Parasha 41 : Treasures of the Heart

 

A House Reunited: The Road to Restoration

-- T O R A H   P O R T I O N --

Introduction:

When life tests what’s hidden in your heart—what will be revealed as your greatest treasure?

Last Shabbat, Joseph challenged his brothers in two ways: he kept one of them in Egypt as a prisoner and demanded they bring Benjamin to him so their words would be verified. The brothers felt guilty, and Reuben, being the eldest, reminded them of their past sins. Upon hearing their remorse, Joseph turned away from them and wept.

They returned to Canaan and told their father Jacob everything. They urged him to allow Benjamin to go with them back to Egypt, but he refused. Reuben offered his two sons in exchange for Benjamin, but it didn’t convince Jacob. Then Judah stepped forward and offered himself in Benjamin’s place. He told Jacob he was willing to bear the blame forever if he failed to bring Benjamin back.

Our Torah portion begins with Joseph's steward bringing the brothers into Joseph’s house, giving them water, and feeding their donkeys. When Joseph saw his brothers again, he asked about their father’s well-being. They replied that he was still alive and in good health. Then Joseph saw Benjamin and was moved to tears.

“Then Joseph looked at his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother. ‘Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?’ Joseph asked. ‘May God be gracious to you, my son.’ Joseph hurried out, deeply moved at the sight of his brother, and went into his private room to weep. After washing his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, ‘Serve the food.’” (Gen. 43:29–31)

But even though he was moved to tears, Joseph still did not reveal himself to them.

Earlier, in verse 28, it says:

“And they answered, ‘Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.’ And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.”

This moment fulfills Joseph’s earlier dream in Genesis 37:8–9, when his brothers mocked him and said, “Do you actually think you will reign over us?” Yet Joseph dreamed that the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed before him.

God was working behind the scenes to fulfill His wonderful plan for Joseph and his family. He used everything—the envy of his brothers, Potiphar and his wife, the dreams of the cupbearer, the baker, Pharaoh, the famine, and even the silver cup—as instruments to accomplish His purpose. It’s clear that God was guiding Joseph, even in testing his brothers.

Before the final test, they ate together. The seating arrangement amazed the brothers, as it was done according to their birth order—an obvious sign that something unusual was happening.

The Final Test

“Then he commanded the steward of his house, saying, ‘Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.’ So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.” (Gen. 44:1–2)

Joseph instructed his steward to fill the brothers’ sacks with food and money. But for Benjamin, he added a special item—his silver cup. This cup served as a decoy to test his brothers.

Why a silver cup? In Genesis 37:28, Joseph had been sold by his brothers for twenty shekels of silver. Now, he used a silver cup as a symbol to remind them of that betrayal. It was placed in Benjamin’s sack to see if the brothers would defend Benjamin—something they hadn’t done for Joseph.

Perhaps Joseph suspected that Benjamin, being the new favorite son in his absence, might face the same rejection. This test would reveal whether the brothers had truly changed.

The Response of the Brothers

When Joseph’s steward accused them of theft, the brothers protested:

“Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! We even brought back from the land of Canaan the money we found in our sacks.”

This response showed they were no longer the same men they once were.

The steward searched the sacks from oldest to youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s. At this, the brothers tore their clothes in grief, knowing what this would mean for Benjamin—and for their father Jacob.

“Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. So he searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.” (Gen. 44:11–13)

Joseph saw that his brothers had grown. The question for us is this: when the cup is found in our sack—when trials come—do we, and others, see spiritual growth and maturity in us?

Judah Speaks

Here comes Judah—a foreshadow of Messiah Yeshua—who offers himself for the safety of Benjamin. He appeals to Adonai YHVH, showing that he is a changed man. Judah had lost two sons (Er and Onan), so he understood the pain of a grieving father. Now he intercedes for his brother, having made a vow to bring him back safely.

Judah’s transformation is evident. He had once left his family to find a wife. Now, he stands up for his family and is willing to face his guilt from the past.

Likewise, Joseph’s life prophetically mirrors the Messiah—Messiah ben Yosef—who would be betrayed, sold, and seemingly lost, only to rise in glory, rule in power, offer life, and extend forgiveness.

Joseph saw his family as his greatest treasure. Though second in command of Egypt, he used his position not for gain, but to fulfill God’s will and redeem his family. His first step was forgiveness.

Redemption doesn’t begin with a clean record—it begins with a changed heart.

When you are falsely accused, overlooked, or misunderstood—like Joseph or Benjamin—do you respond with trust in God’s plan or with bitterness?

