YAHUSEPH, a name you’ve probably never heard about. Yet this mysterious nickname for the beloved Joseph (Yoceph), tells an amazing story about his life, that you’ll be glad to know.
Today, we will discuss this hidden story and expound on the lessons we can learn. Strengthening us, as we endure and overcome now, and for the days ahead.
THE HIDDEN STORY OF YAHUCEPH
We will start with Psalm 81:5. Below, is how nearly all translations render this verse:
“This he ordained in Yoceph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.”
Psalm 81:5
When you read this passage, there doesn’t seem to be much here, which is why most just read right through it without any thought. However, if you dig into the Hebrew, you’ll notice this is not the regular spelling of Yoceph.
Yoceph (Joseph):
Yoceph, used 213 times. Now Yahuseph, used only once here in Psalm 81:5:
This passage points to an amazing and hidden story that you may want to know about! Let’s go back to Psalm 81:5, and read it in the Cepher translation.
“This he ordained in Yahuceph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Misrayim: where he heard a language that he did not understand.”
Psalm 81:5 CEPHER
Most scholars and commentators would attribute this to a face value meaning, of simply being in the land of Egypt, where a foreign tongue was spoken. However, I would like to point you to a virtually unknown story that really blessed me when I came across it. I pray it does the same for you. We will be reading from the Book of Yashar (Book of the upright), mentioned in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18.
“And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the Book of Jasher (Yashar)? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.”
Joshua 10:13
If you quickly google The Book of Jasher, you’ll more than likely get a slew of people telling you this book isn’t legitimate, and to stay away, but this is nothing new. ‘Scholars’ say the same for the Book of Enoch, and even the Apocrypha, which was considered ‘canon scripture’ for thousands of years. If you’re brave enough to want to investigate for yourself, instead of just trusting the fences they’ve put up for you, read on, as this story is just another reason why I’ve been led to trust this amazing book.
This study will be filled with passages from books outside the ‘canon’. Nevertheless, we have found it prudent to test these writings for ourselves — keeping in mind many of these volumes were preserved for the wise, found in the end times.
“As for me, I spoke in the daytime and was not silent at night. So during the forty days ninety-four books were written. And when the forty days were ended, the Most High spoke to me, saying, “Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people. For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.” And I did so”
2 Esdras 14:43-48 (Incl. 1611 KJV)
THE SEVENTY ANGELS AND NATIONS
Before we begin, we need to share a little bit of ‘backstory’. As we know, at the tower of Babel, they were all of one language and one mind. Yahuah had plans for their wicked ways and wanted to disperse them, but first, he had to confound the languages. Here, in Yashar and the Aramaic Targums of Genesis, we get the full story.
“And Yahuah said, Behold, the people is one, and the language of all of them one: and this they have thought to do: and now they will not be restrained from doing whatever they imagine. And Yahuah said to the seventy angels which stand before Him, Come, we will descend and will there commingle their language, that a man shall not understand the speech of his neighbor. And the Word of Yahuah was revealed against the city, and with Him seventy angels, having reference to seventy nations, each having its own language, and thence the writing of its own hand: and He dispersed them from thence upon the face of all the earth into seventy languages”
Genesis 11 Aramaic Targums
Second witness in Yashar.
“And they built the tower and the city, and they did this thing daily until many days and years were elapsed. And Elohim said to the seventy angels who stood foremost before him, to those who were near to him, saying, Come let us descend and confuse their tongues, that one man shall not understand the language of his neighbor, and they did so unto them.”
Yashar 9:31-32
*Side note, these seventy are the ‘counsel of Elohim’ spoken about in Psalm 82, and the seventy ‘shepherds’ mentioned in Enoch*
YASHAR (JASHER) AND THE HIDDEN STORY OF YAHUCEPH
This passage we are about to read comes right after the cup bearer told Pharoah that Yoceph was in prison, but could reveal the meaning of the dream to him. Let’s begin.
