Topical Bible: Joseph: Son of Jacob of the Two Prisoners

◄ Joseph: Son of Jacob of the Two Prisoners ►

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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, unfolds from Genesis 37 to Genesis 50. Joseph's narrative is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even amidst human treachery and suffering.

Early Life and Family Dynamics

Joseph was born into a family fraught with tension and favoritism. Jacob, his father, loved Joseph more than his other sons, as he was the son of his old age and the firstborn of his beloved wife, Rachel (Genesis 37:3). This favoritism was symbolized by the "robe of many colors" that Jacob gave to Joseph, inciting jealousy and hatred among his brothers (Genesis 37:4).

Joseph's early life was marked by prophetic dreams, which he shared with his family. These dreams, which foretold his future rise to prominence and his family's subservience to him, further fueled his brothers' animosity (Genesis 37:5-11).

Betrayal and Slavery

The animosity culminated in a plot by his brothers to kill him. Reuben, the eldest, intervened, suggesting they throw Joseph into a pit instead, intending to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21-22). However, while Reuben was absent, the brothers sold Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver, who then took him to Egypt (Genesis 37:28).

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Despite his circumstances, Joseph prospered because "the LORD was with him," and he found favor in Potiphar's sight, becoming overseer of his house (Genesis 39:2-4).

Imprisonment and Interpretation of Dreams

Joseph's integrity was tested when Potiphar's wife attempted to seduce him. Joseph refused her advances, declaring, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). Angered by his rejection, she falsely accused him of assault, leading to his imprisonment (Genesis 39:20).

Even in prison, the LORD's favor was upon Joseph. The warden put him in charge of all the prisoners, and whatever was done there, he was the one who did it (Genesis 39:22-23). It was during this time that Joseph encountered two of Pharaoh's officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, who had been imprisoned for offending their master (Genesis 40:1-3).

Both officials had troubling dreams on the same night, and Joseph, acknowledging that interpretations belong to God, offered to interpret them (Genesis 40:8). The cupbearer's dream foretold his restoration to Pharaoh's service, while the baker's dream predicted his execution (Genesis 40:12-19). Joseph's interpretations proved accurate, yet the cupbearer forgot Joseph after his release (Genesis 40:23).

Rise to Power

Two years later, Pharaoh himself had perplexing dreams that none of his magicians or wise men could interpret. The cupbearer then remembered Joseph and recommended him to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:9-13). Brought before Pharaoh, Joseph interpreted the dreams as a divine revelation of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine (Genesis 41:25-30).

Impressed by Joseph's wisdom and discernment, Pharaoh appointed him as second-in-command over Egypt, entrusting him with the task of preparing for the impending famine (Genesis 41:39-41). Joseph's administration during the years of plenty ensured that Egypt had enough grain to survive the famine, which affected the entire region (Genesis 41:47-49).

Reconciliation with His Family

The famine eventually brought Joseph's brothers to Egypt in search of food. Unrecognized by them, Joseph tested their character and repentance through a series of interactions (Genesis 42-44). Ultimately, Joseph revealed his identity, expressing forgiveness and recognizing God's hand in his journey: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph's family was invited to settle in Egypt, where they were provided for during the remaining years of famine (Genesis 45:9-11). Jacob and his family moved to Egypt, marking the beginning of the Israelites' sojourn in the land (Genesis 46:1-7).

Legacy

Joseph lived to the age of 110, witnessing the growth of his family in Egypt. Before his death, he made the Israelites swear to carry his bones back to Canaan, a promise fulfilled during the Exodus (Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 13:19). Joseph's life exemplifies faithfulness, forgiveness, and the fulfillment of God's promises, serving as a precursor to the redemptive work of Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 40:5-23
And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Joseph and his Brethren.
... Jacob could not at first believe the good news his sons brought; but when he ... to carry
him and the little ones, he said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is yet ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/joseph and his brethren.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 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

The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
... Jacob's somewhat foolish love, and still more foolish way ... soiled on the streets,
is, 'My son, if sinners ... Joseph's dreams are the other principal point in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the trials and visions of.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph
is not ... And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... Anon it was told to the father: Lo thy son Joseph cometh to thee, which then was
comforted, and sat up in his ... And Joseph entered in, and Jacob said: Almighty ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Jacob was persecuted, and fled and became an exile. Joseph was persecuted, and sold
and cast into the pit. ... Joshua the son of Nun was persecuted, and made war. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... children also worshipped him, and last of all Joseph and Rachel ... him Benjamin, that
is to say the son of the ... and died in good mind, and Esau and Jacob his sons ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

The Sympathy of the Two Worlds
... stranger in a strange land"a homeless Joseph in the ... he had mentioned Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, and Gideon ... to the gate, crying, "What news, O son of fire ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sympathy of the two.htm

On the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles
... going to speak of the old patriarch Jacob, Abraham's grandson ... After the death of
Joseph and his brothers, their ... That is, he killed the eldest son in the house ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 9 on the holy.htm