Vayechi/and he lived
Genesis 47:28-50:26
IKings 2:1-12
Both the torah portion and haftorah this week have some incredibly tender moments between father and son; but also give us a sense of how much the future needs to be linked; and actually is, whether we recognize it or not, to the past. In fact, I believe it gives us ‘opportunity’ to see the great value of each of our lives. We for years have labored under the false notion that “only those of importance (ruling class/priestly class) have lives that affect history”: wrong! God in His word has always wanted:
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:6), But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (IPeter 2:9)
Not only does your personal history matter to the next generations; but the foundation of that history as it’s rooted in God’s word and His promises! When Jacob (Israel) was becoming aware of his days being over, his words to his son, Joseph weren’t merely wishing him and his brothers well, but that God’s promises rested in the future outworking of His ways. Also, by requesting that his body be placed in the same location as Abraham, makes a statement to the continuity of life with God that is even expressed in the death of the righteous. Then, David in IKings 2:2-4, in speaking to his son Salomon:
2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4 that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me…
This is almost ‘packed too full’ to deal with here but note: being a “man” (or fully human) is rooted in walking with the Lord! If we would define manhood in those terms, life would look quite differently than today (consider some of the ridiculous ‘woke’ things that are foisted upon us in the name of being a ‘good’ person). David goes on to ‘attach’ Solomon to the promises God made to him. Each of us through the blood of Jesus are fully part of the “household of God (a holy nation/a royal priesthood) and need to allow ourselves to partner with Holy Spirit to experience and get in touch with the significance of our lives to the Living God and then by extension to our children’s future generations! You were not meant to just sit in a pew and soak in someone’s teaching; though that can be incredibly helpful; but we were meant to be the expression of the Holy One of Israel, in flesh and blood! Your life matters! Also, by being rooted in the word of God for your values and purpose instead of what the surrounding culture is trying to tell you, will transform not only our lives, but the generations to follow (and is tied to previous generations: cloud of witnesses). We must resist the temptation to blend in or be ‘relevant’…Jesus even warns about salt losing its ability to affect what it’s used for… We aren’t called to be harsh or argumentative; but be rooted in the Kingdom of God! When lured into compromise with the kingdoms of this world in order to ‘reach’ them or live peaceably; the result, unfortunately is neither, and we also ironically fail the next generation!
Today let us begin to rejoice that the Lord God Almighty has chosen us to be counted as His Own special treasure, a holy nation and a royal priesthood. Don’t be arrogant about it; let it wash over you today and produce the gift of the fear of the Lord; your children and the world around you may be waiting for Godly men and women to come to their rescue! Another ‘benefit’ of this reality: “…that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me…” Your life can be used of God to bring forth the previous generation’s promises and unfinished ‘business’! And what does it take? Becoming a man; becoming a mensch; becoming a conscious human being!
So come with me this week and let’s ask the Lord to call forth His desire for our ‘humanity’ to be experienced; He isn’t put off by the fact that we are mere ‘dust of the earth’; He breathed His very life into that dirt, to bring us forth. He enjoys who He made you to be; let Him walk with you today and receive the inheritance of the Lord for your life. by john eisner
Ps. what if the whole notion of being “born again” isn’t so much about going to heaven; but becoming a ‘mensch’ and expressing the life of heaven here on earth, as we wait of the redemption of the earthly bodies upon His glorious return?
Leave a Reply