“And the king ordered his servants to bring Yoceph before him, and the king said unto them, Go to him and do not terrify him lest he be confused and will not know to speak properly. And the servants of the king went to Yoceph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon, and the king’s servants shaved him, and he changed his prison garment and he came before the king. And the king was sitting upon his royal throne in a princely dress girt around with a golden ephod, and the fine gold which was upon it sparkled, and the carbuncle and the ruby and the emerald, together with all the precious stones that were upon the king’s head, dazzled the eye, and Yoceph wondered greatly at the king. And the throne upon which the king sat was covered with gold and silver, and with onyx stones, and it had seventy steps.
And it was their custom throughout the land of Egypt, that every man who came to speak to the king, if he was a prince or one that was estimable in the sight of the king, he ascended to the king’s throne as far as the thirty-first step, and the king would descend to the thirty-sixth step, and speak with him. If he was one of the common people, he ascended to the third step, and the king would descend to the fourth and speak to him, and their custom was, moreover, that any man who understood to speak in all the seventy languages, he ascended the seventy steps, and went up and spoke till he reached the king. And any man who could not complete the seventy, he ascended as many steps as the languages which he knew to speak in. And it was customary in those days in Egypt that no one should reign over them, but who understood to speak in the seventy languages.
And when Yoceph came before the king he bowed down to the ground before the king, and he ascended to the third step, and the king sat upon the fourth step and spoke with Yoceph. And the king said unto Yoceph, I dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter to interpret it properly, and I commanded this day that all the magicians of Egypt and the wise men thereof, should come before me, and I related my dreams to them, and no one has properly interpreted them to me. And after this I this day heard concerning thee, that you are a wise man, and can correctly interpret every dream that you hear.
And Yoceph answered Pharaoh, saying, Let Pharaoh relate his dreams that he dreamed; surely the interpretations belong to ELOHIM; and Pharaoh related his dreams to Yoceph, the dream of the kine, and the dream of the ears of corn, and the king left off speaking. And Yoceph was then clothed with the spirit of ELOHIM before the king, and he knew all the things that would befall the king from that day forward, and he knew the proper interpretation of the king’s dream, and he spoke before the king.
And Yoceph found favor in the sight of the king, and the king inclined his ears and his heart, and he heard all the words of Yoceph. And Yoceph said unto the king, Do not imagine that they are two dreams, for it is only one dream, for that which ELOHIM has chosen to do throughout the land he has shown to the king in his dream, and this is the proper interpretation of thy dream: The seven good kine and ears of corn are seven years, and the seven bad kine and ears of corn are also seven years; it is one dream. Behold the seven years that are coming there will be a great plenty throughout the land, and after that the seven years of famine will follow them, a very grievous famine; and all the plenty will be forgotten from the land, and the famine will consume the inhabitants of the land.
The king dreamed one dream, and the dream was therefore repeated unto Pharaoh because the thing is established by ELOHIM, and ELOHIM will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore I will give thee counsel and deliver thy soul and the souls of the inhabitants of the land from the evil of the famine, that you seek throughout thy kingdom for a man very discreet and wise, who knows all the affairs of government, and appoint him to superintend over the land of Egypt. And let the man whom thou place over Egypt appoint officers under him, that they gather in all the food of the good years that are coming, and let them lay up corn and deposit it in thy appointed stores. And let them keep that food for the seven years of famine, that it may be found for you and thy people and thy whole land, and that thou and thy land be not cut off by the famine.
Let all the inhabitants of the land be also ordered that they gather in, every man the produce of his field, of all sorts of food, during the seven good years, and that they place it in their stores, that it may be found for them in the days of the famine and that they may live upon it. This is the proper interpretation of thy dream, and this is the counsel given to save thy soul and the souls of all thy subjects. And the king answered and said unto Yoceph, Who says and who knows that thy words are correct? And he said unto the king, This shall be a sign for you respecting all my words, that they are true and that my advice is good for you.
Behold thy wife sits this day upon the stool of delivery, and she will bear you a son and you will rejoice with him; when thy child shall have gone forth from his mother’s womb, thy first born son that has been born these two years back shall die, and you will be comforted in the child that will be born unto you this day. And Yoceph finished speaking these words to the king, and he bowed down to the king and he went out, and when Yoceph had gone out from the king’s presence, those signs which Yoceph had spoken unto the king came to pass on that day. And the queen bare a son on that day and the king heard the glad tidings about his son, and he rejoiced, and when the reporter had gone forth from the king’s presence, the king’s servants found the first born son of the king fallen dead upon the ground. And there was great lamentation and noise in the king’s house, and the king heard it, and he said, What is the noise and lamentation that I have heard in the house? and they told the king that his first born son had died; then the king knew that all Yoceph’s words that he had spoken were correct, and the king was consoled for his son by the child that was born to him on that day as Yoceph had spoken.
Book of Yashar 48:40-66
In my opinion, this book really helps make this story come alive. Let’s continue reading to see the mystery of Yahuceph.
“After these things the king sent and assembled all his officers and servants, and all the princes and nobles belonging to the king, and they all came before the king. And the king said unto them, Behold you have seen and heard all the words of this Hebrew man, and all the signs which he declared would come to pass, and not any of his words have fallen to the ground. You know that he has given a proper interpretation of the dream, and it will surely come to pass, now therefore take counsel, and know what you will do and how the land will be delivered from the famine. Seek now and see whether the like can be found, in whose heart there is wisdom and knowledge, and I will appoint him over the land. For you have heard what the Hebrew man has advised concerning this to save the land therewith from the famine, and I know that the land will not be delivered from the famine but with the advice of the Hebrew man, him that advised me.
And they all answered the king and said, The counsel which the Hebrew has given concerning this is good; now therefore, our adonai and king, behold the whole land is in thy hand, do that which seems good in thy sight. Him whom you choose, and whom you in thy wisdom knows to be wise and capable of delivering the land with his wisdom, him shall the king appoint to be under him over the land. And the king said to all the officers: I have thought that since ELOHIM has made known to the Hebrew man all that he has spoken, there is none so discreet and wise in the whole land as he is; if it seem good in your sight I will place him over the land, for he will save the land with his wisdom. And all the officers answered the king and said, But surely it is written in the laws of Egypt, and it should not be violated, that no man shall reign over Egypt, nor be the second to the king, but one who has knowledge in all the languages of the sons of men. Now therefore our adonai and king, behold this Hebrew man can only speak the Hebrew language, and how then can he be over us the second under government, a man who not even knows our language?
Now we pray you send for him, and let him come before you, and prove him in all things, and do as you see fit. And the king said, It shall be done tomorrow, and the thing that you have spoken is good; and all the officers came on that day before the king. And on that night Yahuah sent one of his ministering angels, and he came into the land of Egypt unto Yoceph, and the Angel of Yahuah stood over Yoceph, and behold Yoceph was lying in the bed at night in his master’s house in the dungeon, for his master had put him back into the dungeon on account of his wife. And the angel roused him from his sleep, and Yoceph rose up and stood upon his legs, and behold the Angel of the Yahuah was standing opposite to him; and the Angel of Yahuah spoke with Yoceph, and he taught him all the languages of man in that night, and he called his name Yahuseph. And the Angel of Yahuah went from him, and Yoceph returned and lay upon his bed, and Yoceph was astonished at the vision which he saw.”
Book of Yashar 49:1-15
Amazing, right? Doesn’t Psalm 81:5 make more sense now?
“This he ordained in Yahuceph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Misrayim: where he heard a language that he did not understand.”
Psalm 81:5 CEPHER
Let’s take a look at the Aramaic version.
“He made it a testimony for Yahuceph, who did not go near the wife of his master; on that day he went out of the prison and ruled over all the land of Egypt. The tongue I did not know I have taught [and] heard.”
Psalm 81:5 Aramaic Targums
Confirmed!
Also, I find it amazing that The Angel of Yahuah came to speak with Yoceph to accomplish this supernatural event.
Identity: The Angel of YHWH Video
Identity: The Angel of YHWH Article
Yahuceph: Yahuah has added, or increased.
This is the destiny of the man who waits for, and trusts in Yahuah, even when he sits on a dunghill.
We will expound further on this momentarily, but let’s finish the passage in Yashar.
