Does silence play a role in faith? The Torah Portion Vayigash answers this question when God directs Jacob to pack his family and move to Egypt from the Promised Land Jacob’s response to God’s instruction is silence. Jacob, despite being 130 years of age and with a multitude of excuses that could be offered up, said was said.
Silence, within scripture, can be an intense expression of faith. In these circumstances of silence, actions take place. The silence is a more telling than affirmative than words. Earlier Torah Portions before Vayigash involving both Noah and Abraham evidence silence’s role showing faith in a moment of theophany.
Tales of Past Silence
Noah: The Ark
Noah’s silence was two-fold. Academic scholarship finds that the Torah contains two Flood narratives. Despite their being two distinct tales with each narrative having different elements, i.e. such as the numbers of each animal species to be brought into the ark, they both share in telling of Noah’s silence.
After God approaches Noah in both versions with the plan and the instructions, Noah is silent. In the first version it’s noted: “According to everything that God commanded him, he did so.” Genesis 6:22. In the second version, it’s noted: “And Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.” Genesis 7:5. After the silence, Noah, in preparation for the flood, proceeded with building the ark and gathering the .
Noah’s silence presents as acceptance of divine instruction. This acceptance should be considered as an element of faith. Per one of Merriam Webster Dictionary’s faith definitions, it is defined as a “belief and trust in and loyalty to God.” (Note: God’s instruction to Noah noted that a future covenant was to be established Genesis 6:18.)
Abraham: Lech Lecha
With Abraham, there are two moments of silence worthy of mention. Similar to Jacob, Abraham is asked to take his family and move. This request occurs within the Torah Portion Lech Lecha: “And the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house to the land that I’ll show you. And I’ll make you into a big nation, and I’ll bless you and make your name great.” Genesis 12:1-2. To this, Abraham went as directed. Genesis 12:4. No questions were asked. No affirmation was made. Abraham’s response was silence followed by action.
Beyond Lech Lecha, the Binding of Isaac was another instance involving Abraham in which a divine demand was met with silence.
Abraham: The Binding of Isaac
In one of the most famous passages of relating to the Patriarchs, the following occurred: “And it was after these things, and God tested Abraham. And He said to him, ‘Abraham.’ And he said, ‘I’m here.’ And He said, ‘Take your son, your only one, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah and make him a burnt offering…” Genesis 22:1-2.
In this instance, Abraham had no words for God. There was silence. The next day, Abraham got up early and set off to follow the Lord’s instruction.
In contrast to both Noah and Abraham, Jacob’s most memorable encounter with God was not one of silence.
Jacob’s Pre-Story
Perhaps Jacob’s life is highlighted by his covenantal moment when his is in distress. Fleeing from his home after stealing his brother Esau’s birthright, he dreams of a ladder reaching into heaven. In that dream, God appears and offers up the covenant to Jacob. ( “The land on which you’re lying: I’ll give it to you and your seed…and all the families on the earth will be blessed by you and your seed. And here I am with you, and I’ll watch over you everywhere that you’ll go, and I’ll bring you back to this land, for I won’t leave you until I’ve done what I’ve spoke to you.'” Genesis 28:13-15.
After waking from the dream, Jacob vowed: “If God will be with me and watch over me in this way that I’m going and give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I come back in peace to my father’s house, then the Lord will become my God.” Genesis 28:20.
After this encounter, Jacob lives out his life. Due to the famine, Joseph, who is second in command in Egypt, invites Jacob to move down to Egypt. This invitation evokes another divine encounter.
Jacob: The Relocation
After Joseph’s invite, Jacob (Israel) has an intense encounter; he had the following night vision: The Lord said: “Jacob, Jacob.” And Jacob said, ‘I’m here.’ And He said, ‘I am God, your father’s God. Don’t be afraid of going down to Egypt, because I’ll make you into a big nation there. I shall go down with you to Egypt and I shall also bring you up.'” Genesis 46:1-4.
After the Lord’s dictate, Jacob is silent. He got up from Beer-Sheba and took his family down to Egypt. See Genesis 46:5.
Unlike Abraham and Noah, Jacob’s silence arguably has more substance. Preceding the silence was a vow. The silence with action evidenced that Jacob felt that God had satisfied the vow’s conditions. At that point, his fealty towards his deity was buttressed with undeniability. Jacob, having no doubt concerning his covenant, took his family to Egypt. Not only was this impactful move for family members, it was likely a difficult journey for Jacob as he did it at advanced age of 130 years.
Conclusion
Silence plays an integral role with respect to faith in the Pentateuch. Many significant events- building an ark, relocating, and sacrificing one’s child- involved silence which preceded the action. The silence, in these instances, could arguably imply unconditional acceptance. In Vayigash, God instructs Jacob to literally pick up his tents and move them to Egypt. Jacob, a man who both struggled with God and who conditioned his faith with a vow, remained silent upon God’s demand. In this instance, the silence impliedly signaled that the Lord had fulfilled his end of the bargain and in turn Jacob was to fulfill his vow. The Lord had become his God.
Be well!!
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