Good Morning Joseph You Are Silent Again

"Genesis 37–50: Joseph: The Power of Preparation," Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel (1980), 92–101

(8-1) Introduction

"The story of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was called Israel, is a vivid representation of the great truth that 'all things work together for adept to [those] who loved God.' (Run into Rom. 8:28.) Joseph e'er seemed to do the right thing; just yet, more importantly, he did it for the right reason. And how very, very significant that is! Joseph was sold by his own brothers as a slave and was purchased by Potiphar, a captain of the baby-sit of Pharaoh. Merely even as an indentured servant, Joseph turned every experience and all circumstances, no matter how trying, into something good.

"This power to turn everything into something practiced appears to exist a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, even so remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very expert of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated, because they will not give up. They have the correct, positive mental attitude, and Dale Carnegie's expression seems to apply: If y'all feel yous have a lemon, you can either complain about how sour information technology is, or you can make a lemonade. It is all upwards to you." (Hartman Rector, Jr., "Live above the Law to Be Free," Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)

Notes and Commentary on Genesis 37–50

(8-2) Genesis 37:3. What Was the Coat of Many Colors?

There is some question every bit to what Joseph's coat actually was. The Hebrew discussion 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:1:335; note as well 2 Samuel 13:eighteen, which says that the daughters of King David wore similar coats). The coat may accept been of different colors, but its significance seems to have been far more its brightness and beauty. 1 noted scholar suggested that information technology was "a tunic reaching to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; the long tunic with sleeves worn by immature men and maidens of the better course; in the case of Joseph, supposed by Bush … to have been the badge of the birthright which has been forfeited past Reuben and transferred to Joseph" (Wilson, Former 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 at that place were iv firstborn sons in Jacob's family, this fact would explain the intense hostility and jealousy the glaze provoked among the other sons of Jacob. The following 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 (run across Reading 7-28), he may non have accepted that fact.

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

Judah. He could have argued that non only Reuben had lost the right, but and then had Simeon and Levi, through the massacre of the Shechemites (see Genesis 34). The disqualification of these sons would make him the rightful legal heir.

Dan. Because his female parent, Bilhah, was considered Rachel's property, he could argue that he was Rachel'due south firstborn, non Joseph, and therefore should take received the birthright when Reuben lost it.

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

Joseph's dreams (see Genesis 37:5–11), which conspicuously signified future leadership, merely added to the resentment among the brothers.

(8-3) Genesis 37:28

The price received for Joseph, twenty pieces of silvery, is the same price specified later in the Mosaic constabulary for a slave between the ages of five and twenty (see Leviticus 27:5). Typically, the cost for a slave was xxx pieces of silvery (run into Exodus 21:32).

(viii-four) Genesis 37:32

Mormon recorded in the Book 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'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 father Jacob bring together him in Egypt to escape famine

Joseph taken to Egypt to be sold equally a slave

Heliopolis (On)

Goshen

Memphis

Egypt

(viii-5) Genesis 37:36. What Was Potiphar's Position?

The Hebrew phrase which is translated equally "captain of the guards" literally means "main of the butchers or slaughterers." From this pregnant some scholars have thought that he was the chief melt or steward in the 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 regal body-guard, who executed the uppercase sentences ordered past the king" (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 1:i:338). Either way, Potiphar was an important man, but the latter position especially would give him bully ability and status in Egypt.

(eight-half dozen) Genesis 38:one–30. Judah and Tamar

With typical honesty, the Former Testament includes the sordid tale of Judah's incestuous relationship with his daughter-in-law. There seem to be several reasons for its inclusion here. First, one time over again are illustrated the effects of the covenant people forgetting the importance of marrying in the covenant. Unlike his father, grandfather, and groovy-grandfather (Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham), Judah was not concerned about intermarriage with the Canaanites. The negative results of this marriage out of the covenant are conspicuously shown here. Second, the story shows the lineage of Judah from which the Messiah would somewhen come up (see Matthew one:iii; Luke iii:33). An additional lesson here shows that ancestry is not the determiner of one'south righteousness. Finally, the truth that failure to accolade one's commitments often leads to greater problem is clearly shown. Had Judah faithfully kept his hope to Tamar, the seduction would never have taken place. Too, had Judah been faithful to the laws of morality, he never would have sinned with Tamar.

