Bethlehem in Hebrew is [Beit Lechem] and the name literally has n numerical value of 490, and 490 is connected to forgiveness. Peter comes to Yeshua and says; [how many times do I have to forgive? Up to seven times?] I think Peter thought he was really spiritual by mentioning the number of completion. Yeshua answered him: [No, seventy times seven], which is 490. Of any number Yeshua could have chosen, why did He choose the number 490? Because 490 is also the numerical value of the Hebrew word Tamim, which mean to be perfect or complete. And, you cannot be perfect or complete in your faith unless you are willing to forgive. Let your heart be perfect in Hebrew, literally ads up to 490. – Rabbi Jason Sobel

SERIES B --- A CHOSEN PEOPLE --- LESSON 16

AN ACT OF FAITH

FAMINE!

From Genesis 41:46-42:17

At the age of thirty, Joseph had become governor of all Egypt. Only Pharaoh had more power in Egypt than he. Thus, he went from Pharaoh’s presence and travelled throughout the land. During the next seven years the land produced an abundance of grain. Joseph collected a part of that grain and put it in the storehouses built in the cities. He gathered so much grain that he stopped recording the amount for it was too much to write into his records. Before the famine came Joseph and Asenath had two sons. The older son was named Manasseh, which meant [Making to Forget,] for YHVH had helped Joseph forget the troubles of his younger years and the rejection by his family. The younger son was Ephraim, [To Be Fruitful,] for YHVH had helped Joseph be fruitful in the strange land which had brought him so much trouble. As time passed, the seven years of abundance came to an end and the seven years of famine began, as Joseph had told Pharaoh they would. There was famine everywhere, even in the lands that surrounded Egypt. When the people of Egypt grew hungry, they pleaded with Pharaoh to give them food. [Talk to Joseph,] he told them. [Do whatever he tells you.] As the famine crept over that part of the world, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to all who came, both Egyptians and foreigners. Many came to buy grain from Joseph, for the famine was severe everywhere. About this time, Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt. [Why do you stand there, staring at one another?] he asked his sons. [Why don’t you go down to Egypt and buy grain for us so that we don’t starve?] Joseph’s ten older brothers went to Egypt to buy grain. Jacob would not let Benjamin go with them, for he was afraid of losing Rachel’s second child. Thus, the sons of Israel were among many who came from Canaan, for the famine had stretched across the land. As governor of all Egypt, Joseph was in charge of the sale of grain. Therefore, his brothers came to him to buy, bowing their foreheads to the ground before him. Of course, Joseph knew them at once and remembered his dreams of years ago. However, they did not recognize him so he pretended not to know them. [Where is your home?] he asked. [Canaan,] they answered. [We want to buy grain.] [No! You are spies!] he answered. [You have come to see where our land is weak!] [But we haven’t!] the ten protested. [We are honest men, all sons of one man. We have come to buy grain, not to spy the land.] [You are looking for weak places in the land,] Joseph insisted, hoping that they would say more to defend themselves. [We are twelve brothers,] they said. [The youngest brother is home in Canaan with our father and one is dead.] [Now you may prove that you are not spies!] said Joseph. [You shall not leave Egypt until your youngest brother is brought before me. One of you must go home to get him while the rest of you stay here in prison. Thus, you can prove what you say and I will know if you are honest or not. Otherwise, I will know that you are spies!] Then Joseph put them all in prison for three days.

COMMENTARY

PLANTING AND HARVESTING IN ANCIENT EGYPT

The first seven years of Joseph’s rule in Egypt were marked by abundant crops. Joseph drove the nation to construct great storage buildings to collect the surplus food. He was convinced that YHVH’s warning of famine was trustworthy. Joseph’s act of faith would preserve Egypt. And it would be the means YHVH used to provide food for the family of Israel as well. The farming cycle in ancient Egypt had three periods: inundation or flooding; growth; and harvest. All farming came to a standstill during the months of September, October and November; the months of inundation. Every year during this time, the Nile River overflowed its banks and flooded the land. Since there was almost no rainfall in Egypt, the flooding brought necessary moisture to the land, rock-hard after the sweltering summer. When the waters receded to their normal depth, they left behind a rich layer of silt that made the land extremely fertile. If the flooding did not happen, as during the years of the [low Nile,] the people faced months of famine. Such dependence on the yearly overflowing of the Nile for the fruits of the land remains true in modern Egypt. If more water was needed in the fields, the Egyptians had to use irrigation; they brought the water to the land themselves. They dug wells and trenches around the fields to supply the water. Otherwise, water was carried to the field pail by pail. By early December, the Nile had receded. The sun’s heat had diminished and; as the ancient Egyptians called it; [the fields are out.] The busiest season of the farming year began. It was time for ploughing, hoeing and sowing. The Egyptian plough was light and made of wood. It was hard to use and made the job of turning over the soil clumsy and difficult. Sometimes it was possible to skip this step and go directly into hoeing, which would break the great clods of mud into smaller pieces of earth. If the field lay close to the Nile, the farmer could also skip this step and plant the seeds directly without preparing the soil first. Whenever the field was sowed; either after ploughing or hoeing or immediately; it had to be done quickly, because the soil tended to dry up very fast. The sewer led the way, scattering seeds as he walked. Behind him came animals; usually pigs or sheep; whose hooves would trample the seed into the ground. The time for harvest was March or April. The reapers, using short sickles, would move through the fields cutting the grain. Behind them came the men or women who gathered the cut grain. The crop was then tied into sheaves and taken by donkey to be threshed. Donkeys or oxen walked on the sheaves, and their hooves loosened the grain from the stalks. The grain was then run through a sieve. After this, it was winnowed, usually by women. With long bent wooden forks, they tossed the grain into the air. The wind blew away the chaff, and the heavier, useful grain remained. This way of winnowing remains unchanged in the Middle East and in many places, it is still the job of women. The ancient Egyptians then sent a sample of the grain to the master for his approval. Another portion was given to the temple as an offering to be used by the priests for food. Two officials arrived when all was done; the [scribe of the granary] and the “measurer of the corn.” They measured the grain and recorded the amount taken to the granary for storage. Once again, the fields lay idle, turning to desert under the hot sun. The Nile River would return again, bringing flood and fertility into the land.