“And it came to pass in the morning that the king sent for all his officers and servants, and they all came and sat before the king, and the king ordered Yoceph to be brought, and the king’s servants went and brought Yoceph before Pharaoh. And the king came forth and ascended the steps of the throne, and Yoceph spoke unto the king in all languages, and Yoceph went up to him and spoke unto the king until he arrived before the king in the seventieth step, and he sat before the king. And the king greatly rejoiced on account of Yoceph, and all the king’s officers rejoiced greatly with the king when they heard all the words of Yoceph. And the thing seemed good in the sight of the king and the officers, to appoint Yoceph to be second to the king over the whole land of Egypt, and the king spoke to Yoceph, saying, Now thou didst give me counsel to appoint a wise man over the land of Egypt, in order with his wisdom to save the land from the famine; now therefore, since ELOHIM has made all this known to you, and all the words which you hast spoken, there is not throughout the land a discreet and wise man like unto you.”
Book of Yashar 49:16-20
In my opninion, this whole story makes so much more sense now! Think about it, all of Pharoahs ‘wise men’ and magicians had their interpretations, why were they so trusting in Yoceph’s? Certainly it was because of the prophecy he was given and the mouth speaking wisdom that Yahuah gave him, including the learning of seventy languages in one night.
I was considering ending the study here, but I decided to continue into the life of Yoceph, as I believe so much wisdom can be gleaned for our walk, right now and for the days ahead. When pondering all that we just went over, I can’t help but think of what the Most High will do; and does for us in critical times, especially in the coming days.
“Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.”
Luke 21:14-19
If we trust in him, he will give us the answer and the tongue.
“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from Yahuah. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahuah weighs the spirits. Commit thy works unto Yahuah, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Proverbs 16:1-3
THE REWARD
Rough days are here for some of us, and this is perhaps only the beginning. Remain steadfast, just as Yoceph did, no matter what anyone throws our way.
“And the priests said unto Potiphar, Send, we pray thee, and let them bring before us Yoceph’s torn garment, and let us see the tear in it, and if it shall be that the tear is in front of the garment, then his face must have been opposite to her and she must have caught hold of him, to come to her, and with deceit did thy wife do all that she has spoken. And they brought Yoceph’s garment before the priests who were judges, and they saw and behold the tear was in front of Yoceph, and all the judging priests knew that she had pressed him, and they said, The judgment of death is not due to this slave for he has done nothing, but his judgment is, that he be placed in the prison house on account of the report, which through him has gone forth against thy wife. And Potiphar heard their words, and he placed him in the prison house, the place where the king’s prisoners are confined, and Yoceph was in the house of confinement twelve years.”
Book of Yashar 46:74-76
Think about it, Yoceph was wrongfully imprisoned for 12 years, yet he kept his trust in Yahuah, and was exalted above all.
This is the same promise given to those who overcome and keep his Word (faith & obedience) unto the end.
“And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
Revelation 2:26-27
Yoceph endured and overcame; then he was crowned. Let this be an example for us.
Parable of the Talents
“His Adonai said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Adonai.”
Matthew 25:21
Just like Yoceph.
Days of Noah
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Master doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man comes. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Master hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Master when he comes shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Master delays his coming, And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Master of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 24:42-51
Let us follow the good example of Yoceph, and a bountiful reward awaits us.
ENDURING THE TRIALS
“Whatsoever is brought upon you take cheerfully, and be patient when you are changed to a low estate. For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.”
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 2:4-5 1611 KJV
No notable figure found in the scriptures became what he or she was, without great trials and testing. Noah had his day, same as Abraham. Likewise Isaac, Jacob, Yoceph, Moses, David and all the others.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Messiah’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Messiah, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of Elohim rests upon you.”
1 Peter 4:12-14
This is our time. Will we endure to the end?
“Now the days drew near for Mattathi′as to die, and he said to his sons: “Arrogance and reproach have now become strong; it is a time of ruin and furious anger. Now, my children, show zeal for the Torah, and give your lives for the covenant of our fathers. “Remember the deeds of the fathers, which they did in their generations; and receive great honor and an everlasting name. Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness? Yoceph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became Master of Egypt. Phin′ehas our father, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood. Joshua, because he fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel. Caleb, because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in the land. David, because he was merciful, inherited the throne of the kingdom for ever. Eli′jah because of great zeal for the Torah was taken up into heaven. Hanani′ah, Azari′ah, and Mish′a-el believed and were saved from the flame. Daniel because of his innocence was delivered from the mouth of the lions. “And so observe, from generation to generation, that none who put their trust in him will lack strength. Do not fear the words of a sinner, for his splendor will turn into dung and worms. Today he will be exalted, but tomorrow he will not be found, because he has returned to the dust, and his plans will perish. My children, be courageous and grow strong in the Torah, for by it you will gain honor.”
