Israel's Family to Egypt

God directed events in Israel's family to place his son Joseph as a prominent leader in Egypt for a critical time in the early history of this very important family.

Israel (formerly Jacob) had many sons and daughters whom he loved, but Joseph (the eleventh son) held a special place in his heart because he was the son of his old age. His brothers noticed the special treatment Joseph received and hated him for it. One day they ripped his special robe off that he had received from his father and threw him into a cistern. Then they sold him for 20 pieces of silver to some merchants (descendants of Ishmael) that came by, taking him to Egypt.

The merchants sold Joseph to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. God blessed Joseph; so much so that his master, Potiphar, noticed. Potiphar was convinced that Joseph’s success was the result of God being with him, and he promoted him.

Later, Joseph was falsely accused and sent to prison, but God continued to bless him. Even in prison he was given great responsibility. When Joseph was released, God revealed a plan to Joseph that would save Egypt from great famine. When Joseph revealed that plan to Pharaoh, he said, “I name you governor of all Egypt!”

When the severe famine came to all the countries, only Egypt had food. All the nations came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph. Just like the others, Israel heard that there was food available in Egypt, so he sent his sons (Joseph’s brothers) down to Egypt to buy food. They thought Joseph had died and did not recognize that this important leader was their brother.

Joseph tested them to see if they were repentant of the terrible thing they had done to him. He arranged to send his brothers home, leaving behind their youngest brother, Benjamin, as a slave. Judah led the way in pleading with Joseph not to do such a thing, offering himself as a slave in Benjamin’s place.

Joseph saw they were repentant and said, “Come close. Look. Yes, it is me, your brother Joseph, whom you sold as a slave!” The brothers were aghast. Joseph said, “Don’t worry or be angry with yourselves because God sent me here ahead of you to save lives—especially to preserve our family. Go get Father and hurry back down here!”

On the way down to see Joseph, Israel offered sacrifices, and God spoke to him in a vision, saying, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go to Egypt because I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will certainly bring you back again.”

That is how Israel and his family ended up in Egypt for many years. Pharaoh gave some of the best land to Joseph for his father and brothers: Goshen. Before he died, Israel called all his sons together and blessed each one, predicting what would happen in the future. He gave a special prediction blessing to Judah.

“It’s you, Judah, that your brothers will praise;
Upon you they’ll gaze as the scepter you raise.
You’ll rule over all—brothers and enemies—
As all bend their knees and everyone sees
That all power is yours; it will never depart
From you, and all nations obey from the heart.”