Parshat Miketz: Don’t Wait to be Great
December 19, 2025
Genesis 41:45
וַיִּקְרָ֨א פַרְעֹ֣ה שֵׁם־יוֹסֵף֮ צָֽפְנַ֣ת פַּעְנֵ֒חַ֒ וַיִּתֶּן־ל֣וֹ אֶת־אָֽסְנַ֗ת בַּת־פּ֥וֹטִי פֶ֛רַע כֹּהֵ֥ן אֹ֖ן לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַיֵּצֵ֥א יוֹסֵ֖ף עַל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
Pharaoh then gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him for a wife Asenath daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On. Thus Joseph emerged in charge of the land of Egypt.
After being purchased by the wealthy Egyptian Potiphar, Joseph quickly proved himself capable and was promoted to head servant of his household. Later, after being falsely accused and thrown into prison, Joseph again rose to the top and was placed in charge of the prison by the warden. Finally, after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, warning him of the coming famine, and presenting a plan to store food through taxation, Pharaoh elevated Joseph to the highest leadership position in the land. Only Pharaoh himself held more authority.
No matter where Joseph found himself, he rose to the top. This was not a matter of luck. Joseph was intelligent, diligent, and faithful in every situation – whether the circumstances were fair or unjust, favorable or harsh. He worked with the same excellence as a house servant, a prisoner, and a national leader.
Often we feel the need to wait to show the world, and ourselves, our potential. We tell ourselves that once we have the right position, the right recognition, or the right freedom, then we will give our best. Joseph’s story challenges that way of thinking. He did not wait for ideal conditions to become responsible, disciplined, and wise. He carried those qualities with him into every situation.
Joseph’s rise teaches us that character precedes position. The habits that prepared him to govern a nation were the same ones he practiced while managing a household and overseeing a prison. Joseph’s employers did not promote him so that he could become great. They promoted him because he already was.. And so this blessing to Esau becomes a reminder for us. Even when we feel drained, even when we tell ourselves we have nothing left, the well of goodness within us is deeper than we know, and we may find – just as Isaac did – that we still have a blessing to give.