1 Maccabees 2:49-64
Who cares what the world is doing?
Whether the pressure be physical, mental, spiritual or any other, we will be tested. We must dig down within ourselves and endure no matter what.
“And it came to pass in the seventh week, in the first year thereof, in the first month in this jubilee, on the twelfth of this month, there were voices in heaven regarding Abraham, that he was faithful in all that He told him, and that he loved Yahuah, and that in every affliction he was faithful.
And the prince Mastêmâ (Satan) came and said before Elohim, ‘Behold, Abraham loves Isaac his son, and he delights in him above all things else; bid him offer him as a burnt-offering on the altar, and you will see if he will do this command, and you will know if he is faithful in everything wherein you do try him.
And Yahuah knew that Abraham was faithful in all his afflictions; for He had tried him through his country and with famine, and had tried him with the wealth of kings, and had tried him again through his wife, when she was torn (from him), and with circumcision; and had tried him through Ishmael and Hagar, his maid-servant, when he sent them away.
And in everything wherein He had tried him, he was found faithful, and his soul was not impatient, and he was not slow to act; for he was faithful and a lover of Yahuah.”
Jubilees 17:15-18
Abraham was found faithful in all his ways, we must also walk in this kind of obedience.
“They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Yahusha said unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”
John 8:39
WHY ARE WE DISCUSSING THIS?
Brothers and sisters, we are at war. While it’s true that harder times are coming in the physical, the spiritual battle is raging on.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour”
1 Peter 5:8
With this in mind guard yourself and put on the armor of Elohim daily, for our enemy will seek to find any opening into your life. Last week, we shared a study on how the devils will try to attack you through lusts, passions, and addictions:
Likewise, this attempt to draw you away can come in many forms. Attacks from friends, family, government, or any ‘hardships’ of life. We also cannot forget about false doctrines; brothers and sisters, they are running rampant right now; seeking to draw you away from the truth. This leading astray may also come in the form of pain, sorrow, loss — anything really, be prepared.
“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”
Revelation 12:4
I’m here to say brothers and sisters, this passage has been misinterpreted over the centuries. This is not talking about Satan drawing away a third of the angels, that rebellion happened thousands of years ago. No, this is talking about drawing away a third of the true believers in the end times. The generation that has been born this past few years. Who are ‘the stars’?
“And I saw other lightnings and the stars of heaven, and I saw how He called them all by their names and they hearkened unto Him. And I saw how they are weighed in a righteous balance according to their proportions of light: (I saw) the width of their spaces and the day of their appearing, and how their revolution produces lightning: and (I saw) their revolution according to the number of the angels, and (how) they keep faith with each other. And I asked the angel who went with me who showed me what was hidden: ‘What are these?’ (the stars). And he said to me: ‘Yahuah Tseba’ot hath showed thee their parabolic meaning: these are the names of the holy who dwell on the earth and believe in the name of Yahuah Tseba’ot for ever and ever.”
Enoch 43
We see another example in Daniel 8:
“Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.”
Daniel 8:8-10
History records, that Antiochus Epiphanes didn’t go up into the firmament and kill some of the stars above, no, this of course is a parable. He killed many of Yahuah’s righteous people (alongside the wicked). Satan will draw a third of the children who have been woken to the truth in these last days. Keep a healthy fear of Yahuah brothers and sisters, this is not a game.
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:18-23
What kind of soil are you?
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek Yahuah, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Hosea 10:12
TURNING THE CHEEK
“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Matthew 5:39
Yahuceph (Yoceph), was a type and shadow of our great Messiah to come. He was wrongfully entreated, yet he held his peace and trusted in Yahuah. This is a great example for us to follow right now, and the days to come. The attacks will intensify — let Yahuah be our shield and our exceeding great reward.
“And when I went into Egypt, to Yoceph, and my brother recognized me, he said unto me: What did they tell my father when they sold me? And I said unto him, They dabbled thy coat with blood and sent it, and said: Know whether this be thy son’s coat. And he said unto me: Even so, brother, when they had stripped me of my coat they gave me to the Ishmaelites, and they gave me a loin cloth, and scourged me, and made me run. And as for one of them that had beaten me with a rod, a lion met him and slew him. And so his associates were affrighted.
