by Ptr. Art Calaguas
Shalom.
After the somber observance of Israel’s Memorial Day (May 12-13) and its 76th Independence Day (May 13-14) in the light of the on-going Israel vs. Hamas-Hezbollah-Iran conflict, an unexpected event occurred last May 17 amidst the alarming rise of antisemitism in the world. After more than 7 months, the UN Security Council focused on and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas since their October 7, 2023 attack, massacre and mass-kidnapping of Israeli civilians near Gaza (https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-un-security-council-holds-meeting-solely-focused-on-hostages-held-by-hamas/). Sadly, later on the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the retrieval of the bodies of 3 Israelis taken by Hamas into Gaza from the Supernova music festival on October 7, and were presumed alive until then. On Saturday, May 18, the IDF recovered another hostage body. The news came even as the IDF increases its incursions into parts of Rafah in search for the remaining abductees and to destroy the remnant of Hamas battalions.
Some 124 hostages (89 still alive?) composed of children, women, men, and the elderly are held in Rafah or somewhere in Gaza. Let us continue to pray for the immediate release of all hostages and for a just end to this war. Let us continue to stand with Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6-9).
In obedience to the LORD’s instructions, Jacob now renamed Israel, returns to Mamre, near Hebron where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. Genesis 35:16-29 narrates the birth of Jacob’s last son, Benjamin, the death Rachel in childbirth and her subsequent burial near Bethlehem, and the death and burial of Isaac (by his 2 sons Esau and Jacob). After the genealogy of the descendants of Esau in Genesis 36, chapters 37-50 now concentrates on the offspring of Jacob, and in particular, his son Joseph. In Genesis 37:1 it is stated that Jacob (which of course, includes his entire family) resided in the land of Canaan and immediately turns the spotlight on Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son (and the only one born in Canaan). The familiar story of Joseph’s persecution by his brothers and his ending up being sold to Ishmaelites a.k.a. Midianites then sold again to Potiphar, captain of the Pharaoh’s bodyguard in Egypt is narrated in chapter 37. The NIV Study Bible says it is the path for Jacob/Israel and his household to get into Egypt from Canaan. Thus, it sets the stage for Israel to be an incipient nation fulfilling the original promises to Abram declared by the LORD in Genesis 12:2-3 and for the exodus to come after a few centuries.
A break in the story of Joseph is found in Genesis 38 where the unsavory episode of Jacob’s son, Judah and Judah’s daughter-in-law, Tamar is narrated. The location of this story itself is in Canaan. It appears that Jacob’s family continued to dwell in the land promised by God.
Genesis 39-50 continues Joseph’s story. Chapter 39 tells us about the LORD’s blessing upon Joseph and these blessings extended to Potiphar and his household and possessions as Joseph served as his attendant and estate caretaker. However, Potiphar’s wife lusted for Joseph and his refusal to dishonor himself and his master’s wife brought him into prison. Even in prison, the LORD continued to bless Joseph and the prison warden entrusted to him the care of the prison.
Chapter 40 narrates Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams as the LORD enabled him to accurately foretell the fate of 2 prisoners: the Pharaoh’s cupbearer and chief baker. The cupbearer was reinstated, but the chief baker was executed. However, the cupbearer forgot to honor Joseph before the Pharaoh.
Genesis 41 marked the turning point for Joseph as he interpreted the Pharaoh’s dreams about 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. The Pharaoh was impressed with Joseph and made him in charge of the whole land of Egypt and as governor, to prepare for the coming famine.
Genesis 42-45 brings Joseph’s brothers, the other sons of Jacob/Israel to Egypt to buy grain as the famine swept Canaan itself. Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him. Joseph then tricked them to bring Benjamin to Egypt before him and later on devised a way to retain him. And when Judah pleaded with him to take him instead of Benjamin to save their father Jacob/Israel from grievous misery, Joseph finally broke down and revealed his true identity to his brothers. After their joyful reunion, Joseph instructed them to bring back their father Jacob/Israel to come live in Egypt as 5 more years of famine were to come. The brothers brought back the news to Jacob in Canaan who was finally convinced and decided to leave for Egypt and see the son who he thought was already dead for a long time.
Genesis 46 narrates that Jacob/Israel had a vision when he reached Beersheba on the way to Egypt. The Hebrew verses of Genesis 46:3-4 are given below (read right to left, top down) with the relevant verses regarding the return to the land highlighted:
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָנֹכִ֥י הָאֵ֖ל אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִ֑יךָ אַל־תִּירָא֙ מֵרְדָ֣ה מִצְרַ֔יְמָה כִּֽי־לְגֹ֥וי גָּדֹ֖ול אֲשִֽׂימְךָ֥ שָֽׁם׃
אָנֹכִ֗י אֵרֵ֤ד עִמְּךָ֙ מִצְרַ֔יְמָה וְאָנֹכִ֖י אַֽעַלְךָ֣ גַם־עָלֹ֑ה וְיֹוסֵ֕ף יָשִׁ֥ית יָדֹ֖ו עַל־עֵינֶֽיךָ׃
My formal equivalence translation is given below for these 2 verses:
3And he said: I (am) God, the God of your father. Do not fear to go down to Egypt for I will make you a great nation there.
4I will go down with you to Egypt and I will cause you to go up, indeed to go up. And Joseph will put his hand over your eyes.
In verse 4, the meaning is that God will be with Jacob/Israel in Egypt and will later bring him back to his own land later. As the family moved towards Egypt, the LORD graciously reassured him that he will go with him and reaffirmed to Jacob/Israel his covenant promises of becoming fruitful, to become a great nation and with a promise of a return to Canaan, the land granted to him and his offspring. Recall that in Genesis 28:15 the LORD promised to be with Jacob wherever he goes and bring him back to the land and never leave him until all God has promised him have been accomplished.
The Jewish Study Bible – Tanakh Translation notes that in chapters 37-50, God only says something in 3 verses, found in Genesis 46:2-4. Here is its rendering of the key verse 4:
4I Myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I Myself will also bring you back; and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.
The commentary states that God reiterates his promises to the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac (and to him), “assuring Jacob that his departure from the promised land will not void God’s commitment to his forebears.” The return to the land is given such emphasis that the Passover Haggadah says that “Our father Jacob did not come down to strike roots in Egypt but only to sojourn there.” An exodus would follow.
We will continue next time.
God bless us all.