12 Tribes of Israel…Joseph

By the time we get to Genesis 37, Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, is 17 years old. He has one younger brother, Benjamin, by the same mom and 10 older half-brothers by three other moms. His mom, Rachel, was the one loved by Jacob, but she died after giving birth to Benjamin. Jacob’s other brothers do not like him and devise a plan to get rid if him.

Here are some of the highlights from this story:

-2 dreams by Joseph foreshadow the trips to Egypt the families will have in the future about 22 years later. Of course, at the time of the dreams, no one knows how this will actually play out.

-Joseph is sold to Ishmaelites & Midianites in verse 28. Both of those are groups who originate from Abraham. One from Hagar and the other from Keturah.

-Joseph works faithfully under Potiphar. We don’t know how long Joseph was there before Potiphar’s wife made moves on him tempting him “day after day”. Some scholars say he was there 1 year and then thrown in prison for 12. Other scholars say he was there 10 years and then in prison for 2. For more info, check out Got Questions.

-Joseph should’ve received death for the charge against him. I’m thinking maybe Potiphar knew his wife was lying so he put Joseph in jail instead.

-While Joseph is in jail, he correctly interprets dreams for a baker and a cupbearer. He is forgotten and remains in jail for 2 years. Joseph is now 30.

-Pharaoh has a dream and Joseph is the only one able to interpret it. Not only that, but he comes up with a plan and Pharaoh lets him run with it putting him second in command.

-7 years of plenty pass. Joseph is 37 and has two sons during that time.

-2 years into the 7 years of famine Joseph’s brothers show up. Joseph is now 39.

-Joseph tests his brothers to see if they have changed. All of his tests directly correlate with what they did to him years ago. He had to test their repentance and character. It’s quite the challenge and his brothers pass the test. The dreams that Joseph had when he was 17 are finally being fulfilled.

-Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers after their third meeting with him.

-Joseph’s family (the 12 Tribes of Israel) settle in Egypt with Joseph. He knows God promised to bring them out one day. He is holding on to the promise made to Abraham and asks that his descendants bring his bones to the land of promise when they leave Egypt.

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Extra Charts & Resources:

Articles:

Got Questions: Who was Joseph in the Old Testament?

Hebrew 4 Christians: Messiah ben Yosef

Hebrew 4 Christians: The Absence of Joseph

Hebrew 4 Christians: Parashat Vayigash “and he drew near”

Podcasts:

The Bible Project Podcast: Genesis – Joseph in Exile

The Bible Project Podcast: Genesis – Joseph the Suffering Servant

Knowing Faith Podcast: Joseph and the Coat