George Ruheni, PhD.

Pharaoh gives them the best of the land The favor shown to Israel in Egypt was directly connected to Joseph’s God-given wisdom and obedience. Through Joseph, God preserved not only Egypt but the surrounding world from devastating famine [Genesis 41]. As a result, first, Egypt prospered under Joseph’s administration. Then, Pharaoh recognized that Joseph’s God was the source of this deliverance. Next, the blessing extended beyond Joseph to the entire household of Israel. The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.” (Genesis 47:6). Pharaoh’s offer of Goshen reveals several important truths. First, divine recompense, where God rewarded Joseph’s suffering with honor and authority. Then, provision with dignity, as Israel was not merely tolerated but strategically entrusted with royal livestock. Next, cont...

Beersheba as a Place of Covenant Continuity Beersheba stands out in Genesis as a sacred location where God affirmed covenant promises across generations. First, Abraham lived there and planted a tamarisk tree, calling on the name of the Lord [Genesis 21:33]. This act symbolized permanence, worship, and trust in God’s enduring covenant. Second, Isaac later encountered God at Beersheba, where the Lord reaffirmed the Abrahamic promise, assured him of divine presence, and Isaac responded by building an altar [Genesis 26:23–25]. Thus, Beersheba became a spiritual anchor, a place associated with God’s faithfulness, guidance, and reassurance. So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. 4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.” (Genesis 46:3-4). When Jacob stood at Beersheba on the brink of traveling to Egypt, his fear was unde...

Joseph had moved beyond both grief and anger, having come to discern God’s sovereign purpose at work. He recognized that God had woven the evil intentions of his brothers into a larger design for good. As he besought them not to be grieved or be harsh on themselves because they sold him in Egypt, as it was in God's purpose to preserve life.   But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life (Genesis 45:5). None of Joseph’s sufferings was wasted. God used each sorrow, betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment, to preserve Joseph’s family and to establish the conditions through which Israel would emerge as a nation. Though Joseph was undeniably a victim, deeply harmed by the sins committed against him, his story reveals that human evil does not thwart divine purpose. Instead, God redeemed what was intended for harm and turned it into a means for His glory and the salvation of many. ...

The cup in Benjamin’s sack Tearing their clothes was a powerful expression of horror and grief among the brothers at the prospect of losing Benjamin. He now faced the possibility of a lifetime of slavery in Egypt. This moment marks a profound moral transformation in the brothers—those who once showed no compassion when Joseph was sold into slavery. Previously indifferent to their father’s pain and Joseph’s fate, they now could not bear the thought of further wounding either their aged father or his beloved son. So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city (Genesis 44:12-13). As the search unfolded, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, the discovery of the cup in Benjamin’s sack sealed their dread. Where Joseph’s enslavement had once brought them satisfaction, the brothers now demonstrated repentance and ...

  Jacob was used to bribe Jacob had learned, through long experience, to negotiate danger with generosity. When he feared his brother Esau, he sent lavish gifts ahead of him, hoping to soften a hostile heart. Years later, he applied the same wisdom when sending his sons back to Egypt, believing that a present would win favor with the powerful ruler they faced, unaware that this ruler was his own son. Jacob instructed his sons to take some of the best fruits of the land, balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds as a present to Joseph. Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds (Genesis 43:11). For Joseph, however, this moment was deeply emotional. More than twenty years had passed since he last saw his brothers (eleven years as a slave, two in prison, and seven of abundance in Egypt). Seeing Benjamin, his only full brother, overwhelm...

The sons of Jacob in Egypt When Jacob mentioned Egypt, his sons’ reaction betrayed their inner guilt. For 20 years, they had carried the burden of selling Joseph into slavery. Their faces revealed what words could not, the weight of conscience is visible in subtle expressions, and God often uses circumstances to confront our hidden sins. Jacob’s observed and asked his sons, why they were look at one another at the mention of the word Egypt. When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” (Genesis 42:1). This captured both his concern and the irony of the situation. The famine, while a negative event, was part of God’s plan. Even the sons’ jealousy and selfishness, though morally wrong, became tools that ultimately preserved the family and provided sustenance for the nations. This illustrates how God can redirect human flaws and difficult circumstances toward a higher purpose.   Jealousy and hunger, led to a redempti...

Two years after the release of the butler and the execution of the baker After Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler, he asked to be remembered. However, the chief butler did not remember Joseph [Genesis 40:23]. This emphasizes that, cursed is any man who trusts in another man. Human promises can fail, and relying on people for your breakthrough is risky. Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river (Genesis 41:1). However, the fruits of good deeds may not appear immediately, more often than not, our efforts seem forgotten or even met with injustice, as Joseph’s faithfulness initially led to continued imprisonment. However, waiting for God’s timing is essential. Joseph’s release and promotion came only at God’s appointed time, showing the importance of patience and trust in divine timing. Nothing happens without God’s purpose. Every event, including Joseph’s imprisonment, had a divine reason, shaping ...

Butler and the baker in prison Even in prison, Joseph prospered because the presence and favor of God never left him. He was placed in charge of the other prisoners, including those belonging to Pharaoh’s household. This demonstrates that Joseph’s leadership, integrity, and divine favor were evident regardless of his circumstances. The chief butler and the chief baker offended Pharaoh and were imprisoned. It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker (Genesis 40:1-2). From how the narrative unfolds, it is reasonable to infer that there may have been an attempted poisoning of Pharaoh, making these two officials the primary suspects. Their imprisonment, therefore, was not accidental but strategic within God’s divine plan, to position them to encounter Joseph.   Although the officials were prisoners under suspici...

Joseph a Slave in Egypt The name Potiphar is commonly understood to mean “devoted to the sun” or “he whom the sun-god has given,” reflecting Egypt’s deep connection to sun worship and idol religion. As an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, Potiphar occupied a powerful position within the royal court. Some scholars suggest that such officials may have been eunuchs, entrusted with sensitive responsibilities in Pharaoh’s household and security, though the biblical text does not explicitly confirm this. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there (Genesis 39:1). Joseph’s arrival in Egypt marks a dramatic descent, from a favored son to a slave bought and sold as property. Joseph had no control over his destiny, no legal rights, and no social standing. He was completely subject to the authority of a pagan official in a foreign land, far removed fr...

Tamar bears a child by Judah Judah’s firstborn son, Er, married Tamar, but because of his wickedness, the Lord put him to death. According to the levirate custom, Judah’s second son Onan was required to raise offspring for his deceased brother. However, Onan deliberately refused to fulfill this duty, exploiting Tamar for sexual gratification while preventing conception. Because of this selfish and immoral act, God also put Onan to death. Judah then promised Tamar his youngest son, Shelah, but out of fear and selfishness, he failed to keep his word, leaving Tamar unjustly childless and socially vulnerable. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. 16 Then he turned to her by the way, and said, “Please let me come in to you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. .. (Genesis 38:15-16). In response to this injustice, Tamar acted strategically by disguising herself, and Judah, unaware of her identity, slept with her, thinking ...

  Jacob favors Joseph Joseph illustrates a man of exceptional character who faced both privilege and adversity without complaint or compromise. Like Paul, Joseph learned contentment regardless of circumstances, demonstrating integrity in private and public life. Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than his other children because he was born in Jacob’s old age, and he honored him with a tunic of many colors. This special garment was more than clothing, it symbolized favor, authority, and birthright, signaling Joseph’s elevated status and leadership potential over his brothers, who engaged in hard labor. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him (Genesis 37:3-4). However, this privilege caused jealousy, his brothers hated him and could not speak peaceably to...