by Rabbi Joshua Brumbach

Redemption, divine mediation, and messianic hope. These are just a few of the themes gleaned from this week’s Torah portion. However, there are two particularly profound incidents that are worth exploring in greater depth—the emotional telling of Judah’s willingness to substitute himself for his brother, and of Joseph’s later revelation of himself to his brothers.

The rabbis teach us that everything in the Torah reveals Mashiach. This week’s parasha reveals Mashiach in two primary ways: through the life of Joseph, whom the rabbis identify as a type of Messiah (i.e. Mashiach ben Yosef – b. Sukkah 52b) and through the actions of Judah, which remind us that the lineage of Messiah is passed through his tribe (see Gen. 49:10).

Joseph personifies Mashiach as one who was despised by his brothers, rejected, and left for dead. Yet despite his trials, he was elevated to a position of authority and became the savior of a generation. In revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph states:

“Don’t be sad that you sold me into slavery here or angry at yourselves, because it was God who sent me ahead of you to preserve life.” (Gen. 45:5)

Like Joseph, Mashiach was also despised by those around him, treated with contempt and left for dead. Yet, his elevation through his resurrection has also brought many people into ultimate redemption. And one day, Yeshua will reveal himself in all his glory to his people, and proclaim himself Mashiach.

This week’s parasha also reveals Mashiach through the substitutionary actions of Judah. In our portion,Judah pleads with Joseph to take him as prisoner instead of Benjamin. It was originally Judah who sold Joseph into slavery, but Judah’s sincere willingness to give up his life for his brother Benjamin’s proves his change of heart so that Joseph is no longer able to hide who he truly is. We learn that because of Judah’s sincere willingness to be a substitute for his brother, he merited inclusion in the lineage of Messiah.

The book of Hebrews reiterates, “Everyone knows that our Lord arose out of Judah. . .” (Heb. 7:14). We have the assurance that our hope in Messiah is based on solid understanding, embedded within a Jewish context.

Our Messiah, who descended through Judah, will reveal himself once again, as Joseph did to his brothers, and declare himself Mashiach. And it is through him that we all have assurance of our ultimate redemption!