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Joseph, Rachel's Son
A young boy with 11 brothers; favourite of his father; chosen of God.
Joseph, Rachel's son, lived a privileged life in Canaan until his jealous brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. There, the favourite son learned hardship and faced undeserved punishment.
Overcoming one trial after another, he finally faces the greatest test of all: power over his brothers. When they bow before him - as prophesied so many years before - will he take revenge, or show the forgiveness that comes from God?
Beloved son, envied brother, betrayed slave, hopeless prisoner, ruler of Egypt, but, above all, servant of God - this is Joseph's story.
Mark Morgan (Bible Tales Online - www.BibleTales.online)
Joseph, Rachel's son, lived a privileged life in Canaan until his jealous brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. There, the favourite son learned hardship and faced undeserved punishment.
Overcoming one trial after another, he finally faces the greatest test of all: power over his brothers. When they bow before him - as prophesied so many years before - will he take revenge, or show the forgiveness that comes from God?
Beloved son, envied brother, betrayed slave, hopeless prisoner, ruler of Egypt, but, above all, servant of God - this is Joseph's story.
Mark Morgan (Bible Tales Online - www.BibleTales.online)
246 pages, ebook
Published December 4, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 23, 2022
This was a wonderful fictional account of the story of Joseph. You always mull things like this in your mind. How could he forgive his brothers and the horrible time he spent in that pit. This gives you an idea of what might have happened around the basic story.
The flow was nice and smooth, really keeping your attention. This would be great for a new Christian who might not have a strong Biblical background.
I will watch for more by this author.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. If you watch my other reviews you will see I am not biased in this area.
The flow was nice and smooth, really keeping your attention. This would be great for a new Christian who might not have a strong Biblical background.
I will watch for more by this author.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. If you watch my other reviews you will see I am not biased in this area.
March 20, 2019
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Joseph, Rachel’s Son by Mark Morgan recounts the Biblical story of Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph is delivered to Egypt. It is here God uses him to save the sons of Israel.
Whether you’re a Christian or Jew, most people likely know the story of Joseph. I’ve read quite a few novels already based on his story, and of course seen the movies and musical. I was a bit disappointed when reading this version that there wasn’t much added to the story. Now, if the point of it was to make the Biblical story more readable, then Morgan surely achieved that. But I can’t truly say this was a told in a new or exciting way. It starts off quite slow, in fact focusing more on Jacob than Joseph. There were only a few times where the narrative was expanded upon.
I do see where Morgan may have preferred to not add to the Biblical narrative, but with a novel at times it is necessary to in the very least expand on what we know. Personal dialogue, for instance, is an easy way to do this.
With all that being said, I did like how Joseph’s faith was the main focus. He wasn’t just any ordinary person. In fact from a Christian point of view, Jesus doesn’t even come from Joseph’s lineage but from Levi his brother. Morgan makes the point, as does the Biblical narrative, that Joseph was put where he was to ensure the sons of Israel survived. It was his faith that helped him through his ordeal, and changed those around him. Some novels portray Joseph as an intelligent man who was given the interpretation of dreams, and while that in itself was quite a bit, it was ultimately his faith that allowed him such favour.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read. If you’re familiar with the story of Joseph this will not bring anything new to the table. But for those who are not as aware, this is a nice introduction to the story of Joseph, the power of faith, and the power of our God as El Shaddai, God Almighty.
Joseph, Rachel’s Son by Mark Morgan recounts the Biblical story of Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph is delivered to Egypt. It is here God uses him to save the sons of Israel.
Whether you’re a Christian or Jew, most people likely know the story of Joseph. I’ve read quite a few novels already based on his story, and of course seen the movies and musical. I was a bit disappointed when reading this version that there wasn’t much added to the story. Now, if the point of it was to make the Biblical story more readable, then Morgan surely achieved that. But I can’t truly say this was a told in a new or exciting way. It starts off quite slow, in fact focusing more on Jacob than Joseph. There were only a few times where the narrative was expanded upon.
I do see where Morgan may have preferred to not add to the Biblical narrative, but with a novel at times it is necessary to in the very least expand on what we know. Personal dialogue, for instance, is an easy way to do this.
With all that being said, I did like how Joseph’s faith was the main focus. He wasn’t just any ordinary person. In fact from a Christian point of view, Jesus doesn’t even come from Joseph’s lineage but from Levi his brother. Morgan makes the point, as does the Biblical narrative, that Joseph was put where he was to ensure the sons of Israel survived. It was his faith that helped him through his ordeal, and changed those around him. Some novels portray Joseph as an intelligent man who was given the interpretation of dreams, and while that in itself was quite a bit, it was ultimately his faith that allowed him such favour.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read. If you’re familiar with the story of Joseph this will not bring anything new to the table. But for those who are not as aware, this is a nice introduction to the story of Joseph, the power of faith, and the power of our God as El Shaddai, God Almighty.
December 23, 2018
Review of "Joseph, Rachel's son" by Mark Morgan
This 241 page book is a good example of filling out the Bible record of the life of a chosen person, in this case Joseph. The trick of this filling out process for people who believe the Bible is to use a sanctified imagination in a practical way while ensuring that nothing written conflicts with direct Bible wording. I believe that this book does this very well, and although I've read the Bible record of Joseph literally dozens of time in my long life, a few new ideas emerged. Before proceeding further with review let me tell you I am the author's father so probably read with a different view from more neutral people; nevertheless I have tried to be unbiased.
The story detail is greater for the earlier parts of Joseph's life then tapers off near the end. I found the earlier detail really interesting, but having had my appetite whetted by this was a bit sad there was not room in the book to give a little more cover of the closing stages of Joseph's life. The family tree is useful, as are the two maps, and make it easier to follow the story line.
If I'd been asked where to start a story of Joseph it would not have been with his father's escape from his grandfather's encampment in Haran. But it certainly made for an exciting start to the life of Joseph, and on reflection was "a very good place to start." The excitement builds as their large family caravan rushes away to build up a big gap between them and the pursuing grandfather so they will be on more neutral ground when the angry confrontation occurs. With that confrontation over, the next drama is their meeting with Uncle Esau, who some 20 years earlier had been ready to kill his twin brother Jacob. Time had healed the rage and their meeting was an amiable family reunion – so often this healing of time had to happened in this story.
So as not to give too much away of the really interesting life of Joseph through his teen years to adulthood I'll be brief. His famous dreams caused family division with his half brothers and even parents, and this sibling rivalry led to the dastardly selling of Joseph into Egypt as a slave, and his father's grief filled acceptance that Joseph was dead. In Egypt Joseph's career was torrid; at first his more and more successful work with Potiphar, then later his similar work in prison after his repudiation of the immoral advances of Potiphar's wife, and finally his meteoric rise to fame and fortune as Pharaoh's second in command after successfully interpreting Pharaoh's dreams about times of plenty then famine.
During the times of famine Joseph's family is finally reunited in Egypt after very difficult meetings, and the author paints a picture of changing sibling attitudes and the family's part in the fulfilment of the earlier promises to Joseph's great grandfather Abraham. All in all this book makes the Bible record of Joseph and his family spring to life – it is a good read.
This 241 page book is a good example of filling out the Bible record of the life of a chosen person, in this case Joseph. The trick of this filling out process for people who believe the Bible is to use a sanctified imagination in a practical way while ensuring that nothing written conflicts with direct Bible wording. I believe that this book does this very well, and although I've read the Bible record of Joseph literally dozens of time in my long life, a few new ideas emerged. Before proceeding further with review let me tell you I am the author's father so probably read with a different view from more neutral people; nevertheless I have tried to be unbiased.
The story detail is greater for the earlier parts of Joseph's life then tapers off near the end. I found the earlier detail really interesting, but having had my appetite whetted by this was a bit sad there was not room in the book to give a little more cover of the closing stages of Joseph's life. The family tree is useful, as are the two maps, and make it easier to follow the story line.
If I'd been asked where to start a story of Joseph it would not have been with his father's escape from his grandfather's encampment in Haran. But it certainly made for an exciting start to the life of Joseph, and on reflection was "a very good place to start." The excitement builds as their large family caravan rushes away to build up a big gap between them and the pursuing grandfather so they will be on more neutral ground when the angry confrontation occurs. With that confrontation over, the next drama is their meeting with Uncle Esau, who some 20 years earlier had been ready to kill his twin brother Jacob. Time had healed the rage and their meeting was an amiable family reunion – so often this healing of time had to happened in this story.
