The Slaves Of Ancient Egypt

Yes, it is back. Hopefully better 'cause its definately bigger. If you have read this story up to the point where I removed it from the site, I must say that you really need to read it all again...if you want to that is. The chapters are longer and more is explained than before so...I hope you like it!

(I'd like to add that everything before and including the prolouge is the same, in case you didn't want to read it...again.) Oh! yeah Joseph as a character has changed due to certain plot changes. I hope he meets your approval.


This is by no means fact. It is based on speculation and opinion that could hold truth but could also be completely wrong. It should not be taken seriously as an account of the past, just as a possibility of the truth.

About dates
The dates I will use were found using the Hebrew calendar and converted to the calendar used by most of Europe, America, and Australia. Because of the Jews rejection of Jesus they don't find his time on earth significant. So the calendar starts on the date believed by some to be when the world was created according to the Old Testament of the bible. According to this calendar it is now the year 5764 (2004 AD). The Egyptian calendar was very different. They kept a 365-day year as we do but had no leap year to account for the earth taking 365 ΒΌ days to travel around the sun. The Egyptians only had 3 seasons of the year flooding, planting and harvest. They also recorded years differently, each time a new pharaoh came to power the calendar was reset to year one. Therefore I could be setting this story in the entirely wrong time.

Prologue

Stories never truly can have a beginning. They just continue. So the beginning of the part of the story I will tell you is with Joseph's family. To understand better the situation I will briefly tell of Joseph's father, Jacob. Jacob was the second son of Isaac. The first son was Esau, so Esau had the birthright. Esau was a hunter, where Jacob preferred to help his mother around the camp; Esau was hairy, where Jacob was smooth. Isaac favoured Esau over Jacob and as Isaac was on his deathbed, he called Esau to him and told him to go out and bring him back some meat, and then Isaac would bless him before he died. But his mother, Rebekah overheard, and knew that Esau had already traded his right. (Earlier when Esau had come back from hunting, he was really hungry and Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau asked for some, and Jacob said he could have some if he gave up his birthright, and Esau agreed). Rebekah knew it was Jacob who should get the blessing. She told Jacob to bring her a goat and she prepared it and put its skin on Jacob so he felt like Esau. (Esau must have been pretty hairy!) She told him to go and give it to his father and pretend he was Esau. To cut it short he did, his father blessed him, Esau got angry, Jacob ran away.

While he was away, he was tricked into marrying Leah, the sister of Rachel, the woman he loved, whom he married later anyway. Leah bore Jacob six sons and her servant bore him two, Rachel one, and her servant had two sons.

One night while Jacob was returning home, fearing his brother's welcome, he stayed behind when his family crossed the ford of the Jabok. A man came and wrestled him until daybreak. The man couldn't overpower him so, with a touch he dislocated Jacob's hip. Jacob still wouldn't let go and refused to until he was blessed. (This is important) the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.'

Jacob met his brother and was welcomed with open arms. On the way back to Israel's father's camp, Rachel gave birth to a second son but died later because of implications. Altogether Jacob/Israel had 12 sons; named from oldest to youngest, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph and Benjamin were Rachel's sons.
Israel means 'he struggles with God.'

Chapter 1

'Joseph! Joseph!'

'Yes father?' Joseph answered as he entered the encampment. He was seventeen and was considered a man. Tall but not powerfully built for a nomad at his age, his hair was in his opinion, a boring brown with eyes a deep sea green, his nose was prominent but not large and he had a strong jaw line with a typically sized mouth. His father Jacob, had brown eyes that shine with laughter out of his leathery face and his hair was completely white though he was very strong and athletic for his age, as he had worked all his life; he was 84 years old.

'How is your writing coming along?'

'It's fine, where are my brothers today?'

'Joseph, have you been practising like your tutor said? Show me where you're up to.' Jacob said sternly.

'Well... father what use is words and symbols to a shepherd? Why can't I go with my brothers?'

Jacob put his arm around his son's shoulders. 'I'm proud of you. You're special, God has a plan for you.'

Frustrated Joseph stepped away from his father and turned to look out at the plains. 'Is it God's plan?' Joseph replied bitterly. Realising what he said, Joseph quickly turned back to his father. 'I'm sorry. It's just... I don't see it. What makes me so special? Why must I be treated differently from the others?'

Jacob hugged Joseph. 'God's plans will reveal themselves in time my son. Until then we just have to trust and let him lead.' With one last squeeze Jacob released Joseph and left.

'Ho! Leah! What have you prepared for my meal?'

As Jacob walked away, Joseph sighed and watched apprehensively. His father did not understand and refused to see his situation. What are my brothers going to say when they find out I'm learning hieroglyphs and the Egyptian language. They cannot help but notice the new Egyptian tutor when they return.

