Joseph

• Joseph, one of the 12 sons in Canaan, was the favorite child of Jacob and received a rainbow coat as a gift on his 17th birthday
• Joseph's brothers, jealous of him, planned to kill him, but the eldest brother reuben was against it
• Instead of killing Joseph, his brothers threw him into a well and later another brother Levi sold him to Egyptian merchants, the 'Ishmaelites' - descendants of Ishmael
• Joseph was sold for 20 silver coins, and his brothers deceived Jacob by sprinkling goat blood on Joseph's coat, pretending a wild animal had captured him
• In Egypt, Joseph was accused by Potiphar's wife of abusing her, leading to Joseph being thrown into prison
• In prison, Joseph interpreted dreams for a baker and a servant, but the servant forgot about Joseph for two years after being released
• Joseph was eventually appointed as overseer of the land in Egypt, where he predicted a famine lasting 7 years
• During the famine, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for food, not recognizing him, but Joseph recognized them after 10 years
• Joseph's brothers bowed down to him, fulfilling Joseph's earlier dreams where they bowed down to him
• The story of Joseph teaches to trust God amidst struggles, not to give up, and to trust the process, as success cannot be appreciated without failure
• Joseph's reunion with his brothers:

  • Joseph was not recognized
  • His brothers went to Egypt to ask for grains due to famine
  • To test their honesty, Joseph spoke rudely to them and accused them as spies
  • The 9 accused brothers were jailed for 3 days
  • They revealed they had their father and Benjamin at home
  • Joseph sent his brothers home to get his father and Benjamin, leaving Simeon in prison to ensure their return
• Joseph's troubled brothers:

  • One brother discovered money in his sack placed by Joseph for their journey back, causing distress as they remembered what they did to Joseph
  • Reuben promised Jacob to bring Simeon back
• Joseph's tearful reunion with Benjamin:

  • Joseph used an excuse to send his brothers back to see his youngest brother Benjamin
  • Joseph prepared a feast and was overjoyed to see Benjamin, the only sons of Rachel
  • Joseph burst into tears after 10 years of separation
• Joseph, Benjamin, and Judah: the plea for freedom:

  • Joseph planned to make Benjamin stay in Egypt by placing his silver cup in Benjamin's sack
  • Judah pleaded for Benjamin's freedom, offering himself in Benjamin's place
• Joseph's revelation of himself:

  • Love and forgiveness prevailed as Joseph revealed his identity, bringing tears of joy
  • Joseph's brothers returned to Canaan with the news that Joseph is alive
• Joseph's whole family in Goshen:

  • Jacob reunited with his beloved son Joseph
  • Israel's family settled in Goshen, Egypt, with land gifted by Pharaoh
• Jacob's blessing on Joseph's sons:

  • Jacob's blessing passed to Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim
  • Israel placed his right hand on the younger, Ephraim, instead of Manasseh, indicating the younger would be greater
  • Ephraim was chosen to succeed Jacob as the head of the family
• Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers