The story of Joseph found in Genesis clearly reveals the theme of the “beloved son” emerging from the Bible. It is clear that Jacob has won favor in the eyes of his father, meaning that his inheritance will trump all his other brothers. While his brothers return to their father with a “bloodied garment” to show how he has died, Joseph actually is dropped into a pit, then taken into Egypt, and sold as a slave. When the brothers go to Egypt for grain during the famine, a silver cup is found in the youngest brother’s bag. Joseph plants the silver cup in his brother Benjamin’s sack, along with money in order to test his brothers. He planted it as evidence that would link the brothers, and more specifically, Benjamin to a serious crime. Joseph is giving his brothers another chance to act in another way and NOT abandon Benjamin. The brothers this time, “…may once again act to rid themselves of a favored sibling, spurning their father and leaving Benjamin behind in Egypt” (Anderson, 208). I think that Anderson’s commentary on Joseph as the beloved son is fascinating in many ways. Comparing Joseph’s lowering into the pit to Christ’s body being played out after his death, he emphasizes that he “redeemed his own from death”. “Those who hatefully tried to slay him found their very existence dependent on that rejection.” Similar to the way Jesus was given the title “Savior” and “Redeemer”, Joseph likewise acts in such a way by redeeming his brothers from famine and building a new life for himself, eventually elevated to a throne. When Benjamin and the other brothers return to their father, they state “Joseph is alive again! What’s more, he is the ruler over all of the land in Egypt” (Genesis 45:26). This, also, is similar to the elevation of the beloved Son Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. In this way, his return as ruler of Egypt is like a resurrection in glory (Anderson, 208).
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Foundations of Theology 
I think your analysis of today’s reading was great. I like how you mentioned the similarities of Joseph and Jesus, and there is definitely a parallel there in my opinion. One thing I would like to point out is that I believe you switched the names of Jacob and Joseph in the first part of your response. Other than that, I really liked your response and completely agree.
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Your analysis of Joseph as the beloved son is great. I agree with the parallels you drew between Joseph and Jesus, especially redeeming those that wronged them. You mention that Joseph saved his brothers from death by giving them food during the famine, but could he have also saved them in planting the cup? Do you think he also provided spiritual redemption in this way, not just physical?
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I love how you phrased it as Joseph giving his brothers another chance to do the right thing, I think it really exemplifies Josephs kindness in this seemingly harmful act. I liked the comparison you made between Joseph and Jesus, and you mentioned how Joseph acts as a “savior” and “redeemer”, which is a very good analysis of Joseph’s true intentions at this moment.
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Nice job referring to both the biblical text and Anderson within your post. Your connections between Christ and Joseph as the beloved son were drawn out really well. I hadn’t thought of the parallel of Joseph and Christ as redeemers. Why do you think Joseph waited to help his brothers? If he loved them why did he have to wait and test them? Could he have made an excuse to send gold to their home and ensure his family was well-taken care of?
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The relationship between Benjamin and Joseph is an aspect that definitely needed to be highlighted and you did so very accurately in your analysis. It seemed to be that Joseph wanted to almost test his brothers not for himself, nor for the reunion with his family, nor for a satisfaction with her guilt; instead, it’s almost like he saw himself in Benjamin and wanted to ensure that he will be safe, if not in his brothers’ hands (if they were not reformed), then he will remain with Joseph. This is not merely about motives but also about compassion and empathy, and a test of Joseph’s true intentions and desires.
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