Joseph and His Brothers

Joseph is the eleventh of Jacob's twelve sons, and his father's obvious favorite. Jacob gives him a richly ornamented coat — the famous "coat of many colors" — and it's not subtle. Joseph's brothers already resent him, and then Joseph starts having dreams. In one, his brothers' sheaves of grain bow down to his sheaf. In another, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow to him. He tells his brothers about these dreams, which is either brave or painfully naive. Either way, it pushes them over the edge.

Sold Into Slavery

One day, Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers who are tending flocks far from home. When they see him coming, they conspire to kill him. Reuben, the oldest, talks them out of murder — he suggests throwing Joseph into a dry cistern instead, planning to come back for him. But while Reuben is away, the other brothers sell Joseph to a passing caravan of traders heading to Egypt. They take his coat, smear it with goat blood, and tell their father that Joseph was killed by a wild animal. Jacob is devastated.

In Egypt, Joseph is sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Joseph is competent and God blesses everything he touches, so he rises quickly in Potiphar's household. But Potiphar's wife tries to seduce him. Joseph refuses. She falsely accuses him, and he's thrown into prison.

From Prison to Palace

In prison, Joseph interprets dreams for two of Pharaoh's former officials — a cupbearer and a baker. His interpretations prove correct. The cupbearer is restored to his position but forgets about Joseph for two full years. Then Pharaoh himself has two disturbing dreams that nobody can interpret. The cupbearer finally remembers Joseph.

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." — Genesis 41:16

Joseph interprets the dreams: seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. He advises Pharaoh to stockpile grain during the good years. Pharaoh is so impressed that he puts Joseph in charge of the entire operation. At thirty years old, Joseph becomes the second most powerful man in Egypt.

The Reunion

When the famine hits, it reaches Canaan too. Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain — and they end up standing before Joseph, not recognizing him. Joseph recognizes them immediately but doesn't reveal himself right away. He tests them over multiple visits to see if they've changed. When he finally sees that they have — especially when Judah offers himself in place of their youngest brother Benjamin — Joseph breaks down weeping and reveals who he is.

His brothers are terrified, expecting revenge. Joseph's response is one of the most gracious moments in Scripture: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." He brings his entire family to Egypt, and they're provided for.

Joseph's story stretches across thirteen chapters of Genesis. It's a story about patience under suffering, about how the worst things that happen to you can become the very path to your purpose. Joseph didn't understand the plan while he was living through it — none of us do. But looking back, every terrible chapter was a necessary step.