacrificed Himself for us, and He bears our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).
There was a RECITATION of prayer (43:14) — Notice the prayer of Jacob. He used “God Almighty,” a title that Adonai YHVH used when He made a covenant with Abraham, and part of it was to multiply his descendants exceedingly. The twelve sons of Jacob have a big part to fulfill it, so Jacob, although he was troubled, entrusted his sons to Adonai to control everything.
If we put these four things together, the result will be RECONCILIATION and CELEBRATION, and that’s the reason why, in verse 16, when Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, he told the steward of his house to slaughter an animal, for they would have a family dinner.
Before there can be reunion, there must first be repentance. Restoration begins when truth is no longer buried.
Joseph’s brothers did not merely feel guilt—they confessed their guilt and acknowledged God’s justice. It wasn’t enough to survive the famine; they had to confront their past.
Is God is calling you to revisit past actions, not to condemn you—but to transform you? Is there someone you need to be reconciled with before true restoration can begin?
-- H A F T A R A H P O R T I O N --
In our Haftarah portion, Prophet Isaiah used three key words for the people of Israel and gave them an assurance of freedom from captivity. First, the word “listen” (vv. 1–8). Isaiah mentioned Abraham and Sarah as an example of how Adonai YHVH blessed and increased his descendants. Here, He will bless Israel with the following:
The second word is “awake” (v. 9–52:10). Israel should wake up, for Adonai YHVH will deliver them from captivity. Isaiah used the time of the Exodus, where Adonai delivered Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, so they need to trust Him once again. For He is their Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.
The third word is “depart” (v. 11). Since Adonai YHVH gave His people an assurance and deliverance from captivity, now it’s time for them to depart from the lands of their expulsion and return to their land.
When God says, ‘Awake,’ He’s not just stirring us from sleep—He’s summoning us to live in our true identity as His people.
Through Isaiah, Adonai calls His people to listen, wake up, and depart from their exile. He reminds them of who they are and Whose they are. Their deliverance is not just from a place—it’s to a purpose.
Are you spiritually awake, or has the weariness of exile dulled your hearing? What voices are you listening to more than Adonai's call to return and trust?
-- APOSTOLIC P O R T I O N --
In the Apostolic portion, one of the seven angels invited John to show him the bride of Messiah Yeshua—none other than the twelve tribes of Israel. Jeremiah 31:33b says that Adonai YHVH was a husband to them. Sadly, Israel became unfaithful because of idolatry, and that’s the reason why He likened them to a harlot under every green tree (Jer. 3:6). Also, in Jeremiah 3:14–15 it says, “Return, O backsliding children,” says Adonai. “For I am MARRIED to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
In Romans 7:2, Shaul said, “For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.” Only the death of Yeshua could revoke His marriage with Israel, but when He comes, He will marry again the twelve tribes of Israel.
John also saw in his vision the holy Jerusalem adorned with 12 precious stones. These stones can be found in the breastplate of the High Priest, which were placed on his chest. Since Yeshua is the Great High Priest, Israel is still in His heart (chest part).
The New Jerusalem is not just a city—it is the promise made visible, the Bride made ready, and the covenant made eternal.
The vision of New Jerusalem is not a new people replacing Israel—it is restored Israel, joined with the grafted-in nations, beautified for her eternal King. The High Priest still holds her on His chest.
Do you long for that final reunion with Messiah, or have temporary treasures dulled your desire for the eternal city? Are you preparing yourself as part of the Bride?
The connection of our parasha is about Adonai’s redemptive plan to restore relationship, identity, and covenant with His people.
In the Torah portion, the sons of Jacob take the first steps toward reconciliation, as Joseph begins to test and prepare their hearts for reunion and restoration.
In the Haftarah portion, Adonai YHVH calls His people to listen, awaken, and depart from their exile, promising comfort, justice, and salvation as He gathers them back to Himself.
In the Apostolic portion, Yeshua reveals the ultimate fulfillment of that plan, as He prepares to be united with His Bride—the twelve tribes of Israel and the grafted-in believers—dwelling with them forever in the New Jerusalem.
"Joseph, the “savior of the world,” is hidden to his own brothers, but will, in the end, fully disclose Himself, and will bring them all to be with him where their lives will be preserved from the famine. In this way, the Joseph narrative is an interesting foreshadow of the whole plan of redemption, through which both the descendants of Jacob as well as those from the nations are gathered together into the one redeemed people of God." - Tim Hegg
Back to my introduction… Just like Joseph, it’s so nice to see and be with loved ones you haven’t seen in a long time. Soon, in Adonai YHVH’s perfect time, we grafted-in Gentiles will be with genuine Israel, our brothers in Messiah Yeshua, because this future event is part of His beautiful plan.
Ephesians 2:11–13
“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Yeshua, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua, you who once were far off have been brought near by His blood.”
God restores what was broken—whether a family, a nation, or a covenant. From Joseph’s household to Zion’s captives to the Bride of Revelation, the road to restoration is paved by repentance, led by mercy, and fulfilled in glory through Messiah Yeshua.
Shabbat Shalom,
Topher
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-- S O U R C E S --
alittleperspective.com
superiorword.org
gracefresno.com
harvestpca.org
The MacArthur Study Bible
oncedelivered.net
torahresource.com
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