We see now how the nation of Israel got its name. Jacob (Israel) had 12 sons. There was one named Joseph (Yusuf), who was a young man with a special gift of understanding dreams. The Bible tells how Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers. They were jealous of his gift. His dreams told that he would one day rule over all of his older brothers. Joseph was taken to Egypt as a slave. He did such good work that he became the head of the household of Potiphar, a high official for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar’s wife tried to get Joseph to sleep with her, but he would not. He was thrown into prison when that woman lied about him. In prison, Joseph also proved to be a prophet and servant of the Most High God by explaining dreams. After some time he was noticed by the king of Egypt, and he explained the king’s dreams. By doing this he saved Egypt from a great famine. Because of this, Joseph became a great ruler in Egypt and his family came down to live with him. This happened only after he carefully tested his brothers who had sold him as a slave many years before. This great story of Joseph’s faith, patience and forgiving spirit is found in Genesis chapters 37 through 50.
When Joseph met his brothers it was many years after they had sold him as a slave. His brothers thought that surely Joseph would kill them. However, Joseph spoke as a true prophet when he said this to his brothers:
“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.” Genesis 45.5-8