Topical Bible: Egypt: Israel in Joseph Made Governor

◄ Egypt: Israel in Joseph Made Governor ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The narrative of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt is a pivotal moment in the biblical account of the Israelites, illustrating God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises. This episode is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 37 and 39-50, and it marks a significant phase in the history of Israel.

Background and Context

Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, was favored by his father, which incited jealousy among his brothers. This familial discord led to Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:28). Despite his circumstances, Joseph remained faithful to God, which is a recurring theme throughout his account.

Joseph's Rise to Power

In Egypt, Joseph initially served in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. However, due to false accusations by Potiphar's wife, Joseph was imprisoned. Even in prison, Joseph's integrity and God's favor were evident, as he gained the trust of the prison warden (Genesis 39:21-23).

Joseph's ability to interpret dreams, a gift from God, became the turning point in his life. When Pharaoh was troubled by dreams that none of his magicians could interpret, Joseph was summoned. He interpreted Pharaoh's dreams as a divine revelation of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine (Genesis 41:25-30). Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise and discerning man to oversee the storage of surplus grain during the years of plenty to prepare for the famine.

Impressed by Joseph's wisdom and discernment, Pharaoh appointed him as governor over Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself (Genesis 41:40-41). Joseph's new position was marked by the bestowal of Pharaoh's signet ring, fine linen garments, and a gold chain, symbolizing his authority and status (Genesis 41:42).

Impact on Israel

Joseph's governance during the famine not only saved Egypt but also had profound implications for his family and the future of Israel. When the famine extended to Canaan, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. This led to a series of events where Joseph eventually revealed his identity to his brothers, forgave them, and invited Jacob and his entire family to settle in Egypt (Genesis 45:4-11).

The relocation of Jacob's family to Egypt set the stage for the Israelites' eventual enslavement and the subsequent Exodus. However, during Joseph's lifetime, the Israelites were treated favorably and settled in the land of Goshen, where they prospered (Genesis 47:27).

Theological Significance

Joseph's account is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite human intentions for evil, God orchestrated events for the preservation of His chosen people, as Joseph himself acknowledged: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph's life exemplifies themes of forgiveness, redemption, and divine providence. His rise to power in Egypt was not merely a personal triumph but a crucial step in God's redemptive plan for Israel and, ultimately, for all humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 41:41-44
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Joseph and his Brethren
... And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn from Egypt. ... And the sons of Israel
came to buy among those ... And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... is no mention of the bondage in Egypt nor of any ... and guidance are not confined to
Israel but are ... persons besides Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, sketched in ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Acts VII
... it was he who had brought them out of Egypt. ... As Joseph, the divinely-selected savior
of his brethren ... as Moses, divinely selected to deliver Israel from bondage ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

A Successful Man of Affairs.
... Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his other ... eighteenth dynasty, when the relations
between Egypt and Palestine ... the land first instituted by Joseph, or was ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study vii a successful man.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... 1140] and over Jesus did the daughters of Israel weep and ... which he did in the land
of Egypt, and the ... Joseph was persecuted, and sold and cast into the pit. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Jacob and Doubting Souls --A Parallel
... Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's. And
the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/jacob and doubting soulsa parallel.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... His successor cared neither for Joseph nor his countrymen. ... During his reign, the
King of Egypt marched into ... as was done by the Assyrians in Israel; and thus ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Magi came from the East to Jerusalem,...
... in a dream to [20] Joseph in Egypt, [257] and ... and his mother, and came to the land
[22] of Israel. ... child [28] Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section iii the magi came.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... it was rather The Lord, and he hath made me as a ... And when to Egypt Israel drew near
He sent before him ... His way to Goshen, which when Joseph heard, Immediately ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... of the descendants of Jacob in the land of Egypt when, after ... arose up a new king
who knew not Joseph"; and in his days the children of Israel had "increased ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm