And Then I Saw His Face
Parashat Vayigash, Genesis 44:18–47:27
Suzy Linett, Devar Shalom, Ontario, California
When I was in 8th grade, one of the original “boy bands” appeared on television. The group was the Monkees, and they recorded a hit song called “I’m a Believer.” Written by Jewish singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, it gave a message of things previously believed that changed suddenly when the singer saw the face of true love. The lyrics proclaim, “And then I saw her face; now I’m a believer!” This week, we see a similar change through the story of Joseph and the truth revealed when his brothers saw his face.
This week’s parasha picks up after the partial reunification of Joseph and his brothers (Gen 42:6ff.). Joseph recognized them, but had not revealed his identity to them. The brothers were in a quandary. They knew their difficulties stemmed from the sin of selling Joseph into slavery and lying to their father. They repented, not knowing they had been understood (42:21–23). Joseph had a cup put in Benjamin’s sack, and after Judah rashly proclaimed the one who stole it should be put to death, it was revealed in whose sack it had been placed.
Now, in Parashat Vayigash, Judah, in humility and respect, approaches the one who has the power of life and death over all of the family. Is that not the way we are to approach the One who has that same power over each of us? Judah makes no challenge of authority. Although he had not placed the cup in Benjamin’s sack, Judah knew he had sinned. As he understood this, he not only demonstrated sincere teshuvah, complete repentance; he also made an offer to take the place of Benjamin (44:33). We see a parallel with the Messiah. When we repent, and do not challenge God’s authority, when we do not claim life isn’t fair as an excuse, Yeshua will take the place for us. Judah offers to become Joseph’s slave in place of his brother. Yeshua willingly died for us.
Judah pleads with the “man in charge,” still unrevealed as his brother, to accept his willing sacrifice as a replacement to ransom Benjamin. John 15:13 states that there is “no greater love” than this offering of oneself for another. We see Messianic implications and prophecy here as well. When Judah reveals that Jacob is still alive, it becomes too much for Joseph. He clears the room, sobs, and then returns to his eleven brothers.
Let’s read Genesis 45:4–8:
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” So they came near. “I’m Joseph, your brother—the one you sold to Egypt,” he said. “So now, don’t be grieved and don’t be angry in your own eyes that you sold me here—since it was for preserving life that God sent me here before you. For there has been two years of famine in the land, and there will be five more years yet with no plowing or harvesting. But God sent me ahead of you to ensure a remnant in the land and to keep you alive for a great escape. So now, it wasn’t you, you didn’t send me here, but God! And He made me as a father to Pharaoh, lord over his whole house and ruler over the entire land of Egypt.”
They came near, and they saw his face. They were forgiven. Now, they believed! James 4:8 reads, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!”
Centuries later, Paul would write in Romans 8:28, “Now we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Judah was willing to sacrifice himself for his brother in true repentance, and Joseph was able to proclaim the good that came from the evil done to him. The eleven brothers drew near; they saw the face of Joseph; they saw a face of forgiveness and love.
The brothers return to get their father, wives, children, flocks, and herds. Obtaining forgiveness from Joseph was the easy part. Imagine having to tell your father that all of these years, not only has Joseph been alive, but they had sold him, they had lied about him, and more! How humbling, difficult, and yet complete this teshuvah must be! Jacob responds to their confession: “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him, before I die!” (Gen 45:48). In complete joy, forgiveness of the brothers is absolute. In this passage, Jacob’s spiritual name, Israel, is used – he was not overcome by fleshly anger, but instead, responded in pure joy. He longed to see the face of his son.
The journey to Egypt begins. When Jacob gets to Beersheba, he stops and offers a sacrifice. Why there? Isaac had built an altar there (Gen 26:23–33). It is in the Negev desert, not far from Gaza. The name Beersheba means Seven Wells or Wells of the Oath, depending upon which meaning of the word Be-er is used. Both meanings work biblically. Now, on this site, Jacob has a dream. God tells him to not be afraid to go to Egypt and that he will become a great nation there. He is reminded that he left the land for 22 years to work for Laban and obtain his two wives, concubines, his daughter(s), and 11 of his 12 sons. When he and his sons, their wives, and children unite with Joseph, his wife and two sons, they total 70. Seven is the number of completion. Seventy is completion times 10. Although these are all from the same family, the number is of complete representation. Much later, the Gentiles will be invited to join the family of God and bring completion.
At this point, Torah emphasizes the use of Israel as the name instead of Jacob – the same person, but now on a mission for the Lord. He leads his people to Egypt. Renewed by the recent dream received at Beersheba, he is on fire. Joseph shows deference to his father by harnessing a chariot and going to meet him (46:29). He could have remained in the palace; he could have had a servant prepare the chariot; but he harnesses the chariot himself to greet the father he has missed for all of these years. Jacob’s descendants become known as B’nei Yisrael – the sons of Israel. This phrase will be used throughout the remainder of the Tanakh. As promised, the family grows into a mighty nation.
Joseph’s brothers saw his face; Jacob saw his face. We know love and we know redemption when we seek the Face of God. And then I saw His face – now I’m a believer. How about you?
Scripture references are from the TLV.