# 59 - Joseph: The Son of Israel - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Jacob's joy erupts when he learns that Joseph, his long-lost son, is alive and reigning in Egypt. Journey with us through themes of forgiveness, divine provision, and the unshakable hope that transforms mourning into dancing.
Episode 59 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Genesis.
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Today's opening prayer is inspired by Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ says The Lord, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a fut ure.’”
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Show Notes:
(02:20) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(03:40) Joseph: The Son of Israel
(20:15) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
Previously on the chosen people.
Send Benjamin with me. Father, we can't afford to wait any longer without Grain.
You expect me to trust you. Twenty seven years ago I sent my son to you.
Go to your brothers, I said to him, I sent him into your hands, and you bring me back a tattered coat covered in blood.
You, young Benjamin, will be my slave. The rest of your brothers can walk away with Grain in their freedom. But you, you more rat in the pit until I pluck you out and have you labor in my fields until the day you die.
Take me instead.
Joseph's heart stopped beating when he heard the words fall from Judah's lips.
What did you say?
Have me remain as a slave on Benjamin's You have let me suffer so he could live.
Judah's sacrifice pierced through Joseph's hardened heart. Look at me, brother, Judah's eyes, filled with pain and confusion, surged Joseph's face. The realization dawned slowly, like the breaking of a new day.
Who are you?
You know who I am?
Joseph? Oh no, look at.
Me, Judah, look at me. Look at everything you see around you.
Egypt Is say from famine because of what God has done. Do not hold your heads low in shame because you sold me here. God send me here to preserve life.
He knew that one day a famine would endanger the land.
And one of us would have to prepare the way to deliverance.
He sent them off with ten donkeys, floated with grain, bread and provisions for his father. On their journey, Joseph waved them away and began to prepare a place for his family to return.
The dreamer who was cast down is now the redeemer who lifts others up. And we ask just how does one journey from the pit to the palace Schello, my friends from here in the holy land of Israel, Amya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Do me a favor and take a moment today to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. These steps may seem small, but in a crowded world of podcasting, they actually make a huge impact. Thank you so much much for making this Holy miss impassable. Now let's begin. Jacob, old and weary, is called to leave the land of his father's and venture into Egypt, a foreign place, a distant land, not promised his ancestors. And yet God's promise stands firm. But what does it mean to trust in such a promise to uproot your life, leave behind the familiar, and step into the wilderness of uncertainty. So let us step into the shoes of our forefather. Let us feel the weight of his decision, and let us have the same hope that drove him forward.
Jacob's weary eyes gazed into the fire. The embers and smoke rose into the night sky painted with stars. He warmed his hands and allowed his mind to wander. His son's wives and children were all near the fire as well, all of them weigh for the return of the brothers.
Do you think they're safe, Jacob, They've been gone for over a week.
I do not know, child, but I fear the worst.
If they don't return sooner, I'm not sure how much longer my soul will endure.
Jacob regretted sending his sons back, but he had no choice. They needed grain. He looked at his grandchildren sitting quietly in their mother's arms. He was concerned for them as well. The famine had struck them hard, and he feared that no amount of grain would be able to sustain them for longer than a few months. Levi's youngest son, Koha, approached Jacob and sat in his lap. Jacob held him close.
Will these be our last days? How many more nights do we have left before we starve?
Jacob closed his eyes and felt the warm embrace of his grandson. He knew his time on earth was drawing to a close. Before Jacob dismissed himself for bed, he could hear the chuckles of his sons in the distance. His grandsons helped him up and he walked over to the small hill near their tents. In the distance, he could see torchlights. He counted them eleven. Jacob raised his hands in joy and went out to meet his sons.
My boy, where is my boy?
Here?
I am father, not you, fool, But where is Benjamin?
Benjamin ran in front of the others and met his father in the middle. The two of them hugged, and Jacob sobbed in his youngest son's arms. He looked up to see Simeon walking next to Judah. He cried out.
Again, Oh Simeon, they have brought you back.
He embraced Simeon, and all the men dropped their things to surround their father. Jacob saw that they had brought back more donkeys and carts than when they left.
Why have you come with more donkeys and empty carts.
My dear father.
The Lord has brought us deliverance.
From the famine.
Yes, we have enough grain to last us through the year. Well done, No, not the grain.
Come, let us retreat to the fire.
We have much to discuss.
The brothers escorted their father back to camp and greeted their families. Children ran into the arms of their fathers. Jacob's heart was full seeing his entire lineage stand before him by the fire. They sat by the flames and enjoyed a meal together. There was laughter and praise over the abundance they brought back from Egypt.
Are these extra supplies the deliverance?
