TORAH: Genesis 47:28-50:26
HAFTARAH: 1 Kings 2:1-12
GOSPEL: John 13:1-19 (At Beth Shechinah: 1 Peter 1:3-9)
Portion Outline:
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.
Torah
Genesis 47:27 The Last Days of Jacob
Genesis 48:1 Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons
Genesis 49:1 Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons
Genesis 49:29 Jacob’s Death and Burial
Genesis 50:15 Joseph Forgives His Brothers
Genesis 50:22 Joseph’s Last Days and Death
Prophets
1Ki 2:1 David’s Instruction to Solomon
1Ki 2:10 Death of David
Portion Commentary:
Messiah’s Donkey
Biblical Prophecies about Donkeys, the Triumphal Entry, and the Second Coming
As Jacob looked into the future to bless his sons regarding their tribal destinies, he was seeking the Messiah and the age of redemption, as he says, “For Your salvation [yeshu’ah] I wait, O LORD” (Genesis 49:18). Though he poured out his most lavish blessing over his favored son, Joseph, he nevertheless was prophetically compelled to give the kingship to his son Judah. He declared, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet” (Genesis 49:10).
As Jacob continued to bless his son Judah, he prophesied, “He ties his foal to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine.” The blessing infers agricultural prosperity in that the grapevines will be hardy and thick enough to serve as a hitching post. From the perspective of the rabbis, any mention of a donkey evokes the prophecy of Jerusalem’s king coming “with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).
“He ties … his donkey’s colt to the choice vine …” alludes to him of whom it is written [in Zechariah 9:9], “Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Genesis Rabbah 99:8)
If one dreams of a mountain, he should rise early and say [Isaiah 52:7], “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news!” If one dreams of a horn he should rise early and say [Isaiah 27:13], “It will come about also in that day that a great trumpet will be blown!” If one dreams of a donkey in a dream, he may hope for salvation, as it says [in Zechariah 9:9], “Behold, your king is coming to you; he is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey.” (b.Berachot 56b)
When Yeshua entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey, he fulfilled the passage in Zechariah 9:9, as if He declared, “I am He to whom the prophet referred.” The “foal” and “donkey’s colt” of the tribe of Judah allude to the messianic expectation—the steed that carries Messiah to Jerusalem.
The “choice vine” refers to the nation of Israel. The Messiah tethering His colt to the choice vine means that the Messianic salvation is tied to the nation of Israel and for Israel. This alludes to the ingathering of the exiles of Israel at the commencement of the Messianic Era.
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
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