Joseph was Jacob’s eleventh son, his first child with Rachel, his favorite wife. The story of Joseph is found in Genesis 37-50 . Following the announcement of his birth, we can see Joseph as a 17- year-old boy returning from tending the flock with his half-brothers to give Jacob a bad report about them. We are also told that Jacob “loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he had been the father of him in his old age; and he made him a coat of many colors” ( Genesis 37:3 ). Joseph’s brothers knew that their father loved Joseph more than they did, making this a reason to hate him ( Genesis 37:4 ). To make matters worse, Joseph began to relate his dreams to the family, which were prophetic visions that showed that Joseph would one day rule over his family ( Genesis 37:5-11 ).
The bitterness toward Joseph reached its peak when his brothers conspired to kill him in the wilderness. Reuben, the firstborn, strongly opposed the murder and suggested that he be thrown into a cistern, since he planned to return and rescue the boy. But in Reuben’s absence, some merchants happened to be passing by, and Judah proposed selling Joseph into slavery; the brothers succeeded before Reuben could rescue him. The brothers took Joseph’s tunic, and after dipping the tunic in goat’s blood, they tricked their father into thinking that his favorite son had been devoured by some wild beast ( Genesis 37:18-35 ).
Joseph was sold by the merchants to a high-ranking Egyptian named Potiphar, and he eventually became the overseer of Potiphar’s household. In Genesis 39we read of how Joseph excelled in his duties, became one of Potiphar’s most trusted servants, and was put in charge of his household. Potiphar could see that whatever Joseph did, God was with him and he prospered in all the things he did. Sadly, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. Joseph constantly refused her advances, showing honor for the master who had entrusted him with much and saying that it would be a “great evil, and he would sin against God” if he slept with Potiphar’s wife ( Genesis 39:9 ). One day, Potiphar’s wife grabbed him by his clothes and again made sexual advances. Joseph fled, leaving his cloak in her hand. In great anger, she falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape, and Potiphar put him in prison ( Genesis 39:7-20 ).
In prison, Joseph was again blessed by God ( Genesis 39:21-23 ) .). Joseph interpreted the dreams of two of his fellow prisoners. Both interpretations proved true, and one of the men was later released from prison and restored to his position as the king’s cupbearer ( Genesis 40:1-23 ). But the cupbearer forgot about Joseph and did not speak to Pharaoh about him. Two years later, the king himself had some disturbing dreams, and the cupbearer remembered Joseph’s gift for interpreting dreams. The king called Joseph in and told him about his dreams. According to Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph predicted seven years of abundant harvests followed by seven years of severe famine in Egypt and advised the king to begin storing up grain in preparation for the coming shortage ( Genesis 41:1-37 ). Because of his wisdom, Joseph became ruler of Egypt, second only to the king. Joseph was charged with storing up food during the years of plenty and selling it to the Egyptians and foreigners during the years of famine ( Genesis 41:38-57 ). During these years of plenty Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim ( Genesis 41:50-52 ).
When famine struck, even Canaan was affected. Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain ( Genesis 42:1-3 ). Jacob would not let Benjamin, his youngest son and Rachel’s only other son, leave ( Genesis 42:4 ). While in Egypt, the men were reunited with their long-lost brother, whom they did not recognize. However, Joseph recognized his brothers. He tested them by accusing them of being spies. He locked them up for three days and then released all but one, sending them home with grain and asking them to return to their younger brother ( Genesis 42:6-20 ). Not yet knowing Joseph’s identity, the brothers were stricken with guilt over having sold their brother years earlier ( Genesis 42:21-22 ). Joseph overheard their argument and went away to weep ( Genesis 42:23-24 ). He kept Simeon and sent the others on their way, secretly returning the money in their grain sacks ( Genesis 42:25 ). When the brothers later realized that the money had been returned, they feared even more ( Genesis 42:26-28 , 35 ). Once home, they told Jacob everything that had happened to them. Jacob again mourned the loss of Joseph and added to that the loss of Simeon. Jacob refused to send Benjamin away, despite Reuben’s promise, “You will kill my two sons if I do not return him to you.” Give him into my hand, and I will bring him back to you ( Genesis 42:35-38 ).
