Parasha 42: Alive for God’s Purpose

Alive for God’s Purpose

-- T O R A H   P O R T I O N --

Introduction:

If God has kept you alive until now, how will you use your life to fulfill His purpose?

The movie The Count of Monte Cristo is about a man who was imprisoned on an island for thirteen years. With the help of his inmate, he escapes and changes his identity for revenge. Soon, he reveals his true identity after seeing the woman he loves.

This week’s parasha asks us: God has given you life—what will you do with it?

Last week, Joseph finally saw his brother Benjamin. He also made a final test for his brothers to see if they had really changed. The steward of Joseph’s house put the silver cup inside the sack of Benjamin, so he could use it as evidence. His brothers defended themselves by recalling the incident when they returned the money which they found in the mouth of their sacks. Upon knowing that the silver cup was found inside the sack of their youngest brother Benjamin, they tore their clothes, for they knew Benjamin would become a slave in Egypt, and Judah pleaded.

Our Torah portion deals with the continuation of Judah’s intercession for Benjamin, and at the same time Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers. Let me discuss first how Judah intercedes for his brother Benjamin:

1. He humbled himself before Joseph (v.18) – Judah calls Joseph “my lord” while he calls himself “servant.” Going back to verse 17, Joseph told him to go and return in peace to his father. Instead of going back to Canaan, Judah stayed and told Joseph to let him speak a word. He told him not to let his anger burn. Here, the mastermind of selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites (Gen. 37:26) has changed, for he was humble in conversation with Joseph. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

2. He recalls Joseph’s question and how they answered (vv.19–23) – Judah could have started his storytelling with the case of Jacob, but instead he recalls their conversation with Joseph. Why? First, Judah knows it can be a solution to their situation. Once Joseph hears all the questions he asked and the answers of his brothers, there’s a possibility that his mind will be refreshed. Second, Judah knows it will help Joseph regulate his emotions, for he told Joseph to control his anger (v.18).

3. He told Joseph the conversation he had with his father Jacob (vv.24–32) – In chapter 43:27, Joseph asked his brothers, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” This time, Judah shared with Joseph the conversation he had with his father, how he was convinced to let Benjamin go with them, and how he offered himself for the safety of Benjamin (Gen. 43:8–10). Here, Joseph saw the genuine transformation of Judah, showing compassion for his father and brother, willing to exchange places, and not wanting to add pain to Jacob.

Now, how did Joseph reveal himself to his brothers?

1. He told his brothers “I am Joseph” twice (45:3–4) – First, he said, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” Since the last part of Judah’s storytelling was about Jacob, which caused Joseph to cry, the first thing he did after revealing himself was to ask about his father. The moment he saw his brothers again after a long time, he didn’t request them to bring Jacob immediately. He sought to reunite with them and took the lead in changing them through some tests. This time, he wanted his father to complete his family. Second, he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.” Why did he mention it? Two reasons: so his brothers could put aside any doubts, and to let them know that he was truly Joseph.

2. Not only did he reveal himself, but also the plan of God (vv.5–8) – Three times Joseph told his brothers the purpose of God. First, he was sent by God to preserve life. Probably for two years, the famine was getting worse and there were still another five years to go, so for the nation of Israel to survive, Joseph was the answer. Second, he was sent by God to preserve posterity, so that the covenant of God to Abraham would continue (Gen. 17:1–8). Third, he was sent by God to be a father to Pharaoh, lord and ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Because of that, Joseph had control over the distribution of food not only for the Egyptians, but for his family as well.

The most joyful and emotional part of our Torah portion is when Joseph fell and wept on Benjamin’s neck and when he wept and kissed all his brothers. Notice in verse 15 it says that his brothers talked with him. Some commentators said that Joseph’s brothers did not ask forgiveness. The Hebrew word for “talk” is dabar, which means “to speak, declare, to promise.” Most probably, the brothers of Joseph declared their fault, made a promise to change for the better, and asked for forgiveness.

It was so nice to see that the twelve tribes were together again. This time, they were not only a family, but a united nation and worthy to be called the chosen people of God.

God did not spare your life just for you to exist — He spared you so others might live through your obedience.

God preserved Joseph’s life so he could preserve others. How has God preserved your life? And are you using that life for His purposes?

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)

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

Our Haftarah deals with how Caleb inherits the land of Hebron. First, because of the good report that he gave as one of the spies that Moshe sent to scout the land of Canaan. He compared himself with the other spies, for they melted the hearts of the people because of their bad report. But Caleb gave a report that came from his heart, for he wholly followed Adonai YHVH.

