Joseph had many uncommon experiences, to say the least. An honorable existence among honorable men is much easier than a crusade that blazes a path seldom traveled. Yet Joseph, even as a young man, was moral and honorable when those around him were debauched.

Surely a young man who strives for righteousness will immediately reap the rewards of living a godly life. Or do trials plague even the righteous? Do matters go awry when one least expects?

Joseph and his dreams

Joseph's mother was Rachel, the great love of his father, Jacob. Even working seven years to obtain Rachel as his wife seemed to Jacob as "but a few days."

In time Joseph and his brothers would become the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel. But Joseph, the 11th son of Israel (Jacob), soon became his father's favorite. Sibling rivalries and jealousies brought the young man Joseph considerable trouble.

At 17, Joseph was a delight to his father. Genesis 37 records that Jacob dearly loved Joseph, more than he loved his other children (Genesis 37:3 Genesis 37:3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.
American King James Version×). As a token of his affection, he gave Joseph a richly embroidered coat, a "coat of many colors" (King James Version).

The gift of the coat didn't endear Joseph to his brothers. They knew he was their father's favorite, so, seemingly inevitably, his brothers began to hate him. He contributed to their jealousy and hatred through his naïveté and inexperience. Family strife followed sibling rivalry.

God knows "the end from the beginning" (Isaiah 46:10 Isaiah 46:10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
American King James Version×). God inspired Joseph to have two dreams that had a common meaning. When he revealed the first dream to his brothers, they didn't appreciate it.

"Please hear this dream which I have dreamed," said Joseph. "There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf" (Genesis 37:6-7 Genesis 37:6-7 [6] And he said to them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: [7] For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, see, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
American King James Version×).

The symbolism of his brothers' sheaves bowing down to his sheaf was not lost on his brothers: "Shall you indeed reign over us?" they asked incredulously (Genesis 37:8 Genesis 37:8And his brothers said to him, Shall you indeed reign over us? or shall you indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
American King James Version×).

The second dream's imagery included not only his brothers, but his parents: "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me" (Genesis 37:9 Genesis 37:9And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brothers, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
American King James Version×).

When Joseph told his father and brothers of his night vision, his father rebuked him: "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" (Genesis 37:10 Genesis 37:10And he told it to his father, and to his brothers: and his father rebuked him, and said to him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow down ourselves to you to the earth?
American King James Version×).

His brothers envied Joseph, but his father Jacob reflected on his son's dreams. In earlier years he, too, had received a dream from God (Genesis 31:10 Genesis 31:10And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped on the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
American King James Version×).

With this background, we now see Joseph's life take a turn for the dramatic.

Where jealousy leads

One day Jacob directed Joseph to seek out his brothers to see how they and their sheep were faring. Following his father's instructions, he traveled far searching for them. The brothers, seeing Joseph approaching in the distance, concocted a hasty plan: "Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his dreams!" (Genesis 37:19-20 Genesis 37:19-20 [19] And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer comes. [20] Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast has devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
American King James Version×).

But Joseph's oldest brother, Reuben, immediately reacted in hopes of sparing Joseph's life: "Let us not kill him. Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him" (Genesis 37:21-22 Genesis 37:21-22 [21] And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. [22] And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand on him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
American King James Version×).

When Joseph arrived, he was shocked as they stripped off his multihued coat and lowered him into a pit (Genesis 37:23-24 Genesis 37:23-24 [23] And it came to pass, when Joseph was come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; [24] And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
American King James Version×).

Seeing a caravan approaching, Judah, one of the older brothers, also saw a way to spare young Joseph's life: "Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh" (Genesis 37:27 Genesis 37:27Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be on him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers were content.
American King James Version×). So his brothers sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver.

To provide themselves an alibi in the eyes of Jacob, they conceived a deception: They killed a goat, smeared some of its blood on Joseph's beautiful coat, then sent the blood-stained garment home to their father. When Jacob saw the coat, he tore his clothes and mourned many days for his favorite son. He refused to be comforted, "for I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning" (Genesis 37:35 Genesis 37:35And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave to my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
American King James Version×). None of the sons dared reveal the truth to their grief-stricken father.

Blessings and disasters

Sometimes a disaster can turn out to be a blessing in disguise, especially if God is working out events (Romans 8:28 Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
American King James Version×). Learning to trust God is to learn one of the great lessons in life.

