Genesis Chronicle: The Life of Joseph

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Chapters thirty-nine through forty-one of Genesis chronicle a portion of the life of Joseph, the eleventh, and most favored, son of Jacob. “The book of Genesis is an account of the creation of the universe (Genesis 1-2), the origins of human communities (Genesis 3-11), and the beginnings of the people set apart by God (Genesis 12-50)” (Hauer and Young 67). The Joseph story begins in chapter thirty-seven, and spans nearly fourteen full chapters; the book ends, in chapter fifty, with the death of Joseph. The narrative of Joseph’s life is well crafted and highly detailed. It is, in fact, the most comprehensive narrative in the book of Genesis. The story flows, from beginning to end as a novel would. “Unique, too, is the somewhat secular mold in which the biography is cast. The miraculous or supernatural is conspicuously absent” (Sarna 211). Although God is mentioned, as a presence, he never overtly presents himself as he did with the many of the heroes that came before Joseph. The ending chapters of Genesis are a coming of age story; the tale of a boy, becoming a man.

Survey of the Three Chapters:

In chapter thirty-nine of Genesis, Joseph was taken, by a group of Ishmaelites, to Egypt to be sold as a slave. He was bought by a guard captain named Potiphar. Potiphar saw that Joseph was blessed, by God, so he made him the head servant of the house. Berlin and Brettler suggest in “The Jewish Study Bible” that like Potiphar, Joseph’s father’s preference of Joseph may have been an unconscious manifestation of God’s favor toward him. Now, Potiphar had a wife who was very attracted to Joseph. She frequently asked him to lie with her. Joseph always refused. It would have been a betrayal of his master, but more importantly a sin against God...

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... the man. He worked hard for his master and took pride in his work, even though he was forced to be there. He also refused to betray his master, regardless of temptation. In the subsequent chapters he did his best to help people with his gift, while always giving credit to God. Joseph is an outstanding protagonist.

During the week after I first saw “Joseph”, I picked my tattered King James Version from the shelf, and read Genesis in its entirety. I did not experience any profound biblical revelations, nor did I feel drawn toward God. However, I did find myself appreciating the book, itself, much more. I strive to be a compassionate person, one who respects the personal and religious freedoms of others. Understanding the Bible better, makes me more equipped to do so. In a lot of ways, the people around me have Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to thank for that.

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