בס”ד
Parashat Vayigash (and he approached) Genesis 44:18–47:27
Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28
In this week’s prophetic reading HaShem’s promise to Israel is once again affirmed. Those who believe that G-d has replaced Israel and render His promises to them void will have difficulty when they read the words of Ezekiel. Just like so many other prophecies, HaShem states that before the Kingdom will be established He will gather them up from around the world and bring them to their own land and purify them through the work of redemption. There is a sentence that repeats itself throughout the Torah and Prophets which speaks of the purpose / outcome of redemption,
“…and they shall be for me a people and I will be for them G-d.” Ezk.37:23
In the next verse David is mentioned, but it is not the David from the Old Testament, but his Son, the Messiah. Over and Over this same message is told. Instead of attempting to deny what G-d is going to do with the Jewish people in the last days in the land of Israel, one should understand these verses as speaking to the faithfulness of our Savior. This fact is so important to G-d that the same phrase mentioned earlier also appears in verse 27. The first time it is to remind the Jewish people of His faithfulness and the second time it is to minister to the gentiles. How is this so? When the gentiles see how G-d keeps His promises to Israel, then they will be moved to embrace Him through the same instrument that Israel entered into a relationship with Him—A Covenant!
Within the context of this passage it is David, i.e. the Son of David, Messiah Yeshua Who mediates the fulfillment of HaShem’s covenant obligations first to Israel and then the nations. It is most significant that after each section the passage ends with the word “forever”.
“…and My Servant David is their Prince forever.” Ezk. 37:25
“…when My Sanctuary is in their midst forever.” Ezk. 37:28
Prophecy is often written as Hebrew poetry. One of the key elements of Hebrew poetry is parallelism. In these passages “My Servant David” is parallel to “My Sanctuary” What is the significance of this? The Hebrew is constructed in a manner that equates the Messiah with the sanctuary, i.e. the dwelling presence of G-d. This is why Isaiah calls the Messiah Immanuel—G-d with us!
Shabbat Shalom