02.04. Joseph
JOSEPH.
Eleven sons, of whom Joseph was the youngest, were born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, whither Jacob had fled from the wrath of his brother Esau. Joseph was the first son of Jacob’s most loved wife, Rachel. Benjamin, the other son of Rachel, and the youngest son of Jacob was born during their journey back to Jacob’s father, Isaac (Genesis 36:16-20).
Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob. "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). Favoritism in a family, even though there be natural and just grounds for* it, is almost sure to bring anything but happy results. It brought disturbance into Jacob’s family and years of sorrow to him in his old age. It embittered Joseph’s brethren, and perhaps stirred in him a feeling of superiority. "And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren; and they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him" (Genesis 37:4).
Joseph’s dreams. He dreamed a dream, and told it to his brethren. "We were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves came round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words" (Genesis 37:5-8). He related another dream: "Behold, I have dreamed yet a dream; and, behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father kept the saying in mind" (Genesis 37:9-11). visits his brethren. His brethren went to Shechem to tend their father’s flocks. To learn how they fared, Jacob said to Joseph: "Go now, see whether it is well with the brethren, and well with the flock; and bring me word again." Arriving at Shechem, Joseph found that his brethren had gone to Dothan, and he departed thence to find them (see Genesis 37:12-17). the conspiracy. When he came in sight of his brethren, they said, "Behold, this dreamer cometh," and they conspired to slay him. But Reuben, the oldest brother, persuaded them to cast him into a pit, intending to rescue him and send him back home. Having stripped Joseph of his coat of many colors, they cast him into an empty pit ((see Genesis 37:18-24).
Joseph sold. In the absence of Reuben the others sold Joseph to a caravan of merchantmen, who took him down into Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guard. They dipped Joseph’s coat in the blood of a kid and carried it to Jacob, who accepted it as evidence that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast (see Genesis 37:25). Jacob was deceived, but his sorrow was genuine. in potiphar’s house. Joseph was so faithful, and things prospered so in his hands, that Potiphar soon made him overseer in his house. "And it came to pass from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of Jehovah was upon all that he had, in the house and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat" (Genesis 39:5-6). imprisoned. "Joseph was comely, and well-favored." Potiphar’s wife became enamored with him. Failing in her sinful scheme, she falsely accused Joseph, and he was cast into prison, "the place where the king’s prisoners were bound" (see Genesis 39:7-23). A favorite in prison. "But Jehovah was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it" (Genesis 39:21-22). pharaoh’s chief butler and baker. Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker were cast into prison, "the place where Joseph was bound." "And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them." Both dreamed dreams which troubled them greatly, for there was no one to interpret them. "And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell it me, I pray you." The chief butler related his dream, "and Joseph said unto him within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head, and restore thee thine office." Then Joseph begged the butler to make an effort with Pharaoh in his behalf. The chief baker related his dream, which Joseph interpreted to mean that within three days the baker would be hanged. "Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him" (see Genesis 40:1-23). pharaoh’s dreams. Pharaoh dreamed that seven fat cattle came up out of the river and were eaten up by seven lean-fleshed cattle which came up after them. He dreamed again that seven good ears of grain which grew on one stalk were swallowed up by seven thin and blasted ears which grew up after them. Pharaoh was troubled; and none of the magicians and wise men of Egypt, when called, could interpret his dreams. Then the chief butler remembered his ingratitude toward Joseph and told of the dreams in prison, of their interpretation by Joseph, and of their fulfillment according to Joseph’s interpretation (see Genesis 41:1-13).
JOSEPH RELEASED — INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAMS. Joseph was brought hastily out of the dungeon, and appeared before Pharaoh, who then related his dreams to Joseph. "And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: what God is about to do he hath declared unto Pharaoh. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven lean and ill-favored kine that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind; they shall be seven years of famine. That is the thing which I spake unto Pharaoh: what God is about to do he hath showed unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine which followeth; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh, it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass" (see Genesis 41:14-32).
Joseph exalted. Joseph advised Pharaoh to set a capable man over all Egypt, that a fifth part of the products of the land might be laid up during the seven plenteous years for food during the seven years of famine. Pharaoh, having decided that none other was so wise and discreet as Joseph, appointed him ruler over all the land; only Pharaoh was to be greater than he (Genesis 41:33-44).
Joseph’s wife and sons. Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, became Joseph’s wife. To them were born two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 41:45; Genesis 41:51-52). the famine. The seven years of plenty were followed by seven years of famine in which nothing was made in Egypt. The famine extended into other countries (Genesis 41:53-54).
Joseph’s brethren come to buy food. The famine extended up into the land of Canaan, where Jacob dwelt. Having learned of the stores of grain in Egypt, Jacob Sent his sons down to buy food. Benjamin remained with his father. When the ten brothers came into Joseph’s presence, he recognized them; but they did not know him, and he did not make himself known to them. In studying this narrative let us remember that Joseph was human, and that he had suffered greatly at the hands of his brethren. He could not know but that his brethren had told his father the truth about his disappearance, and perhaps he felt that his father had not tried very hard to find him. It is no wonder, then, that he spoke roughly to them and accused them of being spies, and that he remembered his dreams. They protested their innocence. "And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies: hereby ye shall be proved: by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. And he put them all together into ward three days." It is plain that he was laying a plan to have Benjamin brought down and let the rest go. It will be remembered that Joseph and Benjamin were full brothers, the only sons of Rachel. On the third day of their imprisonment Joseph proposed that one be bound as a pledge that they would bring their youngest brother down. "And they did so. And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear:’ therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them." Reuben was the oldest, and would likely have been bound, but Joseph learned from his speech that he was not as guilty as were the others. Simeon, the next oldest,, was bound before their eyes and kept as a guaranty that they would bring Benjamin. "Then Joseph commanded to fill their vessels with grain, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus was it done unto them" (Genesis 42:1-25). their return home. When they reached home, they reported to their father Jacob their experiences and their rough treatment at the hands of the lord of the land and their promise to bring Benjamin. "And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not unto thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left: if harm befall him by the way in which ye go,’then will ye bring down my ’gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol" (see Genesis 42:26-38). the second journey. When their supplies were exhausted, Jacob said to them: "Go again, buy a little food." Judah replied: "If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food; but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you." Jacob said: "Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?" Judah replied that the man asked them plainly if they had another brother, and that they could not know he would say: "Bring your brother down." Judah promised to be surety for Benjamin, and Jacob sent them away with presents for the man and the money that had been returned in their sacks, saying: "God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release unto you your brother and Benjamin." "And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, and slay, and make ready; for the men shall dine with me at noon." "And the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that ye may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses." They went before the steward of Joseph’s house and plead their innocence, and that they had brought again the money which they found in their sacks. The steward replied: "Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money." Simeon was brought out of the prison, and everything was made ready for their meeting Joseph at the noon meal, for they were to eat with him. When Joseph came in, he asked: "Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin his brother, his mother’s son, and .said, Is this your youngest brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned over his brother: and he sought where to weep, and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and came out; and he refrained himself, and said, Set on bread." They were arranged at the table according to their ages, which caused them to marvel. Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of the others (Genesis 43:1-34). they start home. When they were ready to start home, Joseph commanded the steward to put every man’s money into his sack, and to put his silver cup into Benjamin’s sack. When they had gone but a little way, the steward, at the command of Joseph, followed them, and accused them of taking Joseph’s cup. They protested their innocence, reminding him that they had brought tack the money previously found in their sacks. How then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?" The steward said: "He with whom it is found shall be my bondman; and ye shall be blameless." The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. It seems plain that Joseph was planning to keep Benjamin and let the others return. They all hastily returned to Joseph’s house, and "fell before him on the ground." And Joseph said unto them: "What deed is this that ye have done? know ye not that such a man as I can indeed divine? And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s bondmen, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is found. And he said, Far be it from me that I should do so: the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my bondman; but as for you, get you up in peace unto your father."
Then Judah made a very tender and touching appeal, in which he related that his father all these years had mourned Joseph as dead, and that his father was now so devoted to Benjamin that his loss would cause his father’s death, and closed with these words: "For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then shall I bear the blame to my father forever. Now therefore, let thy servant, I pray thee, abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, if the lad be not with me? lest I see the evil that shall come on my father." This speech revealed Joseph’s brethren in a new light. They were no longer cruel and heartless, as they were when, despite his pleading and anguish of soul, they had sold him as a slave. Years had mellowed them; and now, although Benjamin was Jacob’s favorite as Joseph had been, yet they, instead of being resentful, were very tender toward both Benjamin and their father. Joseph’s sternness departed—he was completely overcome. He made himself known to his astonished and bewildered brethren. "And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 44:1-34; Genesis 45:1-8). sends for His father Jacob. His brethren sent in haste for Jacob their father. Tidings having reached Pharaoh, he provided richly for their journey, and promised them the fat of the land when they returned with their father and their families. When they arrived home, Jacob could hardly believe the report till he saw the wagons which were brought to carry them back into Egypt (Genesis 45:9-28).
