Parashat Miketz
27th Kislev 5785 / December 28th, 2024
By Rabbi Kirk Gliebe
This Weeks Readings:
Torah: Genesis 41:1-44:17; Numbers 7:24-29
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
Brit Chadashah: Luke 2:25-38
Each year at Chanukah we celebrate the heroics of a few individuals who chose to stand up for G-d. The Maccabim are those individuals and we remember their willingness to keep their focus on G-d’s calling and purpose for their lives, regardless of the personal costs. It would have been very easy for Judah and the others to just keep their eyes on meeting their own needs, for food, clothing and comfort, but they saw their lives as part of G-d’s eternal plan for Israel, and they willingly and sacrificially submitted themselves to that service, which they considered far more meaningful than simply serving themselves. As followers of Messiah Yeshua within the Jewish community we can easily become preoccupied with all kinds of things in the course of life that might seem interesting and meaningful for us personally, but we must never lose sight of the fact that in G-d’s eyes our job, like that of the Maccabim, consists of one simple thing: being ready and prepared for G-d’s eternally important spiritual service!
In the Torah portion we read about Pharaoh’s dream and Yosef’s rise to power. The portion begins with Pharaoh receiving two separate dreams from G-d to warn Egypt of an upcoming famine. Unfortunately, though Pharaoh knew the dreams were extremely important, he could not understand what they meant. The chief cupbearer for Pharaoh, whom Yosef had previously explained a dream for, steps forward to tell Pharaoh of Yosef’s amazing ability to interpret dreams. Yosef is summoned and interprets the dream, relating G-d’s message through the dream. As a result of this incident, Yosef is elevated to the position of Second to Pharaoh in all the Land of Egypt, he receives a wife, and of course riches and honor. One thing that cannot be ignored in the text is that despite all of Yosef’s personal set-backs: rejection by his brothers, forced slavery and unfair imprisonment, Yosef was prepared for the elevated service that G-d had for him to do. Of course Yosef was prepared for this elevated service because he was always prepared for whatever service, lowly or otherwise, that G-d wanted him to do!
The Haftarah portion is an encouraging section for Israel for it speaks of Israel’s future elevation for service for G-d. The prophet is speaking of Israel’s redemption, of her international rise to prominence, and of G-d’s coming to literally dwell among His people. Part of the redemption of the nation is the redemption of its leadership by G-d’s gracious action to remove their sin. As part of this section we read of the Angel of the L-RD combating the accusations of Satan against the High Priest Yehoshua. G-d steps in and by his grace removes from Yehoshua his filth laden garments, warning him to walk in G-d’s ways and obey the commission he has from G-d to be a leader within Israel. Being qualified for effective leadership for G-d requires that one understands and submits to G-d’s commission for oneself. To do otherwise is to remain clothed in spiritual filth.
The Brit Chadashah portion relates the dedication of Yeshua at his brit milah and pidyon haben, something required by the Torah: brit milah for all Jewish boys, and then pidyon haben specifically for first born Jewish boys. There in the Temple Yosef and Miriam meet Shim’on and Hannah, two elderly Jews who have been faithfully serving G-d and waiting for the Messiah. Both Shim’on and Hannah testify of Yeshua as the fulfillment of their longing and service for G-d. Based on how the text reads and how Shim’on holds Yeshua in his arms, it is reasonable to believe that Shim’on was actually the cohen who served to officiate Yeshua’s pidyon haben. And in Hannah’s case, she had been worshipping and waiting for over 60 years for G-d to act, and only now in these last days of her life was she able to appreciate the purpose for her life of service!
G-d has preserved our Jewish people despite many difficult circumstances. Pharaohs, Emperors, and societal pressures have sought to eliminate us through death, edict and assimilation, yet G-d has protected us and continues to bring us to this important season, through the sacrificial efforts of those humble servants who are willing to do G-d’s bidding instead of their own, regardless of the opposition or personal cost. What is your faith costing you? How specifically are you serving G-d? How specifically are you serving G-d’s people? We must be always willingly ready for G-d’s service – just like the Maccabim!