SpiritLight

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Mikketz, which means, "at the end of." The title comes from the first verse of the reading in Genesis 41: "Then it came to pass, at the end of (qes/qasas - end, after, end of time or space, an extremity, utmost border/cut off, cut in pieces, cut asunder, chop off, amputate, cut away) two (sana - second time, again, repeat, do again, alter, change, to transmute, to be other, those who change, change oneself) full years, that Pharaoh had a dream..." (v. 1). Since this verse says that it is the end of two years, it must be at the door of the third year.

     If we look at the Hebrew meanings above, something important is about to happen. A great change has occurred, not only a change in circumstance but also a change in the people involved, including Joseph. After two years in Pharaoh's dungeon, Joseph's reputation for interpreting dreams will cause his release. He will be brought before Pharaoh to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. After two years in the dungeon (bor/bur/ba'ar - pit, cistern, dungeon, prison, sepulcher, fountain, well/examine, make clear, prove, bore into, declare, search out/make plain, make clear, distinct, letters on a tablet, engrave, declare), Joseph was filthy and had to be cleaned, shaved, and given appropriate clothes to wear for an audience before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. (v. 14-15). Pharaoh was so troubled by his dreams that he was willing to bring a Hebrew slave up from his dungeon and into his presence to ask for his help.

     From the Hebrew meaning for "dungeon," above, we can see that the place of the pit or the grave became a place of change for Joseph. Joseph was spiritually examined and proven in that place. The tomb of the dungeon then became a spiritual well or fountain for Joseph. Out of the pit or grave where he had been forgotten, Joseph would become a tablet written with letters (see bor/bur/ba'ar above) that will declare and exalt the LORD.

     As Joseph was asked to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, he answered: "It is not me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (v. 16). After hearing Pharaoh's dreams and giving Pharaoh the interpretation that God had shown him, Joseph was viewed by Pharaoh and his court as "a man in whom is the Spirit of God....there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my (Pharaoh's) house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word..." (v. 37-40).

     A change in circumstances, and a change in apparel occurs again as Pharaoh appointed Joseph into leadership over the nation of Egypt: "Then Pharaoh took his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) signet ring (taba'at/taba' - a seal, a seal-ring, signet ring/to sink, to press in, to impress a seal, to seal, to dip into, to immerse, plunged) off his hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen (ses/sayis - fine linen, bleached white, alabaster/to bleach, to whiten, alabaster, marble) and put a gold chain (collar) around his neck." (v. 42).

      The LORD not only used Joseph to prophesy through dream interpretations, but the pattern that I see here says to me that God also used Joseph to prophesy death and resurrection, not only the resurrection of His Son, Jesus from the pit of death, but also the resurrection of all of those who see and believe in Jesus: "And this is the will of Him who sent Me (Jesus), that everyone who sees (theoreo - look at and intensively acknowledge, behold, consider, perceive with the eyes, discern, ascertain) the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (Jn. 6:40). How can we "see" Jesus as mentioned in this verse? We "see" Him through the hearing of the Gospel, the revelation of Him through the Word of God, and our encounter with Him through the Holy Spirit. He is just as visible to us in this manner as if we could reach out and touch Him. We see Him with the eyes of our souls and our spirits.

     Joseph was changed or altered spiritually and in appearance (see sana above) after he was brought up from the pit early in the third year, and Jesus was altered physically and spiritually (see Phil. 2:5-11) after He rose from death early on the morning of the third day. He then appeared to His disciples in His changed body. We also will be changed or altered. (see Jn. 20:19-22, 1 Cor. 15:42-44 and 52-55).

     Pharaoh acknowledged the Spirit of God upon Joseph's life, and we also have the "sealing" by the signet ring, which includes the meaning (see taba'at/taba' above) of being immersed or dipped into, reminding us of baptism. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, a dove, which John identified as the Holy Spirit, descended from heaven and remained upon Jesus. John said, "This is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen (horao - see with the eyes, perceive, to know by experience, to look, pay heed to, discern clearly) ..." (see Jn. 1:32-34).

      As with Joseph, it is the Holy Spirit that not only raised Jesus from the dead, but raises us also. (see Rom. 8:11). It is the Holy Spirit that "seals" (see taba'at/taba' above) us in our resurrection inheritance: "In Him (Jesus) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Rom. 1:13-14).

     Joseph was clothed by Pharaoh in fine linen, as Pharaoh perceived the Spirit of God in Joseph and elevated him in authority. Egyptian linen was and is still known as the finest, most luxurious linen in the world. The dressing of Joseph in fine linen is a prophetic shadow of how our King, the Lord, robes us His saints. The beautiful pure white linen with which He robes us represents the salvation covering of His righteousness upon us. These white linen garments are also associated with the marriage between the Bride and Bridegroom, which also reflects our relationship with Christ as His Bride. (see Isa. 61:10, Rev. 19:6-9).

     We see again the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit in another reading from this Sabbath's Mikketz, "at the end of" portion. The following is included in this Sabbath's reading because this Sabbath takes place while Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights (Dedication) is taking place. This feast remembers the miracle of God that extended the oil supply necessary to keep the Menorah Lamp in the temple burning for eight days instead of one day. The "eighth day" appears often in scripture and always carries the establishment of an important and powerful principle or event with God.

