The Glory of Joseph, c. 1896-1902, James Jacques Joseph Tissot, French painter, 1836-1902 (image via Wiki Commons)
TORAH: Genesis 37:1-40:23
HAFTARAH: Amos 2:6-3:8
GOSPEL: Matthew 1:18-25
Portion Summary
The ninth reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayeshev, which means “and he dwelt.” The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, “Now Jacob [dwelt] in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 37:1). Despite the portion’s name and first verse, the story is actually about Jacob’s son Joseph and how he was removed from the land of Canaan and dwelt in Egypt. The narrative follows Joseph from Canaan to Egypt to prison. In addition, this week’s reading contains the story of Judah and Tamar.
Portion Outline:
Torah
Genesis 37:1 | Joseph Dreams of Greatness
Genesis 37:12 | Joseph Is Sold by His Brothers
Genesis 38:1 | Judah and Tamar
Genesis 39:1 | Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
Genesis 40:1 | The Dreams of Two Prisoners
Prophets
Amos 2:6 | Judgment on Israel
Amos 3:1 | Israel’s Guilt and Punishment
Portion Commentary:
A Successful Man
Because of Joseph’s steadfast confidence in God, he possessed an undying optimism that transformed even the low estate of slavery into success.
The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. (Genesis 39:2)
As a slave in the house of Potiphar, Joseph should have lived in a state of dejection and bitterness. He had been betrayed by his brothers, kidnapped, exiled and sold. He had gone from the position of a favored son to that of a lowly slave. But Joseph did not let his circumstances dictate his life. He refused to succumb to depression. Instead, he diligently set his hands to his work and quickly won the confidence of his new owner.
From where did Joseph find the inner strength to rise above bitterness? Some people cannot seem to let go of past wrongs, real or imagined. They wallow in self-pity and anger, holding on to old resentments. This seems to be a normal human reaction to misfortune and conflict. Someone like Joseph, who could shrug off even the worst of circumstances and make the best of whatever situation in which he finds himself, is exceptional.
The difference was that Joseph had an unshakable confidence in the goodness and faithfulness of God. He knew the stories of his fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He knew the promises that he stood to inherit. He did not suppose that God had forgotten or abandoned him. Instead, he humbly submitted himself to God’s higher, mysterious purpose.
Many of us struggle with an artificial sense of entitlement. We assume that we have the right to be happy. We assume that we deserve the good and comfortable circumstances of life. Why? What makes us think we have the right to happiness or that we deserve anything? When things go amiss, we react with shock, bitterness and anger, as if our rights have been violated.
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
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