In brief:
Va-Yiggash starts out just as Joseph has demanded Benjamin be left behind and their father brought to Egypt, all on account of a super important stolen-but-not-really-stolen goblet that we’ll never hear about again. Trickery!
After some sobbing and neck kissing, all is well in the family, and a score of he and she-assess are loaded with Egyptian goodies. Joseph’s brothers and the donkeys are then sent forth to bring Jacob and his extended family back to Egypt.
Joseph then introduces serfdom to the people of Egypt. Did you see that one coming, gentle reader? I will admit, I did not.
The people’s land and livestock are taken in exchange for food. They then get land rights back, but 20% of what they grow will henceforth go to the Pharaoh. There are interpretations that explain why this was a noble plan — that the 20% would help fend against future famine and such. Even so, my gut reaction was: yikes.
A couple of thoughts:
- “My son Joseph is still alive! I must go and see him before I die,” says Jacob. And God comforts Jacob that “Joseph’s hands shall close your eyes” — a moment that reflect a feeling that’s floated through the text a few times already that death itself is not a thing to fear. But a good death is something to aspire to. Abraham buried by Ishael and Isaac. Jacob, promised that he will be with Joseph at the end. All echoing the many moments that tie our purpose here, in this relay race we run, to the hand off — to how we leave things for and with the generation that follows.
- This section also includes a wonderfully pure moment of forgiveness. Revealing himself to Judah, Joseph comforts his brother: “Do not be distressed or reproach yourself because you sold me hither,” God sent Joseph to Egypt so he could save his family, Joseph explains. How then could he condemn his brothers for what they did along the way? It’s all part of God’s plan. Which left me thinking of this simple truth — gratitude for where you are is often the key to accepting whatever brought you there.
If you’d like to join in… this is the place for comments and commentary on Va-Yiggash (Gen 44.18 – 47.27)
Next up: Va-Yeḥi (Gen 47.27 – 50.26)
-Cecil
And so Jacobs family moves down to Egypt-70 men in all, and women too, tho they weren’t counted in the rolls. They settled in the Egyptian version of The Hamptons- and had it really good while the rest of Egypt and Canaan had to hand over everything they owned and that became serfs to Pharaoh. Joseph had always been a clever and shrewd negotiator and he is loyal to Pharaoh so will always try to get him the best deal.
For all our ‘yikes’ about the way Joseph deals with the f
famine and the Egyptians, I never see Joseph use his power unjustly (messing with his brothers notwithstanding), and he does seem to be a righteous man, keeping his faith and relationship with God front and foremost. He could have clung to the anger and bitterness of being betrayed by his brothers and taken away from his family and tribe, and let those emotions rule his life but he chose to take another oath and brought his people to a better life.