Joseph son of Jacob

Joseph son of Jacob

Jacob, whom God later renamed Israel, had 12 children.  These 12 children and their descendants became known as the 12 tribes of Israel.  When Jacob was preparing to die he called his sons to him. He said to Joseph, "Joseph is a fruitful tree beside a fountain.  He has been severely injured, but his bow remains steady; his arms and his hands are reinforced by the aid of the Mighty one of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel."

This was true of Joseph's life.  When he was a young man he was nearly killed by his older brothers, who decided instead to sell him to some traveling merchant men.  These merchants sold him to an Egyptian named Potiphar, who was a high official for Pharaoh.  God blessed Joseph with many talents.  Potiphar saw this and put Joseph in charge of everything he had.

While Joseph was faithfully carrying out his work, Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him.  Joseph responded by saying, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against GOD." Joseph ran from her, but she held on to his garment and cried out to the other servants of the house, saying that Joseph tried to rape her and had left his garment as he ran away.

Joseph was put into prison.  But even in prison God cared for Joseph and blessed him there.  Eventually God worked a miracle so that Joseph was taken out of prison and put in charge of all of Egypt under the Pharaoh.  A famine in the land brought Joseph's brothers to Egypt in search of food.  In this way God reunited the 12 children of Jacob.

Related Articles

More From Articles

Yielding Mind and Body

How could it be possible that three young captives from Israel were allowed to live, and were…
Yielding Mind and Body

No Substitutes

Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a…
No Substitutes

We're on the Border

Just before crossing the Jordan River to claim the promised land of Canaan the Israelites…
We're on the Border

Women to Women, Men to Men

Moreover, the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was called Shifrah and…
Women to Women, Men to Men
Illustration: Job, covered with boils, sits listening to his friends.

What Does it Cost to be Faithful?

The ancient story of Job in the Bible has encouraged many men and women throughout the ages.…
What Does it Cost to be Faithful?

Solomon

King Solomon was the third king of Israel and is known as the wisest man who ever lived.…
Solomon

Restitution

“If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in…
Restitution

Samson

Have you ever heard someone say, ‘Everything works together for good’? That’s a quote from Rav…
Samson
Illustration: Daniel in the Lion's Den

Daniel in Jewish Tradition

Considering the importance of the prophet-hakham Daniel, Shabbat Shalom has chosen to hear from…
Daniel in Jewish Tradition

A Tale of Two Women

We often hear of the courageous deeds of Esther and her role in saving the Jewish people, and…
A Tale of Two Women

But the God of the Torah

I have often heard believers in Yeshua question how someone could reconcile the God of the “New…
But the God of the Torah

Elisha and the Syrians

At a time when the Syrian Army was warring against Israel GOD showed Elisha the prophet where…
Elisha and the Syrians

Traded for Taste

“Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to…
Traded for Taste

Altar of Incense

One of the three pieces of furniture in the Holy Place of God's sanctuary is the Altar of…
Altar of Incense

Samson's Mistakes

Have you ever heard someone say, ‘Everything works together for good’?
Samson's Mistakes

This Too

In the Torah is the amazing story of Joseph, a young, talented fellow who one day ended up…
This Too

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation