Yosuf is brought down into Egypt by the Ishmaelites
And sold there to Potiphar an officer of Pharaoh
A caravan of Ismaelite merchants carry Yosuf down into Egypt
Ishma-El which translates “God hears,” is a code meaning
Keep the faith and follow your destiny. Egypt, mitzra-eem
Also translates as “the straits.” Egypt is the material world
Yah (God) is with Yosuf who is a prosperous man
Prosperous – what he touches, flourishes
He’s so recognized by his master
And appointed overseer of his master’s house
Our master’s house is the kingdom of heaven and earth
We are each called to this role and service
God blesses the house for Yosuf’s sake
God’s blessings are on all that we have
In the house and in the field
Consider that a Yosuf/Tamar quality is within us each
By consciously bringing that person forward in our lives
We come into God’s blessings of prosperity
Yosuf is well-proportioned and has a handsome countenance
People leave everything in Yosuf’s hands Gen. 39.6
His master’s wife is attracted to him and says, Lie with me
Yosuf replies: My master has put everything into my hands
Except you, his wife. How can I do this
Day by day she entices him to make love with her
One certain day Zuleika (Asenath) takes hold of his clothing
He flees. She calls the men
Look he brings a Hebrew to mock us, who tries to lie with me
I called out. He fled but left his garment in my hand – see
For the Egyptians, “Hebrew” means the descendents of Eber
Those from across the river (Nile), to the East
The tradition honors Yosuf for successfully resisting temptation
Perhaps he succumbed to a love affair with Zuleika, and later repented
What’s important is that he left his garment in her hand
Hearing these word later, the master’s anger arises
He puts Yosuf where the king’s prisoners are bound Gen: 39.20
He’s flogged, shackled and imprisoned. In this scriptureEgypt represents the material world into which we incarnate
And become imprisoned in narrow-mindedness
Interpretations Belong to God
He’s there in prison, but God is with him showing kindness
The prison keeper commits all the prisoners to Yosuf’s hand
That’s us. We are both the prisoners and we are also Yosuf
Yah (God) is with Yosuf. Whatever he does, God makes it prosper
Contemplate the letter symbols in his name. Hew them out
During this time the king’s chief butler and baker offend him
He puts them in ward under the captain of the guard
Who chooses Yosuf to minister to them
In one night each dreams his own dream.
According to the interpretations of their dreams
They become sad. (Considering what they might portend)
Why? asks Yosuf. They say: None can interpret our dream
Interpretations belong to God, says Yosuf. Speak them
The butler’s dream:
A vine with three branches growing, budding
Blossoms shooting out becoming clusters of ripe grapes
In my hand is Pharaoh’s goblet. I take the grapes
Press them into Pharaoh’s goblet and give it into his hand
The interpretation, says Yosuf: three branches are three days
In three days Pharaoh will restore you unto your office
Then remember me, show kindness, mention me to Pharaoh
Bring me out. I was stolen and have done nothing
To be in this dungeon Are we not each responsible for our lot
Three days is Pharaoh’s birthday. The chief butler is restored
But he forgets Yosuf, who remains in prison Gen 40.23
One prisoner cannot free another prisoner. Yosuf asked help
From a prickly shrub. Don’t make a brace of rotten wood
Watch and see -- God will absorb Yosuf in such intimate joy
That the dungeon will disappear (Rumi)
Dreams of a King
Notes on Genesis 41.1-44.17
Two years pass. Pharaoh dreams: I’m standing by a river
Lo – out of the river come seven cattle well favored, well fed
Now seven others come out of the river ill favored, lean fleshed
The thin ones eat the fat ones. I waken, sleep and dream again
Lo – on one stalk grow seven ears of corn, rank and good
And now seven thin ears spring up, blasted by the east wind
The thin ears swallow up the full ones
Pharaoh awakens, his spirit troubled
He calls all the magicians and wise ones of Egypt
None can interpret the dreams. Then the chief butler speaks
When we were in ward we dreamed. A young man (now 30)
A Hebrew servant interpreted our dreams, and so it was
I was restored to my office
Pharaoh sends for Yosuf. I hear you interpret dreams
Not I, says Yosuf. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace
Pharaoh speaks his dreams. The dreams of Pharaoh are one
Says Yosuf. God is declaring to you what God is about to do
The seven fattened cattle and seven full ears are seven years
The seven lean cattle and empty ears are seven years of famine
God is showing you seven years of great plenty thru all the land
Then arise seven years of famine. The plenty is forgotten
A very grievous famine will consume the land
The dream is doubled unto Pharaoh twice, meaning
It’s established by God who brings it shortly to pass Gen. 41.1-32
Set Aside One Fifth
Yosuf says, let Pharaoh look for someone wise and discreet
And set that person over the land, and appoint overseers
And during the seven years of plenty take up the fifth part
And so should we during times of profit and plenty, put aside one fifth
And don’t hesitate to use that during sparse periods
Gather all the food of these good years that come
And lay up corn (set aside sustenance) for food in the cities
To keep as stores to the land during the years of famine
The thing is good in the eyes of the king and of his servants
Where can we find such a person as this, says Pharaoh
In whom is the spirit of God. And to Yosuf he says
Because God shows you all this, there is none wise like you
I’m setting you over my house. According to your words
All the people are governed. You are second only to the throne
Cream rises. Yosuf is always being set above to rule the house
And so should we set the Yosuf-Tamar portion within us to run it all
How? Consciously bring their qualities forward
Pharaoh removes his signet ring and puts it on Yosuf’s hand
He puts a gold chain about Yosuf’s neck and makes him
Ride in the second chariot, and all the people cry before him
“Abrech” (Bow before the king’s father-counselor)
Pharaoh names him Zaphenath-Paneah
(The Provider, and the Revealer of Secrets) Gen 41.45
