Vayigash - ויגש : "And came near"
Torah : Genesis 44:18-47:27
Haftarah : Ezekiel 37:15-28
Gospel : John 5:1-47

Thought for the Week:

Paul sees the Jewish estrangement from Messiah as a necessary part of a sovereign, ordained plan whereby God intends to extend salvation to the entire world. In this regard, the Jewish estrangement from Messiah is not at all unlike the Joseph story. Paul concedes that Israel has stumbled (though not fallen), but even their stumbling was part of God's plan. Just as Joseph and his brothers were eventually reunited all Israel will be saved. All Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "The deliverer will come from Zion, he will remove ungodliness from Jacob." "This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins." (Romans 11:26-27, quoting Isaiah 59:20-21)

Commentary:

When Joseph revealed his identity to his bewildered brothers, he explained that his descent into Egypt had been ordained by God to "preserve life" and "to preserve a remnant."

Joseph says, "God sent me before you to preserve life (l'michayah - למחיה)" (Genesis 45:5). The same Hebrew word (l'michayah - למחיה) is typically used in reference to the resurrection of the dead. Joseph goes on to state that, "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great delive...