Feb 6 Response

In Genesis 37-50 the line of Abraham continues with the story of Joseph and his brothers. As a child Joseph had the favor of his father Israel, which made his brothers envious enough to the point where they planned to kill him. Though his brothers decided against killing him, Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up as a slave in Egypt. In Egypt, Joseph’s life takes a series of twists and turns but eventually he becomes the pharoah’s right hand man. When his brothers are starving, they unknowingly kneel before him, fulfilling Joseph’s dreams.

Joseph was the beloved son in his family, and contrary to primogeniture, was seemingly in line to recieve his father’s blessing. Anderson talks about the brother’s spurned feelings when Joseph recieves Jacob’s favor and the rivalry that ensues. Joseph seeks to test if his brother’s envy is still present when he places the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. If the brothers are still envious of their father’s beloved son they will have no problem with him getting thrown in jail. However, if they truly love and care for Benjamin, they will object to Joseph’s punishment. When the brothers find the cup in Benjamin’s bag and plead with Joseph to take them instead, Joseph realizes that they have changed their ways. They no longer despise their father’s beloved son (Benjamin), and want to protect him. When Joseph realizes his brothers are no longer envious, it is then when he reveals himself as their long lost brother. Joseph’s intention when planting the silver cup was not to frame Benjamin, but to see if his brothers were still extremely jealous of the beloved son, and if they would sacrifice him to further their own self interest. In Joseph’s eyes, his brothers all passed the test.