...Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.
Genesis 47:31c

...And the king [David] bowed himself on the bed.
1 Kings 1:47d

This bowing on the bed is more than just sinking back down in exhaustion. I believe it is also symbolically recognizing the passing of authority and responsibility to the next generation. Interestingly, without vowel points that were added to the text thousands of years later, the Hebrew word for "bed" (mitah) is spelled exactly like the word for "tribe" (matah). If read as tribe instead of bed, the statement at the end of Genesis 47:31 would say "Israel bowed himself before the head of the tribe."

December 11, 2021
TORAH PORTION: "AND HE DRAW NEAR"
PARASHAH: “VAYIGASH” ויגש
Genesis 44:18 -- 47:27
HAFTORAH PORTION
Ezekiel 37:15-2
BRIT HADASHAH PORTION
Luke 6:12-16

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, image courtesy of: https://newcastlebeach.org/ima....ges/joseph-and-his-b

Bless the Lord everyday

THE WILL OF YHVH ELOHIM
This important New Testament term indicates Elohim’s choice and determination, emanating from desire. Paul used a Greek word in Ephesians 1:5, 9 and 11 that conveys the idea of desire, even heart’s desire. The word is usually translated as -- will --the Will of Elohim. But the English word -- will -- does not exactly express well the primary meaning. The Greek word -- Thelema -- is primarily an emotional idea. YHVH’s will -- is not so much “His intention as it is Elohim’s Heart’s Desire. YHVH does have an intention, a purpose, a plan. It is called prothesis in Greek (1:11) and it literally means -- a laying out beforehand -- like a blueprint. This plan was created by Elohim’s counsel -- called boule in Greek, 1:11. However, behind the plan and the counsel was not just a mastermind but a heart -- a heart of Love and of Good Pleasure. Therefore, Paul talked about -- the good pleasure of Elohim’s heart -- 1:5. Paul also said, -- He made known to us the mystery of His Heart’s desire, according to His Good Pleasure which He purposed in Him -- 1:9. Indeed, Elohim operated all things according to the counsel of His heart’s desire or will -- 1:11. The impetus of Elohim’s eternal purpose came from a heart’s desire and that heart’s desire was to have many sons and daughters made like his only Son -- Romans 8:26-28. In love, He predestined many people to participate in this-not by their own merits but by virtue of being in the Son -- Ephesians 1:4-5. Notice how often in Ephesians 1 Paul speaks of the believers’ position -- in him. Outside of him the Son, no one could be a son or daughter of Elohim and no one could be pleasing to the Father. Now the question that every believer ask themselves at least once in their lifetime is: -- What is Elohim’s Will for my life? -- Sometimes -- Elohim's Will -- seems so vague, so hard to know. But perhaps the problem is that we are expecting Elohim to reveal something special to us, while ignoring the revelation He has already given -- His Written Word. The Scriptures has dozens of clear Commands for us to follow: Worship Elohim only, love your neighbours and your enemies, use your spiritual gifts, do not lie, do not covet, do not steal, obey YHVH’s Laws, remain faithful, stay married to one mate, teach your children spiritual truths, do not gossip, be generous, don’t swear, read Elohim’s Word regularly, don’t let money control you, let Ruach HaKodesh control your life -- and the list goes on and on. Isn’t that Elohim’s Will for our lives? When we are ushered into eternity will it really matter what house, what car or even what job we had? No. The real issue will be whether we have been faithful, loved our neighbours and come to know Elohim in a special way. YHVH is vitally interested in the details of our lives, but His real Will is that we spend more time thinking about what is really important.

DOES ELOHIM REALLY HAVE A PLAN FOR MY LIFE?
Psalm 139:3 -- You sift my path and my lying down, and know well all my ways. -- Elohim cares about what we do. He cares about the details of our lives because they are a barometer of the condition of our heart.
Psalm 138:8 -- YHVH does perfect for me, O Elohim, your Loving-Commitment is everlasting! -- Esther 4:13-17 -- .....and who knows whether you have come to the reign for such a time like this....? -- Elohim has wonderful things He would like to accomplish through us.
Jeremiah 29:11 -- For I know the plans I am planning for you, declares YHVH, plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and an expectancy -- Elohim’s plans for us are always for good. Unknown plans can be frightening, but when the plans belong to YHVH, we can rest assured that we can expect something marvellous.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I SHOULD DO TO DISCOVER GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE?
Proverbs 2:3-8 -- Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear Adonai. -- Actively look for Elohim’s Will for you.
Isaiah 2:3 -- Come, let us go up to the mountain of Elohim, to the Temple of YHVH of Israel. There He will teach us His ways, so that we may obey them. -- Let Elohim teach you from His Word.
Hosea 6:3 -- Oh, that we might know Elohim! Let us press on to know Him! Then He will respond to us. -- Give yourself completely to knowing His Will. Seek YHVH’s Will passionately, not casually.
James 1:5 -- If you want to know what YHVH wants you to do-ask Him and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.
Proverbs 2:6 -- YHVH grants wisdom!
1 John 5:14 -- We can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line with His Will. -- Pray, asking Elohim to reveal His Will to you.
Acts 21:14 -- When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade Him, we gave up and said, The Will of ADONAI be done. -- Sometimes the best way to know Elohim’s Will is to let go and let Him have His wonderful way. We may learn more about His Will for us as we allow Him to work out His Will in our lives.

WE DON’T HAVE TO KNOW ALL OF YHVH’S WILL TO KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Revelation 10:4 -- A voice from heaven called to me: Keep secret what the seven thunders said. Do not write it down. -- YHVH has not revealed everything to us, but He has revealed all we need to know to live for Him now.
Psalm 32:8 -- Adonai says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. -- We can trust Elohim to help us follow the path that will be most pleasing to Him, even if we’re not sure what all that will entail in the future.
James 4:17 -- Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. -- When you are faced with the unknown, keep doing what you know to do: loving others, worshiping Elohim, cultivating the Fruit of Ruach in your life. Trust Elohim to show you the next step when you need it.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE KNOW ARE YHVH’S WILL FOR US?
Amos 5:24 -- I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry. -- YHVH’s Will is that we seek justice at all times and that we do what is right.
1 Corinthians 14:1 -- Let love be your highest goal. -- Elohim’s Will is that we love others.
Mark 10:43-45 -- Even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others. YHVH’s will is that we serve others, putting them above ourselves.
Exodus 20:1-17 -- Then Elohim instructed the people as follows. -- YHVH’s Will is that we OBEY His LAWS for living.
Galatians 5:22-26 -- When Ruach HaKodesh controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us. -- YHVH’s Will is that we live under the power and guidance of Ruach HaKodesh. Proverbs 16:3 -- Commit your work to Elohim and then your plans will succeed. -- YHVH’s Will is that we do everything as if we were doing it for Him.

In #genesis 47:29-30, Jacob asked Joseph to promise that he would not bury him in Egypt, but carry his remains back to Canaan and bury him with Abraham. While he meant this literally, he also did not want his descendants to stay in Egypt forever either. He prayed to Joseph to carry his bones back to his fathers and simultaneously prayed to Messiah, represented in the person of Joseph, to carry his children back to the Promised Land also.

On another level of midrash, there is a lesson here for us too. When you have died to your old, sinful self, you shouldn't remain in spiritual Egypt. Your environment needs to change: friends, hobbies, job, church, city, etc... One or more will probably have to go.

Link to service -

Welcome to our weekly Torah Study, aka Torah Tuesdays. This week's Parsha is Vayechi, Genesis 47:28 - 50:26

Don't miss out on new teachings every week. Please click on the "LIKE" button if this video has been a blessing to you.

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#vayechi #torahtuesday #torahstudy #beresheit #torah #yahweh #yeshua #elohim #messiah #messianic #torahobservant #mtoiworldwide #clevelandtn

Link to service -
Welcome to our weekly Torah Study, aka Torah Tuesdays. This week's Parsha is Vayechi, Genesis 47:28 - 50:26
Don't miss out on new teachings every week. Please click on the "LIKE" button if this video has been a blessing to you.
For more information about MTOI (Messianic Torah Observant Israel), visit our website at
Join us on Social media!
Like us on Facebook:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Twitter:
Join us on The Torah Network:

Join us on Telegram: and
We are located in Cleveland TN, and have extension fellowships across South Africa. If you would like to know more about us, we would love to hear from you! Feel free to visit us on our website to see where they are located, email us at contact.sa@mtoi.org or call us at 081 471 8940.
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#vayechi #torahtuesday #torahstudy #beresheit #torah #yahweh #yeshua #elohim #messiah #messianic #torahobservant #mtoiworldwide #clevelandtn

So thankful for Corner Fringe, and for Daniels teaching. So very thorough and life changing!