This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23). Read on Shabbat, November 29, 2025 / 9 Kislev 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.
“Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers. He was a youth with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father” (Genesis 37:1-2).
The opening of Vayeishev draws us into a family marked by love, rivalry, and fragile relationships. Joseph is young, gifted, and deeply loved by Jacob. His dreams hint at a future shaped by purpose and calling. Yet these very gifts stir resentment in his brothers. Their jealousy grows from quiet frustration to bitter anger, and what begins as a tension within the home becomes a plot that sends Joseph far from everything familiar.
Although Joseph’s journey begins with betrayal and loss, the narrative reveals that God is present even in painful moments. The dreams God placed in Joseph’s heart were not erased by hardship. Instead, the trials he faced would ultimately prepare him for the work God intended. His suffering was not meaningless. His story reminds us that God can work through circumstances that seem destructive to build character, deepen trust, and move His people toward their destiny.
This portion encourages us to consider how God might be working through the unexpected paths of our own lives. Times of disappointment, frustration, rejection, or confusion may feel like detours, but they can become seasons of growth. What looks like a setback may prepare the way for compassion, wisdom, and tools we will later need. When we cannot see the whole story, trust becomes our anchor.
Some may feel today as though they have been pushed into a pit or carried away to places they did not choose. To you, Joseph’s story speaks hope. God has not abandoned you. He is near, working quietly in ways that will one day be clear. And for those in peaceful or stable seasons, Joseph’s early story invites reflection on how we treat others, how we steward our blessings, and how we cultivate humility in times of favor.
As this Shabbat arrives, take time to reflect on the places where God may be shaping you through challenge or blessing. Look for signs of His work even in difficult moments. Then choose one act of kindness or faithfulness that reflects trust in His purpose. Let your life echo the truth that God remains present in every chapter, guiding all things toward good.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being with me in seasons of joy and in seasons of hardship. Teach me to trust Your purpose when I cannot see the way ahead. Let my life reflect Your faithfulness as You work in every part of my story. Amen.
Post a comment