Do ye also, therefore, my children, love Yahuah Elohim of heaven and earth, and keep His commandments, following the example of the good and holy man Yoceph. And let your mind be unto good, even as ye know me; for he that hath his mind right sees all things rightly. Fear ye Yahuah, and love your neighbor; and even though the spirits of Beliar claim you to afflict you with every evil, yet shall they not have dominion over you, even as they had not over Yoceph my brother.
How many men wished to slay him, and Elohim shielded him! For he that fears Elohim and loves his neighbor cannot be smitten by the spirit of Beliar, being shielded by the fear of Elohim. Nor can he be ruled over by the device of men or beasts, for he is helped by Yahuah through the love which he has towards his neighbor. For Yoceph also besought our father that he would pray for his brethren, that Yahuah would not impute to them as sin whatever evil they had done unto him. And thus Jacob cried out: My good child, you have prevailed over the bowels of thy father Jacob. And he embraced him, and kissed him for two hours, saying:
In you shall be fulfilled the prophecy of heaven concerning the Lamb of Elohim, and Saviour of the world, and that a blameless one shall be delivered up for lawless men, and a sinless one shall die for ungodly men in the blood of the covenant, for the salvation of the Nations and of Israel, and shall destroy Beliar and his servants.
See ye, therefore, my children, the end of the good man? Be followers of his compassion, therefore, with a good mind, that ye also may wear crowns of glory. For the good man has not a dark eye; for he shows mercy to all men, even though they be sinners. And though they devise with evil intent concerning him, by doing good he overcomes evil, being shielded by Elohim; and he loves the righteous as his own soul. If any one is glorified, he envies him not; if any one is enriched, he is not jealous; if any one is valiant, he praises him; the virtuous man he lauds; on the poor man he hath mercy; on the weak he hath compassion; unto Elohim he sings praises. And him that hath the grace of a good spirit he loves as his own soul.
If therefore, ye also have a good mind, then will both wicked men be at peace with you, and the shameless will reverence you and turn unto good; and the covetous will not only cease from their inordinate desire, but even give the objects of their covetousness to them that are afflicted. If ye do well, even the unclean spirits will flee from you; and the beasts will dread you. For where there is reverence for good works and light in the mind, even darkness flees away from him.
For if any one does violence to a holy man, he repents; for the holy man is merciful to his reviler, and holds his peace. And if any one betrays a righteous man, the righteous man prays: though for a little he be humbled, yet not long after he appears far more glorious, as was Yoceph my brother. The inclination of the good man is not in the power of the deceit of the spirit of Beliar, for the angel of peace guides his soul.
Testament of Benjamin 1:7-33
Just like our exalted teacher, Messiah Yahusha, we must persevere through the attacks. This, is exactly how we need to be walking the walk in these last days.
“Yahuah Elohim has opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For Yahuah Elohim will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifies me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, Yahuah Elohim will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.”
Isaiah 50:5-9
If we trust in him, he will deliver us.
“My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my kinsmen stand afar off. Those who seek my life lay their snares, those who seek my hurt speak of ruin, and meditate treachery all the day long. But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear, like a dumb man who does not open his mouth. Yea, I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes. But for thee, O Yahuah, do I wait; it is thou, O Yahuah my Elohim, who wilt answer.”
Psalm 38:11-15
Vengeance is Yahuah’s. The Elohim and judge of all the earth will see all matters.
REJOICE IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE
“And they walked about in the midst of the flames, singing hymns to Elohim and blessing Yahuah. Then Azariah stood and offered this prayer; in the midst of the fire he opened his mouth and said: “Blessed are you, O Yahuah, Elohim of our fathers, and worthy of praise; and thy name is glorified for ever.”
Prayer of Azariah 1:1-3
Will we be able to withstand the fire and rejoice in the midst of it?
“And these three men, Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah), fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of Elohim.”
Daniel 3:23-25
Even if we are wronged like Yoceph, we must stay strong — rejoice even. Yahuah will be our helper, our shield.
