We continue on with our rapid trek through the Torah.
So just a few years after Benjamin is born, Israel’s most favored son Joseph at the age of 17 is betrayed by all 10 of his jealous and angry brothers who throw him into a water well and soon afterwards sell him to a passing caravan of slave traders.
Afterwards, Joseph’s brothers lie to their father and inform him Joseph was killed by a wild animal.
The loss is almost too much for Jacob to bear and he grieves for many years over his son who he thinks his dead.
The now enslaved Joseph is taken to the south of Egypt where he is sold as a house servant to a man named Potiphar, the Chief Steward to Pharaoh.
Joseph, being young, handsome and a God-fearing man impresses Potiphar with his honesty and integrity.
Unfortunately, he has a bad run-in with Potiphar’s wife and as a result ends up being thrown into prison because of her false charges against Joseph.
All seems hopeless but God has not abandoned Joseph.
While Joseph is in prison, the Pharaoh begins having disturbing dreams and summons his local wizards to interpret them for him.
However, they are unable to do so.
Word gets around that Joseph has supernatural ability to interpret dreams, so he is summoned by Pharaoh to explain his mysterious nighttime visions.
Pharaoh is so impressed by Joseph’s interpretations that literally overnight Joseph is transformed from a prisoner to becoming 2nd in command over all of Egypt.
And irony of ironies, Joseph’s former boss Potiphar is now below Joseph and serving him.
Joseph is now 30 years old and he hasn’t seen his family for 13 years.
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