The famine became so severe that Jacob agreed. Judah persuaded Jacob to send Benjamin with him, giving his own life as collateral ( Genesis 43:1–10 ). Jacob agreed, also sending some of the best fruit and twice the money for grain ( Genesis 43:11–14 ). When Joseph saw the men, he ordered his servants to sacrifice an animal and prepare a meal for Joseph to eat with his brothers ( Genesis 43:15–17 ). Fearful of being invited to Joseph’s home, the brothers apologized to Joseph’s steward for the money that had been returned the first time. Joseph’s steward reassured them and brought Simeon ( Genesis 43:18–25 ). When Joseph returned, the brothers bowed to him, fulfilling his earlier prophecy ( Genesis 43:26 ). He inquired about the welfare of his family and again wept, this time entering his chamber ( Genesis 43:27-30 ). When the men sat down to eat at a table apart from Joseph, they were surprised to be placed at the table in order of birth. Benjamin was given five times the portion that the other brothers received ( Genesis 43:31-34 ). Before sending them back to their father, Joseph again tested his brothers by returning the money in their grain sacks and putting his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. He let the brothers start on their journey and then sent his steward after them to feign anger and threaten to kill Benjamin. In Joseph’s presence, Judah pleaded for Benjamin’s life, saying that if Benjamin died, Jacob would die as well. Judah spoke of Jacob’s grief over the loss of Joseph and the conviction that his father could not bear to lose his other son. Judah also spoke of his promise to Jacob and offered his life in exchange for Benjamin’s ( Genesis 44 ).
Seeing this change of heart in his brothers, Joseph sent out all his servants and wept loudly, so that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s house would hear him. Then he made himself known to his brothers ( Genesis 45:1–3 ). Joseph immediately reassured them, telling them not to be angry with themselves for what they had done to him and telling them that God had sent him to Egypt in order to preserve them ( Genesis 45:4–8 ). Joseph reaffirmed his forgiveness years later, after his father’s death, saying that although his brothers planned evil against him, God meant it for good ( Genesis 50:15–21 ). Joseph sent his brothers back to Jacob to bring the rest of his family to live in Goshen, where they would be close to Joseph, and where he could provide for them ( Genesis 45:9-47:12 ).
Jacob came to live in Egypt with his entire family. Before he died, Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons and thanked God for His kindness: “I had not thought to see your face, and behold, God has shown me your descendants also” ( Genesis 48:11 ). Jacob then gave the greater blessing to the younger of the two sons (verses 12–20). Later in Israel’s history, Ephraim and Manasseh, the tribes of Joseph, were generally regarded as two distinct tribes. Jacob’s descendants lived in Egypt for 400 years, until the time of Moses. When Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt, he took Joseph’s remains, just as Joseph had requested ( Genesis 50:24–25 ; cf. Exodus 13:19 ).
There is much to learn from the story of Joseph. As parents, we receive warnings about Jacob’s favoritism and the effects it can have on other children, as seen in young Joseph’s pride and his brothers’ envy and hatred. We have a good example of how to handle sexual temptation—one must run ( Genesis 39:12 ; cf. 2 Timothy 2:22 )—and we have a clear picture of God’s faithfulness. He does not abandon His children, even in the midst of suffering: “The Lord was with Joseph” ( Genesis 39:3 , 5 , 21 , 23 ).
There may be many distressing circumstances we find ourselves in, and some of them may even be unfair, like those Joseph experienced in his life. However, as we learn from the account of Joseph’s life, remaining faithful and accepting that God is ultimately in control, we can be assured that God will reward our faithfulness in the fullness of time. Who would blame Joseph if he had rejected his brothers in their need? Yet Joseph showed them mercy, and God desires us to have mercy above all other sacrifices ( Hosea 6:6 ; Matthew 9:13 ).
Joseph’s story also presents an incredible glimpse into how God sovereignly works to overcome evil and bring about His plan. After all his suffering, Joseph was able to see God’s hand at work. When he revealed his identity to his brothers, Joseph spoke of their sin this way: “Do not be grieved or upset that you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. . . . it was not you who sent me here, but God” ( Genesis 45:5 , 8 ). Later, Joseph again reassured his brothers, offering forgiveness and saying, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” ( Genesis 50:20 )
