Yosef and His Brothers Continued: Genesis 39-47

Genesis 39: In the land of Egypt, there was a man named Yosef, a descendant of Akobe (Jacob). He was sold as a slave by his jealous brothers to a wealthy Egyptian named Potiphar. Yosef served in Potiphar’s house with great diligence, and the Great Creator enriched all that he did. Potiphar recognized Yosef’s talents and made him the overseer of his entire household. However, Potiphar’s wife, Zuleika, falsely accused Yosef of improper advances when he resisted her advances. For this, Yosef was unjustly thrown into prison.

Note, the story takes place in Egypt, which is a nation and landmass derived from the man named Mizraim (Egypt meaning burnt faces). Mizraim is thought to be a son of Ham, but truly Mizraim and his brothers listed in Genesis chapter 10 are sons of Japheth. Even the name Japheth is literally translated and means Egypt in many Bantu languages. This story is taking place in Egypt, it is on the continent known as Africa, which we know with the gift of the Holy Spirit is known as the Land of Shem.

Genesis 40: 

While in prison, Yosef used his special gift of interpreting dreams and visions to use. He interpreted dreams for two fellow prisoners, the chief butler and the chief baker of Pharaoh. The butler’s dream revealed that he would be restored to his position, while the baker’s dream indicated his impending death. Yosef asked the butler to remember him and mention his case to Pharaoh, but the butler forgot about him after being restored to his position.

Genesis 41: Two years later, Pharaoh had a troubling dream. He dreamed of seven fat cows being devoured by seven lean cows, and seven plump ears of corn being consumed by seven thin and withered ears. None of Pharaoh’s wise men could interpret the dream. Then the butler remembered Yosef’s ability to interpret dreams and told Pharaoh about him.

Yosef was brought before Pharaoh, and with the guidance of the Great Creator, he interpreted the dream as a warning of seven years of plenty in Egypt and the entire continent for that matter, followed by seven years of famine. Impressed by Yosef’s wisdom and ability, Pharaoh appointed him as the second-in-command in Egypt to prepare for the upcoming famine. The first son of Akobe through Rachel had an uncanning ability to order and manage even complexed things.

Genesis 42: 

As the famine spread across the land, Akobe (Jacob) sent his sons, except Benjamin, from the land of Canaan in the south to Egypt in the north to buy grain and corn. Yosef, now a powerful figure in Egypt, was able to recognize his brothers when they came before him. He tested them by accusing them of being spies and demanded that they bring Benjamin, their youngest brother, to prove their honesty.

They brought up Benyi and their father when they told their business why they were in Egypt to begin. Yosef sent them back to Canaan with grain but secretly returned their money in their sacks.

Genesis 43: The famine continued to ravage the land of Shem, and Akobe’s family consumed the grain they had already bought from Egypt, they would need to return. Eventually, they needed more, so Akobe instructed his sons to return to Egypt with Benjamin. Yosef received them and hosted them for a meal. He was overwhelmed with emotions but managed to hide his true identity. Yosef ordered his steward to fill their sacks with grain, return their money, and place his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack.

Genesis 44: 

As Yosef’s brothers departed, he commanded his steward to chase after them and accuse them of theft. The brothers denied any wrongdoing and agreed that the one in whose sack the cup was found would become a slave. The steward discovered the silver cup in Benjamin’s sack, and the brothers returned to Yosef, grief-stricken.

Juda (Yauode/Yawada) pleaded with Yosef, recounting their father’s love for Benjamin and the promise he made to protect him. He told the viceroy of Egypt that if they did not return Benyin, their father, Akobe, would die of depressive-pyschological-shock. He’d already lost the elder brother to Benyin, another would finish the old-timer. Touched by their remorse, Yosef tearfully revealed his identity, and they were all reconciled.

Genesis 45: 

Yosef revealed himself to his brothers, and they were astounded. Can you imagine, all these years they did not recognize Yosef. He perhaps had a different accent. I remember civil rights activist and politician Stokely Carmichael; he left America and went to the land of Shem. Over some years he added an accent to his already Trinidadian tongue. He changed his name to Kwame Ture.

He was still recognizable, but it was a noticeable change. Yosef’s change to his brothers was over 15 years of absence and he revealing himself shocked them immensely. Nevertheless, he reassured them that the Great Creator had orchestrated their actions for a greater purpose.

Yosef instructed his brothers to bring their father and all their households to Egypt, where he would provide for them during the remaining years of famine. Pharaoh, upon hearing of Yosef’s family, granted them the best of the land in Egypt. Keep in mind, Egypt is Japheth’s son, Mizraim.

Genesis 46: 

Akobe (Jacob) and his entire family, seventy in number, set out from Canaan to Egypt. They arrived in the land of Goshen, a fertile region of Egypt, where Yosef met his father after many years of separation. Yosef presented his family to Pharaoh, and Pharaoh graciously allowed them to settle in Goshen, where they prospered and multiplied.

Genesis 47: The years of famine persisted, and Yosef managed the distribution of grain throughout Egypt. As the people ran out of money to buy food, Yosef implemented a system where they traded their livestock, land, and even themselves as servants to Pharaoh in exchange for grain. The only exception was the land of the priests, which was protected.

From Canaan to Egypt, the Powers on the Continent

Throughout these events, Yosef’s wisdom, faith in the Great Creator, and dedication to his people enabled him to rise from a slave to a position of power in Egypt. His reunion with his family and their settlement in the land of Goshen laid the foundation for the growth of the Bantu people in Egypt. The story showcases the power of forgiveness, divine providence, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

This Bantu retelling highlights the significance of Egypt as a central location and showcases the rich cultural and spiritual aspects of the narrative. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of African cultures, the importance of family and heritage, and the ultimate triumph of righteousness and unity.

From a geographic standpoint, the family of Akobe relocated during this time of famine from what would be today, Namibia-South Africa, to Egypt-Sudan. In Egypt, Yosef took care of his family, Divinely provisioned by the Great Spirit.

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To be continued…

Minister Koko

BSM

BibleStudyMinistry.com

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With all love and Spiritual regards