Gen 49 Triumphant
Our sages teach when an individual lies, then tells the truth, no one believes him / her. Joseph’s brothers lied to their father. They were concerned about their father’s reaction when they told him the truth. ‘Joseph is alive!’ When they conspired to deceive their father, they had no idea he would begin mourning for Joseph nonstop for 22 years. His children, servants, and friends watch Jacob mourn daily except for Sabbath. Rabbi Moshe Weissman, The Midrash Says (Brooklyn, New York: Benei Yakov Publications 1980), p 358.Their sinful actions caused many problems for Jacob, their families, and the rest of the world. (Shabbot 30b) informs us that The Holy Presence of God, The Shekinah departed from Jacob. His ability to prophesy also left. Jacob’s Blessings and Prophecies stopped! His open door to the world closed. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 1991
Why did Jacob mourn for Joseph? Was Jacob experiencing that ‘what could I have done differently emotion?’ Did he blame himself for Joseph’s death?
Jacob searched his life to find what sin he may have committed to being punished with the loss of his son, Joseph. Why? Just as Joseph was stripped of his colorful prayer garment, Jacob felt stripped of the blessing of being the chosen of The Lord God. Jacob knew that the universe’s existence depended upon twelve sons, i.e., twelve tribes were required because there are twelve zodiacs. Jacob felt like a reproach! He felt like the merit of being selected to establish the twelve tribes was stripped from him because of his sin. His ordinarily clear thought process was not functioning. He missed his Spiritual perception. He was crippled with confusion and disillusionment. Jacob prayed and prayed, but it was like His prayers were heavily weighted down. They seemed to be going nowhere. A cold heavy dark cloud hung over his life. Yet, he had hope because he knew Joseph’s Prophetical Dreams were real. He clung to Joseph’s Prophetical Dreams with all the hope he could muster.
Then later, Joseph’s half-brothers needed to reveal the truth to their father. Joseph’s half-brothers worried about how they should inform their father that Joseph is alive. And he is Viceroy of Egypt. So they recruited Serach, daughter of Asher. She was one of Jacob’s holy grandchildren. Serach is righteous, highly respected, and an accomplished harp player with a magnificent voice. They requested that Serach slip into Grandpa Jacob’s tent with her harp. She began to play a melody skillfully and softly sing Joseph is alive and is ruler over Egypt. Then Jacob’s sons approached their father with the good news. (Genesis 45.26) ‘And told him, saying, “Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart fainted because he did not believe them.’ Then Jacob (Genesis 45.27) saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, the Spirit of Jacob their father revived.’ Rabbi Moshe Weissman, The Midrash Says (Brooklyn, New York: Benei Yakov Publications 1980), p 426 – 427
The Midrash informs us that Jacob was greatly comforted by Serach. Israel said to her ‘I pray that death never conquers you.’ She lived many years and entered her Heavenly home alive. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 1986 – 1987 A lot later, after Jacob received approval from The Lord Regarding going down to Egypt, his sons carried him there to see Joseph. (Genesis 45.28) Israel said, ‘It is enough; Joseph, my son is yet alive; I will go and see him before I die.’
After residing in Egypt for 17 years, Jacob calls for his sons.
After 22 years of mourning, Jacob learns that Joseph is alive. Yaakov ends his mourning. His Spirit revives. He comes back to life. The Holy Presence rests upon Israel again. Prophesy returns to him. He prepares to go down to Egypt to be with his son Joseph. The minute Israel enters Egypt, the drought ends. The famine ends. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 2042 – 2043 The later 17 years of Israel’s life spent in Egypt were filled with tranquility and harmony among his children and grandchildren. The Gematria for טוֹב Tov meaning ‘Good’ is 17. (Genesis 47.28) says, ‘Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years.’
Prior to his death, Jacob calls for his sons. (Genesis 49.1) Jacob wished to reveal to his sons the ‘End of Days,’ at which point the Shechinah departed from him. Israel thought, ‘Perhaps, Heaven forbid! there is one unfit among my children, like Abraham, from whom there issued Ishmael, or like my father Isaac, from whom there issued Esau.’ [But] his sons answered him, ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is One: just as there is only one in your heart, likewise, there is in only One in our heart.’ At that moment, our father Jacob opened [his mouth] and exclaimed, ‘Blessed be The Name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.’ Pesachim 56a
While we discuss the End of Days, we may feel uncertain. That is normal. We may feel anxious. We may fear. Please do not do these things. There is nothing to fear or to be worried about. Most of us sin. When we sin, we must acknowledge our mistake and reverse our improper action, plan not to repeat our sin, and be willing to pay restitution. Our Creator is very long-suffering. The Lord, The Lord God, is merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth… Exodus 34.6
בְּאַחֲרִית
In The End / After The End
Gematria Mispar Katan
ב2 א1 ח8 ר2 י1 ת4 = 18
חי
To live
ח8 י10 = 18
The Lord God’s Plan after the End of Days is for us to be together…
Rabbi Hiyya ben Abba, Said, All the prophets prophesied only for the Messianic age, but as for the world to come, the eye has not seen, O Lord, besides You [what You prepared for them that wait for him]? (Shabbat 63a) (Isaiah 64.3) says, ‘For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who will do such a thing for them who wait for him.’
After the End of Days, the Messianic age is so wonderful that we cannot speak extensively enough or begin to understand how special it is. We see this is the Gematria 18. Sometimes we view ourselves a little as Jacob viewed himself. Our life has had some troubles. It has been not easy. We have lost loved ones. It is at times like these we look for an escape. Today, in our world, those who have lost family… employment… property… etc., may be on the edge of losing all hope. The people of Israel have been here before. It is at times like these we look for the Moshiach to come and deliver us. We want deliverance! There is nothing wrong in wanting a Moshiach, a deliverer.
Our father Jacob wanted us to know good will Triumph! He was emphasizing we will succeed. We will be successful!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
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