Joseph

Question 1

Structure of the Joseph Narrative pt 1

Answer 1

Joseph's dreams 
Joseph's three descents 
-into the pit of Dothan 
-down to Egypt
-down into prison 
Dreams of cupbearer, baker and pharaoh 
Joseph's rise to power

Question 2

Structure of Joseph narrative pt 2

Answer 2

The brothers three descents 
Joseph reveals himself 
Jacob and entire family descend 
Jacobs death 
-rejects Promogeniture 
-Jacobs final testament 
-burial in Canaan
Joseph forgives brothers, dies and is buried

Question 3

A dysfunctional family

Gen. 37

Answer 3

A haughty young son

• Joseph’s “bad report” of brothers (vs 2)
• a fathers favoritism (vs 3)
• the brothers hatred

Question 4

Joseph’s dreams (Gen.37)

Answer 4

First of three episodes 
-Chs. 37, 40, 41
-in each two dreams are narrated 
Joseph's first dream 
-Sheaves of Grain 
Joseph's second dream 
-sun, moon and 11 stars

Question 5

Joseph’s descents

Answer 5

Into the pit of Dothan

• Joseph sent to Shechem
  
  • scene of Rape and Deception
• the brothers plot
  
  • Joseph is “the lord of dreams”
  • Reuben’s intervention
• Stripped of his robe
• thrown in a pit

Question 6

Joseph’s descendants

Answer 6

Down to Egypt

• Judah saves Joseph’s life–for profit
• Ishmaelites or Midisnites
• Reuben Thwarted
• Brothers deceive their father Jacob
• sold to Potipher

Question 7

Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38)

Answer 7

An interpolation
-often ignored or dismissed as an awkward interpretation of the Joseph’s narrative
Themes in the Episode
-Judah, like Joseph, “goes down”
-rejection of Premogeniture
-Levirate marriage
-Judah shows no grief over death of his sons
-Tamar deceives Judah
-Judah falls to seduction, Joseph does not

Question 8

Joseph’s Descents

Answer 8

Down into Prison

• Joseph in Potiphers house
• attempted seduction
• Joseph in prison

Question 9

More dreams (Gen. 40-41)

Answer 9

Cupbearer and bakers dreams
-cupbearer forgot to mention Joseph
Pharaohs dreams
-Joseph 30 years old

Question 10

Joseph’s elevation

Answer 10

A dramatic reversal
-Joseph’s interpretation and wise counsel
-Can we find anyone else like this–one in whom is the spirit of God?
Joseph is vindicated

Question 11

Themes of Jacob narrative

Answer 11

Divine Choice/Election 
-God choses one of the twins 
God rejects Primogeniture 
-the elder shall serve the younger (Gen. 25:23) 
Deceit and Deception 
-Jacob deceives Esau and Isaac
-Laban deceives Jacob 
Transformation 
-Jacob wrestles with God