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Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, born to his favored wife, Rachel. The account of Joseph can be found in Genesis 37—50. At the age of seventeen, Joseph returned from shepherding the flock with his half-brothers and reported their misdeeds to Jacob. It is mentioned that Jacob “loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was born to him in his old age, and he made a special robe for him” «Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a coat of many colors. », (Genesis 37:3). Joseph’s brothers were aware of their father’s favoritism, leading to their hatred towards Joseph «And when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. », (Genesis 37:4). To exacerbate the situation, Joseph shared his dreams with the family—prophetic visions depicting him ruling over his family (Genesis 37:5-11).
The hostility towards Joseph reached its peak when his brothers conspired to kill him in the wilderness. Reuben, the eldest, opposed the idea of murder and suggested throwing Joseph into a cistern with the intention of rescuing him later. However, in Reuben’s absence, some merchants passed by, and Judah proposed selling Joseph into slavery. Before Reuben could intervene, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery. They took Joseph’s robe, dipped it in goat’s blood, and deceived their father into believing that his beloved son had been killed by wild animals (Genesis 37:18-35)
Joseph was sold by the merchants to a high-ranking Egyptian named Potiphar and eventually became the supervisor of Potiphar’s household. In Genesis 39, we read of how Joseph excelled at his duties, became one of Potiphar’s most trusted servants, and was put in charge of his household. Potiphar could see that whatever Joseph did, God looked favorably on him, and he prospered in all that he did. Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph. Joseph consistently refused her advances, showing honor for the master who had entrusted him with so much and saying that it would be “a wicked thing and a sin against God” for him to go to bed with Potiphar’s wife «there is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? », (Genesis 39:9). One day Potiphar’s wife caught Joseph by the cloak and again made sexual advances. Joseph fled, leaving his cloak in her hand. In anger, she falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape, and Potiphar put him in prison (Genesis 39:7-20).
In jail, Joseph was again blessed by God (Genesis 39:21-23). Joseph interpreted the dreams of two of his fellow prisoners. Both interpretations proved to be true, and one of the men was later released from jail and restored to his position as the king’s cupbearer (Genesis 40:1-23). However, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph and failed to speak to Pharaoh about him. Two years later, the king himself had some troubling dreams, and the cupbearer remembered Joseph’s gift of interpretation. The king summoned Joseph and related his dreams. Based on Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph predicted seven years of abundance.Beautiful harvests were followed by seven years of severe famine in Egypt. Joseph advised the king to start storing grain in preparation for the upcoming scarcity (Genesis 41:1-37). Due to his wisdom, Joseph was appointed as a ruler in Egypt, ranking second only to the king. He was responsible for storing food during the years of abundance and selling it to both Egyptians and foreigners during the years of famine (Genesis 41:38-57). In the years of plenty, Joseph had two sons—Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 41:50-52).
When the famine hit, even Canaan felt its effects. Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt to purchase grain (Genesis 42:1-3). He chose to keep Benjamin, his youngest son and Rachel’s only other son, at home, saying, “But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob did not send with his brothers; for he feared that harm might come to him” (Genesis 42:4). While in Egypt, the brothers encountered their long-lost brother, whom they did not recognize. However, Joseph recognized his brothers. He tested them by accusing them of being spies, detaining them for three days. Eventually, he released all but one, providing them with grain for their households and instructing them to return with their youngest brother (Genesis 42:6-20). Unaware of Joseph’s true identity, the brothers were burdened with guilt for having sold their brother years earlier (Genesis 42:21-22). Joseph overheard their conversation and turned away to weep (Genesis 42:23-24). He kept Simeon with him.and sent the others on their way, secretly returning their money to their grain sacks “Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.”, (Genesis 42:25). When the brothers later realized the money had been returned, they feared even more (Genesis 42:26-28, 35). Once home, they told Jacob all that had transpired. Jacob mourned again the loss of Joseph and the added loss of Simeon. He refused to send Benjamin, despite Reuben’s promise that if he did not return with Benjamin, Jacob could kill Reuben’s two sons (Genesis 42:35-38).
