Joseph in Egypt

Product Summary

Main Characters:

Joseph and his brothers, Pharaoh, Pharaoh’s Butler, Jail Keeper, Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife

Scriptural References:

Genesis 37:36, Genesis 39:1-23, Genesis 40:1-22, & Genesis 41:1-45

Overall Theme:

Joseph, a virtuous Hebrew boy, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.  Faced with many trials, including false imprisonment, Joseph never loses his faith in God.  This faithfulness is rewarded when Joseph correctly interprets the menacing dream of Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler.

Summary:

In the midst of Pharaoh’s famous dream, seven healthy cows are devoured by seven ravenous and sickly cows.  Seven beautiful ears of corn are stifled by a vine laden with seven diseased ears.  Pharaoh does not understand the dream, but is deeply disturbed by it.

One of Pharaoh’s servants knows of a man who can interpret dreams.  He is a Hebrew named Joseph, who is in prison.   Pharaoh laughs.  How can a Hebrew, and a criminal at that, possess such a gift?  In desperation, Pharaoh sends for the Jail Keeper to question him.

The Jail Keeper has come to know Joseph and recognizes him as a remarkable man with a gentle and kind nature.  He tells Joseph’s history to Pharaoh: he was a standout, sold into slavery by his older brothers who resented the power their father had entrusted in him. 

In Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, captain of the guards.  Joseph’s wisdom and intelligence soon became apparent to Potiphar, who entrusted him with great power.  Potiphar’s wife was attracted to the young Hebrew, but Joseph refused her advances. Rejected, she falsely claimed that Joseph had attacked her and Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. Intrigued by the story, Pharaoh sends for Joseph. 

Joseph declares to Pharaoh that only the true and living God can give a man the power to understand dreams.  Joseph tells Pharaoh that seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of  famine in Egypt.  Joseph explains to Pharaoh that with God all things are possible, and outlines a plan of action to store grain, plan for the future and trust in God’s word that the famine will run its course in  seven years.

Pharaoh, impressed with Joseph’s wise counsel, places him in charge of all preparations for the famine.  Surrounded by multitudes of Egyptians in the market place, Joseph calls on them to put their faith in God and they will survive the calamitous times to come.

Background:

God promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation with a land of their own.  The fulfillment of this promise begins to take shape in Abraham’s great-grandson, Joseph.  Joseph’s steadfast purity and obedience in the face of injustice models a godly response to persecution.  Joseph saw God’s hand in every situation.