Joseph Who Was Son of Jacob
Do you know that when Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt for help, why did they not recognize Joseph?
The first thing is that when they sold Joseph, he was very young and now he was a young man. The second thing is that when Joseph was made the minister of Egypt, he was renamed. He was called “Zaphenath-Paneah” (Genesis 41:45). This name was given because he used to reveal secrets. Another name was given to him because of his characteristics. Due to which Joseph brothers did not recognize him as Joseph.
Do you know when Joseph’s first dream came true?
When Joseph was young, he saw all his brothers prostrating before him, and this dream came true when Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt for help. When they saw Joseph, they bowed down to him as a minister.
Introduction
Jacob had 12 sons and from these 12 sons, 12 tribes came into being. Following are the names of Jacob’s 12 sons.
- Reuben
- Simeon
- Levi
- Asher
- Judah
- Dan
- Naphtali
- Gad
- Issachar
- Zebulum
- Joseph
- Benjamin
Today we will discuss one of them whose name was Joseph. Joseph was number 11 and was born to Jacob’s beloved wife named Rachel. Jacob loved Joseph so much because he was Rachel’s son. Because of this love of Jacob, jealousy arose in the heart of the rest of the sons, which forced them and they thought of killing Joseph. Joseph faced many difficulties. Jealousy among Joseph’s brothers began when Jacob gave Joseph a gift. That gift was a colorful coat. This created jealousy for Joseph in the hearts of his brothers and because of this jealousy they sold Joseph. But God blessed Joseph with His mercy and gave him many successes.
Verse
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.” (Genesis 37:3)
Jealousy of Joseph’s Brothers
Joseph was a very beloved son of Jacob, so he loved him very much. Jacob had a wife named Rachel. Jacob loved her very much. The reason Joseph was so dear to him was because Joseph was Rachel’s son. But the rest of the sons did not like the fact that one son should be loved more by the father and the others not so much, due to which they hated Joseph. Joseph was born in the Galilee region and lived there. Once, Jacob gave Joseph a gift of a colorful coat. The rest of the brothers liked that coat very much. For this reason, they became jealous of Joseph that why he got this gift and we didn’t get it. After that Joseph had a dream and he saw all his brothers bowing before him. When the rest of the brothers came to know about this, hatred arose in their hearts as to why he is superior to us. Why is he getting all the love? This position should not be given to him, and on this basis, they planned to kill Joseph.
Verse
“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.” (Genesis 37:4-5)
Journey of Joseph to Egypt
Joseph was taken to the forest by his brothers smartly and thought to kill him there. But Joseph’s two brothers had compassion and intervened. They said do not kill him, he is our brother. Due to which they gave up the intention of killing and thought of selling it. Then a caravan was passing there which was going towards Egypt. Joseph’s brothers sold him to these people. Thus Joseph went to Egypt. There were some guards of the pharaoh; one of them was named Potiphar. He bought Joseph, and God honored Joseph there. With God’s help, Joseph got an important position there. But because of Joseph’s beauty, the intention of Potiphar’s wife was spoiled. Joseph did not want to go to the wrong side, so he intervened. Because of which this woman accused Joseph and sent him to prison.
Verse
Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.” (Genesis 37:26-28)
Verse
Reference: (Genesis 39:1-6)
Dream Interpretation of Joseph in Prison
God had given Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, which was of great use to him. When he was in prison, he explained the interpretation of dreams to two servants there, from which they knew that Joseph knew the interpretation of dreams. Once it happened that Pharaoh had a dream which was not interpreted by many people. Pharaoh looked for many people who could interpret this dream, but no one understood this dream and could not give the correct interpretation. On which his servants remembered Joseph and they again told him that there is a person named Joseph in the prison who knows the interpretation of dreams. He had told us the interpretation of our dreams and that came true. Due to which Pharaoh called Joseph to his court and asked him the interpretation of his dream. Joseph explained that there will be a good harvest in Egypt for seven years and There will be prosperity, but then there will be seven years of famine, due to which Pharaoh considered Joseph not an ordinary person, but a person of high abilities. Because of which he made him the prime minister of Egypt so that he could take precautions regarding this dream and save Egypt from famine.
Verse
“So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:14-16)
Verse
Reference: (Genesis 41:25-36)
Rise of Joseph in Egypt
During the period of prosperity in Egypt, Joseph strategically stored grain to be used in the days of famine. Similarly, when the famine occurred, the stored grain began to be used. Affected by this famine, Jacob and his sons thought that they should go to Egypt because there is prosperity and grain. So we will go there and request the Prime Minister to give us grain. So they went to Egypt for help. There Joseph recognized his brothers but did not reveal his identity because he wanted to see if his brothers were still selfish and jealous or if they had changed. When Joseph felt that now was the right time, he revealed his identity, on which his brothers were very ashamed. Joseph called them all to him and they became a complete family again.
Verse
Reference: (Genesis 45:1-7)
Verse
“Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” (Genesis 42:6-9)
Jacob’s Settlement in Egypt
When Joseph was met by his father, he was very happy and his father started crying for joy. He missed his son very much. The son whom he used to cry as dead was alive. Because of which Jacob was very happy. Joseph also forgave his brothers and allowed them all to stay in Egypt so that they could live in peace and tranquility during the days of famine. After his father’s death, Jacob was buried in Canaan.
Verse
“So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children.” (Genesis 47:11-12)
Verse
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:19-21)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Joseph died in Egypt but was buried with his ancestors (Jacob, Isaac and Abraham, etc) in Canaan. Joseph’s life is an example of wisdom, love, forgiveness, and faith in God. Joseph has attained a high position in Egypt because of his wisdom and he forgave his brothers because of his love. He saved his family from famine. Joseph’s example is still alive for all Christian and Jewish communities.
Verse
Reference: (Genesis 50:22-26)