Christmas may be the holiday with the largest mix of traditions. While Christians claim “Jesus is the reason for the season” Atheists are buying presents, decorating and singing carols. Strangely both groups are extremely defensive of their Christmas traditions many of which cross over the religious/secular lines.

He is man, neither can he contend with Him who is mightier than he.

#ecclesiastes 6:10 #bible #wisdombooks #verseoftheday #dailybread #scripture #scripturepictures #ScriptureArt

https://alittleperspective.com..../welcome-to-scriptur

#goodmorning and #shabbatshalom! December 17 #biblestudy links to #torah portions, readings and study resources:

https://alittleperspective.com..../december-17-bible-r

Torah:

The Annual Genesis 37:1-40:23 Vayeshev Outline is here;
https://alittleperspective.com..../genesis-371-4023-an

The fully expanded Genesis 37:1-40:23 Vayeshev Chiastic Structure pdf is here;
https://alittleperspective.com..../wp-content/uploads/

Genesis in Chiastic Structure is here;
https://nothingnewpress.com/st....ore/genesis-in-chias

Finding Messiah in Vayeshev is here;
https://alittleperspective.com..../finding-messiah-in-

Finding Messiah in Torah is here;
https://nothingnewpress.com/st....ore/finding-messiah-

The Triennial Gen 41:1-37 Miketz Outline is here;
https://www.alittleperspective.....com/genesis-411-37-

Today’s Old Testament chronological reading is in Ezra 5 and 6.

The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Proverbs 17.

No New Testament reading today.

Links to previous studies:

Ezra 5 and 6, Hebrew paragraph divisions, and Ezr 3:1-6:15 chiastic structure
https://alittleperspective.com/ezra-5-and-6/

Proverbs 17, And the root of strife
https://alittleperspective.com/proverbs-17/

December 2022 Bible Reading Schedule
https://alittleperspective.com..../december-2022-bible

Have a lovely, peaceful, and relaxing day!

#bible #dailybread #saturdayshalom #vayeshev

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Gab @ ChristineMiller
Torah Network @ ChristineMiller

I love how each snowflake is so unique and different how yah has handcrafted each one and I love how they sparkle in the sun showing of yah glory of creation ❄️❄️❄️

I love how each snowflake is so unique and different how yah has handcrafted each one and I love how they sparkle in the sun showing of yah glory of creation ❄️❄️❄️

Shabbat shalom

Does monogamy remove choice from a woman?

