Genesis 39-50

After a short but important interruption to zoom in on Judah, we resume back with Joseph.  He's sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.  There, Joseph prospers and he is put in charge of just about everything in Potiphar's house.  This is when trouble begins, because Potiphar's wife begins to desire Joseph.  She continues to ask him to sleep with her, but he refuses.  We not only see how God is blessing Joseph, but also Joseph's moral character.  One day, she seems to have an opportune moment to get him to sleep with her (planned?).  He manages to escape, leaving his coat behind.  Potiphar's wife spins a story saying Joseph tried to sleep with her.  So, Joseph is thrown into prison.  This isn't any prison, but the prison where the king's prisoners were confined.  However, even there, Joseph prospers and is blessed.  He becomes in charge of all the prisoners.  How does this happen?  Because the Lord was with him and the Lord made whatever he did succeed.

In prison, we learn of two new characters, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.  They both have a dream and Joseph interprets their dreams.  The interpretation is that the chief cupbearer is to be restored to his position in three days, and the chief baker is to be hanged.  They come to pass and Joseph asks the chief cupbearer to remember him, but he forgets Joseph.

Two years later, Pharaoh has a dream and nobody can interpret it.  This is when the chief cupbearer finally remembers Joseph and tells Pharoah.  He is brought before Pharoah and interprets the dream.  What's interesting is that Joseph says "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer".  Joseph doesn't take credit for himself, but rightfully gives credit to God.  The interpretation of the dream is that there will be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine and the 7 years of famine will greatly overshadow the 7 years of plenty.  Joseph is rewarded and promoted to 2nd only to Pharoah.  He is to take charge of preparing for the coming famine.  He gets a new name and Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife.  He gathers food during the 7 years of plenty.  During that time, two sons are born to him, Manasseh and Ephraim.

Well, the famine begins and people start going to Joseph to buy food.  What's interesting is that Jacob and his family are looking to buy food, so the sons of Jacob go to Egypt to buy food (except for Benjamin).  Joseph recognizes his brothers but they don't recognize him.  Joseph speaks harshly to them and accuses them of being spies and puts them in custody.  He questions them about who they are and finds out about a younger brother as well as the fact that their father is doing well.  Well, when they are released, they are told that if they return, they must bring their brother Benjamin with them.  Also, Simeon is kept captive until they return.

Well, they leave with the food they wanted, but Joseph instructs his men to put back the money in their sack as well as provisions for the journey.  On the way back, when they find out about their money returned, they are surprised and a bit scared.  Well, they told everything to Jacob and Reuben even steps in to put his children on the line for the sake of Benjamin.  However, Jacob will hear none of this.

Well, eventually the food runs out and they have to go back for more food.  However, they can't go back without Benjamin.  This time, Judah puts himself on the line for Benjamin, guaranteeing his safety.  The blame is to be placed on Judah and Jacob agrees.  They return to Egypt with double the money, in hopes to return what was placed in their sacks when they left.  They also brought presents from the land as gifts.  When they arrive, they are received well and they eat with Joseph.  Actually, they were worried because they were taken to Joseph's house and they thought they were going to be assaulted.  Anyway, Simeon is released and when they try to return the money placed in their sacks, they are told that they already received payment for the food.

They eventually make their way with food as well as money.  One important thing left is Joseph's silver cup left in Benjamin's sack.  After they have left, Joseph sends men after them to ask about the silver cup and it is found in Benjamin's sack.  What's interesting is that Judah offers to take Benjamin's place.  He has already gauranteed Benjamin's safety to Jacob and now he must follow through with that.  To Joseph, what can he offer except his own life in place of Benjamin's?  Judah explains how Jacob cares for Benjamin and how Judah offered to bear the blame should anything happen to Benjamin.

Finally, Joseph cannot control himself any longer and lets himself be known.  They don't believe him at first, but they eventually realize that he really is Joseph.  What's interesting is that he tells them "And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life".  He recognizes part of God's plan and that they shouldn't be angry with themselves or distressed.  All is made well, they send for Jacob who doesn't believe at first.  Joseph embraces his brothers and eventually gets to see his father.  They settle in the land of Goshen.

The famine continues and people run out of money to pay for food, so Joseph buys their livestock in return for food.  When they run out of livestock, they sell their land and themselves for food.  Joseph buys all of Egypt for Pharoah and they all have to pay a fifth from then on or something like that.

Jacob lives another 17 years in Egypt and dies at 147 years of age.  He wants to be buried back with his fathers and has Joseph swear to him.  And, 3 chapters shy of the end of Genesis.  I guess I could try...

Jacob blesses Joseph's sons and swaps hands, blessing the younger more than the older (which is unusual).  Jacob blesses his sons and dies.  He gets buried with his fathers.  The brothers are afraid of Joseph because they think he might repay them now that Jacob is dead.  However, that isn't the case and everything is fine.  Joseph dies and that's the end of Genesis.