(viii-7) Genesis 38:5–xi. Why Was Tamar to Marry the Brothers of Her Husband?

Ancient customs of the Middle East provided that a brother of a deceased man should marry his widow. Under Moses this custom became constabulary (see Deuteronomy 25:5–10). 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 equally a great calamity to dice without a son, for then the homo's lineage did not proceed and also the man's property reverted to someone else's family (through daughters, if he had any, or through other relatives). Information technology may be that Onan, who by virtue of the death of his older brother would take been next in line for the inheritance of Judah, refused to raise up seed through Tamar because the inheritance would take stayed with the elder son'southward family. He went through the outward bear witness of taking Tamar to wife but refused to let her have children. Thus when Judah failed to keep his promise to send the youngest son to her, Tamar resorted to deception in gild to bear children.

(eight-8) Genesis 38:24

It is of import to note Judah'south twisted sense of values. He had no qualms nearly sending Tamar home with unfulfilled promises nor of picking upwards a harlot along the route. But when he heard that Tamar was pregnant he was and then incensed that he ordered her put to expiry.

(viii-9) Genesis 39:9. What Were Joseph's Reasons for Refusing Potiphar'southward Married woman?

Joseph'south answer to the advances of Potiphar'southward married woman shows his keen personal righteousness. King Benjamin taught the Nephites that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are just in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). If that principle were to exist stated negatively, it would read, "When ye are exploiting or sinning against your beau beings, you are simply sinning against God." Joseph understood this principle perfectly and answered Potiphar's wife past pointing out that it would exist a terrible thing to take advantage of his master in this style. He took the next logical step when he added, "How then tin I practice this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:nine).

(eight-ten) Genesis 39:20

Because Potiphar had cracking power with the pharaoh and possibly was even head of the majestic executioners (run into Reading eight-five), it is remarkable that Joseph was just put into prison and not executed. A slave accused of attempting to rape his primary's married woman would seem to have deserved the virtually severe punishment, and notwithstanding Joseph was just imprisoned. Could information technology be that Potiphar, knowing of Joseph'southward grapheme and his wife's character, suspected the truth and, although he felt compelled to take activeness, chose comparatively lenient punishment? Whatever the instance, the paw of the Lord certainly preserved Joseph from what would otherwise have been nigh certain death.

(8-11) Genesis 39:21–23; 40:1–23

The spiritual greatness of Joseph is a remarkable thing. How many people have become bitter over some existent or imagined slight, or blamed the Lord for some personal tragedy? In the very midst of existence true-blue and holding true to that which is correct, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison house. How like shooting fish in a barrel it would have been for him to give upwardly, to say, "What's 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 merely connected being righteous and faithful. Unselfishly he offered to translate the dreams of his ii fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (meet Genesis forty:viii). He still trusted in the Lord, although he must take felt doomed to spend his life in prison. If any person had crusade for discouragement and bitterness, information technology was Joseph, just he never faltered in his organized religion. Truly, Joseph is a model to exist emulated.

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

Joseph was in prison for two years after he interpreted the dreams of the main butler and baker (run into Genesis 41:1). He was sold into slavery when he was about seventeen (run across Genesis 37:ii), and he was thirty years of age when he became vice-regent to the pharaoh (see Genesis 41:46). Altogether he served thirteen years with Potiphar and in prison house. The record does not tell how long he served Potiphar before his imprisonment, but that he worked his way up to be the overseer of the prison house implies some period of fourth dimension before the butler and baker joined him. So it is probable that Joseph was in prison at least 3 years and perhaps much longer.

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

(8-13) Genesis 41:8. Why Were the Wise Men of Arab republic of egypt Unable to Interpret the Pharaoh'due south Dreams?

Many assume that the dreams of pharaoh were beyond the scope of Egypt'southward wise men and notwithstanding, in some ways, information technology is remarkable that these magicians could not take come up with some kind of logical explanation using their own well-known symbolism.

"Being troubled virtually this double dream, Pharaoh sent the next morning for all the scribes and wise men of Egypt, to have it interpreted. … [The magicians were] men of the priestly degree, who occupied themselves with the sacred arts and sciences of the Egyptians, the hieroglyphic writings, star divination, 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. Merely non one of these could interpret it, although the inkling to the estimation was to be constitute in the religious symbols of Egypt. For the cow was the symbol of Isis, the goddess of the all-sustaining globe, and in the hieroglyphics it represented the earth, agronomics, and food; and the Nile, past its overflowing, was the source of the fertility of the country. But all the same simple the explanation of the fat and lean cows ascending out of the Nile appears to be, it is 'the fate of the wisdom of this globe, that where information technology suffices it is compelled to be silent. For information technology belongs to the government of God to shut the lips of the eloquent, and take away the agreement of the aged (Job xii. 20).'" (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 1:ane:349.)

Pharaoh Made Joseph Ruler of All Egypt

Painting by Joe Maniscalco; courtesy of Pacific Press Publishing Association

(eight-fourteen) Genesis 42:8. Why Did Joseph'due south Brothers Neglect to Recognize Him?

It had been xx-ii years since the sons of Jacob had final seen Joseph—thirteen years of slavery and prison for Joseph, seven years of plenty, and two years of dearth (come across Genesis 45:11)—earlier Jacob'southward family was forced to become to Egypt for grain. Joseph was a teenager when his family had last seen him. Now he was a mature, middle-aged man. And, even if Joseph still looked very much every bit he did when he was younger, who would believe that a blood brother who was sold as a slave to a caravan of Arabians would take become the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt?

(eight-fifteen) Genesis 42:21

Over xx years had passed since his brothers had sold Joseph into slavery, and yet they even so felt tremendously guilty virtually what they had done.

(8-16) Genesis 43:8–9

By demanding that Benjamin be brought back to Arab republic of egypt (run into Genesis 42:15), Joseph allowed his brothers to show whether or not they truly were distressing for what they had washed to him so many years before. Would they at present show the aforementioned lack of business for Benjamin? Information technology is significant that Judah, who suggested that Joseph be sold (run into Genesis 37:26–27), became the one who was willing to become "the surety" for Benjamin. There does seem to be evidence of sincere repentance on the brothers' part, and Joseph'south stratagem allowed them to demonstrate this repentance. When the force per unit area was on, Judah'southward change of heart was shown to exist complete (see Genesis 44:33).

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

The phraseology in this verse is the same equally that used in Genesis 37:7, 9. It had taken over 2 decades, but the Lord's revelations were now fulfilled.

(8-18) Genesis 43:32. Why Was Information technology an Anathema for Egyptians to Eat with Hebrews?

Several Egyptian deities were represented by cattle, especially female cattle. Since the Hebrews were herdsmen who slaughtered and ate cattle, regardless of sexual practice, this practise would have been viewed by the Egyptians as a terrible abomination. Whatsoever 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:iv–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 honey when undeserved, and saw the Lord's mitt in all that happened. Simply his similarities to Christ go much deeper. Equally Nephi said, all things from the outset of the world were given to typify, or symbolize, Christ (run into 2 Nephi 11:4; 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 commanded to offer Isaac in sacrifice. This act was "a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son" (Jacob iv: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 past the revelations of the Holy Ghost to his soul that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. In addition to this divine cognition, many of them lived in special situations or did particular things that singled them out equally 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 post-obit:

Joseph was the favored son of his father; so was Jesus (see Genesis 37:3; Matthew 3:17).
Joseph was rejected past his brothers, the Israelites, as was Jesus (see Genesis 37:iv; John 1:11; Isaiah 53:3; 1 Nephi xix:13–14).
Joseph was sold by his brothers into the hands of the Gentiles, but as Jesus was (see Genesis 37:25–27; Matthew 20:19).
Judah, the head of the tribe of Judah, proposed the auction of Joseph. Sure leaders of the Jews in Jesus' day turned Jesus over to the Romans. Judas (the Greek spelling of Judah) was the one who actually sold Jesus. (See Genesis 37:26; Matthew 27:3.)
Joseph was sold for xx pieces of silver, the toll of a slave his historic period. Christ was sold for xxx pieces of silverish, the price of a slave His age. (See Genesis 37:28; Matthew 27:three; Exodus 21:32; Leviticus 27:5.)
In their very attempt to destroy Joseph, his brothers actually fix up the atmospheric condition that would bring near their eventual temporal salvation—that is, Joseph, by virtue of being sold, would become their deliverer. Jesus, by His being given into the easily of the Gentiles, was crucified and completed the atoning cede, becoming the Deliverer for all flesh.
Joseph began his mission of preparing salvation for Israel at age thirty, just as Jesus began His ministry of preparing salvation for the world at historic period thirty (see Genesis 41:46; Luke three:23).
When Joseph was finally raised to his exalted position in Egypt, all bowed the genu to him. All volition somewhen bow the knee to Jesus. (See Genesis 41:43; D&C 88:104.)
Joseph provided bread for State of israel and saved them from decease, all without cost. Jesus, the Breadstuff of Life, did the same for all men. (See Genesis 42:35; John 6:48–57; two Nephi 9:50.)

