Page 37 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

presence makes much of a difference. Not being accused of rape and not being thrown in jail would be
preferable than what happens to him. “Even if he is in charge of the other prisoners, he is still in prison.

Life continues in the same manner. Some other prisoners, a
cupbearer and a baker, have dreams. Joseph interprets the
dreams accurately. The cupbearer is restored to his position, but
the baker is executed. Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember
Joseph when he is freed, but the man forgets. Joseph remains in
prison for another two long years (chapter 40).

Finally, God seems to move. Pharaoh is the next dreamer,
tossing and turning on his bed with thoughts of either sleek or
gaunt cows parading through his mind. No one can interpret the
dreams until the cupbearer remembers Joseph. He is
summoned, interprets the dreams, and makes a suggestion of
two of how Pharaoh can prepare for a coming famine. Pharaoh
is so impressed he puts Joseph in charge of Egypt. Joseph gets a
signet ring, fine clothing, a gold chain around his neck, and a

chariot to take him around the country. For seven years he
Fig. 21: Modern circular prison house collects grain. When seven years of famine hit the region, he is
also used in ancient societies ready (chapter 41).

Joseph gives God credit in all this. God is the one who gave Pharaoh the dreams (41:25) and is the cause
of both good crops and bad (41:28, 32). Pharaoh recognizes God’s work in Joseph’s life (41:38, 39). In
the meantime, Joseph marries and has two sons. Both are named because of God’s hand in the events
of his life (41:51, 52).

Now things get complicated. Egypt has grain, but back home in Israel, the family is getting hungry. Jacob
sends ten sons, minus Benjamin the younger brother of Joseph. The longer story is the life of Joseph, but
we cannot help but notice that God has been working with his brothers as well as with his father. Jacob
favored Rachel. Rachel had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Jacob favors Joseph, setting up the rivalry
that led to Egypt. Now he favors Benjamin. How will the rivalry work out after all these years have
passed? Have the brothers learned more than their father seems to have learned?

In a lengthy series of trips to and from Egypt, the brothers are forced to interact with Joseph whom they
do not recognize. First, they are accused of being spies, allowed to return home only on the promise of
bringing their younger brother along should they come again (chapter 42). A second trip is made by the
eleven brothers. As they return home with food, their money and Joseph’s silver cup is placed in the
grain sack of Benjamin. Joseph insists on keeping Benjamin as his slave while sending the others home.
Judah had promised the aged Jacob to bring back his favorite son, and now Judah insists on taking
Benjamin’s place in slavery, a striking change from the day when Joseph was in the well (chapter 45).

Throughout these interchanges, Joseph has scarcely been able to contain himself. Now, realizing that his
brothers have learned much since they threw him into a well and sold him into slavery, he reveals his
identity to them. He explains his theology. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (45:8),
and they have quite a reunion. When Pharaoh hears about the events, he instructs them to return home
and bring the whole family to Egypt (chapter 45).

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