Major Places: Hebron, Egypt, Beersheba
Major Characters: God, Joseph, Jacob, Potiphar, Pharaoh
Biblical Text: Genesis 37:1-50:26
"Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph--a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn't say a kind word to him." (Genesis 37:3-4)
Episode I: Malicious Jealousy
(Genesis 37)
Jacob settles in Hebron (part of Canaan) with his family, and they start a life there. Jacob soon starts to show favoritism in his family, again not learning from what it has done to him in the past. Joseph, being the first son of Rachel, his favorite wife, becomes his favorite son, so much so that he makes a colorful robe for Joseph that he treasures dearly. This causes Joseph's brothers to become very jealous of him, and that feeling is amplified when Joseph delivers a bad report of some of their mischievous activities and begins having dreams about ruling over them.
One day, Joseph's brothers were taking care of their father's flocks at Shechem. Jacob tells Joseph to travel there and check on them. Upon his arrival, Joseph does not find his brothers, but some locals tell him that his brothers moved on to Dothan. Meanwhile, in Dothan, Joseph's brothers plot to kill him and tell their father that he was eaten by a wild beast, but Reuben, the eldest son of Leah, tells them that there is no need to shed blood and that they should simply leave Joseph in a nearby empty cistern. That way, he will die without them having to actually kill him. In reality, though, Reuben was planning to come back and save Joseph later.
When Joseph arrives, they enact this plan, tearing off his beautiful robe and throwing him into the cistern. While they sit down to eat, some traders come by, which sparks an idea in Judah's head. Instead of killing Joseph and having to cover up the crime, they could simply sell him to the traders. The rest of Joseph's brothers (except Reuben, who was gone at the time) agree and they sell him off for twenty pieces of silver.
Later, Reuben returns to rescue Joseph, but laments when he sees that Joseph is gone. The rest of the brothers kill a young goat and dip the remains of Joseph's robe in its blood. They show the bloody, torn robe to their father, and he deeply mourns the loss of his favorite son. Once again, favoritism and jealousy had torn Jacob's family apart. Meanwhile, the traders arrive in Egypt, and they sell Joseph to Potiphar, and high-ranking officer of Pharaoh himself.
Episode II: Temptation and Interpretation
(Genesis 39-40)
Joseph begins his work as a slave on Potiphar's estate. However, God is with him, so he succeeds marvelously in all his work. Potiphar notices Joseph's success and promotes him to be his personal attendant. From there, Joseph keeps climbing higher and higher up the slave ranks due to God's blessing. Eventually, Joseph is put in charge of his master's household and property. His authority on Potiphar's estate is second only to Potiphar's wife and Potiphar himself.
Soon, Potiphar's wife finds herself very attracted to Joseph, so she begins tempting him to sleep with her. Joseph refuses time and time again, saying that by doing so, he would not only be betraying Potiphar, but also God. Potiphar' wife becomes more and more desperate to get Joseph to sleep with her, even grabbing him by his cloak and demanding it of him. Joseph tears himself away, but his cloak slips off into her hands.
Joseph's refusal enrages Potiphar's wife, so she begins spreading lies about him, telling the other servants that he attempted to rape her, but when she screamed, he ran off, leaving his cloak with her. When Potiphar returns home, she tells him this same story, which enrages him and causes him to throw Joseph in prison. There, Joseph once again begins climbing the ranks, eventually becoming a favorite of the warden. The warden even allows Joseph to be in charge of all the other prisoners. Due to God's love and blessing, we see that Joseph succeeds no matter what terrible situation he is put in.
One day, Pharaoh is offended by his chief cup-bearer and his chief baker, so he throws them in prison, where they end up being looked after by Joseph. That night, they each have a dream and look disturbed by them the next morning. Joseph asks them what is wrong and the cup-bearer tells him about his dream. In the cup-bearer's dream, he saw a grapevine with three branches. The branches began to blossom and produce many ripe grapes. The cup-bearer had Pharaoh's wine cup in his hand, so he used the grapes to make wine, put the wine in the cup, and gave it to Pharoah. Joseph then uses his special gift God has given him-- the ability to interpret dreams. He says that the three branches represent three days, and that after those three days, Pharaoh will restore the cup-bearer to his former position. The cup-bearer was certainly overjoyed at this news, and Joseph requested to him that once he is restored, he should tell Pharaoh about Joseph.
The baker then tells Joseph his dream. In it, he had three baskets of pastries on his head, and some birds came and ate them as he was carrying them to Pharaoh. Joseph interprets this dream as well, but it is not positive like the cup-bearer's. Joseph says that the three baskets also represent three days, and after those three days, Pharaoh will have the baker executed and crows will feast on his flesh. Three days pass, and Pharaoh throws a great feast for his birthday. At this time, both of Joseph's predictions are realized. However, the cup-bearer neglects to tell Pharaoh about Joseph, so Joseph remains in prison.
