Genesis: Joseph and his brothers

Joseph and the brothers

text: Genesis 42 – 45

Outline:

A. 42:1-5, Jacob sends the sons to Egypt (Benjamin stays behind)

  B. 42:6-25, First interaction between Joseph and the brothers

    C. 42:26-38, Sacks are full and with gifts

      D. 42:37 – 43:10, Reuben's and Judah's proposition

A'. 43:11-14, Jacob finally agrees to send Benjamin

  B'. 43:12-34, Second interaction between Joseph and the brothers.

    C', 44:1-13, Sacks are “loaded”

      D'.44:14-34, Judah approaches Joseph.

  B''. 45:1-15, Joseph discloses himself

A''. 45:16-28, Family moves to Egypt

Comments: This is the story when the Brothers are driven to Egypt by famine (by God, cp. Genesis 50:20). They have to interact with Joseph. For sure, they didn't recognize him. To begin with, I don't think they expected to be alive. Also, he looked like an Egyptian – shaved, make-up, etc. He is prepared to play a long game with them. As a result of his strategy, they came twice, approaching Joseph three times, making it very Biblical – every testimony is supported by two or three witnesses. At the end, he discloses himself, I'm your brother Joseph (Genesis 45:4).

Genesis: Joseph - from a slave to Prime Minister

Joseph: from a slave to Prime Minister

text: Genesis 39 – 41

Outline:

A. 39, Joseph cares for Potiphar's house

  B. 40, Joseph interpreted dreams in prison

  B'. 41:1-26, Joseph interpreted dreams for pharaoh

A'. 41:27-57, Joseph cares for Egypt

Comments: After an intermission filled with the story of Judah, we are coming back to Joseph. There are three main parts of Joseph's life in Egypt. First, his rise from slave to the Prime Minister. Second, interaction with his brothers. Third, reunion with Jacob and settlement of the family in Egypt.