Who spoke of father? I'm struggling to find the words.
What is it?
Your son? Joseph is alife.
Jacob's brow creased in anger, and the right side of his life it raised in a snarl. With cold, unyielding eyes, Jacob rebuked his son.
Do not speak to me of Joseph, Do not chide me about your dead brother. I have grieved enough.
It's true, Father, I got to meet him in Egypt.
Joseph has been in Egypt this whole time.
Not only that he's the ruler there, he's off it.
Not Pania enough, Benji, Look you're only confusing father Moore. Father, we have to tell you the truth, the truth about what happened to Joseph all those years ago.
My son Joseph was devoured by wolves. I saw the coat sh No, Father, it was a lie.
The brothers began to tell Jacob about what they had done. They were counted that day. When Joseph came to find them, they told him about the pit, the Ishmaelites, and the silver. Then they began to describe what had happened to Joseph while he was in Egypt. They explained how he was a slave turned steward, then a steward turned prisoner, then a prisoner turned ruler. It was much for Jacob to take in. He sat in silence as his sons lamented their sins. They groveled before him, begging for his forgiveness.
Father. We understand if you wanted to cast us out, but please here.
I have heard your words, my sons. That is enough.
Jacob rubbed his hip, as he often did when he was in deep thought and prayer. His brow was furrowed in contemplation. He winced in pain as he helped himself up with his staff. He limped away from the fire, dragging a few feet forward before stopping and looking up to the sky. The vast expanse above made Jacob seem utterly small. Judah wondered if he was going to blow away with the wind.
Is this finally gonna be what kills him? Can he withstand this grief and betrayal? Father? Are you laughing?
As quickly as the wind shifted on the plains, Jacob spun around with a beaming smile that broke through the night. His feet tapped in the dust as he pranced around the fire, laughing and singing.
My son is alive, My son is alive.
But did you hear what we told you? We lied to you.
I'm too old to care about that. Quick fact these cots and let us move. We have to reach Egypt before I die. You and I both know that could be any minute. I mean, look at me.
Despite Jacob's words, he looked twenty years younger, joy had revitalized him. Tears fell like rain from his aged and cracked face.
Joseph, Oh, my son, I knew, I knew, I knew your destined for greatness. I knew it the day you were born.
The family of Israel departed from the land that was promised to them long ago. The land discovered by Abraham, cultivated by Isaac, and lived in by Jacob was left behind for a new chapter in God's story. The chosen people of God traversed the long path between Canaan and Egypt in search of redemption. The one who rose out of prison and on to the throne had called them to dwell with him in prosperity, so they obeyed and ventured. It took weeks for Jacob to travel such a distance. Before leaving the borders of Canaan, Jacob stopped in Beersheba to make a sacrifice. The rest of the family waited as Jacob limped his way up a hill to the well he had dug many years ago. It was on this hill where God showed him a vision of a ladder to heaven. For his entire life, Jacob had moved and responded to different situations. Rarely did he pause to deeply consider, pray, and meditate on God's will. Yet, here on the border of the land promised to his people, he paused.
Is it wrong for me to leave the land promised to me and my forefathers Am I making a mistake?
Jacob closed his eyes, remembering what God had spoken to him as a young man. The wind whistled up the hill, gently caressing Jacob's face in the wind, and he could hear a subtle whisper, a still and quiet voice speaking straight to his soul.
Jacob, Jacob, here I am. Do not fear the unknown. I am your God, AM the God of your father. Do not fear going down to Egypt, For there I will make you a great nation. I will go before you, and I will also bring you back up again when the time comes, And when it is time for you to depart from this world, twill be Joseph who closes your eyes.
Jacob smiled at God like one does an old friend. Together they sat at the well for a while, getting one last look at Canaan. Jacob hobbled down the hill. Midway down, he stopped his steps and looked down at his family, Reuben and his sons, Hannok, Palu, Hezron, and Kami were stitching up the donkeys. Simeon was with his sons Jemuel, Jamin, o'had, Yaqin, Zohar and Shaw patching up holes in the bags. Levi and his sons Gershon, Kohath and Murrari were lounging under the shade of a large stone. Then Jacob looked at Judah and his sons Perez and Zira. Zira had two children of his own, now, Hezron and Hamil. They were all together. Despite the dysfunction that wrought their family, they had grown to love one another deeply. Isakar and his sons Tola, Puva, Job and Shimron were playing by a small creek beside the rocks. Zebulun and his sons serahed Elon and jali O were nearby as well. Gad was present with his sons Ziphion, Hagai, Shunni, Esben, Urai, Arodi, and Arelai. They were playing with the sons of Asher Imna, Ishfa, Ishvi, Beriah and a daughter named Sarah. Asha also had his grandsons Heba and Malchio. Dan was with his only son Hushi, playfully throwing stones at the sons of Naphtali, Jazil, Gunai, Jiza, and Shilim. Jacob looked upon the vast number of people before him. Through God's blessings, he had created a small nation. Now it was time to begin a new chapter in the land of Egypt. With God's favor behind them and before them, the Chosen People ventured away from Canaan, prepared to begin their new lives under Joseph's protection. Jacob rested on a wagon pulled by two donkeys, accompanying him or a few of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The journey was filled with hopeful joy, and the supplies given by Job as If made the long trek far more manageable. Jacob and his sons looked at the horizon and saw the majestic architecture of Egypt. Its splendor was like the rising sun. The very land that was meant to be Joseph's tomb turned out to be the land of deliverance for his family.
The entire family.
Cheered as they entered the borders of Egypt. The land had clearly been affected by the famine as well, but due to Joseph's brilliance, irrigation systems and patches of lush farmland were still intact. It had been the first sign of life they had seen for miles. Jacob's lip began to quiver, his bones ached from a long journey, but his heart was bursting forth with youthful zeal.
Judah, come here, yes, father, run ahead and tell my son that we have arrived.
I do not want to waste one more second.
Judah bowed his head and ran ahead. He made his way to the lavish estate of Joseph. He was sitting in the courtyard with a few of his officials, strategizing for rationing in the next year. Judah came in, escorted by guards. Joseph looked up and immediately stood in joy.
Is he here?
His excited grin was like a little child's. Judah simply nodded. He sprang up to go to meet his father, but before he left, he paused. He turned to Judah, who was still standing still. Joseph stepped lightly and placed a hand on his shoulder. Judah's body quivered slightly, his fists tensed, then released as he spoke.
Greatness, that's what Abraham was called to do, building a nation a legacy. You've done it. Joseph, your name will be engraved in the hearts and minds of people for generations to come. And I well, I'm glad I at least got to witness it. You're a king, and your children will most likely be kings as well. I will be lucky if minee even last another generation, given.
My luck.
Greatness.
You know, before I wore these royal amulets, I wore chains, before those shaines, my hands were pound up.
By rope as a slave. The path to greatness can be treacherous.
And then the way of kings is marked by suffering.
Your legacy may not be fully seen by your children or your grandchildren, but give it time. The generations that follow may sing of your greatness.
Maybe you're right. What are you doing here with me? Go see your father.
Joseph was gone in an instant. He mounted his chariot, eyes beaming with hope and pride. He reached out a hand to Judah.
You want a taste of greatness, Judah hop on.
Judah ran like a child and hopped on to the chariot. The two of them rode through the city streets with ferocious speed. Judah had never ridden a horse before, let alone a chariot. Its speed was nearly blinding. Joseph was beaming with joy. Tears welled up in his eyes as he saw the small caravan of people in the distance. Father Jacob looked up. Behind a golden chariot pulled by Egyptian stallions. A tall, tanned man adorned with royal garments approached. His head dress flew off from the wind, revealing long brown curls. Jacob peered at the figure, wondering if it was Pharaoh himself coming to greet them.
But it wasn't.
The man riding towards him was his son, Joseph, his lost child.
Joseph, Joseph, Joseph.
Father.
He was close now, and the horses made an abrupt stop. With the son at his back, the glimmering redeemer of Israel stood before Jacob. The man who had suffered so the rest may be saved had arrived. Joseph the Dreamer was reunited with his father. Joseph dismounted his chariot. Jacob was helped off of the wagon. The two of them stood ten feet away from each other. It had been many years since they had seen each other. Jacob stepped forward and touched his son's face. Tears streamed down the cracks of his face.
Is it you, my son?
Yes, Father, it's me.
I'm here.
He crumbled into his father's arms like a child and sobbed. The two of them embraced he could help his son's face.
No, no, I may die in peace since I have seen your face and know that you are alive.
Wow.
We have witnessed Jacob's raw despair, staring into the fire, searching the stars for a glimmer of hope. We've witnessed the fracture of his family, his deep regret, the haunting uncertainty of famine, and then we witness the reunion. Jacob's heart leaps as he sees the torches and the distance, realizing his son, his beloved Joseph, is alive. This is a story of survival, but it's not just about survival. It's also about God's redemption in the darkest moments. It's a reminder that no matter how hopeless things seem, God is always crafting away back. We are assured of this fact right away. In Genesis forty six, we find Jacob on his way down to Egypt. Verse two tells us and God spoke to Israel in a vision at night, and said Jacob, Jacob, Now this verse is the only place in the Bible that God appears in a vision at night. We've already seen many mystical, mysterious aspects of God in Genesis. But what does a vision at night even mean? Well, And Jacob was leaving the land of Israel, and he knew that the night of exile, when hope would be enveloped in darkness, was about to begin. Jacob was terribly afraid that God would no longer be with him in a strange land. The promise that God made only pertained to Israel, and now he wasn't even near there.
He was in Egypt.
But God reassures Jacob of his presence in verse four, promising quote, I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again end quote. The Chosen People lived with this promise for all the years of their slavery in Egypt until they came back to the Promised Land. And they lived with this same promise after being exiled from the Holy Land of Israel, for all the centuries that they were persecuted and far in foreign lands, and even today we can live with this and learn from this and know that God's promise is ironclad. It may take a long time to be fulfilled, but it will always be fulfilled. And I tell you this now from right here in the holy Land of Israel, where God's promise has once again been fulfilled. It might take a lot long time in order for all of these promises to come to fruition, but they will happen, and they are happening, of course, in the heat of the moment, in the middle of our suffering. It can be hard to hold on to this holy promise sometimes, can't it. Like Joseph, when we suffer and I feel like God is distant and we wonder where is he? The Jewish tradition tells us otherwise, it's during our most difficult trials that God is actually nearest, that He's holding us close. When my Abba, my father Abbe Riel Ekstein, passed away unexpectedly of a sudden heart attack at the age of sixty seven, it was the hardest time of my life, and yet I felt God with me. I felt God embracing me with comfort more than any time in my life. I felt God holding me, comforting me, and letting me know that this is part of His plan, even if it's hard, that that comfort is what got me through it. This theme God's presence and hardship runs through the fabric of the Chosen People's history, from Egypt to Babylon, from Pregromes to the sho Ah, the Holocaust. God has always been with us, even when it felt the darkest, even when we felt abandoned, especially sometimes when we felt abandoned, which brings us to an intriguing question from Genesis forty six in verse twenty seven, seventy members of Jacob's family went to Egypt, but the Bible it only lists sixty nine of them. So who is the seventieth Why doesn't it mention the seventieth person who went down to Egypt from Jacob's family. Well, Jewish tradition has an answer. A similar discrepancy occurred when the Jews were exiled to Babylon. The Babylonians counted the Jewish captives when they left the Promised Land and again when they reached the shores of Babylon, But no matter how many people were counted, there was always one more than the original number. The Babylonians were baffled, but the Jews explained, as soon as we went into exile, our God joined us. Similarly, when the children of Israel went down to Egypt the beginning of a harsh exile, God went with them. The Jewish sages teach that God was that seventieth individual. So just as here, when God promises Jacob, I will go down to Egypt with you, we see he meant it. God has always been and will always be right by our side, holding our hands, loving us. Because when we, as children of God go through difficulties, our loving Father is.
There right with us.
His love is constant, his presence is unwavering. And we learn this and we can take the lesson from the story of Joseph and put it directly onto our life. This closeness of God in times of struggle reminds me of something else, something that shows up and the small acts of everyday life. I remember years ago hearing the international media being excited when Prince William of Egypt changed his son's diaper. The world went wild. Of course, through the years, my husband Deny, with our four children, have changed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of diapers, and no one ever threw us a parade or put us on the front page. Why is that, Well, because people didn't expect princes to do that. People didn't expect people didn't expect princes to do the dirty work of changing their kids' diapers. They have other people that do that, which is why it was such a notable display of love when William chose to change his child's diaper. He could have had someone else do it, but he decided not to. He decided to do it himself. Recalling that story or reminds me of Joseph. In this Bible story, we see Joseph prepare his own chariot to meet his father. According to Jewish tradition, Joseph didn't command his servants to perform the task. No, Joseph wanted to harness the horses himself, even though he was royalty. He chose to act out of love and honor for his father. We live in a world where we can hire people for almost anything. Nanny's nurses, take out food rides, even grocery deliveries. But sometimes we need to get involved with our own two hands. There's no substitute for the personal touch of service, which is the extension of our love. The extension of our hearts. That's what God did right here. When the Israelites went down to Egypt, he himself went with them, and we can learn from that. It's through these acts of love that we reflect the ever present, never ending hands on and love of our heavenly father. To speak more on this fatherly heavenly love is our good friend, Bishop Lanier.
Thank you so much.
Child.
I want us to move swiftly through this chapter forty six. In fact, I'm not going to speak to all of chapter forty six because the latter part of it leans heavily, really into chapter forty seven. Can I tell you that when I'm reading chapter forty six, the word that just leaps into my spirit is the word generation. Here is jacob journey to be reunited.
