(Genesis 37-50: How I would tells this story over the backyard fence)

Jacob and his family lived in ancient times in what is now Israel and Palestine. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebecca – Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah.  Jacob had twelve sons and a daughter – his favorite was Joseph. (see note at the end for their names) 

This bothered the other eleven brothers, especially since Joseph was almost the youngest of them all. It did not help that Joseph was a dreamer who in his dreams became an important person ruling over his own brothers. Being excited about his dreams, he told his brothers, making them all the more upset.

One day when all the brothers were far away from the house tending the family sheep, all but one of the brothers were so mad at the favors Joseph received that they plotted to kill him, but Reuben pleaded with them and convinced them to spare Joseph’s life. So they sold him to a passing trader as a slave for twenty pieces of silver. The trader eventually sold Joseph to the chief steward in the court of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Meanwhile, the brothers told Jacob that his son had been killed by wild animals.

In Egypt, Joseph was very likable, worked hard, and eventually the Royal Steward placed him in charge of his household. From that moment the household prospered. Joseph was young, handsome and successful. Soon the Royal Steward’s wife wanted Joseph as her lover, but Joseph would not consent to break the Commandments of God.  The steward’s wife framed Joseph with accusations and because of this Joseph was thrown into prison.

In prison Joseph met some officials of the Pharaoh’s court who had displeased Pharaoh and so were tossed in jail. Each of the royal officials had a dream which Joseph interpreted for them. Each interpretation came to reality.  One of the officials was returned to the court and two years later Pharaoh had a dream for which he wanted an interpretation. The court wise men and magicians could not interpret the dream. It was then that the official remembered Joseph.

Soon Joseph was standing before the Pharaoh and told him that the dreams were a message from God to prepare for seven years of abundant harvest that would be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh sensed the correctness of the interpretation and placed Joseph in charge of all the lands of Egypt. Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphnath-paneah. Joseph worked hard preparing Egypt for the good times and the bad. He married, had sons, and went about the life that God seemed to have prepared for him.

When the famine years arrived, word soon got out that Egypt had supplies a plenty. Soon traders were coming to Egypt by the droves – including some of the sons of Jacob who came to buy grain for the 12 tribes of Israel. When the brothers appeared before Joseph he instantly recognized them – although they did not recognize him. What a turn of fortune! Joseph’s youthful dream seem to becoming true. The very brothers that sold Joseph into slavery now where subject to his rule.

Joseph decided to accuse them of being spies – and of course they proclaimed their innocence, being all sons of the one father. What father would risk all his sons in such a way? Joseph asked if all the sons were indeed here – and they replied truthfully that “no, the youngest was at home and another had been lost.”  Joseph locked them in prison for three days, and then recalled them.  He said that he would keep one of the brothers hostage, but that the rest could buy supplies and take them home to Israel.  But… they were all to return – all of the brothers.

The brothers spoke among themselves not realizing that Joseph knew their language. Reuben told the other brothers that this misfortune was a delayed punishment for the evil that they had done to their now long-lost brother Joseph.  Joseph heard their words and had to turn away lest they see him cry.  Joseph had his brother Simon bound and held as hostage telling the rest to be on their way.

The caravan of the sons of Jacob was loaded with the grain and supplies they had purchased – but Joseph also ordered that their money be secretly returned in the bottom of the sacks.  During the trip home they made the discovery and were greatly perplexed. When they got home they told Jacob all that had happened and he was disheartened. The famine was growing worse, they needed more supplies, but Jacob was afraid. He had already lost Joseph (or so he thought), Simon was a hostage, and now this official in Egypt wanted his youngest son Benjamin to appear in his court.

Eventually Jacob agreed to the plan.  He wondered after so many years of blessings how God now seemed to only send curses upon him and his family. So he gave the brothers permission to return to Egypt and told them to take Benjamin, gifts of tribute to this official, and to return the money from the first trip (fearing it was a mistake for which there would be trouble.)

When they appeared in Joseph’s court, he treated them as guests, preparing a fine meal.  The brothers were anxious to return the money, give Joseph the tribute gifts, buy the new supplies and be on their way.  Joseph told them not to worry, that the God of their fathers must have put the money in their bags.  Simon joined the brothers and with that Joseph began to ask about their father Jacob.  Soon he saw his brother Benjamin and was overcome with affection and had to make an excuse to leave the room. Outside Joseph gave instructions to the servants to serve the feast – the brothers must have thought something was up when they were seated from oldest to youngest.

After the meal they prepared to depart home to Israel. Again their caravan was loaded with the supplies they purchased. Again their money was hidden in the caravan supply bags, but this time a golden goblet from the meal was also hidden with the supplies.  Only just on the trip home the brothers were stopped by the head of Joseph’s house who accused the brothers of stealing money and the goblet. The brothers protested saying that if the goblet was found that the one who took it would be killed and the rest could be enslaved.  The goblet was found in Benjamin’s bag. All the brothers were dragged back in front of Joseph.

One of the brothers Judah pleaded their case, but Joseph maintained his masquerade. He told the brothers to leave but that Benjamin would stay here as Joseph’s servant. Judah said, do anything but that – if were to return home, our Father would die of sorrow. With that Joseph could not longer continue. He dismissed all the Egyptians and revealed that he was indeed their long lost brother.  Their joy was complete.

Joseph told his brothers that there would be five more years of famine, and so they should return home and bring their father and all the tribes here to Egypt. Joseph gave them land in the area of Goshen.  The brothers returned home and brought the people with them to Egypt. Joseph and his father Jacob were reunited. Jacob got to meet his grandsons before he died.

Joseph and the brothers fulfilled a promise to their father and buried him in the land of Canaan (modern day Israel/Palestine).

Each in their own turn passed away. And the people of Israel came to be resident in the land of Egypt.  As Joseph had told his brothers, from the harm his brothers tried to do, God had tuned it to the good in order to ensure the survival of all the people.