Lessons From The Life Of Joseph

Proceeded to beat David. This shows that Joseph will even harm his own family out of hatred for anything and everything that is deviational, and this is where Joseph’s evil is most apparent in the book.

In each of these biblical characters, the change of names gives them a new sense of self. Joseph is also given an Egyptian wife, Potiphera. This intercultural marriage affirms that Joseph’s descendents will now become Egyptian not only by title, but by blood, furthering his identity as an Egyptian. An additional argument that supports his full assimilation is the tremendous authority that is given to him—the whole country of Egypt. Because he becomes the second highest ruler in the land, the remaining pieces of his Jewish identity are swept away. Even the language that he learns becomes so infused in him that he uses a translator, although he does not need one: “They did not know that Joseph understood them, since he spoke with them through an interpreter” (Genesis 42.23). One of the most major traits that show how much Joseph has assimilated to the Egyptian culture is found in the last sentence of Genesis: “And Joseph died… he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt” (Genesis 50.24). Embalmment was not a Jewish custom and Joseph requests that he does not be buried in Egypt. He wants his bones to instead be carried from Egypt back to where his forefathers were buried in, the cave of Machpelah in Canaan, but his wish is not granted.

Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt to buy food, and there he revealed himself to his brothers and they apologized to him for what they did to him. Josephs forgave them and sent for his father Jacob and the rest of his

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

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).

     Living in Waknuk makes it extremely easy to be controlled by your religion. Joseph was a very religious man towards his family

At the end of Joseph’s story he forgives his brothers. Instead of seeking revenge he tells his brothers, “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). Joseph is able to forgive those that caused him his suffering, as Joseph views himself as part of God’s plan. Similarly, as the guards lead Jesus to be crucified he forgives them saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The forgiveness offered by Joseph and Jesus to those who wrong them exhibits the strength of the two characters, lack of sin, and role of God in their lives. Throughout the Old Testament there are allusions to a Messiah. The intertextuality between

of his capabilities. Similarly, Joseph is able to establish himself as a superior to his

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

Joseph was the first born child of Rachel and because he was born to Jacob in his old age, Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons and made Joseph a richly ornamented robe, therefore Joseph’s brothers hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph also had dreams that indicated that he would reign over his brothers and this caused more hatred toward him. His brothers were jealous of the love that he received from their father and because of his dreams. Consequently, Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him but instead they sold him to some Ishmaelites that were passing through to Egypt.

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

On Thursday, June 25, 2015, I met with my host teacher, Ms. Madison and Joseph’s mother about getting permission to use Joseph to conduct my assessments on. During this time, I asked her a series of questions regarding Joseph’s development. First, I asked her how she saw his literacy and language development. She said, “I feel that he is doing what children his age should be doing.” I then asked her if he likes to read, write, and contribute to conversations? She replied that he does not like to read; however, he likes to try and write when they are at restaurants waiting on their food and that he is always talking. I then asked her if someone at home reads to him frequently. She explained that she is a single parent and that she has

F.) Why was reestablishing oxygen flow to Joseph’s body so important? What processes would be affected by the lack of oxygen?

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.