Jacob and family all Go down into Egypt. In their journey into Egypt they camped at Beer-sheba, and Jacob "offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac." Here God appeared to him, and promised to protect him during his sojourn in Egypt and to bring him again out of the land. When they reached Egypt, Pharaoh assigned them the land of Goshen for a home, and they were cared for during the famine (Genesis 48:1-22, Genesis 47:1-31). the tribes of Israel. Before his death Jacob blessed each of his sons. Each son became the head of a tribe, excepting Joseph, whose two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each became the head of a tribe (Genesis 48:1-22, Genesis 49:1-33). dreams. The part dreams have had as a means of communicating God’s mind to men is a matter of interest to every Bible student. Such dreams fall into three divisions: (1) An angel speaks to man in a dream; (2) communication is made to the dreamer by what appears to be the distinct voice of Jehovah; (3) the dreamer sees in his dream a vision or visions. The following dreams come under the first division: Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:13; Matthew 2:19.
Dreams coming under the second division are mentioned in Genesis 20:3; Genesis 31:24; 1 Kings 3:4-5. In each of these classes there was little difficulty in understanding the revelation, for the message was spoken distinctly either by an angel or by the Lord himself. In the third class the dreamer saw a vision which to his mind was a mystery. Some divinely qualified man must interpret these dreams. The following are some of the dreams of this class: The dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker (Genesis 40:1-23), the dreams of Pharaoh (Genesis 41:1-32), and the dream of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:145). The interpretations were of God. But this raises a question: If the interpretations were of God, were not the dreams also? But in what way, or by what means, did God so impress these men as to cause them to dream prophetic dreams? The answer to this question is one of the secret things that belong to God.
TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION.
Evils of Favoritism in the Family.
Seeming Calamities Sometimes a Blessing.
Joseph as a Character Study.
Religion of the Egyptians in Joseph’s Time.
Dreams.
QUESTIONS.
Name Jacob’s sons.
Who was Joseph’s mother?
Why did Jacob love Joseph most?
How did he manifest his love?
How did this affect the other sons?
What effect on Joseph?
Relate Joseph’s dreams.
How did they affect his brethren?
What did Jacob say?
Where did Jacob send Joseph, and why?
Where did he find his brethren?
What did his brethren say when they saw him?
What did they first plan to do?
Who objected, and what did he suggest?
What purpose did he have in suggesting this?
How did the others finally dispose of Joseph?
Who were the Ishmaelites?
How did they deceive Jacob?
To whom did the Ishmaelites sell Joseph?
How did Joseph’s master regard him?
What caused his imprisonment?
How did he stand as a prisoner?
What prominent men were put into prison?
Relate the butler’s dream and Joseph’s interpretation.
Relate the baker’s dream and Joseph’s interpretation.
What did Joseph request the butler to do?
Tell Pharaoh’s dreams.
Of whom did he first seek an interpretation?
Tell how Joseph’s imprisonment was a means of bringing him before Pharaoh.
What interpretation did he give to Pharaoh’s dreams?
What advice did he give Pharaoh?
Why did Pharaoh select Joseph for the place?
To whom was Joseph married?
Name his sons.
What part of the grain was collected during the years of plenty?
How extensive was the famine?
Discuss the significance of this: They lived seven years on one- fifth of what they had during the years of plenty.
Why did Joseph’s brethren come down?
How did Joseph treat them?
How do you account for his conduct toward them?
How long did he keep them bound?
What did Joseph finally propose to do?
Who was bound and kept, and why?
Why not Reuben, as he was the oldest?
What did they find in their sacks of grain?
When they reported to Jacob their promise to bring Benjamin, what did he say?
When their supplies were exhausted what did Jacob say?
Outline the conversation that followed.
When Jacob relented, what instructions did he give?
Tell how they were received at the house of Joseph.
When Joseph came in, what inquiries did he make?
How was Joseph affected at the sight of Benjamin?
What plan did Joseph fall on to keep Benjamin?
When they all returned, what did Joseph propose?
Outline Judah’s speech—give his closing appeal.
What effect did it have on Joseph?
What change in his brethren did he now discover?
Tell how he made himself known to his brethren.
Whom did he say had sent him into Egypt, and why?
What did he tell his brethren to do?
What effect did their report have on Jacob?
What caused him to believe?
Where did they locate in Egypt?
What are the tribes of Israel?
What charge did Jacob give concerning his burial?
How long did Joseph live?
Name three classes of dreams found in the Bible.
Which class had to be interpreted?
Did God through these dreams reveal any new law to any one?