Parasha Vayeshev: Day 2

B'reisheet/Genesis 37:18-36

There are many figures and shadows in Torah that represent Messiah. Yoseph is one of those as he is begins his sole sojourning amongst the nations of the earth. The second youngest and used by his own father to look upon his brother's conduct could have been an advocate, even intercessory to between his brothers and dad. As an informant, however, he became a nuisance to his family touting dreams of their servitude and humility to Yoseph. The next step was conspiracy. Like Messiah, Yoseph was sent to find out his own people. They saw of him and planned his demise. For many of the sons of Israel, the death of Yoseph was a small thing. To others, simply ridding Israel of the burden was enough.

As a Messianic figure, Yoseph went to the household of Israel and was handed over to a nation that knew of Elohim, but did not practice the Truth as revealed to Abraham, Isaac and Yacov. As Yeshua's garments would be taken by the Romans, so to was Yoseph's garments. They were rent away from Yoseph and used as propaganda to Israel. Interestingly, both Yacov and Reuben tore their garments in mourning over the assumed demise of Yacov. Both of these men were led to believe and assume that Yoseph was dead and there was no hope. 

Meanwhile, Yoseph was sold to another nation. In the struggles of life that followed Yoseph, YHVH was with him and he would become an enormous blessing to Egypt, the Ishmaelites, Midianites, and other nations including Israel. Those that rejected their brother as a stumbling stone to their corruption would find that stone to be a foundation to survival in the years to come. Furthermore, what they rejected first would bless those other nations to whom he was sold. Yeshua, too, was sold by Judas to the nations as a rejection of Judaism and their scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. What was rejected by the brothers of Messiah was given over to the nations as a fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. Yeshua was the blessing to all the nations of the earth. 

Yoseph had been wrapped in the royalty of his father's household and favor. His tunic exemplified the nations, the characteristics of Elohim and much more. It represented the approval of Yacov as the patriarch of Israel. Similarly, Yeshua was wrapped in a cloak, but his was not just physical garments. Yeshua was, and is, wrapped in the cloak of righteousness. Yoseph's tunic was discarded and ignored by his brothers even though Yacov gave it as a sign of his own authority. Many people of yesteryear and into today do not see the righteousness of Yeshua. To many it is invisible and to others ignored out of feelings of guilt and self afflicted condemnation. However, Yeshua's righteousness could not be stripped from Him like mere garments or through humiliation and degradation. Messiah's righteousness shines brightly to every generation for those who are called and will look upon it with repentance and humbleness themselves. 

Messiah's cloak is a cover to all of us who will call upon Him. As He reveals Himself to us and allocates grace to receive Him as the Way, Truth and Life, we can be dressed in His garments and made white from the sins that have stained us. Yeshua has been raised up with His unsoiled robe to be the deliverer of all mankind. Those who have found themselves in famine can come to the King of kings to be dressed in royalty and given food to eat. As others see Yeshua in our lives and His righteousness surrounding us, they will ask to be fed and to be clothed and cared for. Yeshua's cloak may be splattered with His own blood and may have damages due to His suffering, but it is magnificent and beautiful to those that it covers. By bearing His robes as His ambassadors and intercessors, we are able to exemplify what Yoseph could not at first, but was used to deliver multitudes later. 

Dwell upon Isaiah 61:10-11, "I will rejoice greatly in YHVH, my soul will exult in my Elohim; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so Adonai YHVH will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations."