This week we are going to be concluding the life of Joseph. The text (chapters 45-50) is too long to read here but I encourage you to do so on your own if time allows. Throughout the week I will highlight certain important themes in the text that we should be seeing.
For today, I think it is super important for us to remember the context in which Moses is writing this book. He is likely writing this for the people of Israel after the Exodus on their journey to the promised land. The people of Israel had been enslaved and treated harshly in Egypt for over 400 years and were recently liberated by God's great displays of power in the Exodus. So the story of Joseph is answering the question of how they came to Egypt, leaving the promised land of Canaan in the first place. There are a few important takeaways for Moses' original readers that we should see in the story of Joseph.
First, Moses makes it abundantly clear that they didn't end up in Egypt by mere happenstance. The family of Jacob coming to dwell in Egypt was a part of God's plan and actually saved the family from starvation. There are likely many in the Exodus wondering why Jacob and his family went to Egypt in the first place, allowing themselves to be enslaved instead of remaining in the promised land. Moses doesn't blame Jacob and Joseph, claiming they made a mistake, instead he frames it as a clear part of God's plan.
Next, the theme of the land as a part of the promise of God is the only thing left unfulfilled in some capacity from the promises of God at the end of the book of Genesis (Gen. 15:7). There are many among the people of Israel during the exodus who were grumbling that they should have stayed in Egypt where at least they had food and provisions (Ex. 16:2-3). But to stay in Egypt would be to forgo part of God's promise, which as we've seen in the story of Joseph, God is always faithful to fulfill every detail of his promises.
Also, we see the theme of great suffering and injustice followed by exaltation and glorification. This was certainly seen in the slavery-Exodus portion of their story. Their suffering in slavery was followed by God's great display of power and might in the Exodus. So their suffering and trials on the journey to the Promised Land would be followed by a glorious restoration to the land.
Note also, every time the family of Jacob leaves Egypt they leave with goods and great wealth. After the first journey they discover the silver still in their sacks of grain. After the second trip they bring with them resources to prove to Jacob that his son Joseph is indeed alive. This forms the pattern that we see throughout the book—a dire situation causes the characters to go to Egypt and they leave with great wealth. This of course resonates with the people of the Exodus who "plundered" the Egyptians by simply asking them on their way out. (Ex. 12:35-36)
Strangely, we also see Jacob blessing Pharaoh (Gen. 47:10). This would coordinate to Pharaoh's request for Moses to bless him on his way out of Egypt in the Exodus as well (Ex. 12:32). It indicates that the people of God, symbolized by Moses and Jacob, are more powerful than Pharaoh and the Egyptians even in their lowly states because of their allegiance to the living God.
So, in this story we see similar themes that will relate to the people of the Exodus. These themes not only help them understand their history but also give them hope and encouragement to continue trusting in the plan of God.