(viii-20) Genesis 47:ix. Were Jacob'south 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 as smaller or "few." The word which is translated as "evil" actually means "sorrowful" or "total of toil and trouble." Remembering Jacob'due south flight to Haran to escape Esau's 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 improve understanding of why he would say his days were full of trouble and toil.

(8-21) Genesis 48:5–11. What Additional Data nearly Joseph's Seed Exercise We Larn from the Joseph Smith Translation?

Joseph Smith fabricated 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 built-in unto thee in the land 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 blessed, for they are mine; wherefore they shall be called later my name. (Therefore they were chosen Israel.)

"And thy issue which thou begettest afterward them, shall exist thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance, in the tribes; therefore they were chosen 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 land 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 blessed me in raising thee upward to be a retainer unto me, in saving my house from expiry;

"In delivering my people, thy brethren, from dearth which was sore in the country; 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 higher up thy begetter'southward house;

"For thou hast prevailed, and thy male parent'south house hath bowed down unto thee, fifty-fifty every bit it was shown unto thee, before thou wast sold into Egypt by the hands of thy brethren; wherefore thy brethren shall bow down unto thee, from generation to generation, unto the fruit of thy loins for ever;

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

(eight-22) Genesis 48:22. How Did Jacob Requite 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 State of israel. It was the custom in early times to bequeath upon the firstborn son special privileges and blessings, and these were looked upon as belonging to him by correct of birth. Reuben, the first of Jacob'due south sons, lost the birthright through transgression, and it was bestowed upon Joseph, who was the virtually worthy of all the sons of Jacob [1 Chronicles five:i–ii].

"When Jacob blessed Joseph, he gave him a double portion, or an inheritance amongst his brethren in Palestine and as well the blessing of the land of Zion—'the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.' He also blest him with the blessings of sky to a higher place, of the deep which lieth under, and of posterity [Genesis 49:22–26]. Jacob also 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 by inspiration of the Lord conferred upon Ephraim the birthright in State of israel." (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, iii:250–51.)

(8-23) Genesis 49:1–xx. What Benchmark Was Used in Determining Which Tribes Would Accept Prominence?

"Through a conscientious report 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.

"Information technology is evident that the blessings given to Judah and Joseph were choice above the blessings pronounced upon their brothers." (Richards, Israel! Practise Yous Know? pp. 9–x.)

1's activities in his premortal life had an influence on his existence born into a item state of affairs on this earth. President Harold B. Lee fabricated this observation:

"'When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set up the premises of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.' (Deut. 32:8.)

"Now, mind you, this was said to the children of Israel before they had arrived in the 'Promised Land,' which was to be the state of their inheritance.

"And so note this next verse: 'For the Lord'southward portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.' (Deut. 32:nine.)

"It would seem very clear, then, that those built-in to the lineage of Jacob, who was subsequently to exist called State of israel, and his posterity, who were known equally the children of Israel, were built-in into the most illustrious lineage of any of those who came upon the globe as mortal beings.

"All these rewards were seemingly promised, or foreordained, before the earth was. Surely these matters must accept been determined by the kind of lives we had lived in that premortal spirit world. Some may question these assumptions, but at the same time they volition have without any question the belief that each ane of us will be judged when we leave this world co-ordinate to his or her deeds during our lives here in mortality. Isn't it just as reasonable to believe that what we have received here in this globe life was given to each of us according to the merits of our conduct before we came here?" ("Understanding Who We Are Brings Self-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's original blessings recorded in Genesis 49.

