How Long Did It Take for Joseph to See Jacob Again

"Genesis 37–l: Joseph: The Ability of Preparation," Old Testament Educatee Manual Genesis-2 Samuel (1980), 92–101

(8-1) Introduction

"The story of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was chosen Israel, is a vivid representation of the nifty truth that 'all things piece of work together for good to [those] who loved God.' (See Rom. viii:28.) Joseph always seemed to do the correct thing; merely still, more than chiefly, he did it for the right reason. And how very, very pregnant that is! Joseph was sold by his ain brothers as a slave and was purchased by Potiphar, a captain of the guard of Pharaoh. Only even as an indentured servant, Joseph turned every feel and all circumstances, no matter how trying, into something adept.

"This power to turn everything into something proficient appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to practise this. Everything, no affair how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained true-blue to the Lord and continued to alive the commandments and made something very skilful of his degrading circumstances. People similar this cannot exist defeated, because they will not give up. They accept the right, positive attitude, and Dale Carnegie'southward expression seems to use: If you experience y'all have a lemon, you can either complain most how sour it is, or you tin can make a lemonade. It is all upwardly to you." (Hartman Rector, Jr., "Live above the Constabulary to Exist Free," Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)

Notes and Commentary on Genesis 37–50

(8-two) Genesis 37:three. What Was the Coat of Many Colors?

There is some question as to what Joseph's coat actually was. The Hebrew word denotes "a long coat with sleeves … i.e. an upper coat reaching to the wrists and ankles, such as noblemen and kings' daughters wore" (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, one:one:335; note too ii Samuel xiii:xviii, which says that the daughters of King David wore similar coats). The coat may accept been of unlike colors, but its significance seems to accept been far more than its brightness and dazzler. One noted scholar suggested that it was "a tunic reaching to the palms of the easily and soles of the feet; the long tunic with sleeves worn by young men and maidens of the meliorate class; in the case of Joseph, supposed by Bush … to have been the badge of the birthright which has been forfeited by Reuben and transferred to Joseph" (Wilson, Old Testament Word Studies, s.v. "colour," p. 82).

If indeed this coat signaled that Joseph held the birthright, which may have been in question among the brothers because there were four firstborn sons in Jacob's family, this fact would explicate the intense hostility and jealousy the coat provoked among the other sons of Jacob. The post-obit brothers could easily have thought that they should have had the birthright.

Reuben. He was the firstborn of all the sons. Although he had lost the right (see Reading seven-28), he may not have accepted that fact.

Simeon. Since he was the 2d son of Leah and next in line following Reuben, he could have assumed the birthright would come to him after Reuben lost his right to it.

Judah. He could accept argued that non but Reuben had lost the correct, but so had Simeon and Levi, through the massacre of the Shechemites (encounter Genesis 34). The disqualification of these sons would brand him the rightful legal heir.

Dan. Because his mother, Bilhah, was considered Rachel's property, he could contend that he was Rachel's firstborn, not Joseph, and therefore should have received the birthright when Reuben lost information technology.

Gad. He was the firstborn son of Zilpah and therefore could easily have idea he should have taken the birthright afterwards Reuben forfeited it.

Joseph'southward dreams (meet Genesis 37:5–11), which clearly signified time to come leadership, merely added to the resentment among the brothers.

(8-3) Genesis 37:28

The cost received for Joseph, twenty pieces of argent, is the aforementioned price specified later in the Mosaic law for a slave betwixt the ages of five and 20 (encounter Leviticus 27:v). Typically, the price for a slave was thirty pieces of argent (encounter Exodus 21:32).

(8-four) Genesis 37:32

Mormon recorded in the Volume of Mormon that when Jacob saw that a remnant of the "glaze of many colours" (v. 32) had been preserved, he prophesied that so also would a remnant of Joseph'due south seed be preserved (see Alma 46:24).

