Joseph

Okay, so I had the strangest dream. We were out binding sheaves in the field, and my sheaf stood up straight, and all your sheaves gathered round and bowed down to mine.

Had another one. The sun, the moon and eleven stars, all bowing down to me.

Sold on to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Everything I touched in his house went well. The LORD was with me.

His wife kept on at me, day after day. I kept saying no. How could I do something that wicked and sin against God? One day she grabbed my cloak, and I ran. She kept the cloak.

Pharaoh’s cupbearer and his baker were in prison with me, and one morning they both looked miserable. They’d had dreams, and there was nobody to explain them. Isn’t explaining dreams God’s business? So I said: tell me.

Pulled out of the dungeon. Shaved, changed, and stood in front of Pharaoh. He said he’d heard I could explain dreams. I said: it isn’t me. God will give Pharaoh his answer.

Two sons before the famine came. Manasseh, because God has made me forget all my trouble and my father’s house. Ephraim, because God has made me fruitful in the land where I suffered.

I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

I told them to come closer. I’m your brother. The one you sold into Egypt. Don’t be angry with yourselves. God sent me ahead of you to save lives.

Sent them home with wagons and food and new clothes. Last thing I said to them: don’t quarrel on the way.

When we finally met, I threw my arms round my father and cried for a long time.

Jacob@jacob · CanaanThey told me Joseph is alive and ruling Egypt. I didn’t believe them. Then I saw the wagons he’d sent. My son is alive. I’m going to see him before I die.

Took my two boys to Dad, Manasseh, the elder, at his right hand. And he crossed his arms. Right hand on Ephraim, the younger.

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

I didn’t like it. Took hold of his hand to move it. Not like that, Dad, this one’s the firstborn. He said, “I know, son. I know.” The younger one will be greater.

When he’d finished, Dad drew his feet up into the bed and took his last breath. I threw myself on him, cried over him and kissed him.

Am I in God’s place? You meant it for harm, but God meant it for good, to save a lot of lives. Don’t be afraid. I’ll look after you and your little ones.

Joseph’s brothers@josephs.brothers · EgyptAfter Dad died we were scared he’d finally pay us back for what we did. We sent him a message begging him to forgive us. He cried when he got it.

I’m about to die. But God will definitely come for you and take you up out of this land, to the land he promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When he does, carry my bones up from here.

At the end, I talked about Israel leaving Egypt, and gave instructions about my bones.

Joseph@joseph.son.of.jacob · EgyptI’m about to die. But God will definitely come for you and take you up out of this land, to the land he promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When he does, carry my bones up from here.

Had the strangest dream. We were out in the field tying up sheaves of grain, and my sheaf stood up straight, and all of yours gathered round and bowed down to mine.

Another one. The sun, the moon and eleven stars, all bowing down to me.

A slave in Egypt. And the LORD is with me. Even here.

Two of my prisoners are from Pharaoh’s court. This morning they both looked miserable. They’d both had dreams, and there’s nobody in here to tell them what they mean. Isn’t explaining dreams God’s business? So I said: tell me.

Asked the cupbearer one thing. When it goes well for you, remember me. Mention me to Pharaoh. I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and I’ve done nothing here to deserve a dungeon either.

A son. I’ve named him Manasseh, because God has made me forget all my trouble, and my whole family back home.

Another boy. Ephraim, because God has given me children in the land where I suffered.

I’m Joseph. Is my father still alive?

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

Told them: come closer. I’m Joseph, your brother. The one you sold into Egypt.

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

Don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me here.

Two years of famine so far, and five more to come. No ploughing, no harvest. God sent me ahead of you to save your lives and keep your families alive. So it wasn’t you who sent me here. It was God. He’s made me like a father to Pharaoh, and ruler of all Egypt.

I heard every word of that. They thought I needed the interpreter. I had to turn away and cry.

Joseph’s brothers@josephs.brothersHonestly? This is because of what we did to our brother. We saw how scared he was when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. That’s why this is happening to us.

Hurry home and tell my father: God has put your son in charge of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait. You’ll live in Goshen, close to me. Your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, everything. There are five more years of famine, and I’ll look after you.

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

You can see it’s really me talking to you. Benjamin, you can see it’s me. Tell Dad everything you’ve seen here. And bring him down quickly.

Last thing I said to them as they left: don’t quarrel on the way.