Jacob
- The favoritism that Jacob had in his family was that he loved Joseph more than the other siblings.
- The favoritism made his brothers hate and despise him.
- Joseph dreamt of him, and his brothers securing bundles of grain were his brothers gathered around his bundle and bowed as a symbol of respect; the brothers hated him more. The second dream is about the moon, eleven stars, and the sun bowing for him, he told his family, and the father approved him.
- The first dream meant that Joseph would be the head of his family after his father’s death, while the second dream meant that he would become a national leader and reign over his family.
- He approved Jacob’s dreams since he was his favorite child.
- Joseph was sent to check on Jacob’s flock and brothers’ well-being.
- Joseph’s brothers planned to kill him by throwing him in a hole.
- When Joseph reached his brothers’ location, they removed his robe and threw him in a ditch. Later on, Ishmaelites from Gilead passed by, and they decided to sell him for twenty silver pieces.
- Joseph’s brothers dipped his robe in goat’s blood and showed it as evidence to their father that a wild animal had eaten Joseph.
- Jacob ripped his clothes and wore sackcloth and mourned for many days.
- According to the land law, Oman had to marry his dead brother’s wife, Tamar, to keep alive his brother’s lineage. Onan’ spilled his seed’ on the floor during sexual intercourse, which annoyed God, and he died. Judah had to send Tamar back to his father as they wait for his other son, Shelah, to mature.
- Potiphar liked Joseph and was given the privilege to be in charge of his wealth and home.
- Potiphar’s wife continued to seduce Joseph even if he didn’t consent to his desires.
- Joseph didn’t give in to Potiphar’s wife’s desires, and he left his robe with her. She ran out and screamed out that Joseph wanted to rape her.
- Butler dreamt of having a vine with three branches that blossomed with ripe grapes. He pressed the grapes in a cup and gave it to the king. Baker dreamt of having three baskets on his head, and the uppermost had a variety of baked meat. He took the meat to Pharaoh, but a bird ate it before he had the chance to hand over to the king.
- Joseph interpreted Butler’s dream as three branches being three days within which Pharaoh would lift his head, restore Butler’s place, and serve Pharaoh as before. He pleads with Butler to help him get out of jail. Joseph interpreted Baker’s dream as the three baskets representing three days when Pharaoh would hang the baker on a tree, and birds would eat his flesh. Joseph didn’t ask for help since the Baker was going to be hanged.
- Joseph stayed in jail for two years before the butler remembered him.
- Pharaoh dreamt seven thin cows eating seven fat cows in the first dream. In the second dream, he dreamt of seven thin dried out grains swallowing seven ripe grains. The next morning he was disturbed, and they called wise men to interpret the dream, but they failed. They later called Joseph for interpretation.
- Joseph interpreted the two dreams as similar. He proclaimed that Egypt would have seven years of plenty of food and the other seven for limited food.
- Joseph advised Pharaoh to have wise men who would stock plenty of food during the good seven years so that it could be used during the seven bad years.
- Joseph was made in charge of food collection and storage.
- Joseph knew Jacob only had Benjamin left from his wife, Rachel; hence any attempt to take Benjamin would make him follow him since he feared any harm.
- Joseph accused his brothers of being spies, and they would gain trust if they brought Benjamin. He ordered their bags to be filled with grains, their coins returned, and supplies for their journey.
- Joseph’s brothers found their money in everyone’s sack.
- Joseph orders the house overseer to stock adequate food in the men’s sacks, put their money on top, and his silver cup and grain’s money be put on the younger man’s sack.
- Joseph wanted to prove if his brothers had changed or they were still cruel and mean
- Joseph’s brothers were astonished when they knew he was their brother.
- Joseph’s brothers thought he died a long time ago, and they were paying for their sins.
- Joseph instructed his brothers to take their father as they would settle in Goshen with their children and flock, and he would provide for them.
- Jacob places his hand on Ephraim, which displeases Joseph, who tries to redirect the hand to Manasseh’s head. Jacob tells Joseph that Ephraim’s greatness would out win Manasseh’s, and his children would spread all over the nation.
- God’s work is mysterious, and his plans are unpredictable and unchangeable.
What motive do you see in this?
God’s works are mysterious, and his plans are unpredictable and unchangeable
- Describe the blessings that Jacob gives to his sons.
Jacob blesses his sons in a prophetic poem where each son is mentioned; Dan is described as a judge, and Judah, the cub, Simeon, and Levi are described as instruments of cruelty. Reuben is described as unstable because of his immorality.
- Describe Jacob’s death
Jacob had lived in Egypt for seventeen years before his death. He instructed Joseph to help him rest in the ancestor’s land. Joseph carried his remains to Canaan and gave him a respectful burial. He was 147 years when he died.
- After Jacob’s death, what further evidence is there of how highly respected Joseph is?
Joseph was accompanied by king officers and great men of Egypt during his father’s burial. He later continued ruling Egypt, and he forgave his brothers when they asked for forgiveness.