The Hidden Call of God

The Hidden Call of God

Abstract

The paper contain in depth analysis on the life of Joseph and his family. This report will survey the history of research on Genesis 37-50 during the last generation. Its main proposition is that we are not dealing with a Joseph, but with an Israel-Joseph story. The arguments, therefore, no longer focus on source criticism, but on the question of tradition history, viz. whether chs. 38 and 49 have to be included. If this is accepted, a date in the Persian period for the entire pre-Priestly text suggests itself.

Outline of the Study

Introduction: This section introduces us to the book of Genesis chapters 37-50 in which the major subject is the story of Joseph's and his family.

The Question of the Textual Base: This section gives answers to the questions that whether this story really about Joseph as its sole hero? And whether this seems a rather surprising question: What exactly is its textual base in the Bible?

Conclusion: This section returns back to Galling's Joseph article (1957). The conclusion says that Galling was quite right in denying Genesis 38 and 49 a place in a so-called Joseph story.

Topic Statement

The paper encloses in depth study on the life of Joseph and his family. This report will survey the history of research on Genesis 37-50 during the previous generation. Its major proposal is that we are not dealing with Joseph, but with an Israel-Joseph account.

Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis: Galling was right in denying Genesis 38 and 49 a place in a so-called Joseph story.

Alternative Hypothesis: Galling was wrong in denying Genesis 38 and 49 a place in a so-called Joseph story.

Background Information

What is required, therefore, is a dispassionate investigation of the relationship of ch. 38 to Genesis 37-50. Genesis 38 is about one brother only, yet he is the one who in the course of events rises to the top. The arguments are all well known and need not be rehearsed here. With regard to the place of Genesis 38 within chs. 37-50 we have a traditio-historical and a source-critical question.

Introduction

Together with Ruth, Jonah, Esther and Tobit, Genesis 37-50 forms one of the most exciting narrative portions of the Hebrew Bible. Exegetical interest in the story goes back to Genesis Rabba and the commentaries of Rashi, Ramban, Rashbam and Calvin. It has been the subject of paintings throughout the ages. Goethe was fascinated by it, although he found it too short, and Thomas Mann finally based his four-volume novel, Joseph and his Brothers, on it. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber wrote their musical Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat about it. The biblical narrative was mainly regarded as the story of divine guidance on the basis of Gen. 50.20: 'As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today' (RSV). Joseph was held up as an example of prudence and chastity, of a wise ruler and provider ...