Immanuel:
(Genesis 39-41, Matthew 25:14-30)
The word Immanuel means “God is with us.” The phrase “The Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23,) is mentioned many times while Joseph suffered through some very trying times in his life. How frustrating and tragic life was for him, but we can see through it all: God was with him. Immanuel. The Lord was with Joseph in his slavery and imprisoned – the bad times, as he was with him while he ruling over Potiphar’s house – the good times. God kept Joseph’s heart strong. This man of God who despite being betrayed and hated by his own brothers, stood up for what was God-pleasing and continues to show love and respect to everyone put into his path. We can see that God is with Joseph by his actions of not committing adultery with Potiphar’s wife, by helping prisoners, helping Pharaoh, and saving all of Egypt and its surrounding lands. And through it all, Joseph gives the credit to God. God transformed Joseph’s hurt and anger into forgiveness and love. God was with Joseph so that he could forgive his brothers and save a nation that would eventually bring forth the Savior of the world.
In Matthew 25, the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells us about 3 servants who are given talents. One is given many, one is given a few, and one is given a little. The ones who were given many and a few, both have doubled their portions and were commended with “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set your over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21,23). While the one who was given a little, dug a hole and hid it, he was proclaimed a “wicked and slothful servant!” (verse 26). When God is with us, in our hearts, he wants us to listen to his Word and apply that Word to all our actions, not bury it. To speak truth, to respect our boss and his wife, to help those in need of help, to forgive our brothers, all the while, always giving credit to the Lord. I can honestly say that there is no way I would ever be able to be a Joseph, a servant given much, but perhaps we can all find ourselves in one of the 10 brothers of Joseph, who were given a little. They may have messed up greatly, but given a second chance they proved themselves repentant, and in the end learned how to love one another. In the very last chapter of Genesis, the brothers are scared that Joseph’s wrath was only being held off because Jacob their father was alive. Now dead, the brothers write a beautiful message to Joseph begging once again for forgiveness, offering themselves up as his servants. (Genesis 50:15-21) Joseph responds: “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring this to pass and to keep many people alive,”. Joseph did not hide or bury his talents, as tempting as that might have been while living in a different country that worships different gods or how tempting to let his anger and hurt get its due retribution against his brother. Let ‘God be with us’ in our hearts, overflowing our love to one another in remembrance of the love and grace of Jesus, our Immanuel.
מגן השביל 