Yoseph: The Egyptian Adventure
The story of Yoseph's adventures forms a sharp contrast. with the preceding chapters. From the point of view of literary style, in the first place, there is a portrayal of character which is novel and rather romantic in its general effect. A sequence of events is set off against a background that is sometimes dramatic; in addition the observation of detail has often provoked the admiration of the Egyptologists -the most important part of Yoseph's life was spent in Egypt. The careful construction of the work is also worthy of notice. The lives of Abraham, Yitschaq and Yacob were put before us in a series of pictures, colourful, no doubt, but often placed side by side without obvious connection; the story of Yoseph, or, the other hand, unfolds before us in logical order, one event leading to another and all set down in a vigorous style.
Scriptures is principally the history of the revelation of the ONE YAHWEH to HIS People
The literary side is important, but it must not be forgotten that the Scriptures is principally the history of the revelation of the ONE YAHWEH to HIS People. And here we notice an appreciable change in the relationship between YAHWEH and HIS creature. In the life of Yoseph, and unlike what we have so far encountered, there is no more direct peremptory and almost, it might seem, visible action on the part of YAHWEH. With Yoseph YAHWEH does not disappear from the scene in the story, and HE certainly continues to guide HIS chosen ones, always in pursuance of the realization of HIS plan. The Promise, the Covenant, was still in force. But in Egypt YAHWEH seems to act in that secret, unforeseen and fruitful way known to Messianic followers as Providence. Thus the criminal plot hatched by Yoseph's brothers was unexpectedly transformed into a blessing firstly for Yoseph himself, then for the clan and even for those who had plotted to murder him. The conspiracy set on foot by Yoseph's brothers resulted not in his moral rebellion, nor in the destruction of his legitimate hopes, but in his spiritual progress, social success and the happiness of his family. In addition, there was the pardon of the guilty parties. All this stamps the story with a lofty moral tone considerably in advance of its period, and accounts probably for its popularity in successive generations.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the material for this chapter it requires, I believe, a certain amount of explanation, especially for that part of it relating to Egypt. From time to time, also, historical commentaries on certain points will prove valuable. This is the more necessary since certain Egyptologists have in recent years made a critical examination of Yoseph's adventures; 1 and there are certain odd coincidences requiring emphasis which on many points show the authenticity of the biblical narrative.
Yoseph's Life-Story Can Be Divided Up As Follows:
Early life at Hebron.
Yoseph sold by his brothers. The unexpected encounter in Egypt between Yoseph and his brothers. The end of the Egyptian adventure.
In conclusion, there is a short epilogue which enables us to see the natural connection with the following period, a very different one in all respects both in its dramatic content and religious spirit, We shall be dealing with the period in which arose the brilliant personality of Mosheh, the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the people of YAHWEH.
1 I must mention here particularly the book by J Vergotte, Yoseph en Egypte, Publications Universitaires de Louvain, 1959 He is an Egyptologist who has made a critical appraisal of the linguistic, historical and archaeological problems that are raised by the subject of Yoseph after his transplantation to Egypt In this chapter I have adopted some of the conclusions of this eminent Egyptologist.
Early Life At Hebron
The scene is set in the valley of Hebron, among the tents of Yacob-Yisrael. The Hebrew chieftain, the possessor of large flocks, had ten grown-up sons to whom he could entrust the supervision and leading of his flocks from pasture to pasture, often in very remote regions. Yacob himself scarcely moved from the old camp in which Abraham and Yitschaq had previously settled and died. It was a quiet life, at least as a rule. But the malice of men, and of women, was to be reckoned with: there were deep resentments, and a smouldering hostility which quickly reached the point of exasperation in this life of a closed community. Little was needed to arouse resentment, and to engender implacable hatreds.
Yoseph, Yacob's Favourite Son
Yoseph was now sixteen. He was a fine youth, intelligent, and of a frank and open character. Like his younger brother Benjamin, he was the son of Rachel, Yacob's wife who had died on the way to Ephrath. Soon Yacob's preference for Yoseph became obvious and naturally it provoked a latent jealousy among the ten elder brothers A further complication was caused by Yoseph's propensity for reporting to his father the criticisms of which the latter was the object. For to teach him his trade Yoseph was sent out to shepherd the flocks with his half-brothers, the sons of the concubines Bilhah and Zilpah; this provided an excellent opportunity for him to hear any slanderous gossip in circulation, all of which he repeated to Yacob. The other brothers were considerably displeased at this behaviour and began to join forces against Yoseph.
At this juncture Yacob committed a blunder; he gave orders for a fine coat with long sleeves to be made for Yoseph. It was one of those handsome embroidered full-length garments which were in vogue for women and even youths of good family. Thereupon his brothers came to hate him so much that they could not say a civil word to him. Hostilities were declared.
Yoseph Index Yoseph Sitemap Scripture History Through the Ages Yoseph Egyptian Adventure Yoseph Scriptures and Dreams The Plot Against Yoseph Yoseph's Brothers Cruel Seqel Yoseph In The House Of Potiphar Yoseph In Prison Pharaoh's Strange Dreams Yoseph Slave Becomes Viceroy Of Egypt Yoseph's Unexpected Family Reunion The Ten Brothers Before Yoseph Yacob Goes To Egypt Yoseph and the Death Of Yacob YAHWEH's Sword History Further Anxieties Of Yoseph's Brothers Yisraelites Remain In Egypt Period Of The Great Persecution