Coming Near

 Vayigash

Gen. 18 - 48:27

 

Précis: We approach the end of the Joseph saga. Benjamin is being held by Joseph as the alleged thief of a gold cup. Judah comes near (vayigash) Joseph, and begs for his brother’s life, offering himself as a substitute. Joseph is overcome and reveals himself to his brothers, forgiving them for selling him into slavery, stating that it was all part of God’s plan. Joseph sends them back home to bring Jacob and their families down to Egypt in order to survive the upcoming famine. They comply, and Joseph arranges for them to reside in the land of Goshen, living off “the fat of the land” at Pharaoh’s insistence. During the remainder of the famine, Joseph purchases land and cattle for Pharaoh, making serfs of the Egyptian people in exchange for the grain stored during the seven years of plenty. The Israelites prosper and multiply.

 

Gen. 44:18–34 “Then Judah came near to him, and said, ‘Oh my Lord, let your servant, I pray of you, speak a word in my Lord’s ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are the equal of Pharaoh…. Now, therefore, let your servant, I pray of you, stay here with you instead of the lad as your slave, and let him go back with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me?’”

            Judah has shown true t’shuvah: by offering himself as the substitute for Benjamin, he refuses to commit again to the abandonment of a brother (Joseph).

What has been the cause of his transformation? Perhaps we can discern it in the words of this verse: “and Judah came near to him.” Judah, who had taken no action to save Joseph from slavery, now “steps forward” to initiate a reconciliation.

In America today, we are in dire need of a reconciliation: of a recognition that we have more in common than what divides us. We can pray that we have the sense of t’shuvah shown by Judah, and “come near” those with whom we have quarreled and disagreed with politically, socially, economically, and personally. “Coming near” is the first step for true reconciliation.

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