Episode III: Foresight of the Famine
(Genesis 41)
Two years later, Pharaoh has two strange dreams, one right after the other. In the first dream, he saw seven fat, healthy cows come out of the Nile River. Then, seven skinny, malnourished cows came out the river and ate the healthy ones. The second dream was similar. In it, Pharaoh saw seven plump, healthy heads of grain. Then, seven thin, withered heads of grain appeared and swallowed up the healthy ones. The next morning, Pharoah called for all his magicians and wisemen, but none of them could tell him what his dreams meant. His cup-bearer then remembered Joseph, who had correctly interpreted his dream two years earlier. His tells Pharaoh his story, and Pharaoh commands that Joseph be brought to him immediately.
When Joseph arrives, Pharaoh tells him about both of his dreams. Before telling Pharoah what his dreams mean, Joseph says that his ability to interpret dreams comes not from himself, but from his sovereign God. Joseph then explains that the two dreams mean the same thing. The seven fat cows and healthy grains represent seven years of prosperity. During that time, Egypt will be rich in food and resources. However, the seven scrawny cows and withered grains represent seven years of famine. During that time, Egypt will struggle to gain food and resources, and if nothing is done, Egypt will be destroyed.
Joseph then suggests a plan to avoid Egypt's desolation. During the seven years of prosperity, Pharaoh should have advisers gather all the excess food and store it in secure storehouses located in several cities. That way, there will be enough food to get by during the years of famine, and Egypt will be saved. Pharaoh, impressed by Joseph's interpretation and plan, as well as God's spirit within him, says that he will make Joseph ruler of the land. Joseph will be second in Egypt only to Pharaoh himself, and he will be in charge of executing his plan to save Egypt. He also provides Joseph with a wife named Asenath.
During the seven years of prosperity, Joseph's plan goes perfectly. All of the excess food grown is stored safely. During these years, Joseph also has two sons with his wife Asenath. He names them Manasseh, which sounds like a Hebrew word meaning "causing to forget" (because God's blessing has caused him to forget the pain of his past), and Ephraim, which sounds like a Hebrew word meaning "fruitful" (because God has made him fruitful in Egypt).
Eventually, the seven years of famine begin. Joseph begins distributing food to the people of Egypt, but the famine has even spread to areas outside of Egypt. People from nearby lands begin seeking food anywhere they can find it, but Joseph is the only one who has it. The famine even reaches back to Canaan, which causes a certain family to begin making their way to Egypt....
Episode IV: Brothers Tested
(Genesis 42:1-45:15)
During the famine, all of Joseph's brothers arrive in Egypt to buy grain for their family. The only exception is Benjamin, who stays home with Jacob. When Joseph sees his brothers, he immediately recognizes them, but they don't recognize him, due to his older age and his Egyptian garb. When they ask to buy grain from Joseph, he decides to enact a multi-step plan to test his brothers. First, he accuses them of being spies from Canaan who have come to see how weak Egypt has become because of the famine. They say they are a simple family who have come to get grain, for the famine has spread beyond Egypt. They also mention that their youngest brother is back at home.
Joseph then begins setting up his tests for them by keeping them all imprisoned in Egypt, saying that they will only be released if one of them travels back to Canaan and retrieves their youngest brother. After three days, Joseph has mercy on them (or perhaps is just worried about his father and Benjamin), and so allows all but one of the brothers to leave and bring grain back home. The remaining brother will only be released if all of them return with Benjamin. Simeon is elected to stay in Egypt, and as they leave for Canaan, the brothers guilty consciences are awakened. They begin arguing that they are being punished for what they did to Joseph. What they don't know is that Joseph himself is hearing the whole thing. So far, Joseph's test is going according to plan.
The brothers return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin, but Jacob is reluctant to let him go. He is probably remembering what happened the last time his youngest son was alone with his other sons. But when Judah steps up and personally assures Benjamin's safety, Jacob reluctantly lets him go. The brothers then return to Egypt to get Simeon, but before they leave, Joseph brings them all into his palace. They are fearful at first, but Joseph reassures them he is simply inviting them to dinner. Joseph greets his younger brother Benjamin much less harshly than he first greeted the others. However, it's not long before Joseph rushes out of the room, overwhelmed with emotion for the only brother who never betrayed him. After recomposing himself, Joseph commands his servants to bring in the food. All seems normal at first, but the brothers are surprised when Joseph seats them all according to their age and gives Benjamin five times as much food as the rest. This is the next step of Joseph's test. He is seeing if the brothers will again forsake their brother in the name of jealousy. No doubt to Joseph's pleasure, nothing happens.
