It's one of those fascinating texts just outside the mainstream of the Hebrew Bible, referenced in the Bible itself (Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18), yet remaining somewhat mysterious. Think of it as a cherished, slightly worn family album filled with expanded stories and alternative takes on familiar narratives. And Chapter 50? It's a wild ride!
The chapter starts with a bang – a conflict between the children of Tarshish and the sons of Ishmael. Now, the Ishmaelites, descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son, were facing some serious trouble. According to the Book of Jasher, the Tarshishites were really giving them a hard time, and the Ishmaelites, being few in number, were getting completely dominated.
So, what did they do? They sent a desperate plea to the king of Egypt, begging for help. And who does Pharaoh send? None other than Joseph, with a mighty army! Joseph, remember, had risen to incredible power in Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams. He wasn't just an advisor; he was a force to be reckoned with.
Joseph leads the Egyptian forces into the land of Havilah to aid the Ishmaelites. And guess what? Joseph utterly crushes the Tarshishites, subduing their entire land. The Ishmaelites, finally freed from oppression, settle in the conquered territory. The defeated Tarshishites scatter, seeking refuge with their brethren, the children of Javan (often associated with Greece). Joseph, ever the efficient leader, returns to Egypt with his entire army intact. Talk about a successful military campaign!
But the story doesn’t end there. Remember those dreams Joseph interpreted? The ones about the seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine? The Book of Jasher vividly describes how those prophecies played out. As Joseph had predicted, the land experiences an unprecedented abundance for seven glorious years.
Joseph, being the strategic genius that he is, doesn't let this bounty go to waste. He appoints officers to collect all the surplus food, storing it in massive treasuries. But here’s a fascinating detail: Joseph commands that the corn be stored in the ears, along with some soil, to prevent spoilage. It’s like a very ancient form of preservation! Ginzberg, in his Legends of the Jews, doesn't mention this specific detail, but it fits with the overall picture of Joseph's wisdom and foresight.
Meanwhile, the Egyptians also gather food during the years of plenty, but they apparently don’t follow Joseph’s preservation methods. Oops!
Then, as foretold, the seven years of famine arrive. And, as you might expect, things get ugly fast. The Egyptians eagerly open their stores, only to discover their food is infested with vermin and completely inedible! Panic sets in. They rush to Pharaoh, begging for help.
Pharaoh, in a moment of exasperation, reminds them that Joseph had warned them about this! "Didn't Joseph tell you to store up food?" he asks, basically saying, "I told you so!" The Egyptians, desperate and probably feeling pretty foolish, explain that they did store food, but it all went bad.
The king, now genuinely alarmed, tells them the only thing he can: "Go to Joseph! Do whatever he says!" They flock to Joseph, pleading for food. Joseph, of course, opens his well-preserved stores and begins selling corn to the people. Crisis averted, thanks to Joseph's wisdom and planning.
Word spreads like wildfire. Soon, people from all over – Canaan, Philistia, even beyond the Jordan and from the East – are flocking to Egypt to buy corn. Egypt becomes the breadbasket of the ancient world.
But Joseph isn't just focused on feeding people; he's also thinking about his family. He knows his brothers will likely come to Egypt in search of food, and he sets up a clever system to identify them. He decrees that only sons, not servants, can purchase corn, and he requires that the names of all buyers, their fathers, and their grandfathers be recorded. This way, as the Book of Jasher tells us, Joseph would know exactly when his brothers arrived. This detail isn't explicitly mentioned in Genesis, but it adds a layer of intrigue to Joseph's plan.
The chapter concludes with a description of how Joseph's regulations are implemented throughout Egypt and how people from all corners of the earth are coming to buy corn.
What's so compelling about this chapter? It's not just a historical account; it's a story about preparation, leadership, and ultimately, redemption. Joseph's actions, guided by divine insight and his own practical wisdom, not only save Egypt from starvation but also set the stage for the eventual reunion with his family. And that, as we know, is a story for another time.