Joseph

Jealousy and hate cause Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery. The explanation for the jealousy and hate are found in the book of Genesis in the Bible. The Bible explains that Joseph was loved more by their father (Israel) since he was the child of his father’s old age. Another reason is because God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams which caused his brothers’ jealousy to turn into hate. (The Norton Anthology World Literature, pg. 180) The jealousy and hate the brothers felt for Joseph would cause the brothers to sell him into slavery and deceive their father.

Jacob’s preferential treatment towards Joseph was destructive, and created dissension among Joseph’s brothers (fueled sibling rivalry –

Joseph began his life as the favorite son of Jacob who tended to the flocks as a shepherd.3 These humble beginnings foreshadow how one day Joseph will tend to the Seed of the Woman during times of famine in the land by giving food to this eleven brothers. Jacob, who was the son of Isaac, had eleven other sons who were jealous of the special attention that Joseph received. In fact, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.4 Joseph had a dream that predicted that Joseph would one day reign over his older brothers. This upset his brothers and they tricked Joseph by selling him into slavery. Joseph was then taken to Egypt where he was sold to Potiphar and became a servant in

Jacob’s father was an extremely talented carpenter whose skills allowed him many privileges similar to those of a white man. He was allowed to work at his own trade as well as manage his own affairs with the condition that he pay two hundred dollars a year to his mistress and supporting himself. He wished to pay for his children with his earnings and tried many times, however, he was never successful. She also had a brother that was two years younger than her that she adored. While she loved both her father and younger brother, she had a special bond with her mother and maternal grandmother. She had a loving, nurturing, and supportive relationship with the both of them. While she knew she was a slave, she was shielded from the reality that she and

Each character begins the process of forgiveness by initially rejecting reconciliation because of their anger. The rejection for Joseph begins with him playing games on his brothers when he instantly recognizes them, “And Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him…” (42:8-9). Joseph does not forgive his brothers instantly. Eventually though Joseph does forgive his brothers and he does so because the end results of the all of his trouble was all meant for him by God. But Joseph did not come to this conclusion throughout the narrative. Instead he knew that it was all God’s plan when he first saw his brothers. When he first saw his brothers Joseph remembered his dreams, “...And Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them…” (42:8-9).

So when Joseph came to them, they took off his beautiful robe and they threw him in an empty well. Then they sold him to people that were going to Egypt. The brothers took the robe and dipped it in animal’s blood and brought it to their father. They told Jacob that an animal killed him. Jacob was really upset. Joseph was now in Egypt working as a slave. He was Potiphar’s helper and made him mandated of everything he owned. Then the Pharaoh sent him to jail. After some time in jail a cupbearer and a baker’s Pharaoh had a dream that he was going to get out of jail soon. Joseph told them to tell the Pharaoh about him but the cupbearer forgot. Two years later the Pharaoh had a dream, but nobody could understand it. Then the cupbearer remembered what Joseph did for him, and Joseph was brought to Pharaoh. Joseph explained him and the Pharaoh believed all that he told him, and put him in charge of all the land of Egypt. People came from all over to buy grain from Joseph, including Joseph's brothers. When his brothers came, Joseph was able to recognize them, but they did not. Joseph told them that he was their brother and even thought they were afraid Joseph was not mad at them because he knew that God had a better plan for him. After it his entire family moved to Egypt

Joseph was often sent out to spy on his brother for their father. He often tattled to his father about their wrongdoings. Joseph had dreams that he shared with his brothers that made them not like him even more. In his dreams, he had power over his entire family. This caused Joseph’s older brothers to hate him so much that they plotted to kill him. Instead of killing him; they beat him and sold him

him into Egypt slavery. The reason begin, Joseph father, guided and love him more. This of

Joseph learned from his father, Elias’ mistakes in both his community leadership and personal life. This is why he became a more powerful leader, as well as a family member. In the beginning of the novel, Elias is introduced, he was the leader of Waknuk, the community that they lived in. He taught and inspired Joseph to lead the community, but he was also a good example for Joseph to learn how to alter his leadership styles to be more effective, this is why Joseph was a much more strict leader. In the beginning of the novel, there is a jump back in time to explain how Joseph was raised.“Elias had never a moment’s doubt of the proper pattern for his heart. My father’s [Joseph’s] faith was bred into his bones, his principles were his sinews, and both responded to a mind richly stored with examples for the Bible and from Nicholson’s Repentances. In faith father and son, were at one; the difference between them was only in approach, the evangelical flash did not appear in my fathers' eyes; his virtue was more legalistic" (16-17).

Joseph: The favorite of his father, Jacob, and was sold into slavery by his brothers because they were jealous of his father’s favoritism. Later on Joseph meets with his brothers and forgives them. When in Egypt, the Pharaoh permits Joseph to interpret his dreams and later leads him to rule over Egypt in place of the

Joseph was the fourth and final outstanding person that we encountered in this week’s reading. Joseph was the eleventh and most favored son of Jacob. Joseph’s older brothers despised him. They despised him so much that they beat him and sold him into slavery. Another reason Joseph’s brothers hated him so was that he had dreams that one day his entire family would bow down to him. Joseph may not have known it at the time, but God gave him the gift of interpreting dreams which later saved his life as well as made this dream he had as a young man come true.

Throughout the novel Jacob changes a lot, he goes from the quiet one to a leader for his friends, Jacob’s actions proves that he changes, from Jacob’s change he learns he is really loyal to all his friends, he cares for each one of them.

The story of Joseph in the Bible begins with explanations of Joseph’s youth and innocence and how his brothers were jealous of him because he was the “blessed son”. It involves a lot of specifics, like it mentions that Joseph was seventeen years

The Joseph narrative can be found in the book of Genesis chapters 37-50. It is slightly interrupted “by the story of Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38) and by the so-called Blessing of Jacob (Gen. 49:1-28)” (Skinner, 438). The story of Joseph is seen as unique because it has different characteristics than its counterparts in Genesis. Other writings in Genesis seem to be short, brief incidents, about family and tribal affairs. The Joseph narrative, on the other hand, is lengthy in nature “comprising some 300 verses” (Barton & Muddiman, 60). In fact, Joseph is “second only to Moses in the attention given to him in the Torah” (Spring & Shapiro, 260). Some scholars consider the Joseph

One of the inherent conflicts in the story of Joseph is the tension between Joseph and his brothers. The tension between them is caused by both Jacob and Joseph. First, Jacob shows favoritism toward Joseph, because he is the son of his favorite wife Rachel. Second, Joseph brings back bad reports when he is out pasturing with his brothers. However, what truly increased the hatred and jealousy was the Joseph’s dreams. The author notes that when Joseph recounts the dreams, “they hated him even more (Gen. 37:8).” Their jealousy for Joseph is strong enough that they are willing to murder him. However, they decide to instead sell him into slavery, and convince Jacob that he was killed.