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

The blessing given to Judah indicates that kings would come from his lineage (see 1 Chronicles v:ane–two; Hebrews 7:14). Erstwhile Testament history teaches that this hope was fulfilled. Rex David, King Solomon, and King Rehoboam are just 3 of the kings who came through Judah'south lineage. The Male monarch of Kings, Jesus Christ, referred to here as Shiloh, also came through this line. Elderberry Ezra Taft Benson said of this hope:

"The great blessing to Judah is that it contemplated the coming of Shiloh who would gather his people to him. This prophecy concerning Shiloh has been subject to several rabbinic and Christian interpretations and the object of considerable controversy. The estimation given this passage by the Mormon Church building is one based on revelation to mod prophets, not on scholarly commentary. It was revealed to Joseph Smith that Shiloh is the Messiah. (See [JST, Genesis 50:24].)" ("A Message to Judah from Joseph," Ensign, Dec. 1976, p. 71.)

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

"There are several things to be understood in the prophecy. First, he should go a multitude of nations. We sympathize what this means. In the 2d place, his branches should run over the wall. Now what does this hateful? The Lord in ancient times had a meaning for everything. Information technology means that his tribe should get then numerous that they would accept up more room than 1 pocket-size inheritance in Canaan, that they would spread out and go to some land at a keen distance. …

"Joseph'southward peculiar blessing, which I take but read to you lot, was that he should enjoy possessions above Jacob'southward progenitors to the utmost premises of the everlasting hills. This would seem to indicate a very distant land from Palestine." (Orson Pratt, in Journal of Discourses, 14:9.)

The seed of Joseph came to the land of America at the fourth dimension Lehi and his family departed from the Mediterranean globe. The land of America is specifically designated past the Lord as the land reserved for "a remnant of the firm of Joseph" (3 Nephi 15:12).

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

"I suppose that Jacob saw this land equally well as Moses, and he designates it a land afar off; the utmost premises would signify a very distant land. He said this land was over and above, what his progenitors gave to him and he would give it to Joseph. … The precious things of heaven were to be given to Joseph on this land. Blessed of the Lord be his state for the precious things of heaven, more precious than the fullness of world, more precious than the productions of the various climates of the world, more precious than the grain, and the gold and silver of the earth. The precious things of heaven revealed to the people of Joseph on the cracking state given to them unto the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills." (Orson Pratt, in Journal of Discourses, 18:167–68.)

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

In 2 Nephi three, the prophet Lehi told his son Joseph of the bully prophecies of their progenitor, Joseph who was sold into Egypt. These prophecies were obviously on the brass plates that Lehi had just take been lost from our present Bible. Through revelation, Joseph Smith restored the lost scriptures by adding xiii verses betwixt Genesis 50:24 and 25 of the Male monarch James Version. Because of their significance for Saints of the latter days, the verses are reprinted here. (They are also found in the appendix of the LDS edition of the King James Version of the Bible.)

"And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die, and get unto my fathers; and I get down to my grave with joy. The God of my male parent Jacob be with you, to evangelize you out of affliction in the days of your bondage; 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 raise up a righteous co-operative 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 information technology shall come to pass that they shall exist scattered again; and a branch shall exist broken off, and shall be carried into a far land; nonetheless they shall be remembered in the covenants of the Lord, when the Messiah cometh; for he shall exist fabricated manifest unto them in the latter days, in the Spirit of ability; and shall bring them out of darkness into light; out of hidden darkness, and out of captivity unto freedom.

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

"Thus saith the Lord God of my fathers unto me, A selection seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give 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 practice whatsoever work I shall control him.

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

"And again, a seer volition I heighten upwards out of the fruit of thy loins, and unto him will I give power to bring along my word unto the seed of thy loins; and non to the bringing forth of my discussion only, saith the Lord, but to the disarming them of my discussion, which shall take already gone forth among them in the last 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 past the fruit of thy loins, and likewise that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying downward of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to a knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and too to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.

"And out of weakness shall he be fabricated potent, in that day when my work shall go forth among all my people, which shall restore them, who are of the house of Israel, in the final days.

"And that seer will I bless, and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this hope I requite unto you; for I will remember y'all from generation to generation; and his proper name shall be called Joseph, and it shall be later on the name of his father; and he shall be like unto you; for the thing which the Lord shall bring along by his mitt shall bring my people unto salvation.

