by Rabbi Russ Resnik

And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." (Ex. 13:19)

The book of Genesis ends with Joseph's bones lying in a coffin in Egypt–not a promising ending. But Joseph had vision, a vision that went beyond Egypt and beyond his own lifespan to encompass the generations to come. Here, in Exodus, we see the vision come to pass, as Moses takes the bones of Joseph up from Egypt to journey toward the Promised Land with the children of Israel.

We hear a lot of talk about vision, and we know that vision is essential to a purposeful life. But what is so striking about Joseph's vision is that he does not get to share in it. Only his bones benefit. It is a vision for others, not for himself, and so is particularly instructive to us, especially in a day when spiritual life is often presented in terms of consumerism and self-improvement. Likewise, Paul outlines a vision for Israel in Romans 9-11 that goes far beyond any vision for himself.

I tell the truth in Messiah, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Messiah for my brothers, my countrymen according to the flesh . . . (9:1-3).

Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that for their salvation (10:1).

In the Messianic Jewish world, we often study and discuss Romans 9-11, but we forget the emotional content of Paul's vision. He is willing to put himself aside for the sake of his people, as he learned from the example of Messiah himself. Paul gives himself to the fulfillment of God's purposes in and through Israel, which goes far beyond his own labors, just as Joseph knows that he will be long gone when the vision is fulfilled, but still gives himself to it.

By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones (Heb. 11:22).

The example of Joseph raises questions about our vision. I assume that most of us have a vision for our lives and are actively pursuing it. But we need to ask . . . Is it a vision beyond myself? Here are some diagnostic markers:

1. Is my vision big enough to recognize God working in and through others?

Can I celebrate the success and advancement of others, especially in a related area of work or service? On April 3, 1968, the day before he was assassinated, Martin Luther King, Jr., said,

• I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man.

Perhaps the only way I will get to the Promised Land is that my descendants will carry my bones there. Can I be happy when others make it through?

 

2. Is my vision big enough to joyfully involve others in its fulfillment?

It's hard to bring people in, to get others involved, when the vision is about me–unless I am really something! Joseph recognizes that he can't fulfill the vision himself, but he gives his people, the Israelites, genuine responsibility, and he is willing to depend on them for its fulfillment, because his vision is big enough to go beyond his lifetime.

3. Is my vision big enough to encompass the whole people of Israel?

This is a question of special relevance to the Messianic Jewish community. My vision can't just be about me, and our Messianic Jewish vision can't just be about us. Our individual and collective Jewish relationships to God point to and participate in God's redemptive purpose for all Israel. Exodus 13 tells us that Joseph had charged not his own family or tribe, but the children of Israel with the vision of their eventual exodus from Egypt. Paul's passion in Romans 9-11 is for all Israel – which will share in salvation in the end, according to 11:26. Furthermore, this vision for all Israel incorporates the healing of the nations – worldwide redemption, "For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead!" (Rom. 11:15).

We cannot maintain a big vision of God and a narrow vision of our own lives. Messiah's life and death exemplify the vision far beyond myself. Can we follow him?

Our parasha provides a hint of the results of a vision beyond myself: "And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt" (Ex. 13:18). We know that the Israel of that day didn't appear to be orderly at all, but a mob of kvetching ex-slaves, who weren't even sure half the time they wanted to leave Egypt. But in their participation in a shared vision, a vision beyond themselves, they became orderly ranks. The word here for "orderly ranks," however, is unusual – hamushim in the Hebrew – which is related to hamesh, or five. "According to the Midrash, the word . . . implies that only one-fifth of the Jews left Egypt. The rest were not prepared to adopt a new life as God's people . . ." (Artscroll Chumash, citing Rashi). Apparently having a vision beyond ourselves is a minority position, but those willing to forsake the comforts of Egypt for such a vision became ordered ranks in God's sight. So may we become, in the Messianic Jewish community today, as we serve a vision beyond ourselves.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Russ Resnik 
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