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Tag Archives: Yeshua HaMashiach
Coming to You Live from Hanukkah!
It’s no coincidence that during Hanukkah the Torah readings included the portions of Vayeshev and Mikketz. Of all the stories in Torah, Joseph’s most closely parallels that of Messiah.
The beginning stages are set in Vayeshev, there’s an unexpected digression in the middle of the tale that, if you miss it, will leave the story incomplete, and the portion ends on what appears to be a hopeless situation. On the other hand, we see Joseph’s fortunes take an upward turn in Mikketz and the tests of repentance, humility, and forgiveness expertly woven into the narrative.
I’ve often imagined myself as a casual observer, perhaps a maid in Joseph’s house, watching these strange events unfold. Or sometimes, when my imagination explodes, a time-traveling reporter with the powers of invisibility who inserts herself into the scene. But even as a modern-day reader of a story with which I am very familiar, I find that every time I read the tale, I am no less excited as Adonai brilliantly crafts the scene and what I lovingly call “The Big Reveal.”
Genesis 44:18, where Judah speaks, always thrills me. In that small break between verses 17 and 18 hangs the fate of Joseph’s brothers and the world. I encourage you to not rush from one verse to the other without considering everything that came before and everything that will follow. It is in such pauses that Adonai can be found.
Circle back to Joseph’s situation at the end of Yayeshev. The cupbearer may have forgotten Joseph, but Adonai did not. In another read-between-the-lines moment, HaShem is making Joseph wait. Why? We have no idea what took place during those two years, and yet . . .
How many times has HaShem made us wait for something, seemed like He was beyond reach, and our hope began to wane? There’s your answer: never give up hope because Adonai is always in the middle of your situation, whether it’s illness, financial loss, attack by genocidal maniacs, or being sold into slavery by the hands of your brothers. It’s in the waiting that we grow and mature. We don’t require the specifics of Joseph’s situation to know that this applies to us.
Unless you live as a total recluse, you know we’re living in dark days wherein the battlefronts change daily in a war that is rarely, if ever, well defined. But the Light still burns as strongly as ever, and it will not be extinguished. Again, it’s by design that we’re celebrating Hanukkah—a time of miracles, light, truth, and victory achieved by small numbers with the assistance of Adonai—right now!
The next Torah portion is Vayigash, and it reads like a reporter’s dream scoop. What a story to give a world in need! Pay attention to the important key that Joseph only revealed himself when all the brothers were present. Chew on that for a moment before rushing toward the exciting conclusion, which, in truth, is a glorious beginning.
I’m praying for Israel and the world during the eight nights of Hanukkah, that sacred time when hidden things will be revealed (John 10:22 – 30), when strength in small numbers does amazing things, when Adonai’s hand is in the middle of the situation up to His elbow!
Take this time to pause, reflect, and rededicate yourself to Yeshua HaMashiach. We’ll see you at sundown for the seventh night of Hanukkah celebration. Baruch haba b’Shem Adonai!
~The Gibsons
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Sukkah Lessons
My thoughts are all over the place as I download and process the past week. For this reason, my post may not read as smoothly as others, but I promise that it will be no less enjoyable.
The Gibson Household celebrated Sukkot during what was an unusually warm week of October. The sunshine was amazing, and we relaxed in our sukkah during the day and long into the evening.
Sukkah Shadows
One theme or concept that Adonai repeatedly showed me as I sat in our little sukkah was how fragile human life is. It was a gentle reminder to walk with Adonai and not attempt to bend Him to my will. My faith was strengthened when reminded that with my life in His more than capable hands, who or what did I have to fear?
Through the Sukkah Curtains
The sukkah frame we used this year is one we’ve employed for two or three years now. Admittedly, we were lazy and failed to put our sukkah up one year since the construction of this particular frame. While I won’t make excuses for myself, I am reminded that Adonai is patient with me. As long as I’m drawing breath, there is an opportunity to do better in the next moment.
Golden Sukkot Days
I really like this frame because our son, Joshua, designed it. It’s very sturdy, and still the designer in him wants to create something more substantial. He asked if he could dig postholes, fill them with concrete, and add forms that would secure posts in place. I gently reminded him that his idea would be permanent, and one of the points of Sukkot was to remind ourselves of the temporary nature of this portion of our life. He nodded in agreement and went on to design a sturdier frame under the requirements that it must be able to be dismantled and transported not unlike the original sukkahs Israel used.
Guinea Girls Approve the Sukkah
Adonai’s most poignant reminder regarding the fragility of life came late Thursday evening. I haven’t posted about this on social media because I was so stricken by what occurred that I didn’t know how to process it.
A storm—one that didn’t produce copious amounts of wind or rain—blew our sukkah right over. I was horrified because we couldn’t repair or restore anything until Friday. As Will assessed the damage and ended up dismantling our sukkah until next year, I turned my eyes from the windows every time I walked by.
I never asked Adonai why this occurred, and I don’t believe in signs or omens of ill. I was reminded of the fallen sukkah of David and how Adonai is restoring it more every day. I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if Yeshua HaMashiach returned on Shemini Atzeret or Simchat Torah.
One thing that did raise my spirits regarding our sukkah was our son’s determination to redesign it within my guidelines, and even more beautiful, his suggestion that we use a wood burner to inscribe our favorite passages of scripture into the beams.
Cool Sukkot Evenings
And then, the next morning, we arrived for Shabbat services to learn that Godless cowards had attacked Israel. The enemy opened another battlefront, and believers met the onslaught fiercely in prayer. Believers are soldiers who, at any given moment, are on their knees fighting evil.
So, as the Gibson Household embarks on another cycle of life, studying Torah, preparing for the moedim, and fighting in the many warzones the enemy launches to discourage us, I’m encouraged that my fragile life is, as always, safe with Adonai.
Baruch HaShem!
hl gibson, author 