All the materials may be grouped around the following principal great periods or incidents of his life. (1) His childhood, where we find him petted and spoiled but ambitious and trustworthy and hated by his brethren. (2) His sale to the Egyptians and separation from his house and kindred, this including his slavery and the faithfulness he showed in such a position. (3) His position as overseer and his loyalty together with his temptation and unjust imprisonment. (4) His exaltation to the governorship of Egypt with his provisions for the famine and change of the whole system of land tenure, which put it all under royal control.  It would also include his kindness to his father’s family in providing for their preservation.

The stories have in them several elements that need to be noticed. (1) There are many sudden and striking contrasts.  Such are his changes from a petted and spoiled boy in the home to a slave in Egypt; from an overseer of his master’s house to a prisoner in the dungeon; for that dungeon to the governor of the powerful empire of the age. (2) His success is never based on or promoted by a miracle but is assured because he is of value to others.  He wins no promotions by means of armor or conquests of power but by faithfulness to those whom he served.  His is a conquest made by business sagacity.  He is a hero of usefulness. (3) The use of his position to advance the interests of others is altogether out of line with the views of western students of society.  We would hardly think it right for one to so earnestly promote the interests of a heathen sovereign as Joseph did in the case of his slave master and of Pharaoh. (4) The pathos and depth of feeling is not surpassed in all literature.  This is especially true in the story of his relations with his brethren when they visit Egypt.  Pent up emotion tugs at one’s heart as one reads of the anxiety of the brothers, the fear of the fear of the father, and the burning affection of Joseph.  The spirit of forgiveness and love for his humble kinsmen fill one with admiration.

The death of Jacob and Joseph.  Jacob was greatly prospered and died at a ripe old age.  He asked to be buried in Canaan and Joseph after having him embalmed went, accompanied by his kindred and friends, to Canaan and buried him according to his request.  Before his death, he pronounced upon his sons a blessing that promised great increase in numbers and in political power.

After the death of Jacob, Joseph continued to show kindness to his brethren.  Before his death, at the age of one hundred and ten years, he prophesied that God would come and lead them out of Egypt and took an oath of them that they would carry up his bones to the land of Canaan into which they would be delivered.

In Jacob’s blessing on his sons and in Joseph’s prophecy of their removal by God and his promises, they saw the providence of God in all the future of the race and expected its triumph.