"And the Lord sware unto Joseph that he would preserve his seed for ever, maxim, I will raise upwardly Moses, and a rod shall exist in his paw, and he shall gather together my people, and he shall lead them every bit a flock, and he shall smite the waters of the Carmine Sea with his rod.

"And he shall have judgment, and shall write the word of the Lord. And he shall not speak many words, for I will write unto him my constabulary by the finger of mine own hand. And I volition make a spokesman for him, and his name shall be called Aaron.

"And it shall be done unto thee in the final days as well, even as I have sworn." (JST, Genesis 50:24–36.)

Points to Ponder

(8-28) Write a short essay entitled "Joseph in Egypt—A Model for Personal Righteousness." The purpose of the essay is not to summarize the story of Joseph just to testify its application to you today. How might a modern Saint use the example of Joseph in his day-to-day living? As you prepare your essay, consider the following:

"Joseph vividly demonstrated why he was favored of the Lord, or, as 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 can be learned by the youth of Zion—to do the right thing because yous love the Lord. It is so vitally important that, I feel, if yous do annihilation in righteousness for any other reason than y'all love the Lord, y'all are incorrect—at least you are on very shaky ground. And, somewhere your reasons for acting in righteousness will not be strong enough to see yous through. You will give mode to expediency, or peer group pressure, or honor, or fame, or applause, or the thrill of the moment, or another worldly reason. Unless your motives are built upon the house foundation of beloved of the Lord, y'all volition not be able to stand up." (Hartman Rector, Jr., "Live higher up the Police force to Be Free," Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)

(8-29) Equally you reflect on what you lot have just read concerning the sons of Jacob receiving a blessing from their begetter, inquire yourself what great value each son's approving would accept to assistance him meet the challenge of his life. Contemplate the far-reaching effects of that blessing on his posterity and all mankind. Equally a descendant of State of israel, you have many of the same challenges facing you in your life. How can y'all best employ the great truths your blessing contains to assistance yous achieve your maximum potential and exist of greatest service to the Lord?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie has commented on this question:

"Nearly every member of the Church building 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.) Every bit 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 as with the ancients. Patriarchal blessings may be given past natural patriarchs, that is past fathers in State of israel who enjoy the blessings of the patriarchal guild, or they may be given by ordained patriarchs, specially selected brethren who are appointed to anoint worthy church members.

"The Outset Presidency (David O. McKay, Stephen Fifty Richards, J. Reuben Clark, Jr.), in a letter to all pale presidents, dated June 28, 1957, gave the following definition and explanation: 'Patriarchal blessings contemplate an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient, and also where so moved upon past the Spirit, an inspired and prophetic statement of the life mission of the recipient, together with such blessings, cautions, and admonitions every bit the patriarch may be prompted to give for the accomplishment of such life's mission, it existence e'er made 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 more often than not only one such approving should be acceptable for each person's life. The sacred nature of the patriarchal blessing must of necessity urge all patriarchs to most earnest 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 enquire for and receive a father's blessing when one is needed. In addition, every eligible person in the Church may receive a patriarchal approving from an ordained patriarch. One's patriarchal blessing should exist read and reread with intelligent consideration of its meaning. Just as blessings are given through the inspiration of the Lord, so too will their significant be made clear by the same power. Their fulfillment will be in His hands. Regarding patriarchal blessings, Elder John A. Widtsoe wrote:

"These blessings are possibilities predicated upon faithful devotion to the cause of truth. They must be earned. Otherwise they are but empty words. Indeed, they rising to their highest value when used equally ideals, specific possibilities, toward which we may strive throughout life. To look upon a patriarch every bit a fortune-teller is an crime to the Priesthood; the patriarch only indicates the gifts the Lord would requite u.s.a., if we labor for them. He helps us by pointing out the divine goal which nosotros may savour if we pay the cost.

"Such a blessing, given in the spirit of a begetter's love, and sealed upon us in the authorization of the Priesthood, becomes a power in our lives; a comfort to our days. Information technology is a bulletin which if read and honored aright, will become an ballast in stormy days, our encouragement in cloudy days. Information technology states our certain destination hither and time to come, if nosotros live by the law; and as life goes on, it strengthens our religion and leads united states into truth." (Evidences and Reconciliations, ane:74–75.)

"Thus saith the Lord God of my fathers unto me, A choice seer will I raise upward" (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