The famine became so severe that Jacob acquiesced. Judah persuaded Jacob to send Benjamin with him, giving his own life as a pledge (Genesis 43:1-10). Jacob agreed, sending also choice fruits and double the money for the grain (Genesis 43:11-14). When Joseph saw the men, he instructed his servants to slaughter an animal and prepare a meal for the brothers to dine with him (Genesis 43:15-17). Afraid at the invitation to Joseph’s house, the brothers made apologies to Joseph’s steward for the money that had been replaced the first time. Joseph’s steward reassured them and brought Simeon out (Genesis 43:18-25). When Joseph returned, the brothers bowed to him, fulfilling his earlier prophecy “And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves.”To him to the earth.”, (Genesis 43:26). He asked about their family’s welfare and again wept, this time removing himself to his chamber (Genesis 43:27-30). When the men sat down for the meal, at a separate table from Joseph, they were amazed to be arranged by birth order. Benjamin was given five times the portion the other brothers received (Genesis 43:31-34). Before sending them back to their father, Joseph again tested his brothers by returning their money to their grain sacks and placing his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. He let the brothers start on their journey and then sent his steward after them to feign anger and threaten to kill Benjamin. Back in Joseph’s presence, Judah pleaded for Benjamin’s life, saying that if Benjamin were to die, so would Jacob. Judah told of Jacob’s grief over the loss of Joseph and his belief that he could not bear to lose Joseph’s brother. Judah also spoke of his pledge to Jacob and offered his life for Benjamin (Genesis 44).
Upon seeing this proof of his brothers’ change of heart, Joseph sent all his servants away and wept openly and loudly enough to be heard by Pharaoh’s household. He then revealed himself to his brothers (Genesis 45:1-3). Joseph immediately reassured them, telling them not to be angry with themselves for what they’d done to him and saying that God had sent him to Egypt to preserve them (Genesis 45:4-8). Joseph reaffirmed his forgiveness years later, after the death of his father, saying that although his brothers intended evil for him, God had intended it for good (Genesis 50:15-21).
15-21). Joseph sent his brothers back to Jacob to retrieve the remainder of his household to come live in Goshen, where they would be near to Joseph and he could provide for them “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: “, (Genesis 45:9—47:12).
Jacob did come to live in Egypt with all of his family. Before he died, Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons and gave thanks to God for His goodness: “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too” “And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.”, (Genesis 48:11). Jacob gave the greater blessing to the younger of the two sons (verses 12–20). Later in the history of Israel, Ephraim and Manasseh, the tribes of Joseph, were often considered two distinct tribes. Jacob’s descendants lived in Egypt for 400 years, until the time of Moses. When Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt, he took the remains of Joseph with him, as Joseph had requested (Genesis 50:24–25;cf: Exodus 13:19). In asking that he be buried in Canaan, Joseph showed great faith that God would bring His people back to the Promised Land “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.”, (Hebrews 11:22).
There is much to learn from Joseph’s story. As parents, we have warnings concerning Jacob’s favoritism and the effects that can have on other children as seen in Joseph’s youthful pride and his brothers’ envy and hatred. We have a good eExample of how to handle sexual temptation—run (Genesis 39:12; cf: 2 Timothy 2:22), and we have a clear picture of God’s faithfulness. He does not forsake His children, even in the midst of suffering: “The Lord was with Joseph” «And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. », (Genesis 39:3, 5, 21, 23).
There may be many distressing circumstances we find ourselves in, and some of them may even be unjust, as were those in Joseph’s life. However, as we learn from the account of Joseph’s life, by remaining faithful and accepting that God is ultimately in charge, we can be confident that God will reward our faithfulness in the fullness of time. Who would blame Joseph if he had turned his brothers away in their need? Yet Joseph showed them mercy, and God desires that we exercise mercy above all other sacrifices (Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13).
Joseph’s story also presents amazing insight into how God sovereignly works to overcome evil and bring about His plan. After all his ordeals, Joseph was able to see God’s hand at work. As he revealed his identity to his brothers, Joseph spoke of their sin this way: “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. . . . It was not you who sent me here, but God” «Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. », (Genesis 45:5, 8) «So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land. »
Joseph’s story is a powerful example of how God can turn a situation around for good. In Genesis 45:5,8, Joseph reassured his brothers and expressed forgiveness, saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” This sentiment is echoed in Genesis 50:20, where Joseph affirms, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” It is a reminder that even man’s most wicked intentions cannot thwart God’s perfect plan.
