163. JOSEPH'S TRIALS & TRIUMPHS IN EGYPT

The account of Joseph's life is a "type" (an example or parallel — see Lesson 14) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation that he will provide. Joseph went into Egypt so that he might "preserve life" and there is great benefit in comparing everything that happened to him with the work of Christ.

 

This lesson deals with the history of Joseph's life and the principles that we can learn from it. Lesson 14 will show how Joseph's life pointed forward to Jesus Christ.

 

Genesis 37 – 45

JACOB'S FAMILY ₁

Jacob had twelve sons and one daughter, Dinah (Gen. 29:31; 30:24;] 35:16-18). His sons were:—

 

•Sons of Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.

•Sons of Leah's handmaid, (Zilpah): Gad and Asher.

•Sons of Rachel's handmaid, (Bilhah): Dan and Naphtali.

•Sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

 

From these twelve sons God developed the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

They were shepherds and looked after their father's flocks. Some of them were self-willed and wayward. Joseph was envied by his brothers because their father favoured him above them. When Joseph received a coat of many colours from his father, which indicated that he was loved more than his brothers, their dislike turned to hatred. Joseph however had proved himself worthy of the honour by the reverence which he gave to God and to Jacob.

 

BETRAYAL BY HIS BRETHREN (Gen. 37:5-36).

When Joseph was seventeen years of age, God revealed to him two dreams (Gen. 37:5-11) which indicated that his father, mother and family would one day bow down to him. This made his brethren angry and in­creased their hatred of him.

 

This hatred became so strong that when Jacob sent Joseph to visit his brethren as they grazed their sheep near Shechem, they determined to kill him (w. 12-20).

 

At Reuben's suggestion they placed him in a pit. Reuben had intended to rescue him later, but before he could do so, a company of Ishmaelites came by. The other brothers sold Joseph to them for twenty pieces of silver. They in turn sold him as a slave in Egypt. The brothers then devis­ed a scheme to deceive their father. They dipped Joseph's coat in blood and let Jacob think his young son had been slain by a wild beast. Jacob kept on mourning for his beloved son and would not be comforted. His sons would not ease his grief by confessing to their wicked deceit. They were hardhearted and let Jacob sorrow over Joseph's apparent violent death.

 

Think of Joseph, only seventeen years old, suddenly finding himself a slave in Egypt. But despite his loneliness and hardship he did not despair. Under great hardship and no doubt often feeling lonely and cut off from his father and family, Joseph put his faith in God and in the fulfilment of his dreams.

 

IN EGYPT—TRIALS (Gen. 39, 40, 41:1-36).

 

•Sold to Potiphar—Gen. 39:1-20

Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, bought Joseph. He found him to be a wise, trustworthy person and a hard worker so he promoted him to a very responsible position as head of his household. Joseph came under the notice of Potiphar's wife who was immoral and made advances to him. Joseph refused to yield and in the end had to flee from the woman's presence to avoid her. This evil wife falsely accused Joseph to his master who had him cast into prison.

 

•Dreams of Butler and Baker—Gen. 39:21-23; 40

Joseph may have thought himself badly treated but he did not show it. Soon the prison keeper noticed that he was a trustworthy, cheerful per­son. "The LORD was with Joseph". He was then put in charge of the other prisoners. In this way he met Pharaoh's butler and baker who had been thrown into prison. Joseph's faithfulness during this long time of hardship prepared him for the responsibility God had in store for him. With God's help he was able to interpret the dreams of the butler and baker. His words were fulfilled to the letter; the baker was put to death and the butler restored to his place in Pharaoh's household. Knowing this would happen, Joseph pleaded with the butler to remember him, but the butler soon forgot him leaving Joseph to spend two further long years in prison.

 

•Pharaoh's Dreams — Gen. 41:1-36

It was when Pharaoh had two strange and mysterious dreams, that the butler remembered Joseph. Hastily summoned from the prison and shav­ed and suitably dressed, Joseph was presented before Pharaoh. Joseph made it quite plain that it was only through the power of God that he could interpret dreams. Joseph revealed to Pharaoh the meaning of the dreams. There would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Through Joseph, God warned Pharaoh so that he could store up food to be used during the seven years of famine.

 

IN EGYPT—TRIUMPHS (Gen. 41:37 to ch. 45)

 

•Ruler in Egypt — Gen. 41:37-52

So wise was Joseph with God's help that Pharaoh made him second in charge in the land. He was the prime minister of Egypt. He was given the task of supervising food storage for the coming famine.

 

He applied himself with the same honesty and diligence that he had shown in Potiphar's house and in prison. He did not allow his high position to affect his faith in God, but remembered always that God had a purpose in bringing him into Egypt.

 

From the time that Joseph was sold into slavery at seventeen years of age (Gen. 37:2) to the time that he stood before Pharaoh (Gen. 41:46) thirteen years had passed. Now he was ready for the great work which God had in store for him. In all of those years when the young Joseph suffered heartache and frustration he kept uppermost his faith and trust in his God. What a good example he is to all of us in our youth. Let us maintain our faith in God in the face of any setbacks we may experience.

 

 

•Visited By His Brethren—Gen. 42

The seven years of plenty came and went. The famine started and spread over all the lands of the Middle East. People came from far and wide to buy corn. In Canaan, Jacob instructed his ten eldest sons to go down to Egypt to buy corn. He kept Benjamin home, fearing that something would happen to deprive him of his last link with Rachel (who was also Joseph's mother and had died when Benjamin was born).

 

Thus one day Joseph's brothers appeared before him and bowed themselves to the earth, not recognising Joseph. Joseph had come now to understand why God had exalted him. After all those years here they were unconsciously fulfilling the terms of the dreams they resented so much! Joseph determined to test his brethren and teach them a lesson.

 

He accused them, through an interpreter, of being spies and locked them up for three days. He then demanded that one brother be bound and remain in prison while the rest returned. Simeon who was bound, would only be released if they brought Benjamin down the next time. Im­agine their dismay when, on the way back, they discovered that their money had been refunded in their sacks! Jacob was angry because they told the "Ruler" in Egypt about Benjamin. He refused to let them take Benjamin lest harm should befall him also, as, he believed, harm had come upon Joseph.

 

•The Second Visit—Gen. 43; 44:1-13

Lack of food forced a decision upon Jacob. Judah, who years before had been foremost in selling Joseph into slavery, now guaranteed the safe return of Benjamin and showed kindness to his father. So they left for Egypt with Benjamin, double money and the prayer of Jacob: "God Almighty give you mercy before the man" (Gen. 43:11-14). In Egypt strange events awaited them: they were not to worry about their refunded money. They were showered with kindness, were given a feast, during which Benjamin received five times as much as anyone else, and were sat down in order of age. Mystified at the great honour paid them, they had their sacks filled with corn and were sent on their way with Simeon restored. Imagine how they felt when Joseph's servant overtook them and accused them of stealing the Governor's divining cup! They were experiencing a little of the hardship and heart-ache they had earlier brought to Joseph and Jacob. The cup was found, where the servant had secretly hidden it—in Benjamin's sack! Benjamin was arrested and in total shock and bewilderment the brothers were forced to return and face what they thought was the certain wrath of the ruler.

 

•Joseph Reveals Himself—Gen. 44:13 to Ch. 45

In answer to Joseph's judgment that Benjamin, being guilty, should become his slave, Judah stepped forward and pleaded for his release (Gen. 44:18-34). As Judah explained the tender affection that bound the family together, especially the love that Jacob had for his youngest son, Benjamin, Joseph's heart was stirred with emotion for his brothers. He could hold back his emotions no longer.

Putting all the Egyptians out, he cried out, "I am Joseph. . ." The brothers were frightened and thought he would seek revenge. Joseph reassured them, and urged them to return home quickly and bring their father and their families back to Egypt.

 

•God's Purpose Revealed—Gen. 45:4-13

The climax of the events in Joseph's life had been reached. He careful­ly explained to his brothers that God's overshadowing mercy and pro­vidence had guided their actions and his. Through a long series of events God had brought a deliverer from death; a provider of food in a time of need; a preserver of the seed of Abraham. In the process God had mould­ed their characters so that they might be worthy of the* great honour that God was to bestow upon them in making a nation of them (Gen. 45:7).

 

Upon hearing the news, Jacob was overcome with joy. Though old and feeble, he strengthened himself in his God that he might be re-united with Joseph. Arriving in Egypt, Joseph presented Jacob to Pharaoh who kindly granted him the land of Goshen to dwell in. Jacob had experienced the truth of Paul's comment that God "is able to do exceeding abundant­ly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20 cp. Jude 24, 25).

 

REFERENCE LIBRARY

"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas)—Pp. 277-278

"Ways Of Providence" (R. Roberts)—Ch. 8

"Joseph and his Brethen" (P. Pickering)—C.S.S.S. Study Notes

"The Story Of The Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)—Pp. 179-213

 

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Describe how Joseph's brothers seized him and sold him into slavery.

2. Show how God helped Joseph when he was a slave in Egypt.

3.What was God's purpose in preserving Joseph alive in Egypt?

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Tell how God was with Joseph, and why.

1. Describe Joseph's two dreams and explain how they were fulfilled. When will the second dream be completely fulfilled?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Jacob sends Joseph in search of his brothers who are tending their father's flock at Shechem (37:12-14).

2. Arriving at Shechem, Joseph is re-directed on to Dothan (37:15-17).

3. Through envy, Joseph's brothers strip him of his coat and cast him into a pit (37:18-24).

4. Joseph is sold as a slave to Ishmaelite traders travelling from Gilead, who take him to Egypt (37:25-28).

5. The brothers return to Jacob and with Joseph's coat, suitably blood­ stained, they deceive Jacob into thinking that Joseph was killed by a wild animal (37:29-35).