When Joseph's brothers are preparing to leave, he has one of his servants place his precious silver cup in Benjamin's sack. The brothers go on their way, but it is not long before Joseph sends his servant after them, claiming that they have stolen the silver cup. The brothers deny this, but let the servant search their sacks anyway, even saying that they will give the one who has it to Joseph to be a slave or even to be killed. However, none of them are prepared for realizing that Benjamin is the one with the silver cup. In extreme distress, they follow Benjamin and the servant back to Joseph's palace.
When they arrive, Joseph tells them that he will not be cruel, and so will only take Benjamin as his slave, rather than all the brothers. This is the final part of his test. Will the brothers just let Benjamin be a slave in Egypt, as they had done with Joseph? To Joseph's joy, no. Judah, the one who came up with the plan to get rid of Joseph in the first place, offers himself to be taken as a slave rather than Benjamin.
The book puts it perfectly: "Joseph could stand it no longer" (Genesis 45:1). He commands all of his servants and guards to leave the room. Now alone with his brothers and overcome with emotion, he reveals his identity to his brothers. "I am Joseph!... I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt" (Genesis 45:3-4). The brothers are speechless at first, so Joseph explains to them all that has happened-- how God has provided for him time and again since his arrival in Egypt. Joseph's brothers had changed, and now they could finally be together again as a family. The twelve sons of Israel, now finally reunited, happily weep and embrace each other.
Episode V: Conclusion
(Genesis 45:16-50:26)
After their warm reunion, Joseph sends his brothers back to Canaan to move their father and his household to Egypt. Jacob struggles to accept the truth at first, but eventually decides to trust his sons. On the way to Egypt, the family stops at Beersheba, where God speaks to Jacob in a dream. God tells Jacob not to be afraid to go into Egypt, for it is His will. There, Jacob's family will grow into a great nation. He also tells Jacob that though he will die not long after reaching Egypt, Joseph will be there with him.
With this new information, Jacob continues on to Egypt with confidence that he is doing the right thing. Upon reaching Egypt, Joseph embraces his father and weeps with him. Joseph then presents his family to Pharaoh, who gives them the land of Goshen to dwell in. At this time, the last few years of the famine come, and, though not without struggle, Egypt survives.
Seventeen years later, Jacob is on his death bed. Desiring to be buried in the land of promise, his asks Joseph to swear that he will do just that for his father, which Joseph agrees to. Joseph then brings his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to Jacob. Jacob then blesses both of them, saying that they will each have territory in the land of Israel as well as his own sons. However, in great faith, he blesses the younger Ephraim over the older Manasseh, just as he had been blessed over Esau.
Jacob then addresses each of his sons. To Reuben, he says that, although he is the firstborn, he will not have the greatest blessing. This is due to his sinful sexual behavior. To Simeon and Levi, he says, although they are the second and third oldest, they will not inherit the greatest blessing either. This is because of their murderous episode at Shechem. Instead, Jacob says Judah will have the greatest blessing, for he has shown the greatest character of all the older brothers.
Jacob's next set of addresses deal more with what will become of the other brothers and their future land in Israel. He says Zebulun will settle by the sea and be a harbor for ships. Issachar will settle in the countryside and submit to hard labor. Dan will be a governor of his people, but will be deceptive. Gad will be attacked by bandits, but he will retaliate and retreat. Asher will eat and produce many rich foods. Naphtali is compared to a doe who will have beautiful fawns. Jacob then blesses Joseph greatly, as he has seen all that God has done for him. Finally, he says that Benjamin will be like a wolf who plunders and devours his enemies.
With Jacob's last few words, he requests to be buried in the cave of Machpelah, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah are buried. After the burial, Joseph's brothers become fearful that, with their father gone, Joseph will repay the evils they committed against him. Joseph rebukes them by saying "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don't be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children" (Genesis 50:19-21). Though Joseph had to go through much hardship because of his brothers, he does not hold it against them because he knows that it was God's will for him to go to Egypt anyway, and God has used their sin to bless Joseph and many others. Many years later, when Joseph is 110 years old, he makes the now-numerous descendants of Jacob swear that when God leads them to the promised land, they will take Joseph's bones with them. Joseph is then embalmed and but inside a coffin. Later, in the book of Exodus, Moses would make good on this promise. "Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this. He said, 'God will certainly come to help you. When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place'" (Exodus 13:19). The book of Genesis ends on this note, with the promise of descendants for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob being slowly fulfilled.
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