And no tribe of Joseph II
by Nancy Frey, Cotonou, Benin(“And no Tribe of Joseph”). In particular, I appreciated his emphasis on the theme of assimilation and separation in the Genesis narrative—a theme that will become key in the story of Israel as a nation in the pre-exilic and post-exilic historical books. This theme plays out alongside the theme of peoplehood and identity. That Joseph is a significant part of that story is clear not only from the number of chapters dedicated to his story in Genesis, but also by the fact that two tribes of Israel bear his name through his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. The latter is such a large tribe that later the northern kingdom will sometimes be referred to as Ephraim. Joseph, the oldest son of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, receives the father’s blessing as the eldest son and inherits a double portion. To say that no tribe of Israel bears Joseph’s name is to say that the children of Israel do not bear the names of Abraham and Isaac. This fact does not undermine Lederach’s analysis but emphasizes the seduction of the power and our tendency to glorify those who learn to wield it on our behalf.
Associated Issue: Evangelism - April 15, 2008
Associated Article: And no tribe of Joseph
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