Joseph winced at just the thought. They don't hurt him, well physically. Father would notice that. No, they make him the butt of their jokes and abused him verbally when father is out of hearing. Joseph sighed again. He looked forward to his brothers' return and yet he dreaded it. Sadly Joseph remembered the time he had snuck away from his lessons to find his brothers. They said if they caught him spying on them again even father wouldn't be able to protect him. I wasn't spying. Father only asked what they were doing when he found me, I didn't know they were being neglectful! I just told him what I saw. I don't understand why they treat me like I'm something they stepped on, although they probably would step on me if they could and father was not watching.

Joseph could hear his brothers finally returning. Oh great here we go.

'Hey Joseph! Been busy? Must be soo hard having to sit around and do nothing all day.' Simeon smirked.

All of a sudden Jacob appeared. 'That's enough! While you laze around in the sun disregarding your work Joseph is studying to make something of his life!'

Joseph winced he knew where this was heading so he began to inch his way towards the tents.

'That was once! We do everything we can to try to please you but someone keeps spreading lies...'

'How dare you call Joseph a liar! I can't believe you are my sons! You are such lazy, good for nothing...' enraged Jacob stormed off.

As the brothers look around they spot Joseph's head poking out of one of the tents.

'Why you little...' Simeon makes towards him but Rueben holds him back.

'If you hurt him he will just run and tell father and we'll get into even more trouble.'

'But it is his fault we are in trouble in the first place! Besides you are the oldest, why should Joseph get the special treatment. We don't even have the chance to study! Why can't we make something of our lives?'

'I know but it would only lower father's opinion of us even more.'

Simeon slouched, defeated. 'I just can't stand how he lies and cheats us and then hides behind father.'

'I know, but it is not entirely unfounded...'

'Are you calling me lazy now?'

'I didn't say tha...'

'You didn't have to.' Simeon retorts storming off.

Rueben was worried. He knew Joseph had really done nothing but that wouldn't stop his brothers, Simeon in particular. He hadn't seen him quite this angry since the incident with the Hivites. Rueben thought back to those awful events. He can remember them well; he and his brothers were out with the sheep when it all started. His sister Dinah was raped by Shechem the son of the ruler of the Hivites, He must admit though that Shechem did love her and she has never been the same since... he was getting ahead of himself. Anyway when Reuben and his brothers came home they were furious as you can imagine, Simeon was strangely quiet. He should have realised Simeon was up to something...it is a bit late for regrets now. Shechem and his father came to ask Jacob for Dinah he basically said Shechem would do or give anything that Jacob wanted but before Jacob could say anything Simeon spoke up.

He said "We can't give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised. That would...disgrace us. You may marry her however, on the condition that you become like us and circumcise all your males. Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves...we will become one people with you."
They agreed to Simeon's terms and had all their males circumcised and so on the third day when the pain was greatest and the men could hardly move for the pain, Simeon and Levi attacked and killed every male. The other brothers, himself included he is now ashamed to admit; came and helped to carry off all the wealth and women and children.
What will they do to Joseph?

The sons of Leah looked at each other then back at their father suspiciously. Jacob was nearly running excitedly around the camp gathering everyone around the big fire pit used for cooking.

"Hurry up! Come on...where is Joseph!" Jacob called impatiently.
"Here father." Joseph waved at Jacob from his perch on top of a wagon.
"Get down from there! I have a surprise for you."
Joseph's face lit up. "What is it?" He asked as he jumped down.
"Careful! Wait and you will see. You will ALL see!" He glanced around. "LEAH! Where are you woman?"
"Keep your hair on old man I'm here." Leah replied haughtily from the entrance of her tent. She was holding a parcel.

"Well come on! Bring it over here!" Jacob shouted irritably.

Everyone leaned closer expectantly as Leah brought the parcel forward and placed it in Jacob's hands. Jacob then handed it to Joseph and watched him, hardly able to keep a huge grin off his face. Joseph quickly tore into the wrapping and gasped as he lifted the coat into the air. The tense silence that had arisen broke as relatives trying to get a better look crowded Joseph. Jacob was so wrapped in Joseph's delight he never noticed the shock and jealousy that arose among the brothers. Nor did he notice Joseph's disbelief when he caught Simeon's eye and saw the look of open hatred, just before Simeon stalked off followed almost immediately by his brothers.

'Now write this sentence out ten times for me. And then...'

Joseph concentration wandered and he looked around. Spotting his father he got up and walked towards him ignoring his tutor's angry rebukes.

'Father! Would you like me to see how my brothers are going?'

'Joseph, you are in the middle of a lesson.'

Joseph sighed with frustration. 'Pahotep is a perfectionist. I know how to do all of what he is teaching me. Even if I put my quill to the paper "in the wrong spot" he makes me start all over again!'

'Well writing and perfection is important to all Egyptians. I expected him to be hard on you.'

'Father please! I need a break.'

'Oh very well! But be careful there are a lot of dangerous animals around.'

'Yeah, yeah I'll be back soon.' With that Joseph ran to the women's tents to get provisions.

'Peace.' Sighed Asher leaning back next to the fire. The brothers had taken the sheep to Shechem then moved on to Dothan in a half hearted attempt to lose Joseph, for they knew that Jacob would send Joseph to check up on them. Like they needed that spoiled brat lying about them to Jacob again. Asher closed his eyes in content only to open them immediately and sit up. He peered into the darkening evening and his fears were confirmed. 'Oh great.' He groaned. 'Simeon! Our peace is about to be disturbed.' He called as he moved through the camp.

'So the dreamer comes.' Simeon answered darkly to which Asher nodded. The brothers had taken to call Joseph that since he started telling everyone who would listen about his strange dreams. Simeon recalled how Joseph's first dream lost him even Rueben's kindness. Imagine! The little weasel says to us 'Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field (like he does any work!) when suddenly my sheaf stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.' The nerve! Like WE would bow down to HIM! For that is obviously what the dream meant.

'What are you thinking?' asked Levi excitedly. He knew Simeon well and he also knew that look. Simeon was planning a surprise for Joseph.

'Let's kill him. We'll throw him into one of the cisterns and say it was a wild animal. Let's see what becomes of his dreams then.' Simeon replied fervently. (A cistern is a well with a narrow opening. It is shaped like a bottle.)

Even Levi was a bit shocked at that... but not for long. 'We will only bow to pick up his dead body and throw it in the hole!' He said gleefully.

The brothers all agreed, all except Rueben... he was horrified. 'Let's not take his life,' he said thinking quickly. 'Don't shed his blood. Throw him into this empty cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him.' Rueben said this so he could rescue Joseph and take him back to his father.

Joseph entered the camp but he couldn't see his brothers anywhere. 'Hello? Rueben, Gad? ...Simeon? Anyone here?'

'Gotcha!' Said Simeon as he grabbed Joseph from behind.

'Hey! What are you doing? Let me go!'

Simeon ignored Joseph's protests and called to Levi. 'Here! Get his coat.'

'No! Please...' Joseph's pleas faded into silence as he looked at each of his brother's faces. When he reached Rueben's, Rueben looked away and refused to look at him. That is what frightened Joseph the most. What was going on?

When they had his coat off, Joseph was dragged to the cistern and thrown in.

Rueben left to be alone for a while. While he was gone the other brothers sat down to eat.

During their meal a caravan approached from Gilead. They were Ishmaelites heading to Egypt.

Ismaelites and Israelites do not get on well. Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abram who was later known as Abraham. He was also the father of Isaac, who was the father of Jacob. Ishmael was the son of Hagar the Egyptian slave of Abraham's wife Sarah, who at the time was unsuccessful in child bearing. She gave Hagar to Abraham as his concubine. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael and began to treat Sarah differently. Sarah didn't like it and blamed Abraham. When Sarah finally did give birth to Isaac she demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away because she wanted her son to have no rivals for the inheritance. To keep his wife happy Abraham agreed and sent Hagar and Ishmael away. So the Ishmaelites believe they are the true heirs of Abraham while so do the Israelites. So on with the story...

Judah had a thought. 'What will we gain if we kill our brother? Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites, after all he is our brother.' He grinned wickedly.

So when the caravan came by, Judah pulled Joseph up. 'Judah, what's happening? Are you taking me home now? Was it just a joke?' Joseph looked around at his brothers hopefully.

'Shut up!' Snarled Judah nastily. 'Here he is.' Judah called to the merchants.

'Thirty sheckles of silver! You can't be serious! I will give you ten.'

'Twenty-five.'

'Twelve.'

'Come on he is strong and healthy! Twenty-three.'

'Fifteen.'

'Ok, twenty. It is our final offer.'

The merchant sighed. ' Fine. Twenty.'

All though this Joseph had been looking on in disbelief. 'No! Please I'm your brother! How could you do this to me?'

'I won't tell you to shut up again!' Said Judah, hitting him a blow that sent him sprawling.

'Hey! Don't damage my merchandise! I have a mind to ask a discount.' The merchant said angrily, motioning for one of his mercenaries to retrieve his purchase. Joseph was so shocked and confused he didn't even notice the chains they locked onto his wrists until he was nearly jerked off his feet as he was dragged to one of the camels and the chain fastened to the camels pack.

His brothers watched without comment or emotion as the caravan moved out of sight with Joseph being dragged behind still pleading with them.