God doesn’t test us to watch us fail—He tests us to reveal the faith we forgot we had.

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

In Haftarah, the people of Judah approached prophet Jeremiah concerning their petition to go to Egypt. The question is, why would they want to go there? In Chapter 41:11-18, the people of Judah fought against Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, but sadly, he escaped from them together with his eight men. Upon hearing that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah murdered Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the people of Judah departed and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, near Bethlehem, as they went on their way to Egypt, because of the Chaldeans, for they were afraid of them, because of the murder of Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had made governor in the land.

So prophet Jeremiah prayed for the petition of the people of Judah to go back to Egypt. But after ten days, Adonai YHVH answered and came to Jeremiah. He told them the following:

• If they will stay in the land, Adonai will build and not pull them down.
• They don’t need to be afraid of the King of Babylon.
• He is with them, to save them, and deliver them from the King’s hand.
• He will be merciful to them.
• He will cause them to return to their own land.

“Egypt looked more appealing than the burned cities of Israel.”

What a vivid picture of walking by sight instead of faith. Egypt had horses, armies, and walls. Israel had ashes, ruins, and no defenses. But Israel still had God’s presence and promise.

This shows us:

Faith must trust God’s Word more than visible security.

Their choice is relatable today: Will I trust God in the ruins of my circumstances? Or will I run to the “Egypts” of my life—places of comfort and control that God has called me out of?

The Israelites had previously experienced being slaves in Egypt and God had freed them through Moshe. That is why God did not want them to return to this place because God wanted Israel to rely on Him and not on anyone or anything else.

God doesn’t just ask for obedience—He reveals whether our trust is real by asking us to obey when it’s hardest.

When God tells me something I don’t want to hear, do I submit—or search for a second opinion that fits my desire?

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

Our Apostolic portion has three parts: Verses 19-21 deals with the importance of preserving treasures in heaven not on earth. Earthly treasures means wealth or materials which can be destroyed and can’t bring it when a person dies. Psalm 49:17 says “For when he dies he shall carry nothing away”. The heavenly treasures are the treasures that last and can’t be taken.

Verses 22-23 deals with the eye. Yeshua said if our eyes are good, our whole bodies will be full of light. The message is very clear, if we focus our eyes to the instructions (Torah) of Yeshua, then it will lead us to the right path. Psalm 119:105 says “Your Torah is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Verse 24 is about decision making of who our focus will be. If we focus on worldly things, we will be in darkness. But if we focus on living in Yeshua’s Torah, we will live in the light and worship Him.

“Joseph stands before us as a supreme example of one who treasured the ways of God over the grasping of power and wealth... Perhaps there is no greater treasure than purity of heart.”— Tim Hegg, TorahResource

Joseph did not treasure his position, power, or possessions. His true treasure was obedience to God, a pure heart, and the restoration of his family.

He had every opportunity to live for himself but chose instead to serve others and to forgive. His priorities were kingdom-centered, not self-centered. Like Yeshua taught:

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21)

The heart will always chase what it treasures most—so choose your treasure wisely.

Where is your time, energy, and devotion going? What does that reveal about your true treasure?

You can have everything the world offers and still be empty—but if you have a clear conscience before God, you have everything you need.

Yeshua teaches that the heart always follows its treasure.

This parasha teaches us about the true treasure within. In the Torah, Joseph hides his identity but reveals his heart—he longs to forgive and restore. In the Haftarah, Judah’s people are afraid and hypocritical, wanting to return to Egypt. In the Apostolic writings, Yeshua urges us to store treasure in heaven, not on earth.

Many people count wealth, memories, or health as their greatest treasures. But Joseph, though powerful, didn't focus on what he had. He used his blessings to fulfill God’s plan, save his family, and transform his brothers. His true treasure was his relationship with God, his obedience, and his family.

Every test, every fear, and every choice reveals what we value most. The question is no longer what’s in your sack—but what’s in your heart. Will your treasure last into eternity?

So we stand today, like Joseph’s brothers, like Judah, like the remnant in Jeremiah’s day—faced with decisions that test the direction of our hearts.

Will we choose self-preservation or sacrificial love?
Will we run back to Egypt, or remain where God has called us, even when it looks desolate?
Will we serve the Master of Light, or chase fleeting treasures that fade?

Let us not just pass the test—but let us treasure the One who gave us the test,
and follow Him—into truth, into trust, and into eternity.

Shabbat Shalom,

Topher

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-- S O U R C E S --

eztorah.com

rafalreyzer.com

jw.org

jtsa.edu

passiton.com

The MacArthur Study Bible

torahresource.com