Mt. Gilboa

Mt. Nebo

Joseph sold to Midianites at Dothan

Gilead

Shechem

Canaan

Hebron

Beersheba

Joseph's brothers and his male parent Jacob join him in Egypt to escape famine

Joseph taken to Arab republic of egypt to be sold as a slave

Heliopolis (On)

Goshen

Memphis

Egypt

(8-5) Genesis 37:36. What Was Potiphar'south Position?

The Hebrew phrase which is translated as "captain of the guards" literally ways "chief of the butchers or slaughterers." From this pregnant some scholars accept thought that he was the chief cook or steward in the business firm of the pharaoh, but other scholars believe that butcher or slaughterer is used in the sense of executioner, and thus Potiphar was the "commanding officer of the majestic body-guard, who executed the uppercase sentences ordered by the king" (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 1:1:338). Either fashion, Potiphar was an important man, but the latter position especially would give him great power and condition in Egypt.

(eight-vi) Genesis 38:1–thirty. Judah and Tamar

With typical honesty, the One-time Testament includes the sordid tale of Judah's incestuous relationship with his girl-in-law. In that location seem to be several reasons for its inclusion here. First, one time again are illustrated the furnishings of the covenant people forgetting the importance of marrying in the covenant. Unlike his father, grandpa, and bully-grandfather (Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham), Judah was not concerned about intermarriage with the Canaanites. The negative results of this wedlock out of the covenant are clearly shown here. Second, the story shows the lineage of Judah from which the Messiah would eventually come up (see Matthew ane:3; Luke iii:33). An boosted lesson here shows that ancestry is not the determiner of one's righteousness. Finally, the truth that failure to honor one'southward commitments often leads to greater trouble is clearly shown. Had Judah faithfully kept his promise to Tamar, the seduction would never take taken place. Besides, had Judah been faithful to the laws of morality, he never would have sinned with Tamar.

(8-seven) Genesis 38:v–xi. Why Was Tamar to Marry the Brothers of Her Husband?

Ancient community of the Middle East provided that a brother of a deceased man should marry his widow. Under Moses this custom became law (see Deuteronomy 25:five–10). The purpose of such a marriage was to produce a male heir for the dead man and thus perpetuate his name and memory. It was regarded as a great calamity to die without a son, for then the homo's lineage did non continue and likewise the man's property reverted to someone else's family (through daughters, if he had any, or through other relatives). It may be that Onan, who past virtue of the decease of his older brother would have been adjacent in line for the inheritance of Judah, refused to enhance up seed through Tamar because the inheritance would have stayed with the elderberry son's family. He went through the outward evidence of taking Tamar to wife but refused to let her have children. Thus when Judah failed to keep his promise to transport the youngest son to her, Tamar resorted to deception in social club to bear children.

(8-8) Genesis 38:24

It is important to notation Judah's twisted sense of values. He had no qualms most sending Tamar domicile with unfulfilled promises nor of picking upwardly a harlot forth the road. Only when he heard that Tamar was pregnant he was so incensed that he ordered her put to death.

(8-9) Genesis 39:9. What Were Joseph's Reasons for Refusing Potiphar's Wife?

Joseph'south answer to the advances of Potiphar's wife shows his bully personal righteousness. King Benjamin taught the Nephites that "when ye are in the service of your boyfriend beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah two:17). If that principle were to exist stated negatively, it would read, "When ye are exploiting or sinning confronting your fellow beings, you are only sinning against God." Joseph understood this principle perfectly and answered Potiphar'southward wife by pointing out that it would exist a terrible thing to take advantage of his principal in this way. He took the next logical step when he added, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9).

(8-x) Genesis 39:twenty

Because Potiphar had cracking power with the pharaoh and perchance was even caput of the royal executioners (see Reading 8-5), information technology is remarkable that Joseph was only put into prison and not executed. A slave accused of attempting to rape his main'due south wife would seem to have deserved the most severe punishment, and withal Joseph was only imprisoned. Could it be that Potiphar, knowing of Joseph's character and his married woman'south character, suspected the truth and, although he felt compelled to take activeness, chose comparatively lenient penalization? Whatever the instance, the hand of the Lord certainly preserved Joseph from what would otherwise have been almost certain death.