“And holding fast to the garment she falsely accused me, and when her husband came he cast me into prison in his house; and on the morrow he scourged me and sent me into Pharaoh’s prison. And when I was in bonds, the Egyptian woman was oppressed with grief, and she came and heard how I gave thanks unto Yahuah and sang praises in the abode of darkness, and with glad voice rejoiced, glorifying my Elohim that I was delivered from the lustful desire of the Egyptian woman. And often hath she sent unto me saying: Consent to fulfill my desire, and I will release you from thy bonds, and I will free you from the darkness. And not even in thought did I incline unto her. For Elohim loves him who in a den of wickedness combines fasting with chastity, rather than the man who in kings’ chambers combines luxury with license.”
Testament of Yoceph 1:72-76
Perhaps the words of Messiah will really come alive now:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:10-12
PATIENCE, CHASTITY AND FORGIVENESS
Once again, as we peer into the life and strength of Yoceph, we see a shadow of our Messiah, truly opening our understanding of what he did and taught.
“You see, therefore, my children, how great things patience works, and prayer with fasting. So you too, if you follow after chastity and purity with patience and prayer, with fasting in humility of heart, Yahuah will dwell among you because He loves chastity. And wheresoever the Most High dwells, even though envy, or slavery, or slander befalls a man, Yahuah who dwells in him, for the sake of his chastity not only delivers him from evil, but also exalts him even as me. For in every way the man is lifted up, whether in deed, or in word, or in thought. My brethren knew how my father loved me, and yet I did not exalt myself in my mind: although I was a child, I had the fear of Elohim in my heart; for I knew that all things would pass away. And I did not raise myself against them with evil intent, but I honored my brethren; and out of respect for them, even when I was being sold, I refrained from telling the Ishmaelites that I was a son of Jacob, a great man and a mighty.
Do you also, my children, have the fear of Elohim in all your works before your eyes, and honor your brethren. For every one who does the Torah of Yahuah shall be loved by Him. And when I came to the Indocolpitae with the Ishmaelites, they asked me, saying: Are ypu a slave? And I said that I was a home-born slave, that I might not put my brethren to shame. And the eldest of them said unto me: You are not a slave, for even thy appearance doth make it manifest. But I said that I was their slave.”
Testament of Yoceph 2:1-12
Yoceph let Yahuah be his defense, perhaps this is something we should consider?
“Yahuah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my Elohim, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon Yahuah, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
Psalm 18:2-3
Forgiveness and Love
“And when my brethren came into Egypt they learnt that I had returned their money unto them, and upbraided them not, and comforted them. And after the death of Jacob my father I loved them more abundantly, and all things whatsoever he commanded I did very abundantly for them. And I suffered them not to be afflicted in the smallest matter; and all that was in my hand I gave unto them. And their children were my children, and my children as their servants; and their life was my life, and all their suffering was my suffering, and all their sickness was my infirmity. My land was their land, and their counsel my counsel. And I exalted not myself among them in arrogance because of my worldly glory, but I was among them as one of the least. If ye also, therefore, walk in the commandments of Yahuah, my children, He will exalt you there, and will bless you with good things for ever and ever. And if any one seeks to do evil unto you, do well unto him, and pray for him, and ye shall be redeemed of Yahuah from all evil.”
Testament of Yoceph 2:61-68
This is much easier said than done, but we must walk this out, it is possible to live this way.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:44-48
Regardless of what any man or woman throws your way, stay patient and Yahuah will deliver us, just as he did Yoceph. Do not let anger or hatred creep into your heart.
“And the spirit of hatred was in me, and I wished not either to hear of Yoceph with the ears, or see him with the eyes, because he rebuked us to our faces saying that we were eating of the flock without Judah. For whatsoever things he told our father, he believed him. I confess now my sin, my children, that oftentimes I wished to kill him, because I hated him from my heart. Moreover, I hated him yet more for his dreams; and I wished to lick him out of the land of the living, even as an ox licks up the grass of the field. And Judah sold him secretly to the Ishmaelites. Thus the Elohim of our fathers delivered him from our hands, that we should not work great lawlessness in Israel.
