Genesis: The Mysterious Beginning (Part 4)

The brief description of the Genesis stories concludes with the following tales...   

> Joseph Becomes a High Ranking Slave (Gen. 39) 

Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian captain of the guard, from the Ishmaelites (39:1). The son of Jacob/Israel was appointed the captain's attendant, putting him in charge of Potiphar's household straightaway (39:4); the captain saw that Joseph's god was blessing his household (39:5). Problems would soon arise when Potiphar's wife took notice of Joseph and wanted him to 'bed her' (39:7), to which Joseph refused (39:9). This made the captain's wife extremely angry and she told her husband that Joseph tried to rape her [even though he had not]. She was a woman scorned and meant to pay him back for rejecting her advances (39:10-19). Joseph was quickly imprisoned for a deed he did not commit. But while Joseph was there in the prison, "the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." (39:21). So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there." (39:22). 

> The Cupbearer and the Baker (Gen. 40)   

Not long after Joseph was imprisoned in the dungeon of Pharaoh's kingdom, the king's cupbearer and baker were thrown into prison for offending their king (40:1-3). "The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them." (40:4). Each man had a dream the night they were put in jail, to which Joseph gladly interpreted for them (40:8). "So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” (40:9-11). The three branches represented that in three days the cupbearer would be restored to his position. (40:12-13). Joseph asked the man to remember him and put in a good word to the king on his behalf (40:14). The baker's dream was not as favorable. "When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head." (40:16-17). The three baskets represented in three days time the baker would lose his head, be impaled upon a pole and the birds would eat his flesh (40:18-19). Joseph's interpretation of the dreams were spot on; the cupbearer was restored and the baker was killed. (40:21-22). "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." (40:23).

> Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams (Gen. 41)   

Joseph was imprisoned for over two years in the king's dungeon, all but forgotten, until the king had a couple of dreams and no one could translate them to him (41:8). The cupbearer remembered the Hebrew slave and informed Pharaoh about him (41:9-13). "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." (41:14). Upon telling Joseph his dreams, the Hebrew slave enlightened him, "Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine." (41:25-27). Joseph suggested that Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest during the seven years of abundance and store the grain for when the seven years of famine occurred (41:33-36). "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." (41:39-40).

> From Slave to Governor (Gen. 41)   

Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he made him a governor in charge of the whole land of Egypt (41:41). The Hebrew slave was given the king's signet ring, put in the finest of clothes, a gold chain to hang around his neck, as well as being given his own chariot (41:42-43). "Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt." (41:45). He dutifully stored the excess grain in the cities (41:48). Joseph stored up so much food that he lost count of the huge quantities (41:49). Before the years of the famine came, Joseph and Asenath had two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim (41:50-52). When the seven years of abundance came to an end and the seven years of famine spread throughout the country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians (41:56). Actually, it is recorded, "And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere." (41:57)

> Joseph's Brothers Go To Egypt (Gen. 42)   

As the famine continued throughout the land and the family of Israel started running out of food, the patriarch ordered his sons to go to Egypt and buy some grain from the Egyptians (42:1-2). Israel [Jacob] sent his ten older sons to Egypt, but kept his youngest son, Benjamin, with him for fear of something happening to him (42:4). After Joseph was "lost in death", Jacob was not taking any chances. When Joseph's brothers bowed before the governor of Egypt and requested grain to buy, they had no idea it was their brother they had sold into slavery years earlier, but Joseph knew exactly who they were (42:8). Remembering the dreams about his brothers, the governor was not going to make it easy on them and accused them of being spies (42:9). The brothers quickly denied such an accusation, "Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more." (42:13). The Governor/Joseph continued the charade, "It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here." (42:14-15). The brothers of Joseph were then thrown into prison for three days to test them (42:17). On the third day the governor released nine of the ten brothers with instructions to take grain back to their starving people and to return with the youngest brother. The brothers were quite distressed, "Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter." (42:22-23). It sorely troubled Joseph that he had to do this, but he also knew he had to teach his immoral brothers a lesson. He chose Simeon to remain behind in Egypt and ordered their bags to be filled with grain and to also return the silver they had come with inside the bags (42:25). "At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.” Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?” (42:27-28). When the nine sons of Jacob returned to Canaan and told their father what had transpired, Jacob was horrified by these turn of events (42:36) and absolutely refused to send Benjamin, his youngest son, back to Egypt with them (42:38).

> Saga of Joseph's Brothers in Egypt Continues (Gen. 43)   

It is not recorded how much time passed before the tribe of Israel ran out of food and the patriarch ordered his sons to go back to Egypt for more, to which they reminded their father about the stipulation of bringing Benjamin with them (43:3). "Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?" (43:6). In their defense, they informed their father that they only answered the [man's] questions and had no idea the Governor would request that the lad be brought to Egypt with them (43:7). Judah assured his father, "I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life." (43:9). Their father, Israel, finally conceded and instructed his sons, "Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake." (43:11-12). It grieved the patriarch of the Israeli tribe greatly to send his youngest son with his elder sons and called up the Lord to grant mercy towards the man [Joseph] who had the power to keep his sons (43:14). Upon returning to Egypt, Jacob's sons were surprised - and afraid - when the Governor told the steward of his house to take the brothers to his private residence and prepare a meal they could share (43:16-17). When they feared for their lives, not having any idea what was going to happened, the brothers confessed to having their silver returned to them upon their last trip and had brought double the portion of silver to cover any errors that had been made previously (43:20-22). The steward denied what they said, stating they had paid their share and any silver given to them came from their [Hebrew] god (43:23). The brothers were still quite wary when Joseph joined them for the noon meal; they quickly presented the gifts Jacob had sent with them to present to the governor (43:26), but Joseph was more interested in the well-being of their father (43:27). Somewhat confused, they answered, "Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him." (43:28). It was so emotional for Joseph, that he had to leave the room temporarily and pull himself together. "After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.” (43:31). What transpired during the meal is not documented.

> Benjamin is Framed for Stealing (Gen. 44)   

The saga of Joseph testing his brothers continues. Not long after the infamous meal, Joseph sent his brothers on their way and allowed them to leave. To his steward, Joseph instructed, "Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said." (44:1-2). Not long after they had left the city, Joseph sent his steward to follow them and repeat these words to them, "Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done." (44:4-5). As instructed, when he caught up to Joseph's brothers, the steward repeated the words of his master to them; Joseph's brothers instantly and passionately denied the accusations. They came to the agreement if anything was found that person would become a slave in the house of the governor. (44:6-10). Then they allowed the steward to check each of their bags and was extremely shocked to find the silver cup inside Benjamin's sack (44:11-13). The Israelites were taken back to the governor's house and the brothers pleaded with Joseph, throwing themselves to the ground in front of him. Joseph said to them, "What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?" (44:14-15). This scared them even more and they pleaded with Joseph to allow them to prove their innocence for now they were all to become slaves, to which the governor corrected them and told them only the person caught with the stolen item would become his slave. (44:16-17). This was too much for Judah [the 4th son of Jacob] to bare and he implored Joseph to take him instead to be his slave and allow the boy to return to his father, for it would surely kill the old man if they returned without his beloved son. (44:18-34).

> Joseph Makes Himself Known (Gen. 45)   

The saga reaches its climax when "Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers." (45:1). However, this turn of events terrified his brothers and they were speechless (45:3). Joseph assured his eleven brothers that while they had done a bad thing, it had been God's will to send him ahead of them so that one day he could save them (45:5-7). "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (45:8). This is one of the most humbling verses throughout the entire book of Genesis. After the shock wore off and the brothers of Joseph composed themselves, the governor instructed them, "Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have." (45:9-10). Joseph also reminded them about the famine that is yet to come and when the news reached Pharaoh, the king was pleased and reiterated the invitation for Joseph's family to come dwell in the land of Egypt (45:16-20). Upon returning to Canaan, Jacob's sons went directly to their father and shared the news that Joseph was alive and well in Egypt (45:25-26). It took a little convincing on the brothers part, but Jacob was soon persuaded to believe, "And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” (45:28).

> Jacob and Joseph Reunite (Gen. 46)   

After receiving word that his son [Joseph] was still alive, and even though he was somewhat wary, Jacob/Israel did not hesitate to set out for Egypt (46:1). When he reached Beersheba, Jacob offered sacrifices to his father's god (46:2). That night he had a dream [vision] in which the god of his father told him, "I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes." (46:3-4). The journey to Egypt was evidently uneventful and when Jacob reached the foreign land he sent Judah ahead to get directions to [the land of] Goshen (46:28). When Joseph heard his father was near, he made his chariot ready and met him in Goshen. It was a very happy reunion between father and son, they embraced and wept (46:29). Jacob/Israel told him, "Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive." (46:30). Afterwards, Joseph instructed his father and brothers on how to talk to Pharaoh so that they [the family of Israel] would be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen (46:31-34). 

> The Famine of Egypt Continues (Gen. 47)   

Jacob impressed Joseph's pharaoh so much that the Egyptian king settled Israel's family in the best part of the land; the district of Rameses, located near Goshen, in the northeastern part of the Egyptian delta (47:11). As the years passed, the famine became widespread throughout Egypt and Canaan. Joseph wisely controlled the storehouses filled with grain and allotted portions to all who brought money to buy from Pharaoh's kingdom (47:13-14). When their money ran out the following year, the governor accepted livestock in lieu of payment (47:15-16). Desperation came out the year after that as the famine continued and both Hebrews and Egyptians offered to sell their land to Pharaoh in exchange for more food. (47:18-19). "So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other." (47:20-21). Even though it is not recorded in the holy scripture, it is implied that Joseph continued being one of the greatest men to live during this oppressive time.

