1. Jacob and Joseph
Genesis

2. Jacob, son of Isaac God had renewed the covenant with Isaac
Isaac’s sons – Jacob and Esau
Jacob – Israelites
Esau - Edomites
Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, helped her son Jacob trick Esau (twin brother) out of his inheritance
Esau was terribly upset and planned to kill Jacob, so Jacob had to leave

3. On the way, he stopped at Bethel
Rebekah asked Isaac to send Jacob away to find a wife from near Haran. (Laban)
On the way, he stopped at Bethel
Dream of ladder with angels between Jacob and God
Renewal of the covenant with Jacob
Bethel later became significant religious center

4. Jacob lived with his uncle Laban Wanted to marry Rachel – his cousin
Didn’t have enough money to “buy” her
Agreed to work 7 years
After 7 yrs Laban tricked him and gave him Leah, her older sister, instead
He had to agree to work another 7 years
He married Rachel a week later but still worked the 7 extra years
Worked another 7 yrs for flocks & herds - wealthy
The deceiver had met his match

5. Jacob and his family left Haran without telling Laban
12 sons; 1 daughter
Laban caught up at Mizpah (“watch tower”)
Made a pact – “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from one another”
Didn’t trust each other – may the Lord keep an eye on you while I can’t, lest you harm me.
The night before Jacob got home, he dreaded meeting his brother Esau

6. Jacob was now known as “Israel”
That night he “wrestled” in his sleep with a “man” – a messenger from God, but the next day he was sore
The experience had an impact on him
Thought I have wrestled with God
The next day he reconciled with his brother
Went separate ways
Jacob was now known as “Israel”
Jacob – the deceiver
Israel – he strives with God

7. The story now focuses on Joseph
Jacob showed favoritism toward Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel
Gave his a special coat
Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers in which they bowed down to him
37:4 – “They hated him and could not speak peaceably with him.”
Sold him to merchants traveling to Egypt and told their father a wild animal had killed him

8. Joseph is a slave in Potiphar’s house, a military official
Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he refuses – ran away
She lied and said he tried to molest her
Joseph is imprisoned
Rose to a prominent position in prison
Interprets dreams of the Pharaoh's baker and butler
Later the butler told Pharaoh about Joseph who could interpret his own dreams

9. Predicted 7 years of good crops and 7 yrs of famine
Pharaoh appointed Joseph to store grain for the famine and to distribute it during the famine
Egyptians had a deep-seated prejudice against the Asiatics
Yet Joseph rose to a prominent position

10. From 1700-1550 BCE Egypt was not ruled by Egyptians, but by the Hyksos
Invaders from the east
Later they were kicked out and native Egyptians ruled again
This is when Joseph’s family was later kicked out of Egypt
During the famine Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for food
Egypt was fertile – annual flooding of Nile

11. Joseph recognized his brothers
Clothing, position, language kept them from recognizing him
He played tricks on them
Sat them at a meal according to age
Hid his own silver cup in Benjamin's sack
Joseph said Benjamin had to stay in Egypt
Finally identified himself to his brothers
They were fearful of revenge
But he said “God sent me before you to save you.”
Providence of God

12. They went home to get Jacob
The whole family moved to Egypt
Settled in Goshen, very fertile area
The family lived there for many Generations