(8-11) Genesis 39:21–23; 40:i–23

The spiritual greatness of Joseph is a remarkable affair. How many people have become biting over some real or imagined slight, or blamed the Lord for some personal tragedy? In the very midst of existence faithful and property true to that which is right, Joseph was falsely defendant and thrown into prison. How easy it would have been for him to give up, to say, "What'southward the use of trying to serve God? All He does is punish me." But there was not a trace of bitterness, no blaming the Lord. Joseph simply connected being righteous and faithful. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the noesis came from God (see Genesis xl:8). He still trusted in the Lord, although he must accept felt doomed to spend his life in prison. If any person had cause for discouragement and bitterness, it was Joseph, but he never faltered in his faith. Truly, Joseph is a model to be emulated.

(8-12) Genesis 41:1. How Long Was Joseph in Prison?

Joseph was in prison for 2 years after he interpreted the dreams of the master butler and bakery (see Genesis 41:1). He was sold into slavery when he was nearly seventeen (see Genesis 37:2), and he was thirty years of age when he became vice-regent to the pharaoh (run across Genesis 41:46). Altogether he served xiii years with Potiphar and in prison. The record does not tell how long he served Potiphar earlier his imprisonment, but that he worked his manner upward to be the overseer of the prison implies some period of time before the butler and baker joined him. So it is likely that Joseph was in prison house at least three years and perchance much longer.

"And the Midianites sold him into Egypt" (Genesis 37:36).

(8-13) Genesis 41:8. Why Were the Wise Men of Egypt Unable to Interpret the Pharaoh's Dreams?

Many assume that the dreams of pharaoh were beyond the telescopic of Arab republic of egypt'southward wise men and nevertheless, in some ways, it is remarkable that these magicians could not have come up with some kind of logical explanation using their ain well-known symbolism.

"Existence troubled about this double dream, Pharaoh sent the next morning for all the scribes and wise men of Egypt, to accept it interpreted. … [The magicians were] men of the priestly caste, who occupied themselves with the sacred arts and sciences of the Egyptians, the hieroglyphic writings, astrology, the interpretation of dreams, the foretelling of events, magic, and conjuring, and who were regarded as the possessors of secret arts … and the wise men of the nation. But not one of these could interpret it, although the clue to the interpretation was to be found in the religious symbols of Egypt. For the cow was the symbol of Isis, the goddess of the all-sustaining earth, and in the hieroglyphics it represented the earth, agronomics, and food; and the Nile, past its alluvion, was the source of the fertility of the state. But notwithstanding simple the caption of the fat and lean cows ascending out of the Nile appears to be, information technology is 'the fate of the wisdom of this globe, that where it suffices information technology is compelled to be silent. For information technology belongs to the government of God to close the lips of the eloquent, and take away the understanding of the aged (Job xii. twenty).'" (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, i:1:349.)

Pharaoh Fabricated Joseph Ruler of All Egypt

Painting by Joe Maniscalco; courtesy of Pacific Press Publishing Association

(8-xiv) Genesis 42:8. Why Did Joseph's Brothers Fail to Recognize Him?

It had been xx-two years since the sons of Jacob had last seen Joseph—xiii years of slavery and prison for Joseph, seven years of plenty, and ii years of dearth (run into Genesis 45:11)—before Jacob's family unit was forced to get to Arab republic of egypt for grain. Joseph was a teenager when his family had final seen him. Now he was a mature, middle-aged man. And, even if Joseph yet looked very much as he did when he was younger, who would believe that a brother who was sold equally a slave to a caravan of Arabians would have become the second nigh powerful man in Egypt?

(eight-xv) Genesis 42:21

Over twenty years had passed since his brothers had sold Joseph into slavery, and yet they all the same felt tremendously guilty about what they had washed.