After the caravan reached Egypt, the slave traders sold Joseph to a high officer of Pharaoh, an Egyptian named Potiphar (Genesis 39:1 Genesis 39:1And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
American King James Version×). Then things began to look up for young Joseph: "The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man ... And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority" (Genesis 39:2-4 Genesis 39:2-4 [2] And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. [3] And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. [4] And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
American King James Version×).

At this time Joseph's life took another unexpected turn. The Bible records that "Joseph was handsome in form and appearance" (Genesis 39:6 Genesis 39:6And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored.
American King James Version×) to the point that he caught the eye of his master's wife.

"Lie with me," she said (Genesis 39:7 Genesis 39:7And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
American King James Version×). But Joseph refused: "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9 Genesis 39:9There is none greater in this house than I; neither has he kept back any thing from me but you, because you are his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
American King James Version×).

But she persisted, daily attempting to seduce the righteous Joseph. But he was steadfast in character and continued to refuse. Then one day, when Joseph entered the house, not realizing the other servants were outside, Potiphar's wife grabbed him. "Lie with me," she demanded. But he left his garment in her hand and fled from the house (Genesis 39:10-13 Genesis 39:10-13 [10] And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he listened not to her, to lie by her, or to be with her. [11] And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. [12] And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. [13] And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
American King James Version×).

The Bible elsewhere advises us to "flee sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18 1 Corinthians 6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
American King James Version×). This Joseph did, setting an outstanding example to young people of both sexes of resisting such pressure.

Potiphar's wife then devised a plot to protect herself, accusing Joseph of attempted rape and holding his garment as supposed evidence. Joseph found himself thrown into the Pharaoh's prison (Genesis 39:14-20 Genesis 39:14-20 [14] That she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, See, he has brought in an Hebrew to us to mock us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: [15] And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. [16] And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. [17] And she spoke to him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me: [18] And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. [19] And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, After this manner did your servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. [20] And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
American King James Version×).

Things now looked bad for this righteous young man. Although Joseph obeyed God, he had gone to prison. First his brothers had sold him into slavery, and now he had again lost his freedom. But God does not abandon those who trust in Him.

"But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper" (Genesis 39:21-23 Genesis 39:21-23 [21] But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. [22] And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatever they did there, he was the doer of it. [23] The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.
American King James Version×).

One might observe that Joseph could not stay out of trouble for long. But we could also note that Joseph could not stay away from blessings, either. Joseph was blessed almost immediately after being imprisoned.

And he wasn't finished with interpreting dreams.

The butler's and baker's dreams

Two of the Pharaoh's servants, a butler and a baker, offended the Pharaoh and were also imprisoned. Both had troubling dreams while there. The day after their dreams, they appeared sad. Joseph noticed their fallen countenances and spoke to them. Both explained they had had dreams but didn't know what they meant.

Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please" (Genesis 40:8 Genesis 40:8And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
American King James Version×).

The butler told Joseph his dream; Joseph recognized that the dream meant the man would be restored to his former position in just three days.

The baker, hoping to hear similar good news, told Joseph his dream as well. But the baker was to hear bad news: In three days he would be hanged (Genesis 40:19 Genesis 40:19Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up your head from off you, and shall hang you on a tree; and the birds shall eat your flesh from off you.
American King James Version×).

Knowing the butler would be released, Joseph asked him to remember him to Pharaoh so he could be freed from his unjust imprisonment (Genesis 40:14 Genesis 40:14But think on me when it shall be well with you, and show kindness, I pray you, to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
American King James Version×). But the butler soon forgot about Joseph (Genesis 40:23 Genesis 40:23Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.
American King James Version×), and Jacob's son spent another two years in prison (Genesis 41:1 Genesis 41:1And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
American King James Version×). God, however, had not forgotten His righteous servant.

Sometimes our problems are not resolved just how and when we expect. If disappointments occur, we have to learn to exercise faith and patience.

Pharaoh's dreams

Pharaoh himself then had two dreams. The first involved seven fat cows and seven gaunt cows. The gaunt cows ate the fat ones (Genesis 41:1-4 Genesis 41:1-4 [1] And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. [2] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favored cows and fat; and they fed in a meadow. [3] And, behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ill favored and skinney; and stood by the other cows on the brink of the river. [4] And the ill favored and skinney cows did eat up the seven well favored and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.
American King James Version×).

