Thursday, April 21, 2005
Joseph Meets Brothers sent by Jacob to Egypt
Genesis 42: Jacob sends his ten sons (all but the youngest, Benjamin) to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. Joseph accuses them of being spies, demands that they bring their youngest brother, keeps Simeon and sends the other nine back with grain and the silver they had bought. Jacob does not want Benjamin to to to Egypt.
Genesis 43: When the grain runs out, Jacob finally agrees to let Benjamin go along to Egypt. Joseph sees Benjamin, returns Simeon, and feeds them, but does not reveal to them who he is.
Genesis 44: Joseph sends them home with lots of grain, but plants a silver cup in Benjamin's sack, so they are "caught" and must return to Joseph. Judah begs mercy and asks to stay as Joseph's slave in place of Benjamin.
Genesis 45: Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers, explains God's hand in using Joseph to save lives. Joseph instructs them to return to Canaan and bring Jacob with all their family to Egypt for the remainder of the famine. Jacob hears the story and is convinced Joseph is alive.
Genesis 46: Jacob and his family move to Egypt with God's blessing. List of Jacob's sons and grandsons. Joseph meets Jacob and instructs his family to tell Pharaoh that they are shepherds.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Jealous brothers turn on Joseph
"I wish someone would rob him of that fancy robe of his and maybe kill him while they did it."
"Why wish? We could make it happen."
"Kill our own brother? No way," Reuben protested.
"Half brother," Simeon reminded him.
"Maybe we could half kill him," Reuben suggested. "We could dump him in that well and let great grampa Abraham's god finish him off."
"Let's do it," and they did. When Joseph arrived they stripped him of his robe and dumped him in the well. They left and tried to forget he was there.
"Maybe we can be rid of Joseph and profit too. We can sell him to those traders."
They fetched Joseph out of the well and sold him to the Midianite traders for 20 shekels of silver.