ToC | Reading the Old Testament. . . Chapter 2. Genesis 12-50 | ToC

Story Line

Joseph was Jacob's favored son, and for this as well as Joseph's arrogance his brothers despised him and eventually sold him into Egyptian slavery. He became a servant to Potiphar, an Egyptian official (Genesis 37). An interlude describes Judah and Tamar's conflict over marriage rights and offspring (38). Back on the main story line, Joseph faithfully served Potiphar, but was sent to jail after Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him and was rebuffed. While in jail Joseph distinguished himself by his trustworthiness and his ability to interpret dreams (39-40). When Pharaoh had a series of dreams he could not comprehend, Joseph was called upon to interpret the dreams and came to a high government post (41). Under his leadership Egypt prepared for a famine, thus providing the occasion for a reunion with his brothers. When they came to buy grain he accused them of espionage and imprisoned one of his brothers, inflicting on Simeon the ordeal he himself had suffered because of them (42). Eventually he revealed his identity to them and forgave them (43-45).
    Joseph brought the entire family to live in the Goshen region of Egypt, a fertile area in the eastern Nile delta. They grew into a sizable clan under the care of Jacob. In his old age he passed on the family blessing to his grandchildren, Ephraim and Manasseh (48) and his sons (49). Shortly afterward he died and was taken back to Canaan for burial. Before he died in Egypt Joseph extracted a promise from his family that they would not bury him there but would carry his bones back to Canaan (50).
ToC | Reading the Old Testament. . . Chapter 2. Genesis 12-50 | ToC