     This Sabbath reading portion is from Zech. 4:1-7. Zechariah received the vision from the LORD of a solid gold, seven-branched lampstand or menorah, with a continuous supply of olive oil flowing directly from two olive trees standing on each side of it. Zechariah is told that this vision, and the meaning of the vision is to be delivered to Zerubbabel, who was the governor and leader of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after the Israelites were miraculously returned from captivity in Babylon, as was previously prophesied. The progress in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem had been torturously slow, with little progress made and opposition all around. This was the prophetic message to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of 'Grace (hen - well-favored, grace, acceptance, good-will), grace to it!" 

     The Holy Spirit, represented by the gold lamp of the vision, would accomplish by His unlimited power what man had not been able to accomplish. The seven branches of the Lamp are the eyes of the LORD scanning the whole earth. (v. 10). The Holy Spirit is the voice of "grace" in the message to Zerubbabel. The Holy Spirit in the mouth of Zerubbabel would take the mountain of opposition and raise up the *Messiah/Christ capstone from it (see *note below). Transformation, change, alteration, transmutation (see sana above) - what once was, will be changed by the Holy Spirit into what is to be, according to the will of God. There is also the force of "grace" in this message to Zerubbabel.

     Have we limited our concept of "grace"? Our understanding of grace should also include the power to change what is an obstacle to God's will, the mountain, into what is approved and acceptable to God, in this case, the beloved Capstone that is His Son, Jesus. (see Ps. 118:22-24, Mt. 21:42, Acts 4:10-12, Eph. 2:19-22, 1 Pet. 2:4-10). Grace changed us from being unacceptable to accepted by God: "...that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." (see Eph. 1:3-8). Grace contains the glory and riches of God, as this verse reveals. If we truly believe that grace has the power to change the unacceptable into the accepted before God, then we should be believing, speaking and praying "Grace, grace" to all of creation, especially to that which stands in opposition to the will of God. Jesus came full of grace and truth. (Jn. 1:14). Speaking "Grace" is like speaking the name and essence of Jesus. 

     Do we only view the Holy Spirit as the Giver of spiritual gifts? Jesus said that the Holy Spirit glorifies Him, Jesus, and takes what is His and declares it to us. (see Jn. 16:13-14). We can believe for the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ in the whole earth, and to declare the things of Christ to us, and to those being saved. Paul wrote that the Holy Spirit bears witness with our inner spirit that we are children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. (see Rom. 8:16).  Paul again wrote that the Holy Spirit testifies to our inner spirit and hearts from which He cries out, "Abba, Father!" on our behalf, making us sons and heirs of God through Christ. (see Gal. 4:6). The Holy Spirit is part of the Three in heaven, Father, Son and Spirit, that bear witness of truth in heaven, and the Holy Spirit and the water and blood of Christ as one bear witness of the truth of Christ here on earth. (see 1 Jn. 5:6-12). All of the gifts, witnessing and testifying of the Holy Spirit in and through the believer in Jesus Christ (the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit of fire), serve the purpose, glory, and truth of Jesus Christ to all the earth. In the form of the Golden Lampstand of God as seen in the vision above, the Holy Spirit identified in the message to Zerubbabel, is the flame of the Light of the world, the unending oil that supplies the flame of the Light of the world, and the Lampstand which lifts up, elevates and exalts the Light of the world, which is Christ and Christ in us. That Light of the world is the Light that overcomes the darkness of a long, cold winter night. It is the Light of creation and life. It is the Light of hope that all things are possible with God, to be held up high for all to be able to see. (Ps. 18:27-28, Isa. 42:6-7, Mt. 4:16, Mt. 5:14-16, Rev. 21:23-24).

Joseph's gift, as a man with the Spirit of God, testified to Pharaoh and all Egypt that the LORD is the only God, and that he, Joseph, knew God, and the spiritual gift in Joseph, the filthy Hebrew slave brought up out of the pit by the grace/favor and Spirit of God, was used to testify of God, and not of any man. (Gen. 41:16). How much more can a called-out assembly of millions of believers in Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles, full of the Holy Spirit and as witnesses to the grace of God through Christ, be used by God for His purpose? The mind boggles! As we think of the miracles, especially the birth of our Savior, Jesus, of this time of year, let us bring new wonder and worship to the Lord for all that He has done.

     If you would like to learn more about the Spirit and grace of God, and the Light that shines through every darkness, you can join my prayer: "Heavenly Father and glorious King, especially in this season, help me to understand, speak, pray, and walk in a deeper understanding of Your Holy Spirit and Your grace, given to us through the sacrifice of Your own Son, Jesus. Help me to understand by Your Word and Spirit as a light to my eyes, how the Spirit's testimony that I am a child of God and a joint-heir with Christ is not meant to be consumed on myself, but is to be used to glorify You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. You assigned Hanukkah and Christmas to occur during a season of darkened days for a reason. Help me to walk in the gift of Your grace in a manner that shines Your Light into the darkness. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.