Genesis Part 13: The SONS of ISRAEL... JOSEPH IS ALIVE!

 Hi, and thank you for following my blog: 144 Judah! Today is a continuation of The Sons of Israel in Genesis. We should be on this particular subject for a least a few more blogs as there are 12 sons and loads yet to cover in Genesis. But, I promise you; we will be to the Exodus before you know it. :) 

As a refresher, here is the lineage of the Sons...

Okay, So... we just learned that Jesus is in the direct line of Judah from Pharez! (Remember the Red Ribbon that was tied onto Zerah, making him the son of Er)

And now we are moving on and back to Joseph. If you remember, the last we saw Joseph was when he was sold to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of silver. (Judah's idea instead of killing him). We are now in Genesis 39, where we learn that Joseph is with the Egyptians, brought by the Ishmaelites. We also learn that "And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian." Genesis 39:2

So, after all of this happens, his master's wife saw that he was favored, and then decided that she was going to sleep with him. In fact, she tells Joseph to go into her, but he doesn't want to. He couldn't do that to his master, and he couldn't do that to God. It was a wicked thing. So, he tells her this but she then tries to do it again, and grabs his clothes. He ends up leaving, and she tells his master that she cried and that he went into her. So... his master throws him into a prison.  But...

"But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  And the keeper of the prison committed to joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper." Genesis 39:21-23

Now, Joseph is already in prison, and in Genesis 40, a butler of the king and a baker of the king offended the king of Egypt, so they were put under Joseph's charge in the prison, and they both had a dream that same night. When they woke up, Joseph saw that they were troubled and he asked why. They told him that they had a dream but no interpreter. 

So, Joseph gives them the interpretation. The butler would be back to his old post in three days time, and the baker would be hanged in a tree. After the interpretation, he asked the butler to get him out of prison because he did nothing wrong, and to go to Pharoah about this. The butler knew the interpretation of the dream was good, but he totally forgot about his promise to Joseph. The baker died in a tree three days later. 

So, two more years go by, and Pharaoh has a dream. And he asked all of his magicians and wise men about the dream, but nobody knew what it meant. Then that was when the butler remembered Joseph. He told the Pharaoh about what happened with Joseph and the dreams that he and the baker both had. He told them the interpretation and how they came true. Then Pharoah sent for Joseph, and told him his dream. Joseph told him that God would give Pharoah his interpretation. He told him that God showed Pharoah what he was going to do. That he would have seven years of plenty. Seven good years, and then following he would have seven empty years--aka famine. He said that there would be seven great years in Egypt, followed by seven years of famine, and the famine shall consume the land. He said the reason that the dream  happened twice was because God was letting him  know that it was already established and would shortly come to pass. Then he says in Genesis 41:33-36 "Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the h and of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; and the land perish not through the famine."

So, Pharaoh believes all of this that Joseph said, and put the land and everything over to Joseph. 

"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoah called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneh; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt." Genesis 41: 39-45

After all of this, Joseph was thirty years old when he went throughout the land of Egypt. "And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended." Genesis 41:47-53

So now the famine came, but there was bread in Egypt. Everything that Joseph told Pharaoh came true. Pharaoh then ordered all the Egyptians to go to Joseph and do what he says to do. 

"And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands." Genesis 41:56-57

Now... we finally get back to Israel (Jacob) ... So Israel finds out that there is corn in Egypt and tells his sons to go to Egypt and buy them some corn so they don't starve. So, Joseph's ten brothers go into Egypt to buy corn, but Benjamin, was to stay home in case the others got into some mischief. So, they leave, and head to Egypt, and end up in front of their brother. They are bowing down to him, and Joseph "made himself strange to them"... (In the text it says that he spoke gruffly. I guess they didn't know it was him.) He asks where they come from and they answer Canaan. They had no idea who he was. And now we get back to Joseph and his dreams from earlier. "He said, "ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come." Genesis 42:9

And they said they just want food, and they are true and that they are twelve brothers, and one is at home and the other is not, (meaning Joseph). 

So, he says they can't go any further only their youngest brother as proof that they aren't lying. So, he said to go and leave (only one, which they decide is Simeon) and fetch for the younger brother. They are given back their money, given food, and sent along their way. And Simeon would be in ward for 3 days. If they don't bring him (Benjamin) back, then Simeon will die. 

So, they go back to their father with the money and the food, and they tell him what happened with the guy that spoke rough to them. And Jacob tells them, "me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my land, and I will bring him to thee again. And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave." Genesis 42:36-38

So now Israel tells Judah to go back into Egypt and to buy more food. (Their food apparently is gone already). So, Judah tells him that he can't go back to get food unless he has his brother with him. And he tells Israel that if he gives him his brother then he will go back and get food. So, Israel is mad because he told the man (Joseph) that he had a brother at home. And he replies that the man that they talked to asked him about their father and another brother. 

He then, once again, tells his father to give him his brother and he will go back to Israel, and that he will bring back his brother. And if not, he is to blame. Now Israel agrees, and also tells him to take the fruits that he has, and some honey and spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds as a gift to the man. And to take double the money also.

So, they go, and get to Egypt and stand before Joseph. (They were also afraid because of earlier. They had money in their sacks and the food as well. So, when they were brought directly to Joseph's house they had fear because they thought they would be accused of stealing.)

They end up explaining the situation to Joseph, and Joseph then explains to them that God gave them the treasure. So, he brings out Simeon to them. Now, after washing their feet and feeding their animals, the brothers were to present Joseph with the present of the foods and the double money from their father. And Joseph finally speaks. 
"And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of who ye spake? Is he yet alive?

And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeissance. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there."

Now, after this, Joseph gets them back. They eat, and he fills up there things once more, then tells his people to put his goblet, the one that Joseph was drinking out of, into his younger brother's sack, along with the money, and wait until they leave and then confront them about the theft. Once this happens, bring them back, and then the youngest who had the goblet in his sack will now be his servant as payment. 

But, if you remember that promise that Judah made with his dad. He told him that he would bring him back. So, he talks to Joseph, (Judah does) and tells him what happened, and how he was the youngest of all the sons, and that his other son with the same woman was dead and he would basically be devastated if he didn't bring him back. Once Judah tells him this, Joseph begins to cry and now they know that this was their brother. (Joseph is kind of scary and amazing here.)

"And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his bretheren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his bretheren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his bretheren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saidth thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:" Genesis 45:1-9

Now, he is telling them where they are going to live from then on, into Goshen and to bring their children, and that they will be safe from the famine. And he tells this all to Benjamin, and instructs him to tell his father about all of his glory, and everything that he has done. And he hugs his brother, and weeps. Then, he kisses all of his brothers, and talks with them. Then everyone talks about it all through Egypt, and the Pharaoh is pleased. 

"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethern, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours. And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way."

Genesis 45:17-23

When they get back, they tell their father that Joseph is alive, and everything that happened, and Israel is happy and agrees to go see him before he dies. And this is where we end today's blog!

I can't imagine how I would feel after so many years of believing that my son was dead and then finding out that he was alive, and that his brothers sold him... And now he is basically the leader of Egypt. Well, we will find out what happens in the next blog, and hopefully I will finally get to the END of Genesis. :)