The Story of Joseph by Catharine Shaw
Jacob's beloved eleventh son receives a coat of many colours, marking him as his father's favourite. This preferential treatment stirs deep jealousy among his ten older brothers, who conspire to kill him. Persuaded instead to cast him into a pit, they ultimately sell him for twenty pieces of silver to passing merchants bound for Egypt. To conceal their crime from their father, they dip the distinctive coat in goat's blood and present it as evidence that Joseph has been killed by a wild beast, leaving the old man to grieve for years. In Egypt, Joseph is purchased by a master who recognises his abilities and places him in charge of his household. Misfortune strikes again when Joseph is falsely accused and thrown into prison. Even there, his trustworthy conduct earns him responsibility over the other prisoners. Throughout these trials, divine favour accompanies him at every turn. His fortunes change dramatically when Pharaoh is troubled by a recurring dream that none of his advisors can interpret. Joseph is brought before the king and, through God-given wisdom, explains that Egypt will experience seven years of abundant harvests followed by seven years of devastating famine. He advises that grain be stored during the plentiful years as provision against the lean ones. So impressed is Pharaoh that he appoints Joseph as the highest authority in the land to oversee this plan. When the prophesied famine spreads across the region, Jacob sends ten of his sons to Egypt to purchase grain. They appear before the great Egyptian ruler without recognising him as their long-sold brother. Joseph, however, knows them immediately. Rather than revealing himself at once, he speaks to them through an interpreter and tests their character. He demands they return with their youngest brother Benjamin before he will continue selling them grain. One brother is held as surety while the others return home. The brothers are overcome with remorse, acknowledging among themselves their past cruelty toward Joseph, unaware that he understands every word. Joseph is moved to tears but maintains his composure. Jacob, heartbroken and fearful of losing another son, is eventually compelled by necessity to allow Benjamin to travel to Egypt. When the brothers return with Benjamin, Joseph is deeply stirred by the sight of his full brother. He finally reveals his identity, weeping openly, and rather than seeking revenge, offers forgiveness. He attributes everything that befell him to a greater purpose, declaring that what his brothers intended for harm, God had directed toward good. He sends for his aged father and instructs the entire family to settle in Egypt, where he can provide for them through the remaining years of famine. Jacob, who had believed his beloved son dead for many years, learns that Joseph is alive and reigning in honour and power. The old man travels to Egypt, and the reunion of father and son is deeply emotional. The family is established in a fertile region and sustained through Joseph's provision. The story presents themes of jealousy, suffering, forgiveness, and providential care, showing how a series of apparent disasters ultimately serves a redemptive purpose for an entire family and nation.
By Catharine Shaw · First published 1925 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Adventure · 1,269 words
First lines
You have often heard of Joseph's coat of many colours, and of his being sold by his brothers into Egypt.
So I am going to tell you a little about him, and then you will understand how he came to have that beautiful coat. I have read that generally the eldest son was given a bright coloured, beautifully-worked coat; but Joseph was the eleventh son, and Jacob, his father, gave him that pretty coat because he loved him so very much.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of Joseph is listed on Textopian as a short story by Catharine Shaw, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Catharine Shaw
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Adventure, Family Drama, Coming-of-age
- Length: 1,269 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of Joseph by Catharine Shaw
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book retells the biblical story of Joseph with historical and narrative elements, placing ancient events within a fictionalized framework.
- Religious Fiction — The narrative is centered on a significant biblical figure and explores themes of faith, divine providence, and spiritual transformation.
- Adventure — Joseph's journey from slavery to prominence involves travel, conflict, and dramatic events that drive the narrative forward.
- Family Drama — The story heavily features family relationships, including sibling rivalry, parental love, and reconciliation themes.
Tags
biblical fiction · Old Testament · religious literature · Christian literature · historical fiction · ancient Egypt · family relationships · sibling rivalry · betrayal · forgiveness · providence · faith