(8-16) Genesis 43:8–9

Past demanding that Benjamin be brought back to Egypt (see Genesis 42:15), Joseph allowed his brothers to bear witness whether or non they truly were sorry for what they had washed to him so many years before. Would they now show the same lack of business organization for Benjamin? Information technology is pregnant that Judah, who suggested that Joseph be sold (encounter Genesis 37:26–27), became the ane who was willing to become "the surety" for Benjamin. In that location does seem to exist evidence of sincere repentance on the brothers' part, and Joseph'south stratagem immune them to demonstrate this repentance. When the pressure was on, Judah'south change of center was shown to be consummate (meet Genesis 44:33).

(8-17) Genesis 43:28. "And They Bowed Downwards Their Heads, and Made Obeisance"

The phraseology in this poetry is the aforementioned as that used in Genesis 37:7, ix. It had taken over two decades, but the Lord'due south revelations were now fulfilled.

(viii-18) Genesis 43:32. Why Was It an Abomination for Egyptians to Eat with Hebrews?

Several Egyptian deities were represented by cattle, peculiarly female person cattle. Since the Hebrews were herdsmen who slaughtered and ate cattle, regardless of sex, this practice would accept been viewed by the Egyptians every bit a terrible anathema. Whatever the reason, Joseph seemed to respect the custom of Egyptians and Hebrews eating separately. (See Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 1:1:362; Clarke, Bible Commentary, 1:245; cf. Genesis 43:34.)

(8-19) Genesis 45:4–8. Joseph—A Type of Christ

This touching scene, in which Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, demonstrates the Christlike nature of his character. He forgave without bitterness, extended love when undeserved, and saw the Lord'south hand in all that happened. But his similarities to Christ get much deeper. As Nephi said, all things from the beginning of the world were given to typify, or symbolize, Christ (come across two Nephi 11:four; Moses 6:63). It has already been shown how Abraham was a type of the Father and Isaac a type of Jesus when Abraham was allowable to offer Isaac in sacrifice. This act was "a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son" (Jacob 4:5).

Elderberry Bruce R. McConkie taught that all prophets are types of Christ: "A prophet is one who has the testimony of Jesus, who knows by the revelations of the Holy Ghost to his soul that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. In addition to this divine noesis, many of them lived in special situations or did detail things that singled them out as types and patterns and shadows of that which was to be in the life of him who is our Lord." (The Promised Messiah, p. 448.)

Likewise, the life and mission of Joseph typifies the life and mission of Jesus. Consider the following:

Joseph was the favored son of his male parent; so was Jesus (see Genesis 37:3; Matthew 3:17).
Joseph was rejected by his brothers, the Israelites, every bit was Jesus (see Genesis 37:iv; John 1:11; Isaiah 53:three; i Nephi xix:13–14).
Joseph was sold by his brothers into the hands of the Gentiles, just as Jesus was (see Genesis 37:25–27; Matthew 20:19).
Judah, the head of the tribe of Judah, proposed the sale of Joseph. Certain leaders of the Jews in Jesus' day turned Jesus over to the Romans. Judas (the Greek spelling of Judah) was the one who really sold Jesus. (See Genesis 37:26; Matthew 27:3.)
Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of silver, the price of a slave his historic period. Christ was sold for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave His age. (See Genesis 37:28; Matthew 27:3; Exodus 21:32; Leviticus 27:5.)
In their very effort to destroy Joseph, his brothers actually set the conditions that would bring nearly their eventual temporal salvation—that is, Joseph, past virtue of being sold, would go their deliverer. Jesus, past His being given into the hands of the Gentiles, was crucified and completed the atoning cede, becoming the Deliverer for all mankind.
Joseph began his mission of preparing salvation for Israel at age thirty, just as Jesus began His ministry of preparing conservancy for the world at age thirty (run into Genesis 41:46; Luke three:23).
When Joseph was finally raised to his exalted position in Egypt, all bowed the knee to him. All will eventually bow the knee to Jesus. (See Genesis 41:43; D&C 88:104.)
Joseph provided bread for Israel and saved them from expiry, all without cost. Jesus, the Breadstuff of Life, did the aforementioned for all men. (Run into Genesis 42:35; John 6:48–57; 2 Nephi ix:l.)

(eight-20) Genesis 47:9. Were Jacob'southward Days "Few and Evil"?

In comparing with Abraham, who lived 175 years, and Isaac, who lived to be 180, Jacob's 130 years to this point could be described every bit smaller or "few." The discussion which is translated as "evil" actually means "sorrowful" or "full of toil and trouble." Remembering Jacob's flying to Haran to escape Esau'southward wrath, his years of labor for Laban, his wives and their contentions, his pilgrimage in the land of Canaan, the death of Rachel, and his years of sorrowing for the loss of Joseph contributes to a better understanding of why he would say his days were full of trouble and toil.

(8-21) Genesis 48:5–xi. What Boosted Data about Joseph's Seed Do We Learn from the Joseph Smith Translation?

Joseph Smith made the post-obit changes in this passage when he worked on the inspired translation of the Bible:

"And now, of thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Arab republic of egypt, before I came unto thee into Egypt; behold, they are mine, and the God of my fathers shall bless them; even as Reuben and Simeon they shall be blest, for they are mine; wherefore they shall be chosen after my name. (Therefore they were chosen Israel.)

"And thy issue which k begettest later on them, shall be thine, and shall be chosen after the proper name of their brethren in their inheritance, in the tribes; therefore they were called the tribes of Manasseh and of Ephraim.

"And Jacob said unto Joseph when the God of my fathers appeared unto me in Luz, in the country of Canaan; he sware unto me, that he would give unto me, and unto my seed, the land for an everlasting possession.

"Therefore, O my son, he hath blest me in raising thee upwards to be a servant unto me, in saving my house from expiry;

"In delivering my people, thy brethren, from famine which was sore in the land; wherefore the God of thy fathers shall bless thee, and the fruit of thy loins, that they shall be blessed to a higher place thy brethren, and above thy father's business firm;

"For thou hast prevailed, and thy father's house hath bowed downwardly unto thee, even equally it was shown unto thee, earlier m wast sold into Egypt past the easily of thy brethren; wherefore thy brethren shall bow down unto thee, from generation to generation, unto the fruit of thy loins for always;

"For thou shalt be a light unto my people, to deliver them in the days of their captivity, from bondage; and to bring salvation unto them, when they are altogether bowed down under sin." (JST, Genesis 48:5–11.)

(8-22) Genesis 48:22. How Did Jacob Give to Joseph "One Portion" More than to His Brothers?

"Joseph, son of Jacob, because of his faithfulness and integrity to the purposes of the Lord, was rewarded with the birthright in Israel. It was the custom in early times to bestow upon the firstborn son special privileges and blessings, and these were looked upon as belonging to him by correct of birth. Reuben, the commencement of Jacob'southward sons, lost the birthright through transgression, and it was bestowed upon Joseph, who was the most worthy of all the sons of Jacob [ane Chronicles v:1–ii].

"When Jacob blessed Joseph, he gave him a double portion, or an inheritance among his brethren in Palestine and also the blessing of the land of Zion—'the utmost leap of the everlasting hills.' He also blest him with the blessings of heaven above, of the deep which lieth under, and of posterity [Genesis 49:22–26]. Jacob too blessed the two sons of Joseph with the blessings of their father, which they inherited, and he placed Ephraim, the younger, before Manasseh, the elder, and past inspiration of the Lord conferred upon Ephraim the birthright in Israel." (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:250–51.)

(viii-23) Genesis 49:i–xx. What Benchmark Was Used in Determining Which Tribes Would Have Prominence?

"Through a conscientious study and consideration of the blessings of the Lord pronounced through Jacob, upon his twelve sons, it is evident that they were not to share as in the promises of the Lord.

"It is axiomatic that the blessings given to Judah and Joseph were option in a higher place the blessings pronounced upon their brothers." (Richards, Israel! Do Y'all Know? pp. 9–10.)

I's activities in his premortal life had an influence on his being born into a particular situation on this earth. President Harold B. Lee made this observation:

"'When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he prepare the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.' (Deut. 32:viii.)

"At present, heed you lot, this was said to the children of State of israel before they had arrived in the 'Promised Land,' which was to be the land of their inheritance.

"Then notation this adjacent verse: 'For the Lord'south portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.' (Deut. 32:ix.)

"Information technology would seem very clear, and then, that those built-in to the lineage of Jacob, who was subsequently to be chosen Israel, and his posterity, who were known every bit the children of State of israel, were born into the most illustrious lineage of any of those who came upon the world as mortal beings.

"All these rewards were seemingly promised, or foreordained, before the world was. Surely these matters must take been determined past the kind of lives we had lived in that premortal spirit world. Some may question these assumptions, just at the same time they will accept without any question the belief that each one of us will be judged when nosotros go out this earth according to his or her deeds during our lives here in mortality. Isn't information technology just as reasonable to believe that what nosotros have received here in this earth life was given to each of us according to the merits of our conduct before we came hither?" ("Understanding Who We Are Brings Cocky-Respect," Ensign, Jan. 1974, p. 5.)

In Deuteronomy 33:6–29, Moses recounted again the blessings given to each tribe. This passage should be studied and compared to Jacob'south original blessings recorded in Genesis 49.

(8-24) Genesis 49:eight–12. What Meaning Portion of the Birthright Approval Was Given to Judah?

The approval given to Judah indicates that kings would come from his lineage (come across 1 Chronicles v:1–2; Hebrews seven:14). Quondam Testament history teaches that this promise was fulfilled. King David, Male monarch Solomon, and King Rehoboam are just 3 of the kings who came through Judah's lineage. The King of Kings, Jesus Christ, referred to here as Shiloh, also came through this line. Elderberry Ezra Taft Benson said of this promise:

"The great blessing to Judah is that it contemplated the coming of Shiloh who would gather his people to him. This prophecy apropos Shiloh has been subject to several rabbinic and Christian interpretations and the object of considerable controversy. The interpretation given this passage by the Mormon Church is i based on revelation to modern prophets, non on scholarly commentary. It was revealed to Joseph Smith that Shiloh is the Messiah. (See [JST, Genesis l:24].)" ("A Message to Judah from Joseph," Ensign, Dec. 1976, p. 71.)

(8-25) Genesis 49:22–26. What Is the Significance of Joseph's Approving?

"There are several things to be understood in the prophecy. Showtime, he should become a multitude of nations. We understand what this ways. In the 2d place, his branches should run over the wall. Now what does this hateful? The Lord in ancient times had a significant for everything. Information technology means that his tribe should become and so numerous that they would have up more than room than one pocket-size inheritance in Canaan, that they would spread out and go to some land at a groovy distance. …

"Joseph'southward peculiar blessing, which I have merely read to you lot, was that he should enjoy possessions to a higher place Jacob'due south progenitors to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills. This would seem to point a very distant land from Palestine." (Orson Pratt, in Periodical of Discourses, 14:ix.)

The seed of Joseph came to the land of America at the fourth dimension Lehi and his family departed from the Mediterranean earth. The land of America is specifically designated by the Lord every bit the country reserved for "a remnant of the firm of Joseph" (three Nephi 15:12).

(8-26) Genesis 49:26. America Is the Land of the "Everlasting Hills"

"I suppose that Jacob saw this land as well as Moses, and he designates it a country afar off; the utmost premises would signify a very afar state. He said this state was over and in a higher place, what his progenitors gave to him and he would requite information technology to Joseph. … The precious things of sky were to be given to Joseph on this land. Blest of the Lord exist his land for the precious things of sky, more precious than the fullness of world, more than precious than the productions of the various climates of the earth, more precious than the grain, and the golden and silver of the world. The precious things of heaven revealed to the people of Joseph on the great land given to them unto the utmost premises of the everlasting hills." (Orson Pratt, in Periodical of Discourses, 18:167–68.)

(8-27) Genesis 50:24. The Prophecies of Joseph

In 2 Nephi 3, the prophet Lehi told his son Joseph of the great prophecies of their progenitor, Joseph who was sold into Egypt. These prophecies were evidently on the brass plates that Lehi had but have been lost from our nowadays Bible. Through revelation, Joseph Smith restored the lost scriptures by adding thirteen verses between Genesis 50:24 and 25 of the King James Version. Because of their significance for Saints of the latter days, the verses are reprinted here. (They are besides found in the appendix of the LDS edition of the Rex James Version of the Bible.)

"And Joseph said unto his brethren, I dice, and get unto my fathers; and I go down to my grave with joy. The God of my begetter Jacob be with you, to deliver you out of illness in the days of your chains; for the Lord hath visited me, and I have obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of my loins, the Lord God will enhance upwardly a righteous branch out of my loins; and unto thee, whom my father Jacob hath named Israel, a prophet; (not the Messiah who is called Shilo;) and this prophet shall evangelize my people out of Egypt in the days of thy bondage.

"And it shall come to pass that they shall be scattered again; and a branch shall exist broken off, and shall be carried into a far country; all the same they shall be remembered in the covenants of the Lord, when the Messiah cometh; for he shall exist made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the Spirit of power; and shall bring them out of darkness into low-cal; out of hidden darkness, and out of captivity unto liberty.

"A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a selection seer unto the fruit of my loins.

"Thus saith the Lord God of my fathers unto me, A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and he shall be esteemed highly amid the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I requite commandment that he shall do a piece of work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren.

"And he shall bring them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers; and he shall do whatever piece of work I shall control him.

"And I volition make him great in mine eyes, for he shall do my piece of work; and he shall be great similar unto him whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to evangelize my people, O house of Israel, out of the land of Arab republic of egypt; for a seer will I enhance upwardly to deliver my people out of the country of Egypt; and he shall be chosen Moses. And by his name he shall know that he is of thy firm; for he shall be nursed by the king'southward daughter, and shall be called her son.

"And once more, a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and unto him will I give power to bring forth my discussion unto the seed of thy loins; and not to the bringing forth of my give-and-take only, saith the Lord, merely to the convincing them of my give-and-take, which shall take already gone forth amid them in the final days;

"Wherefore the fruit of thy loins shall write, and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and likewise that which shall exist written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall abound together unto the misreckoning of false doctrines, and laying downwardly of contentions, and establishing peace amongst the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to a cognition of their fathers in the latter days; and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.

"And out of weakness shall he exist made potent, in that day when my work shall go forth among all my people, which shall restore them, who are of the house of State of israel, in the last days.

"And that seer volition I bless, and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise I give unto you lot; for I will call up you lot from generation to generation; and his proper noun shall be chosen Joseph, and it shall be after the name of his father; and he shall be like unto you; for the affair which the Lord shall bring along by his hand shall bring my people unto salvation.

"And the Lord sware unto Joseph that he would preserve his seed for e'er, maxim, I will raise up Moses, and a rod shall exist in his mitt, and he shall gather together my people, and he shall lead them as a flock, and he shall smite the waters of the Crimson Ocean with his rod.

"And he shall have judgment, and shall write the word of the Lord. And he shall non speak many words, for I will write unto him my law by the finger of mine ain paw. And I will make a spokesman for him, and his name shall be called Aaron.

"And it shall be washed unto thee in the final days too, fifty-fifty every bit I have sworn." (JST, Genesis 50:24–36.)

Points to Ponder

(eight-28) Write a short essay entitled "Joseph in Egypt—A Model for Personal Righteousness." The purpose of the essay is non to summarize the story of Joseph but to evidence its application to you today. How might a mod Saint utilise the case of Joseph in his day-to-day living? As y'all fix your essay, consider the following:

"Joseph vividly demonstrated why he was favored of the Lord, or, every bit the scriptures said, why 'the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. … ' (Gen. 39.) His reliance was upon the Lord. His trust was in the Lord, and his allegiance ran to the Lord.

"I believe this is the greatest lesson that tin can be learned by the youth of Zion—to practice the correct thing because you love the Lord. It is so vitally important that, I experience, if you exercise anything in righteousness for any other reason than y'all love the Lord, you lot are wrong—at to the lowest degree you are on very shaky ground. And, somewhere your reasons for acting in righteousness will not be strong enough to see you lot through. Y'all volition give way to expediency, or peer grouping pressure level, or honor, or fame, or applause, or the thrill of the moment, or some other worldly reason. Unless your motives are built upon the business firm foundation of honey of the Lord, you lot will not be able to stand." (Hartman Rector, Jr., "Live higher up the Police force to Be Free," Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)

(8-29) As you lot reflect on what y'all take just read concerning the sons of Jacob receiving a blessing from their father, ask yourself what great value each son's blessing would take to help him meet the challenge of his life. Contemplate the far-reaching effects of that blessing on his posterity and all mankind. As a descendant of Israel, you have many of the same challenges facing you in your life. How tin you all-time utilise the not bad truths your blessing contains to aid you achieve your maximum potential and exist of greatest service to the Lord?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie has commented on this question:

"About every fellow member of the Church is a literal descendant of Jacob who gave patriarchal blessings to his 12 sons, predicting what would happen to them and their posterity after them. (Gen. 49; Teachings, p. 151.) Equally inheritors of the blessings of Jacob, it is the privilege of the gathered remnant of Jacob to receive their own patriarchal blessings and, past faith, to be blessed equally with the ancients. Patriarchal blessings may be given past natural patriarchs, that is past fathers in Israel who enjoy the blessings of the patriarchal club, or they may be given by ordained patriarchs, especially selected brethren who are appointed to bless worthy church members.

"The First Presidency (David O. McKay, Stephen L Richards, J. Reuben Clark, Jr.), in a letter of the alphabet to all stake presidents, dated June 28, 1957, gave the following definition and caption: 'Patriarchal blessings contemplate an inspired annunciation of the lineage of the recipient, and also where so moved upon by the Spirit, an inspired and prophetic statement of the life mission of the recipient, together with such blessings, cautions, and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give for the accomplishment of such life's mission, it beingness ever fabricated clear that the realization of all promised blessings is conditioned upon faithfulness to the gospel of our Lord, whose retainer the patriarch is. All such blessings are recorded and mostly only one such approval should be adequate for each person'south life. The sacred nature of the patriarchal blessing must of necessity urge all patriarchs to most hostage solicitation of divine guidance for their prophetic utterances and superior wisdom for cautions and admonitions.'" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 558.)

Every person who has a father who can bless his children should ask for and receive a father's blessing when one is needed. In addition, every eligible person in the Church may receive a patriarchal blessing from an ordained patriarch. Ane'due south patriarchal blessing should be read and reread with intelligent consideration of its meaning. Merely equally blessings are given through the inspiration of the Lord, and so too will their meaning exist made clear by the same power. Their fulfillment will exist in His hands. Regarding patriarchal blessings, Elderberry John A. Widtsoe wrote:

"These blessings are possibilities predicated upon true-blue devotion to the crusade of truth. They must exist earned. Otherwise they are only empty words. Indeed, they rise to their highest value when used every bit ethics, specific possibilities, toward which we may strive throughout life. To look upon a patriarch as a fortune-teller is an law-breaking to the Priesthood; the patriarch but indicates the gifts the Lord would requite us, if we labor for them. He helps us by pointing out the divine goal which we may savor if we pay the price.

"Such a blessing, given in the spirit of a father's love, and sealed upon u.s.a. in the authority of the Priesthood, becomes a ability in our lives; a comfort to our days. Information technology is a message which if read and honored aright, will become an anchor in stormy days, our encouragement in cloudy days. Information technology states our certain destination here and hereafter, if we live by the law; and every bit life goes on, it strengthens our faith and leads the states into truth." (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1:74–75.)

"Thus saith the Lord God of my fathers unto me, A option seer volition I heighten up" (JST, Genesis 50:27).

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Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-student-manual-genesis-2-samuel/genesis-37-50-joseph-the-power-of-preparation?lang=eng