With his.
Son.
Would you say that word with me?
Son?
Son?
That's your son? Say daughter, daughter? Both of those are generational words. You don't get to be your son unless someone else generates you. You have a father, you have a mother. Doesn't mean you know them, doesn't mean you've ever met them, doesn't mean you see them often or like them at all. Just in purely generational terms, Jacob is going to see the one who came forth from Jacob and his Rachel.
Now watch this.
Jacob is on his way to see his son, and he stops to offer sacrifices doom to the God of his father. Say father, say mother, this is all about generations. And you know I want to stop here and just say, I honor those men and women who are willing to become the Abraham and Sarah of their own families. No one else in your family has believed the Bible, no one has chosen to faith themselves into the God of Israel, the creator of the heavens on the earth. Now you are the first, and I honor you for doing so, and for making sure that your own generations, your children will know our God. But I also celebrate those who come from a long line of faith. You can look to your parents, your mother, your father, maybe your grant, maybe even farther back than that.
Oh that's Glorias.
You know that God revealed himself to Jacob a beth Al when Jacob put his head on the rock and the heavens were opened. And you know that part. You also know the apartment Jacob wrestled all night with an angel who was determined not to take something from Jacob, but to press something into Jacob. This this name that's even bigger than a person, but for a people. And in this verse two, Jacob has a profound vision where the Lord reiterates his covenant promises and presence in Jacob's life at this pivot point of reunion and restoration and reconciliation. To Joseph, these are some of the most powerful moving words I've ever read in the scriptures. But you know that part where Joseph said, Look, I know I'm only thirty years of age, but I'm telling you the anointing of God is so upon my life. I have not become a sum to Pharaoh. Now I have become a father to Pharaoh. And then God says in verse three to Jacob, I'm going to make a great nation in Egypt. What you remember, God, it said to Abraham, through you, all the nations of the world will be blessed. And out of your nursery with Sarah will come a nation. Well, God is reiterating to Jacob and telling him the context, the miraculous context where Israel will become a great nation. He says, it will happen in Egypt. I'm going to put you in a land. It's not your land, never will be your land. I'm going to use it. I'm going to use Egypt as a It's a divine backdrop. Yeah, I like a divine back drop, even a holy incubating force. And there I'm going to review myself to my people, and you're going to see my power and how I redeem and sustain. This is actually a Mount SIGINAI place before Signaiation of Israel will become great in another nation, in the midst of another people. But God says, you're not going to stay here forever. This is not where I'm planting you. And I won't leave you here, and I won't leave my people here. I will bring you back home. When Joseph closes, You're eyes. You know how this whole thing started, don't you. Of course you do. In a caravan. Jacob wasn't in the caravan. Neither were Joseph's brothers. Only Joseph, who had been apprehended and accused and abandoned. Only Joseph in the caravan. Now, finally we reached this crowning moment of a whole other caravan of seventy people who are coming not with Joseph. But for Joseph, and then we bean little this this caravan of seventy the little ones, and his wives and wagons, and there's cattle and possessions and descendants and sons and grandsons and daughters and granddaughters and all the generations against seventy of them. And when this son, Joseph and his father Jacob finally reunited, I don't think that translates well from black ink to white paper. How do you begin to convey what's really disrupture eruption of emotion? How would you act in such a situation, What would your own emotions be like? Of course, I suspect everybody was out of the room, maybe out of the building. But this father and this son as they had this very personal, painful, praise filled moment of raw hurt and hallelujah, and Jacob says something that's a little awkward to me. It's a little strange. You know, this is the beginning of something. You are re united, you have returned to one another, and you start dreaming and imagining and promising, and you know what Jacob says. Jacob says, I can die now, I can die because I know You're alive. Jacob is overwhelmed by this generational moment and the mindset that he says, I can leave because I know you live. I know that the promises of God to me, we'll live on.
To you.
Glory Genesis forty six is really what the story of the Chosen People is all about. Jacob's moved to Egypt, sparked by famine, isn't just a story of survival. It's about God's love. From Abraham's journey from Ur to Jacob's wrestling with God, our story has always been one of God's promise and his providence, even during times of uncertainty. Joseph's rise in Egypt after years of betrayal shows us that even in the darkness, God is there. And from slavery to liberation, from despair to deliverance, from exile to Aliyah, our story teaches us that in every trial, God is there, guiding us, shaping us, calling us, and blessing us his Chosen people. All we have to do is to hear his voice and make the decision to say he Nanny, here.
I am Lord. You can listen to the Chosen People with the Isle Egstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the Pray dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yile Egstein, Edited by by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yeile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.