> Jacob Gives Joseph Instructions (Gen. 47)   

Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, had lived in the land of Goshen for seventeen years and felt his time left on Earth was fast approaching (47:28-29). He told Joseph, "Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." (47:30). Joseph swore to do this for his father (47:31). Another brief and quick story comes to an end with a morbid, but solemn, promise.

> Israel Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen. 48)   

This story continues the tradition of blessing the younger son over the elder son. Upon learning that his father was ill, Joseph brought his sons to his father (48:1-2). Jacob told Joseph about his meeting with the God of Abraham and Isaac at Luz in the land of Canaan and reminded him that his seed [the seed of Israel] would be given the land as an everlasting possession (48:3-4). Then Israel asked Joseph to bring his sons near so he could bless them. Knowing his father's eyesight was bad, Joseph placed the boys in front of Jacob according to their age, knowing the blessing of his father would come from placing his right hand upon the oldest lad's head (48:10-13). However, Jacob had other plans, "But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn." (48:14). When Joseph tried to correct his mistake, Jacob told him it was no mistake that the youngest son, Ephraim, would be greater than the older son, Manasseh (48:17-20). And so it was, once again the youngest son was made greater than his elder brother. 

> Jacob Delivers Blessings and Curses Upon His Twelve Sons (Gen. 49)   

"Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come." (49:1). To Reuben: "Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it." (49:4); To Simeon and Levi: "Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel." (49:6-7). To Judah: "Your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his."(49:8,10). To Zebulun: "[He] will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon." (49:13). To Issachar: "[He] is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens. When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor." (49:14-15). To Dan: "[He] will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward." (49:17); To Gad: "[He] will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels " (49:19). To Asher: "[His] food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king." (49:20). To Naphtali: "[He] is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns." (49:21). To Joseph: "Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers." (49:26). To Benjamin: "[He] is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder." (49:27). "All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him." (49:28). This story ends on a straight-forward note!

> Death of Jacob/Israel (Gen. 49-50)   

Right before his death, Jacob reiterated his wishes to be buried with his fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, near Mamre in Canaan, "which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah." (49:29-31). It is recorded as soon as Jacob gave the appropriate blessings to his twelve sons, he died. (49:33). It was Joseph who took care of his father in death, having him embalmed by the Egyptian physicians, which took 40 days. The Egyptians, however, mourned the father of Joseph for 70 days. (50:2-3). When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph requested permission from Pharaoh to leave the land of Egypt and bury his father in the land of Canaan, to which the king gave his approval. (50:4-6). All Pharaoh's officials and dignitaries of Egypt accompanied Joseph on his journey; his brothers and the majority of Jacob's household also embarked upon the journey to Canaan. (50:7-9). "When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel-Mizraim." (50:10-11). It is interesting to note this is the only time Abel-Mizraim is mentioned throughout the holy scriptures. After the burial of Jacob/Israel, Joseph and his brethren returned to Egypt. (50:14). Just like Abraham, scripture does not elaborate on how old Jacob was when he died, unlike Isaac, who is recorded as living 180 years. 

> Joseph Reassures His Brothers (Gen. 50)   

After Jacob's death, Joseph's brother became exceedingly wary. "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” (50:15). The brothers sent word to Joseph, asking him to forgive them for their wrongdoings. The message moved Joseph so much that he cried. (50:16-17). Sometime later, they threw themselves down in front of him and offered Joseph lifelong servitude unto him. (50:18). But Joseph surprised them by saying, "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." (50:19-21). He was quite the forgiving brother.

> Death of Joseph (Gen. 50)   

It is recorded that Joseph died at the grand old age of 110 years. (50:22). He lived his life in Egypt, as did his brothers. He was able to see the third generation of Ephraim's children and also the children of Makir, son of Manasseh. (50:23). Joseph gathered his brothers together right before he died and said, "I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." (50:24). Then Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place." After Joseph was embalmed, he was laid to rest in Egypt. (50:26). It would be over 300 years before Moses "carried his bones out of Egypt" during the exodus of the Israelites.

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The mysterious beginning of mankind's origins and the stories that followed [according to the scriptures of Genesis] remains one of the most controversial subjects even unto this day. But it does become clear why the 10 Commandments would later be incorporated from the Creator himself through his servant, Moses. But, that is another story!

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