Biblical Date: 1898BC
Abraham had eight sons in total; Isaac from his marriage to Sarah and God’s chosen, Ishmael to Hagar (Sarah’s Servant) and six sons from his second marriage after Sarah’s death.
Isaac had two sons by his wife Rebekah, Jacob and Esau. Jacob had twelve sons (the twelve sons of Israel); his favourite among them being Joseph.
Jacob gave Joseph a special coat with long sleeves, often referred to as “The Coat of Many Colours”. But as in other families, jealousy and rivalry were widespread. Among Joseph’s brothers, it wasn’t just his father’s favouritism that irritated them but also Jacob’s many dreams and they nicknamed him “The dreamer”! One particular dream which portrayed him as their ruler riled them immensely.
One day, when Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers while they tended the family flock, the brothers quickly planned to kill him. However, Reuben, the eldest, convinced them not to. Instead, they sold him to a passing caravan of merchants. The brothers then took his coat, smeared it with blood and returned it to their father claiming that Joseph was killed by a wild animal. Jacob was distraught.
Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold on as a slave. Then the wife of his master falsely accused him of stealing and his downward spiral continued, he was imprisoned in an Egyptian jail.
Two years later and still in prison, Pharaoh asked Joseph to explain the meaning of his dreams which distressed him greatly, his priests and wise-men were unable to do so. Joseph replied, “It is not within my power, but God will speak”. (Genesis 41:16) As Joseph listened to his dreams, he explained to the Pharaoh that following the present seven years of plentiful harvest in Egypt there would be seven years of famine. When the Pharaoh asked Joseph what he should do, Joseph advised that all the excess grain be gathered during the seven good years leaving ample supplies in store for the bad years.
Joseph’s prophecy came true and Egypt had a plentiful supply of grain during the years of famine enabling her to feed its people and those in adjoining nations.
In return, Joseph was abundantly rewarded by the Pharaoh. He gave him his signet ring, appointed him his second-in-command in charge of the lands of Egypt and allowed his brothers and their families to join him.
In the years that followed, the Israelites continued to prosper in Egypt and their numbers increased markedly. (Genesis 37:1-36, 40:1-41-57)
Thought
Life is a journey, filled with many trials and temptations but with Jesus on one’s side, all misery is easily forgotten!
Reflection
Almighty God, guide me in my work today, still my thoughts and calm my wayward mind. This I ask through your Risen Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer: I Arise Today
I arise today with a great strength:
God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s eyes to watch over me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me and
God’s host to secure me.
Top Questions:
What is the symbolism of Joseph’s coat?
It symbolised favouritism by Jacob towards Joseph; it was not an everyday work garment, it was a beautiful work of art.
Joseph’s brothers didn’t perceive it as fair to them; they worked and toiled daily while Joseph teased and dreamed. They were extremely jealous.
Did Joseph forgive his brothers?
Joseph suffered greatly at the actions of his brothers but when famine spread across Egypt and beyond, he opened his food supplies to save them saying, “Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save lives”. (Genesis 45:5, 8).
It’s never too late to open our hearts and forgive, like Joseph.
What does the term Slave-To-Sin mean?
It is someone who is unable to depart from sinful behaviours; they feel obliged to continue; the sin has become their master.
We can be readily distracted by sinful ways and we can struggle to remain sinless but Jesus opened a new way for us, new life, eternal life.
What does the term Modern-Day-Slavery mean?
It’s a term coined to highlight the widespread presence of slavery in our world today. Slavery is still common, not just in developing countries but in developed.
Many people fall prey to unscrupulous employers who impose poor and unsafe working conditions, imprisonment, low pay, long work hours and so on. Slaves have their freedom removed and self-respect drained.