37:2 This is the story of Jacob. The story continues with Joseph, seventeen years old at the time, helping out his brothers in herding the flocks. These were his half brothers actually, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. And Joseph brought his father bad reports on them. 3 Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat.4 When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him—they wouldn’t even speak to him.5 Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more........21 Reuben heard the brothers talking and intervened to save him, “We’re not going to kill him.22 No murder. Go ahead and throw him in this cistern out here in the wild, but don’t hurt him.” Reuben planned to go back later and get him out and take him back to his father. ...... 36 In Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, manager of his household affairs
38:1 About that time, Judah separated from his brothers and hooked up with a man in Adullam named Hirah.2 While there, Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua. He married her, they went to bed,3 she became pregnant and had a son named Er.4 She got pregnant again and had a son named Onan.5 She had still another son; she named this one Shelah. ....... 26 Judah saw they were his. He said, “She’s in the right; I’m in the wrong—I wouldn’t let her marry my son Shelah.” He never slept with her again.27 When her time came to give birth, it turned out that there were twins in her womb.
39:1 After Joseph had been taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelites, Potiphar an Egyptian, one of Pharaoh’s officials and the manager of his household, bought him from them.2 As it turned out, God was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master.3 His master recognized that God was with him, saw that God was working for good in everything he did.4 He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him.5 From that moment on, God blessed the home of the Egyptian—all because of Joseph. The blessing of God spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields, 6 and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day. ......... 19 When his master heard his wife’s story, telling him, “These are the things your slave did to me,” he was furious.20 Joseph’s master took him and threw him into the jail where the king’s prisoners were locked up. But there in jail21 God was still with Joseph: He reached out in kindness to him; he put him on good terms with the head jailer.22 The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners—he ended up managing the whole operation.23 The head jailer gave Joseph free rein, never even checked on him, because God was with him; whatever he did God made sure it worked out for the best.
40:8 They said, “We dreamed dreams and there’s no one to interpret them.” Joseph said, “Don’t interpretations come from God? Tell me the dreams.” ...... 13 Within three days, Pharaoh will get you out of here and put you back to your old work—you’ll be giving Pharaoh his cup just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.14 Only remember me when things are going well with you again—tell Pharaoh about me and get me out of this place. ....... 21 Then he restored the head cupbearer to his cupbearing post; he handed Pharaoh his cup just as before.22 And then he impaled the head baker on a post, following Joseph’s interpretations exactly.23 But the head cupbearer never gave Joseph another thought; he forgot all about him.
41:1 Two years passed and Pharaoh had a dream ... (7 fat cows eaten by 7 skinny cows, 7 thin ears swallowed up 7 full ears) .... 9 The head cupbearer then spoke up and said to Pharaoh, “I just now remembered something—I’m sorry, I should have told you this long ago. ... 12 It so happened that there was a young Hebrew slave there with us; he belonged to the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams and he interpreted them for us, each dream separately.13 Things turned out just as he interpreted. ..... 15 “I dreamed a dream,” Pharaoh told Joseph. “Nobody can interpret it. But I’ve heard that just by hearing a dream you can interpret it.”16 Joseph answered, “Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh’s mind at ease.” ....... 25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s two dreams both mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh what he is going to do.26 The seven healthy cows are seven years and the seven healthy ears of grain are seven years—they’re the same dream.27 The seven sick and ugly cows that followed them up are seven years and the seven scrawny ears of grain dried out by the east wind are the same—seven years of famine.28 “The meaning is what I said earlier: God is letting Pharaoh in on what he is going to do.29 Seven years of plenty are on their way throughout Egypt.30 But on their heels will come seven years of famine, leaving no trace of the Egyptian plenty. As the country is emptied by famine,31 there won’t be even a scrap left of the previous plenty—the famine will be total.32 The fact that Pharaoh dreamed the same dream twice emphasizes God’s determination to do this and do it soon.33 “So: Pharaoh needs to look for a wise and experienced man and put him in charge of the country.34 Then Pharaoh needs to appoint managers throughout the country of Egypt to organize it during the years of plenty.35 Their job will be to collect all the food produced in the good years ahead and stockpile the grain under Pharaoh’s authority, storing it in the towns for food.36 This grain will be held back to be used later during the seven years of famine that are coming on Egypt. This way the country won’t be devastated by the famine.” .... 40 From now on, you’re in charge of my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you.”41 So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph: “I’m putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt.”42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his finger and slipped it on Joseph’s hand. He outfitted him in robes of the best linen and put a gold chain around his neck. ............ 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he went to work for Pharaoh the king of Egypt. ......... 50 Joseph had two sons born to him before the years of famine came. Asenath, daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, was their mother.51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (Forget), saying, “God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home.”52 He named his second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity), saying, “God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow.” ........... 57 Soon the whole world was coming to buy supplies from Joseph. The famine was bad all over.
Observations - I love the history of Joseph. It seems weird that it is interrupted by this little interlude about Judah. (Judah was Jacob's 4th & last son by Leah. Chapter 38 is about his life & him being tricked into getting his widowed daughter-in-law pregnant.)
Joseph was loved by his father, more than his brothers. Joseph was the first-born of Rachael, the only wife Jacob loved. His brothers hated him for it, especially when he started having dreams about them bowing down to him. They sold him off & told Jacob he'd been killed.
Even what his brothers did out of evil motives, God worked for good. It's all in His plan. EVERYTHING!! What was supposed to be a bad thing, was a blessing. God blessed Joseph in everything he did. His brothers sold him as a slave. God blessed Joseph so that Potipher's household prospered. When Potipher's wife got him thrown in prison, the guards let him run things. God gave Joseph the interpretations for dreams. The cup bearer remembered that later on & Pharaoh called for him. Joseph interpreted the dreams & God told him what Pharaoh needed to do. God blessed Joseph & he ended up ruling Egypt.Application - Everything is a part of God's plan. What we see as something negative, may actually be a blessing from Him. We won't know until we get to heaven, but we have to praise Him in everything. I have had my share of questions & "why me's." It's not my job to question, only to follow Him. God will give us the grace to get through our valleys, and He will bless us, even if we don't get that blessing until heaven. Without the valleys, we'll never have a mountain top!
Prayer - God give me the grace each day & an extra helping of grace when I am in the valley. Help me to know that You are always with me. Amen.
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