Topical Bible: Joseph: Son of Jacob of Pharaoh

◄ Joseph: Son of Jacob of Pharaoh ►

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Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, is a central figure in the Book of Genesis. His life account, marked by divine providence and personal integrity, spans Genesis chapters 37 to 50. Joseph's narrative is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness, illustrating how God can use human actions, even those intended for harm, to fulfill His purposes.

Early Life and Family Dynamics

Joseph was born into a family fraught with tension and favoritism. Jacob, also known as Israel, loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was the son of his old age and the firstborn of his beloved wife, Rachel. This favoritism was symbolized by the "richly ornamented robe" (Genesis 37:3) Jacob gave to Joseph, which fueled the jealousy and hatred of his brothers.

Joseph's early life was marked by prophetic dreams, which he shared with his family. In one dream, his brothers' sheaves of grain bowed down to his sheaf, and in another, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him (Genesis 37:5-9). These dreams, indicating his future rise to prominence, further incited his brothers' animosity.

Betrayal and Slavery

The brothers' jealousy culminated in a plot to kill Joseph, but Reuben, the eldest, intervened, suggesting they throw him into a cistern instead. Ultimately, Joseph was sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver and taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:28). The brothers deceived Jacob into believing Joseph had been killed by a wild animal by presenting his bloodied robe.

Rise to Power in Egypt

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Despite his circumstances, Joseph prospered because "the LORD was with him" (Genesis 39:2). He gained favor and was put in charge of Potiphar's household. However, Potiphar's wife falsely accused him of attempted assault, leading to his imprisonment.

Even in prison, Joseph's integrity and God's favor were evident. He was placed in charge of the other prisoners and interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, accurately predicting their futures (Genesis 40:5-22).

Joseph's ability to interpret dreams eventually brought him to Pharaoh's attention. Pharaoh had two troubling dreams that none of his magicians could interpret. Joseph, acknowledging that interpretations belong to God, revealed that the dreams foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine (Genesis 41:16, 25-30).

Impressed by Joseph's wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as second-in-command over Egypt, saying, "Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:40). Joseph's administrative skills during the years of plenty ensured that Egypt had enough grain to survive the famine, and he became known as Zaphenath-Paneah.

Reunion and Reconciliation

The famine affected not only Egypt but also Canaan, where Jacob and his family resided. Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain, unknowingly setting the stage for a dramatic family reunion. Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. After testing their character and seeing their remorse, Joseph revealed his identity in a poignant moment of forgiveness, saying, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good" (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph invited his family to live in Egypt, providing them with the best land in Goshen. Jacob and his sons, along with their families, moved to Egypt, marking the beginning of the Israelites' sojourn there.

Legacy

Joseph lived to the age of 110, witnessing the growth of his family in Egypt. Before his death, he expressed faith in God's promise to bring the Israelites back to the land of Canaan, instructing that his bones be carried there when God fulfilled His promise (Genesis 50:24-25).

Joseph's life exemplifies faithfulness, forgiveness, and the fulfillment of God's promises. His account is a powerful reminder of God's providence and the importance of trusting in His plans, even amidst adversity.

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Genesis 41:1-37
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
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Library

Joseph and his Brethren.
... he said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is yet ... And Jacob said, "Now let me die, since
I have ... Afterwards Joseph presented his father to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/joseph and his brethren.htm

Joseph's Loyalty to his Family
... he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their
father revived, and he said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is still ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/josephs loyalty to his family.htm

Of the Times of Jacob and his Son Joseph.
... In the second of the seven years of famine Jacob came down into Egypt to his son
with all ... Joseph was then thirty-nine, if we add seven years of plenty and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 4 of the times of.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... "It is enough: Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.". ...
Joseph brought his father in also and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without ... And Jacob rent his
garments, and put sackcloth upon his ... go down to the grave to my son mourning. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... He was the twelfth son of Jacob, and one ... A bargain was soon made, and young Joseph,
casting backward a farewell look of sad reproach, was carried away, and ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... together, and said to them: My children and brethren, hearken to Joseph the beloved ...
not my family to the Ishmaelites, that I was the son of Jacob, a great ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... Joseph is gone, and Simeon is gone, and now you would take Benjamin ... in case I do
not bring Benjamin back to you." But Jacob said: "My youngest son shall not ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

The Removal of Joseph's Father with all his Family, to Him, on ...
... Dan had an only begotten son, Usi. ... He also bid Joseph tell him what sort of life
his brethren loved to ... 6. When Jacob was come to the king, and saluted him, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 the removal of.htm

The Story of Joseph
... But Jacob would not hear of parting with his youngest son. Had he not lost
two sons already, first his beloved Joseph, and now Simeon? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm