A CHAPTER BY CHAPTER SYNOPSIS
SLAVERY TO RICHES
ROBERT H. MOSS
1998

Preface

Joseph set an example for those who believe lives can change. Perhaps his strongest trait was his servant heart. Through hardships and adversity, Joseph learned to become a servant in every situation in which he found himself. Through serving, he became a leader, prospering in all circumstances. He found that the law of the harvest always works: whatsoever we give comes back manifold.

Joseph also exemplified the character trait of forgiveness. His brothers sold him as a slave. He spent many years as a slave or in prison, separated for over twenty years from those he loved. He had reason to hate and seek revenge. Instead, he forgave readily and repaid treachery with love.

Chapter 1: In the Pit

Chapter one is a story of how those around us perceive us. How our actions affect others. In the pit, Joseph learned humility. He learned to pray. For probably the first time in his life, he had to rely upon God.

Chapter 2: Prisoner

Chapter two is about change. The reader sees the change taking place in Joseph as he continues to analyze his life. Joseph's servant heart begins to develop as he sees what changes he must make in his life.

Chapter 3: Journey to Egypt

Joseph, a slave, accompanies the caravan to Egypt. Along the way he resigns himself to whatever fate God has in store for him. The realization finally hits him. Though discouraged, he remembers his commitment made in the pit and is a helpful servant on the caravan.

Chapter 4: Across the Desert

Joseph gets acquainted with the caravan master and becomes his personal servant and bookkeeper. He also develops empathy for other slaves, especially a young female slave attached to the caravan master. He promises himself and God that he will be chaste and not sin.

He thought of how Jacob had taught him that a man's word was his bond, that he would rather lose his freedom than his integrity.

Chapter 5: In Egypt

The caravan arrives in Egypt. Balshazar sells his goods, including all of the slaves with the exception of Joseph. He reserves this slave for a special friend, Potiphar, captain of the Pharaoh's guard. While Joseph watches the auction of the slaves, including his friend, Desir, he contemplates the bondage that most people are in: He remembered the advice he had given Desir: "You always have the freedom to control your own thoughts. Freedom is within you."

Chapter 6: In Potiphar's Service

As a slave in the service of Potiphar, Joseph in this chapter becomes the true servant. Starting at the bottom of the slave pecking order, he works himself up to overseer.

Chapter 7: Zelicah

One of the greatest trials Joseph faced was overcoming the desire of Zelicah, Potiphar's wife. Zelicah pursues Joseph, until finally Joseph pulls himself away from her, leaving his robe in her grasp. Potiphar returns home to find his distraught wife, accusing Joseph of attempting to molest her. He has the right to sentence Joseph to death, but instead, because of his respect for Joseph, sentences him to prison.

Chapter 8: Prison Walls

Joseph begins anew. He is at the bottom of the prison. But, because he trusts the Lord and has a servant heart, he starts the process of working up. He meets Amunebet, the prison governor, who is impressed with his work. Joseph eventually becomes the overseer of the prison. In order to fulfill the tremendous responsibility placed on him, he learns to delegate. He tells Amunebet that his most precious possession is freedom, even though he has not been free for over ten years.

Chapter 9: Butler and Baker

Everyone familiar with the story of Joseph remembers the butler and the baker. Joseph becomes their servant in prison. When they have dreams, Joseph is asked to interpret their dreams, and does so.

Chapter 10: Before Pharaoh

Joseph is sent to the court of Pharaoh. This chapter is a reaffirmation that every good deed gets rewarded, even though it did not happen immediately. Pharaoh asks him to interpret his dreams.

Pharaoh chooses Joseph to be his overseer.

Chapter 11: Grand Vizier of Egypt

Joseph begins his duties as grand vizier. Pharaoh gives him an estate and encourages him to find a wife. Joseph thinks back over all he's been through: ten years of slavery; three years in prison. He falls in love.

Joseph carries on his duties, seeing that the harvest is stored each year. His personal estate is being built. He gets pharaoh to appoint the prison warden, Amunebet, as the overseer over his personal estate. He makes an attempt to find the girl he fell in love with.

Chapter 12: Aseneth

He locates the girl, a priestess named Aseneth, in the temple of On. He proposes to her father, and is accepted. His estate is finished, and becomes the site of the wedding. Everyone, including pharaoh, comes. Following their wedding, he continues his work of unifying Egypt's storage program.

His first son is born and Joseph names the boy, Manasseh.

Chapter 13: From Plenty to Famine

Four years of plenty pass. Asenath conceives again. Joseph spends much time with his firstborn, teaching him of his God and his heritage.

His second son is born. Joseph names him Ephraim.

The seven years of plenty end, and there is no rain. Famine scorches the land.

His brothers come into Egypt to get grain for their families, and Joseph has to analyze his heart.

Chapter 14: The Brothers in Egypt

Joseph, without letting on to his brothers who he is, has an audience with them. He questions them, then tests them by asking them to bring their brother, Benjamin, to Egypt.

They return to the land of Canaan to get Benjamin, and Joseph waits anxiously for their return..

The brothers return with Benjamin.

Chapter 15: The Brothers Return

Joseph tests his brothers once more. He is still concerned about the deception, but feels he must know how loyal they are to Benjamin.

Waiting is difficult for Joseph. He hopes his brothers will pass his test.

Chapter 16: "I Am Joseph"

Joseph makes himself known to his brothers. They celebrate.

Joseph introduces his brothers to his wife and children, then sends them back to the land of Canaan to pick up Jacob.

Chapter 17: Israel Comes to Egypt

The brothers return home. They have the duty of telling their father that his favorite son, whom he had given up for dead, lived. They also needed to tell him the truth how they sold Joseph into slavery so many years before.

Jacob and his entire family loaded onto the wagons and headed for Egypt.

Joseph met them there and greeted his father for the first time in over thirty years.

Chapter 18: People of the Covenant

Joseph and his father reestablish their relationship. The Children of Israel settle in the land of Goshen. Joseph introduces his family to Pharaoh.

Chapter 19: Man of Wisdom

The land of Egypt passes through its seven years of famine. The people are saved because of Joseph. With the famine over, the people rejoice. Joseph establishes a fair system of taxes in the nation, and argues against a welfare system that would make the people dependent.

Joseph's children continue to grow. He teaches them about life and success. One of the lessons he teaches is that adversity gives strength.

Chapter 20: Death of Jacob

Life continued on in Egypt. The children of Israel prospered in Goshen. Joseph continued to lead. Other children were born to him and Asenath.

Before Jacob dies, he gives a blessing to each of his sons, including blessings to Manasseh and Ephraim.

Fulfilling a promise he made to his father, after Jacob's death, Joseph takes his body back to the land of Canaan and buries his father in the cave where his wives, and his father and grandfather lie.

Chapter 21: Death of Joseph

Joseph, on his deathbed, blesses his children. He reminisces about his life, and teaches his children for the last time. Joseph dies.

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