Second, Caleb inherits the land of Hebron because Moshe fulfilled his word to him. For Moshe swore on that day that wherever his foot had trodden, that would be his inheritance and his children’s as well. Adonai YHVH, through Moshe, granted the desire of Caleb’s heart.

Aside from the blessing of inheritance, Caleb still received more blessings:

1. Adonai kept him alive (v.10) – He was forty-five years old when Adonai spoke to Moshe in the wilderness, but now he was eighty-five years old.

2. His strength did not change (vv.11–12) – Because Caleb’s strength had not diminished, he was still able to go to war, and he wanted to drive out the Anakim, for he knew Adonai YHVH would be with him.

The Haftarah chosen for this parashah by the Sages is linked by the fact that Caleb refers to the sending of spies to assess the Land. Likewise, Joseph had charged his brothers with being spies, though he surely knew they were not. Yet this scheme of his brought about his desired end: Jacob and his entire family came to Egypt to be protected from the famine. Likewise, Caleb’s age is given as 85, yet he confesses that he was just as strong at 85 as he was at 45, when Moshe first sent him with the other spies to assess the Land. Jacob’s age in Genesis 47:9 is given as 130, highlighting the fact that God had also given him strength in his old age.

As Tim Hegg points out, the plan of God is worked out in every detail: the descendants of Abraham, endowed with the promise of God’s covenant, descend to Egypt to preserve life, but ultimately to be enslaved and eventually to be brought forth by the mighty hand of God in the exodus. Indeed, the exodus will become the primary example of God’s way of redemption, transforming the multiple tribes of Jacob into a single nation marked by God’s redemptive power.

Every breath you still have is a testimony that God is not finished with you — rise up and take the land He has promised.

If God has given you years and strength, how will you use them—to chase personal goals, or to take hold of His promises?

“Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4)

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

In our Apostolic portion, Yeshua joined two men on the road to Emmaus. They were discussing all that had happened in Jerusalem, yet they failed to recognize that the One walking beside them was the risen Messiah. Why?

1. They were gripped by sadness (v.17) – Yeshua had offered Himself as the Paschal Lamb for our sins. His death should have been the greatest reason for joy — the Lamb slain so that we might live. Yet, instead of rejoicing in the fulfillment of redemption, they were overcome with disappointment and despair. Sadness can often cloud our spiritual sight.

2. Their focus was misplaced (v.20) – Their attention was fixed on what the chief priests and rulers had done to Yeshua: delivering Him to death. They saw the tragedy but missed the triumph. They should have remembered the prophecy that Messiah must suffer — that “by His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5–6). The very events they saw as defeat were, in truth, the victory God had promised.

3. Their faith in the resurrection was partial (vv.22–24) – Though the women from their group had testified to the empty tomb, and others confirmed it, these two still wavered. They knew the reports but did not let them reshape their hearts. And so, Yeshua — in perfect patience — began with Moshe and the Prophets, expounding from all the Scriptures (Tanakh) the things concerning Himself. Here, we see the risen Messiah as the ultimate Teacher, leading them step by step from confusion to clarity, from doubt to conviction.

Yeshua did not wait for them to ask; He took the initiative, guided the conversation and anchored their understanding in the written Word. This is a reminder that true discipleship begins when the Scriptures open our eyes to Messiah and we respond in faith. The risen Messiah brings hope and life to those who see Him in the Scriptures.

You can walk beside the risen Messiah and still miss Him — but if your eyes are opened, you will never be the same.

If Yeshua joined you on your journey today, would you recognize Him? Would your heart burn to such a point that you can’t help but share Him with others?

“I am the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18)

The connection of our parasha is about being alive for God’s purpose. In the Torah, Joseph is still alive and finally revealed himself to his brothers, for God would use him to preserve life. In the Haftarah, Caleb inherits the land of Hebron and testified that the reason he still lived and was strong was because of God. In the Apostolic portion, some women arrived at Yeshua’s tomb and did not find His body, for He was alive.

Back to my introduction… Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him until he revealed himself to them. Very soon, Yeshua will come back and reveal Himself too. Will you recognize Him?

God did not keep you alive so you could drift through life — He preserved you so you could fulfill His plan, bear His Name, and bring His life to others.

You are alive for such a time as this — will you spend your life on His purpose, or let it slip away unused?

Revelation 1:7

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amein.”

Romans 14:8 – “For if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Matthew 24:44

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Shabbat Shalom,

Topher

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-- S O U R C E S --

Abraham.lib.virginia.edu

Aish.com

Blueletterbible.org

Biblewise.com

Bibleblender.com

Myjewishlearning.com

shema.com

The MacArthur Study Bible

torahresource.com