And now, my children, hearken to the words of truth to work righteousness, and all the Torah of the Most High, and go not astray through the spirit of hatred, for it is evil in all the doings of men. Whatsoever a man does the hater abominates him: and though a man works the Torah of Yahuah, he praises him not; though a man fears Yahuah, and takes pleasure in that which is righteous, he loves him not. He dispraises the truth, he envies him that prospers, he welcomes evil-speaking, he loves arrogance, for hatred blinds his soul; as I also then looked on Yoceph.
Beware, therefore, my children of hatred, for it works lawlessness even against Yahuah Himself. For it will not hear the words of His commandments concerning the loving of one’s–neighbor, and it sins against Elohim. For if a brother stumble, it delights immediately to proclaim it to all men, and is urgent that he should be judged for it, and be punished and be put to death. And if it be a servant, it stirs him up against his master, and with every affliction it devises against him, if possibly he can be put to death.
For hatred works with envy also against them that prosper: so long as it hears of or sees their success it always languishes. For as love would quicken even the dead, and would call back them that are condemned to die, so hatred would slay the living, and those that had sinned trivially it would not suffer to live. For the spirit of hatred works together with Satan, through hastiness of spirits, in all things to men’s death; but the spirit of love works together with the Torah of Elohim in long-suffering unto the salvation of men.
Hatred, therefore, is evil, for it constantly mates with lying, speaking against the truth; and it makes small things to be great, and causes the light to be darkness, and calls the sweet bitter, and teaches slander, and kindles wrath, and stirs up war, and violence and all covetousness; it fills the heart with evils and devilish poison. These things, therefore, I say to you from experience, my children, that ye may drive forth hatred, which is of the devil, and cleave to the love of Elohim.
Righteousness casts out hatred, humility destroys envy. For he that is just and humble is ashamed to do what is unjust, being reproved not of another, but of his own heart, because Yahuah looks on his inclination. He speaks not against a holy man, because the fear of Elohim overcomes hatred. For fearing lest he should offend Yahuah, he will not do wrong to any man, even in thought. These things I learnt at last, after I had repented concerning Yoceph. For true repentance after a godly sort destroys ignorance, and drives away the darkness, and enlightens the eyes, and gives knowledge to the soul, and leads the mind to salvation.”
Testament of Gad 1:9-32
There is honestly so much meat concerning the life of Yoceph tying into Messiah Yahusha, that we could keep going, but we will end with one last passage.
“THE copy of the Testament of Yoceph. When he was about to die he called his sons and his brethren together, and said to them: My brethren and my children, hearken to Yoceph the beloved of Israel; give ear, my sons, unto your father. I have seen in my life envy and death, yet I went not astray, but persevered in the truth–of Yahuah. These my brethren hated me, but Yahuah loved me:
They wished to slay me, but the Elohim of my fathers guarded me: They let me down into a pit, and the Most High brought me up again. I was sold into slavery, and Yahuah of all made me free: I was taken into captivity, and His strong hand succored me. I was beset with hunger, and Yahuah Himself nourished me. I was alone, and Elohim comforted me: I was sick, and Yahuah visited me. I was in prison, and my Elohim showed favor unto me;
In bonds, and He released me; slandered, and He pleaded my cause; Bitterly spoken against by the Egyptians, and He delivered me; envied by my fellow-slaves, and He exalted me. And this chief captain of Pharaoh entrusted to me his house. And I struggled against a shameless woman, urging me to transgress with her; but the Elohim of Israel my father delivered me from the burning flame. I was cast into prison, I was beaten, I was mocked; but Yahuah granted me to find mercy, in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
For Yahuah does not forsake them that fear Him, neither in darkness, nor in bonds, nor in tribulations, nor in necessities. For Elohim is not put to shame as a man, nor as the son of man is he afraid, nor as one that is earth-born is He weak or affrighted. But in all those things does He give protection, and in divers ways does He comfort, though for a little space He departs to try the inclination of the soul.”
Testament of Yoceph 1:1-23
May Yahuah strengthen us all, as we march toward the last days. May we never move to the right hand, or the left of his way, and follow the examples of Yoceph and Messiah Yahusha.
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the humble will he teach his way.”
Psalm 25:9
Yahuah bless you and keep you
Yahuah make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
Yahuah lift up his countenance upon you and give you Shalom (peace).