In his second dream Pharaoh saw seven heads of healthy, plump grain and seven thin, blighted heads of grain that grew up after and devoured the healthy grain (Genesis 41:5-7 Genesis 41:5-7 [5] And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up on one stalk, rank and good. [6] And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. [7] And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
American King James Version×).

Pharaoh was troubled by his dreams, but none of his staff could interpret them. Then the butler remembered his experiences with Joseph and recounted them to the ruler. Pharaoh immediately had Joseph brought from the prison and recounted both his dreams. Joseph explained that God, not he, could reveal the dreams' meaning: Egypt would experience seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.

Joseph advised Pharaoh to plan well: "... Let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt ... to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain ... Then that food shall be a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine" (Genesis 41:33-36 Genesis 41:33-36 [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. [35] And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. [36] And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
American King James Version×).

Pharaoh recognized the wisdom of Joseph's advice. It didn't take him long to decide who should become his new administrator: Joseph himself. "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" (Genesis 41:38 Genesis 41:38And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
American King James Version×).

Thus Joseph went from prisoner to second in command in the kingdom of Egypt!

Pharaoh told him: "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:39-40 Genesis 41:39-40 [39] And Pharaoh said to Joseph, For as much as God has showed you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are: [40] You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than you.
American King James Version×). Joseph, now 30, was chief administrator over an extremely rich and powerful kingdom.

Joseph the governor

Joseph made an extended trip throughout all of Egypt, surveying the land and its resources (Genesis 41:46 Genesis 41:46And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
American King James Version×). As God had revealed, there were seven plentiful years. Crops were so bountiful that he stopped recording the grain brought in for storage, "for it was immeasurable."

During this time of abundance, two sons were born to Joseph and Asenath, the wife given him by Pharaoh. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh ("causing to forget"), "for God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." In choosing a name for his second son, Ephraim ("I shall be doubly fruitful"), he thought: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction" (Genesis 41:51-52 Genesis 41:51-52 [51] And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, has made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. [52] And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
American King James Version×).

Joseph's two sons were to figure prominently in Israel's history because Jacob, their grandfather, counted them as his own sons: "And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine" (Genesis 48:5 Genesis 48:5And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
American King James Version×). From then on they would be counted with the tribes of Israel.

After the seven years of plenty, famine struck Egypt and the surrounding lands. Because of the measures instituted by Joseph, Egypt had food after the surrounding nations' supplies were depleted. "So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands" (Genesis 41:54-57 Genesis 41:54-57 [54] And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. [55] And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, Go to Joseph; what he said to you, do. [56] And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. [57] And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
American King James Version×).

At this point, Joseph's life took yet another unexpected turn.

Joseph the reconciler

Through these twists and turns, God had not lost sight of Joseph or his family, whom He had determined to spread far and wide on the earth (Genesis 28:10-15 Genesis 28:10-15 [10] And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. [11] And he lighted on a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. [12] And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. [13] And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land where on you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed; [14] And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. [15] And, behold, I am with you, and will keep you in all places where you go, and will bring you again into this land; for I will not leave you, until I have done that which I have spoken to you of.
American King James Version×).

As the famine worsened, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. They came to the official "who sold [grain] to all the people of the land," not knowing that this man was the very brother they had sold into slavery more than a decade before. "And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth" (Genesis 42:6 Genesis 42:6And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brothers came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
American King James Version×). Joseph's earlier dreams of his family bowing to him (Genesis 37:10 Genesis 37:10And he told it to his father, and to his brothers: and his father rebuked him, and said to him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow down ourselves to you to the earth?
American King James Version×) were coming to pass, as was his desire to be reconciled to his family.

At first Joseph didn't make things easy for his brothers. He accused them of being spies (Genesis 42:9 Genesis 42:9And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said to them, You are spies; to see the nakedness of the land you are come.
American King James Version×), then used this ruse to force his brothers to promise they would bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to him (Genesis 42:15 Genesis 42:15Hereby you shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh you shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come here.
American King James Version×). The brothers began to argue among themselves as they realized this sudden turn of events might be divine retribution for the way they had treated Joseph years earlier.

