The freed cupbearer

remembered Joseph in
He sought all the magicians
Pharaoh had a disturbing prison, and recounted to
of Egypt and all its wise men
dream (Genesis 41. 1-6) Pharaoh how Joseph’s
for answer but FAILED
interpretation of dreams
correctly foretold his fate.

Pharaoh found a
Joseph, who was once a Pharaoh sent for
favorable and pleasing
lowly Hebrew slave, was Joseph without delay.
answer from Joseph
appointed by Pharaoh as
after he narrated his
his vizier
dream.
 “ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See I have set you over all the land of
Egypt’. Removing his signet ring from his hand, Pharaoh put it on
Joseph’s hand; he arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold
chain around his neck. He had him ride in the chariot of his second-in-
command; and they cried out in front of him ‘Bow the knee’ Thus he set
him over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41. 41-44)
 Joseph’s elevation to the Egyptian royal court eventually proved to be
beneficial not only to the Egyptian people but also to his own kinsmen.
Canaan experienced famine Was forced sons of Jacob to Joseph recognized his own
which go down to Egypt. brothers who betrayed him

not knowing that YHWH

prepared a reunion with Initially refused to
their lost brother whom reveal his own
they had sold to slavery identity

Reconciliation and Joseph could no longer

Renewed Union contained himself, and Saw repentance in his
eventually disclosed brothers’ hearts
himself to his brothers.
• Strikingly, Joseph made a remark to his brothers which reflected
wisdom and gratitude to YHWH when he said:

I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be
distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, but God
sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land
these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be
neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you remnant on
earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors (Genesis 45. 4-7)
• What was once perceived as unfortunate events, and fruits of human
sinfulness became a moment of grace
• Joseph’s life in Egypt was “necessary” to spare and save his people, to
ensure their survival, and most of all, to keep the divine promises
fulfilled.
As Stephen Harris put it:

By seizing upon human weakness, such as the brothers’ murderous

jealously, YHWH had converted its consequences (Joseph’s abduction to
Egypt) into an opportunity for benefiting both Israelites and Egyptians.
By Genesis’s conclusion, the vow that YHWH makes during his first
appearance to Abraham (12. 1-3) – that all the earth’s families would
find blessing through Abraham’s progeny - is already being fulfilled
(2006:126).