Torah Portion Summary
The last reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayechi, which means "and he lived." The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, "Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years" (Genesis 47:28). In this Torah portion, Jacob prepares for his death by securing a double portion of inheritance for Joseph and then blessing each of his sons with prophetic blessings. The book of Genesis ends with the death of Jacob, followed shortly by the death of Joseph and a promise of redemption from Egypt.
Haftarah Portion Summary
The Haftarah for parashat Vayechi is taken from the first book of Kings (chapter 2:1-12), which (according to Jewish tradition) was written by the prophet Jeremiah, who later witnessed the destruction the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.
The portion begins with the deathbed scene of King David, who at age 70 is aged beyond his years; his fire is nearly extinguished and nothing can warm him (1 Kings 1:1-4). King David then gave his son Solomon his final instructions (a blend of religious admonition with real politik) before he died.
First of all, Solomon was instructed to be strong in faith and keep the Torah of the LORD. The success of the throne of Israel depended upon this! Then David proceeded to give Solomon specific instructions about various unfinished business, such as the execution of his nephew Joab (who had betrayed David by supporting Adonijah to be the next king of Israel); the pledge of care given to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite (who had supported David during the time of his persecution), and the execution of Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite relative of King Saul, who had cursed David for Saul's demise.
The Haftarah portion ends with the account of David's death and Solomon's ascension to the throne.
B'rit Chadashah Portion Summary
The Brit Chadashah reading comes from 1 Peter 1:3-9, where the apostle encouraged us to walk in "living hope," that is, in the full assurance that God is going to ultimately do good to us in the future. This is not an empty wish for good things to come, but is based on the resurrection life of Yeshua the Mashiach from the dead.
By God's power we are being "guarded through faith" for a salvation ready to be revealed in acharit ha'yamim, even if at the present time we suffer afflictions on account of various trials and testings. Like a refiner's fire that is used to separate the impurities from precious metal, the purpose of such trials is to test our faith in order to purify our praise and yield honor and glory to the LORD. It takes the merciful fire of God to destroy the sin nature within our hearts. For the believer in Yeshua the Mashiach, the furnace of affliction is always for refinement, never for destruction. "I the Lord do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob!"
"Chazak, chazak, ve-nit chazek"
Be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!