SERIES B --- A CHOSEN PEOPLE --- LESSON 15

FROM PRISON TO POWER

A DREAM THAT CHANGED A NATION

From Genesis 41:1-45

Two years had passed since Pharaoh’s birthday party. One night Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile River. In his dream, Pharaoh saw seven sleek, fat cows which came up from the Nile and began to eat the reed grass along the river. But seven lean, gaunt cows followed them from the Nile, stood beside them and then ate them up. At this point in his dream Pharaoh awoke for a moment but then went back to sleep. In his second dream, Pharaoh saw seven good, plump heads of grain growing on one stalk. Soon afterward, seven thin, blighted heads, shrivelled and beaten by the hot east wind, swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. Again, Pharaoh awoke and realized that he had been dreaming. The next morning Pharaoh was disturbed about his dreams and called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When he told them about his dreams, not one of them could tell him what they meant. Suddenly Pharaoh’s cupbearer remembered Joseph and how he had told the meaning of his dream. [I am reminded now of my sin of neglect,] he told Pharaoh. [When you became angry at me and your chief baker, you put us in prison in the house of the captain of the guard. One night we each had a dream and a young Hebrew told us what they meant. This young man, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, told us exactly what would happen and it did! I was given my job as your cupbearer again and the chief baker was hanged.] Immediately Pharaoh called for Joseph, who was brought from the prison. After Joseph shaved and changed his clothes, he came to see Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, [I had a dream, but no one can tell me the meaning. I understand that you can tell the meaning of dreams.] [I do not have the power to do this,] said Joseph, [but my YHVH will give you the meaning of your dreams.] [In my dreams, I stood by the Nile River,] Pharaoh told Joseph. [Seven fat, healthy cows came from the river and ate the reed grass. But seven lean, sickly cows, the worst I have ever seen in all Egypt, came up also and ate the seven healthy cows. When they had finished eating the healthy cows, they were still as lean and sickly as before. At this time, I awoke, but then I went back to sleep and dreamed another dream. [In this dream I saw seven good heads of grain growing on one stalk. Then seven thin, blighted heads, shrivelled and beaten by the hot east wind, grew up and swallowed the seven good heads of grain. I told my magicians about the dreams, but they cannot tell me what they mean.] [Your two dreams have one meaning,] Joseph said to Pharaoh. [YHVH is sharing His future plans with you. The seven good cows and the seven good heads of grain are the seven good years that lie ahead of you. But the seven lean cows and the seven thin heads of grain are the seven poor years that will follow. YHVH is telling you what He is about to do. Throughout all the land of Egypt, the next seven years will be rich and plentiful, but they will be followed by seven years of famine. The famine will be so great that it will devour the riches of the land and the years of plenty will be forgotten. YHVH repeated this dream to emphasize that these events will happen soon. Now find a man with great wisdom and understanding and put him in charge of the land. Through officials he appoints, have him collect a fifth of all the grain produced during the seven years of plenty and store that grain under your direction. This will provide food for Egypt during the seven years of famine and save the land from a disaster.] What Joseph said pleased Pharaoh and his officials. [How can we find a wiser man than Joseph, for the Spirit of YHVH is upon him?] Pharaoh said to his officials. Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph. [Since YHVH has shown you all these things, you must certainly be the wisest man in Egypt. Therefore, you will be placed over my household and all my people will do as you command. Only I will be more powerful than you in the land.] Pharaoh took his own signet ring from his finger and placed it on Joseph’s then dressed him in the finest linen and placed a golden chain about his neck. Pharaoh also gave Joseph the finest chariot in the land, other than his own, so wherever he would go, people would shout, [Bow the knee!] [I am still king over Egypt,] said Pharaoh, [but I give you power over all the land. Nobody can move hand or foot without your approval.] Pharaoh gave Joseph a new name, Zaphenath-paneah and arranged for him to marry Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, that is, Heliopolis. Thus, Joseph’s marriage united him with a noble family in Egypt and the fame of Joseph spread throughout the land. Pharaoh also gave Joseph his own signet ring. In so doing, Joseph received power to authorize with Pharaoh’s own signature whatever he decided was best. This indeed was trust. Upon appointing Joseph over all agricultural activities, Pharaoh gave him a fine chariot. As Joseph rode through town, people bowed to show him their respect.

COMMENTARY

WIVES; EGYPTIAN AND HEBREW

When Egypt’s Pharaoh had a dream no one could understand, the official Joseph had helped two years before remembered him. Joseph was brought from prison to the palace and there he told Pharaoh the meaning of YHVH’s message. Terrible famine would follow years of plenty. Pharaoh, impressed by Joseph’s relationship to YHVH, made him ruler of the kingdom. After thirteen years of slavery, the thirty-year-old Israelite was to wear the Pharaoh’s own signet ring and to ride the governor’s chariot. When Joseph was appointed governor of Egypt, he was also given an Egyptian wife. She was very different from a wife he would have had back in Canaan. For one thing, Egyptian women had more freedom and power than Hebrew women. They were also accustomed to a more luxurious lifestyle than their equals in Jacob’s tribe. Asenath, Joseph’s Egyptian wife, was the daughter of a powerful and probably wealthy, priest of the sun god. She had probably served as a priestess or temple musician. When she married Joseph, she took charge of the household, supervising the slaves and servants. Maids waited on her, helping her dress and fix her hair, care for the children or entertained her with songs and stories. As a member of a high social order in Egypt, first as a priest’s daughter and then as the governor’s wife, she wore makeup and elaborate clothing. She also adorned herself with much costly jewellery when she appeared in public. As the hostess at official parties, she was free to comment on current affairs and was even expected to keep herself informed. If she chose, Asenath perhaps had great power behind the scenes. A Hebrew wife contrasted sharply. From birth, she was expected to marry the man chosen for her by her father and brothers. She was to bear sons. A daughter was the occasion for mourning. Marriage meant cooking, sewing and weaving, but not much else. A city dweller had to veil her face to appear in public and a country dweller had to care for the family’s flocks and herds. When men visited, women were expected to hide. They prepared the food, but served it without showing themselves. They did not take part in conversation with the men, had no cosmetics or finery like the Egyptian women had and often lived in a tent, not an elaborate home. By today’s standards, Egyptian women were more sophisticated.