They argued in Hebrew before Joseph, thinking he was an Egyptian and wouldn't understand their language. Watching their fear and anxiety became unbearable for Joseph, who "turned himself away from them and wept" (Genesis 42:24 Genesis 42:24And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
American King James Version×).

Joseph gave his brothers the grain they sought and sent them on their way. Nine brothers returned home, leaving Simeon behind to guarantee that they would return to Egypt with Benjamin. They remained there until Jacob instructed them to return to Egypt for more grain (Genesis 43:1-2 Genesis 43:1-2 [1] And the famine was sore in the land. [2] And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, Go again, buy us a little food.
American King James Version×).

This time Judah pleaded with Jacob to allow Benjamin to accompany them to Egypt. Jacob reluctantly gave in, realizing this was the only way they could get Simeon back and buy more grain.

When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they once again found themselves before Joseph. When they presented Benjamin to him, Joseph was again overwhelmed with emotion and retreated to his private chambers before returning to his brothers (Genesis 43:29-31 Genesis 43:29-31 [29] And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom you spoke to me? And he said, God be gracious to you, my son. [30] And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn on his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. [31] And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
American King James Version×).

The plot thickened when Joseph gave his brothers as much food as they could carry back to Jacob. But this time Joseph had his servants place his personal silver cup in Benjamin's sack (Genesis 44:2 Genesis 44:2And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
American King James Version×). After they left, Joseph sent his servant to overtake them and examine their sacks of grain and foodstuffs.

When they found Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's sack, the brothers were horrified! All they could do was to return to Joseph and plead for their lives (Genesis 44:14-34 Genesis 44:14-34 [14] And Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. [15] And Joseph said to them, What deed is this that you have done? know you not that such a man as I can certainly divine? [16] And Judah said, What shall we say to my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. [17] And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace to your father. [18] Then Judah came near to him, and said, Oh my lord, let your servant, I pray you, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant: for you are even as Pharaoh. [19] My lord asked his servants, saying, Have you a father, or a brother? [20] And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him. [21] And you said to your servants, Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him. [22] And we said to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die. [23] And you said to your servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, you shall see my face no more. [24] And it came to pass when we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. [25] And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food. [26] And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us. [27] And your servant my father said to us, You know that my wife bore me two sons: [28] And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since: [29] And if you take this also from me, and mischief befall him, you shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. [30] Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; [31] It shall come to pass, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and your servants shall bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. [32] For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, If I bring him not to you, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. [33] Now therefore, I pray you, let your servant abide instead of the lad a slave to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brothers. [34] For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.
American King James Version×). They explained to Joseph that, if they didn't return with Benjamin to their father, their father would surely die.

Finally, after Joseph was satisfied that his brothers had learned the lesson of their former treachery, he was unable to keep his identity a secret any longer. He commanded his servants to leave the room and began to weep openly. He revealed his secret to his brothers: "I am Joseph; does my father still live?" (Genesis 45:3 Genesis 45:3And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph; does my father yet live? And his brothers could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
American King James Version×).

But his stunned brothers didn't know how to react. They were, after all, still in the Egyptian official's home and presence, and Joseph could have punished them however he chose.

One sent ahead

The forgiving Joseph reassured and comforted them. "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God ..." (Genesis 45:4-8 Genesis 45:4-8 [4] And Joseph said to his brothers, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. [5] Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here: for God did send me before you to preserve life. [6] For these two years has the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be ripening nor harvest. [7] And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [8] So now it was not you that sent me here, but God: and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
American King James Version×).

It was God, through Joseph, who brought about the reconciliation of Jacob's father and brothers, preserving their lives. In the process, God used him to save many thousands of Egyptians, as well as peoples from surrounding countries, from hunger (Genesis 41:56-57 Genesis 41:56-57 [56] And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. [57] And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
American King James Version×).

Joseph the restorer

Now reconciled to his brothers, Joseph turned his attention to his father, Jacob. "Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph: "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me,... you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine"'" (Genesis 45:9-11 Genesis 45:9-11 [9] Haste you, and go up to my father, and say to him, Thus said your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt: come down to me, tarry not: [10] And you shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you, and your children, and your children's children, and your flocks, and your herds, and all that you have: [11] And there will I nourish you; for yet there are five years of famine; lest you, and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty.
American King James Version×).

