JOSEPH.

      (1). Jacob's age at his birth. Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh (Gen., 41:46). The seven plenteous years and two [17] years of the famine had passed when Jacob went into Egypt (Gen., 41:46, 53, 54; 45:4-6 47:1-9). 30 + 7 + 2 = 39. Jacob was one hundred and thirty years old when he entered Egypt (Gen., 47:1-9). 130 - 39 = 91. Jacob was, therefore, ninety-one years old at the birth of Joseph.

      (2). Early life. Joseph was the son of Rachel, born to Jacob in his old age (Gen., 30:1-24), and was therefore the favorite (Gen., 37:3). Joseph had two remarkable dreams, resulting in the estrangement of his brothers and the suspicion of his father (Gen., 37:5-11). His brothers sold him into slavery, and deceived their father by dipping the coat of many colors into the blood of a goat, assuring him that they had found it (Gen., 37:15-35).

      (3). Important fact. Jacob mourned for Joseph, believing that he was dead (Gen., 37:31-35). We may learn from this, (a) to be careful about acting on the testimony of prejudiced witnesses, (b) and that a lie conscientiously believed and acted upon will produce substantially the same effects as the truth.

      (4). Early life in Egypt. Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh (Gen., 39:1; Acts, 7:9). On a false charge he was thrown into prison. In prison he enjoyed the confidence of the keeper, and interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker (Gen., 39:21-23; 40:1-23).

      (5). Pharaoh's dreams. The king had two dreams: (a) he stood by the river and saw seven well-favored and fat-fleshed kine come up out of the river and feed in a meadow, and seven other kine that were ill-favored and lean-fleshed followed and devoured them; (b) he beheld seven ears of corn upon one stalk, rank and good, and [18] they were followed by seven thin and blasted ears by which they were devoured (Gen., 41:1-7).

      (6). Joseph's interpretation. The wise men failed to give the king's mind any relief, and Pharaoh, on the suggestion of the chief butler, called for Joseph, who declared that the dreams were one, and predicted that there would immediately follow seven years of plenty, succeeded by seven years of famine (Gen., 41:8-32).

      (7). His elevation. Pharaoh immediately clothed Joseph in royal vestures, made him ride in the second chariot, and required the people to prostrate themselves before him (Gen., 41:33-45).

      (8). His marriage. Pharaoh gave him the name Zaphnath-paaneah (preserver of the age, or revealer of secrets), and also gave him Asenath, the daughter of Poti-pherah, priest of On, to wife. By this union were two sons (Gen., 41:44-52).

      (9). Preparation for the famine. Joseph immediately began to make preparations for the famine. He gathered corn "as the sands of the sea" and stored it in the cities (Gen., 41:47-52).

      (10). Famine in Egypt. The famine began as Joseph had predicted and covered the entire land of Egypt (Gen., 41:53-57).

      (11). Famine in Canaan. The famine extended to Canaan (Gen., 42:1, 2; Acts, 7:11). Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy corn. Joseph recognized them, but they did not know him. He supplied their wants, and they returned to their home (Gen., 42:3-38). On their return to Egypt, Joseph made himself known to them and sent for his father to come to Egypt (Gen., 43:1-34; 44:1-34; 45:1-24; Acts, 7:12-14). Jacob received the news of Joseph's glory with incredulity [19] (Gen., 45:25-28).

      (12). Important fact. We may learn from this, (a) to investigate thoroughly before coming to a conclusion, (b) and that after a man is once settled in error it takes a tremendous influence to deliver him from it.

      (13). Jacob's descent into Egypt. Jacob at once departed for Egypt accompanied by his entire family; they also took their possessions (Gen., 46:1-26).

      (14). Harmony of Gen., 46:26; Deut., 10:22; Acts, 7:14. The first passage counts the direct descendants (66) of Jacob who went with him into Egypt. The second counts the sixty-six, Jacob, Joseph and his two sons. The third counts the seventy, and five of Joseph's "kindred" whose names are not given.

      (15). Jacob's introduction to Pharaoh. Joseph introduced his father to Pharaoh, who received him with respect. Jacob in return blessed Pharaoh twice, and departed from his presence (Gen., 47:7-10).

      (16). Settled in Goshen. Jacob and his family were given permission to dwell in Goshen where they enjoyed peace, plenty, and general prosperity (Gen., 47:1-27).

      (17). Date. It was twenty-five years from the death of Terah to the birth of Isaac (Gen., 11:32; 12:1-5; 21:5; Acts, 7:1-4). It was sixty years from the birth of Isaac to the birth of Jacob (Gen., 25:26). It was one hundred thirty years from the birth of Jacob to his introduction to Pharaoh (Gen., 47:7-10). 25 + 60 + 130 = 215. The settling of the Hebrews in Egypt was therefore two hundred and fifteen years after the death of Terah or Abram's entrance into Canaan.

      (18). Last days of Jacob. The closing of Jacob's life was distinguished by, (a) obtaining a promise [20] from Joseph to bury him with his fathers (Gen., 47:26-31), (b) reminding Joseph of the promises of God (Gen., 48:1-4), (c) adopting Joseph's two sons (Gen., 48:5, 6), (d) placing Ephraim before Manasseh (Gen., 48:8-20), (e) predicting the restoration of his family to Canaan (Gen., 48:21), (f) giving Joseph an extra portion of his estate (Gen., 48:21, 22), (g) prophesying of the coming Shiloh (Gen., 48:8-12; Heb. 7:14; Rev., 5:1-5), (h) blessing all his sons (Gen., 49:1-28).

      (19). Death and burial of Jacob. Jacob died in Egypt, was embalmed by Joseph's orders, carried to Canaan, and buried with great honors and great lamentation (Gen., 50:1-13; Acts, 7:15,16).

      (20). Last Days of Joseph. Joseph's last days were distinguished by (a) forgiving his brothers, (b) enjoying the pleasures of family relation, (c) predicting the restoration of his brethren to the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (d) and taking a pledge of his brethren to carry his bones with them on their departure (Gen., 50:15-26).

[CBC 17-21]