After the Hebrews won the Promised Land and divided the territories among the tribes, Joshua memorialized the people's covenant with God by setting out a stone for a memorial (the rock of salvation) and by recounting the history of the people Israel. Josh 24:2-4 Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says, 'Long ago your forefathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the River and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt'."

Jacob had many sons but his favorite son was Joseph. When the sons saw that their father loved Joseph the most, they hated Joseph. Joseph also had dreams of his brothers bowing down to him so they hated Joseph all the more. One day Jacob sent Joseph out to check on his brothers. His brothers stripped Joseph of the special robe his father made for him and sold him into slavery.

In Egypt, Joseph prospered as a slave to one of Pharaoh's officials, but he was once again betrayed and was thrown into deeper bondage.

Later, Pharaoh became offended with two of his officials so he threw them in prison with Joseph. Both officials had dreams which Joseph was able to interpret for them. One official was forgiven by Pharaoh and restored to his position and the other official was not forgiven but hanged to death, both just as Joseph had interpreted from their dreams.

Then Pharaoh had a dream that bothered him so Joseph was called up from prison to interpret it for Pharaoh. As a result, Joseph was appointed Prime Minister of Egypt under Pharaoh.

During a great famine Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to buy food. Joseph was the official in charge of food but his brothers did not recognize him. Joseph recognized them though. He gave them food but he also set them up to be charged as spies. He held one of them in prison until they brought their youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt.

Jacob would not allow Benjamin to be taken to Egypt. Judah vowed to protect Benjamin and return him to his father alive. Jacob reluctantly surrendered to Judah and allowed him to take Benjamin to Egypt.

Joseph again gave his brothers food but he set Benjamin up to be charged with stealing. Judah honored his vow to his father and offered to trade his life for Benjamin's.

Joseph then revealed his identity to his brothers. He saved them from the famine and he forgave them for selling him into slavery. He brought them all, along with their families and their father Jacob, to live with him in Egypt.


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story