So Joseph's brothers set out for home. When they came to their father, they told him some shocking news: "Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt" (Genesis 45:26 Genesis 45:26And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
American King James Version×). Jacob was overwhelmed that his favorite son was not only still alive, but governor of Egypt!

Jacob and his family loaded up their belongings and headed to Egypt. On the way, Jacob offered sacrifices to God.

Appearing in a vision, God told Jacob not to fear to go into Egypt, that He would make of him a great nation there (Genesis 46:2-4 Genesis 46:2-4 [2] And God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. [3] And he said, I am God, the God of your father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of you a great nation: [4] I will go down with you into Egypt; and I will also surely bring you up again: and Joseph shall put his hand on your eyes.
American King James Version×). In Egypt Pharaoh welcomed the members of Jacob's family. He also offered them the choicest property in the land of Goshen (Genesis 47:1-6 Genesis 47:1-6 [1] Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brothers, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. [2] And he took some of his brothers, even five men, and presented them to Pharaoh. [3] And Pharaoh said to his brothers, What is your occupation? And they said to Pharaoh, Your servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. [4] They said morever to Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for your servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray you, let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen. [5] And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, Your father and your brothers are come to you: [6] The land of Egypt is before you; in the best of the land make your father and brothers to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if you know any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
American King James Version×), the part of Egypt in which they settled.

God used Joseph to reconcile Jacob's family and their descendants, allowing His purpose and plan for the children of Abraham to be carried out. This plan had begun with Abraham and was passed on through his son Isaac and then in turn to the grandson Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel.

God's promise was that Israel would become a great nation bearing his name. The sons of Israel became a prolific people within a powerful gentile nation. From the 70 who came to Egypt with Jacob, "the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them" (Exodus 1:1-7 Exodus 1:1-7 [1] Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. [2] Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, [3] Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, [4] Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. [5] And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. [6] And Joseph died, and all his brothers, and all that generation. [7] And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
American King James Version×).

But Joseph's life had much in common with someone much greater.

Joseph and Jesus

Joseph's experiences were much like those of his coming Savior, Jesus Christ. Like Jesus (John 8:42-47 John 8:42-47 [42] Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word. [44] You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. [45] And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. [46] Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? [47] He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.
American King James Version×), Joseph was persecuted for telling the truth. Like Jesus (Luke 22:2 Luke 22:2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
American King James Version×), Joseph was marked for death, as Joseph's own brothers plotted to kill him. Like Jesus (Ezekiel 37:15-28 Ezekiel 37:15-28 [15] The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, [16] Moreover, you son of man, take you one stick, and write on it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write on it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions: [17] And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in your hand. [18] And when the children of your people shall speak to you, saying, Will you not show us what you mean by these? [19] Say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in my hand. [20] And the sticks where on you write shall be in your hand before their eyes. [21] And say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, where they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: [22] And I will make them one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. [23] Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. [24] And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. [25] And they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelled; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. [26] Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the middle of them for ever more. [27] My tabernacle also shall be with them: yes, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [28] And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the middle of them for ever more.
American King James Version×), Joseph was a reconciler and restorer. And, like Jesus (Isaiah 11:1-5 Isaiah 11:1-5 [1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: [2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; [3] And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: [4] But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. [5] And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
American King James Version×; Amos 9:11-15 Amos 9:11-15 [11] In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: [12] That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, said the LORD that does this. [13] Behold, the days come, said the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that sows seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. [14] And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. [15] And I will plant them on their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, said the LORD your God.
American King James Version×), Joseph was a skilled and wise administrator.

Like Joseph, but in a much greater way (Genesis 45:5 Genesis 45:5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
American King James Version×), Jesus was similarly sent ahead to save mankind: "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly ... While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6-8 Romans 5:6-8 [6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
American King James Version×).

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Joseph's role as reconciler, restorer and the one sent ahead "to preserve life," to "preserve a posterity for you in the earth" and "to save your lives by a great deliverance" (compare Genesis 45:5-7 Genesis 45:5-7 [5] Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here: for God did send me before you to preserve life. [6] For these two years has the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be ripening nor harvest. [7] And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
American King James Version×with Romans 9:27-29 Romans 9:27-29 [27] Esaias also cries concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: [28] For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make on the earth. [29] And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like to Gomorrha.
American King James Version×; Romans 8:20-21 Romans 8:20-21 [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
American King James Version×; John 3:16-17 John 3:16-17 [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
American King James Version×).