So as not to give too much away of the really interesting life of Joseph through his teen years to adulthood I'll be brief. His famous dreams caused family division with his half brothers and even parents, and this sibling rivalry led to the dastardly selling of Joseph into Egypt as a slave, and his father's grief filled acceptance that Joseph was dead. In Egypt Joseph's career was torrid; at first his more and more successful work with Potiphar, then later his similar work in prison after his repudiation of the immoral advances of Potiphar's wife, and finally his meteoric rise to fame and fortune as Pharaoh's second in command after successfully interpreting Pharaoh's dreams about times of plenty then famine.
During the times of famine Joseph's family is finally reunited in Egypt after very difficult meetings, and the author paints a picture of changing sibling attitudes and the family's part in the fulfilment of the earlier promises to Joseph's great grandfather Abraham. All in all this book makes the Bible record of Joseph and his family spring to life – it is a good read.
December 4, 2018
Regular Bible readers may be familiar with the story of Joseph, second-youngest of Jacob's eleven sons; others may only have heard of him in connection with a technicolour dream-coat; and still others may never have heard of him. Whichever category you fall into, this book presents Joseph, the boy and man, as you have never seen him before - not because it contradicts the Bible record or even adds to it excessively, but because it brings out the life behind the Bible record.
Once again, the author takes a story that may often be viewed as 'Sunday School stuff' and tells it so that the characters come to life as real people like us, living in a completely different society but still facing many of the same basic issues as us - and in a way we can learn from (for both good and bad). Really, the biggest problem with the book was that I wanted more (as with many good books), but it's still a thoroughly enjoyable, well-written book and suitable for a range of ages.
Read the Bible story hundreds of times? You'll still get something out of this - and will probably enjoy reading Genesis even more next time because the people will seem more real. A Christian but never read the Bible? Books like this can be a great way to become familiar with some of the Bible stories, and will hopefully inspire you to read the Bible itself next. Somewhere in between? Just read it - you won't regret it.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
Once again, the author takes a story that may often be viewed as 'Sunday School stuff' and tells it so that the characters come to life as real people like us, living in a completely different society but still facing many of the same basic issues as us - and in a way we can learn from (for both good and bad). Really, the biggest problem with the book was that I wanted more (as with many good books), but it's still a thoroughly enjoyable, well-written book and suitable for a range of ages.
Read the Bible story hundreds of times? You'll still get something out of this - and will probably enjoy reading Genesis even more next time because the people will seem more real. A Christian but never read the Bible? Books like this can be a great way to become familiar with some of the Bible stories, and will hopefully inspire you to read the Bible itself next. Somewhere in between? Just read it - you won't regret it.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
November 29, 2018
I thought I knew this Bible story really well! The author has tapped into the characters, their motivation, their fears, their hopes and their relationships with others. He has also put some events in order, which needed a lot of detailed research. This goes way deeper than Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat... A compelling read.
August 2, 2020
'Joseph, Rachel's Son' is a well-written book on the story of the Biblical character Joseph, from when his family fled from Laban to his death. It's a great book that everyone should read, which I found hard to put down. It combines easy readability with Biblical truth, as well as providing insights into various actions and motivations of different people.
What I liked about it was the way it portrayed Joseph as someone who was not infallible. Occasionally showing his thoughts was a good way to do this. Other things I liked about this book included the description of children, who were very authentically shown.
Perhaps the only thing I did not enjoy about it was the fact that it did not feel long enough. I would have liked to have more of it, especially the ending, which I felt was a little too brief and factual. Other than that, I don't think there was anything I did not enjoy about this book, which is unusual. All in all, 'Joseph, Rachel's Son', is definitely worth reading for adults and children alike.
What I liked about it was the way it portrayed Joseph as someone who was not infallible. Occasionally showing his thoughts was a good way to do this. Other things I liked about this book included the description of children, who were very authentically shown.
Perhaps the only thing I did not enjoy about it was the fact that it did not feel long enough. I would have liked to have more of it, especially the ending, which I felt was a little too brief and factual. Other than that, I don't think there was anything I did not enjoy about this book, which is unusual. All in all, 'Joseph, Rachel's Son', is definitely worth reading for adults and children alike.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews