Figuring Resurrection

Jeffrey Pulse on the Joseph narrative

Jeffrey Pulse’s Figuring Resurrection is a close study of the Joseph narrative, with attention to the recurring motif of death and resurrection. It’s not perfect. Like many commentators, Pulse thinks Joseph is something of a tattletale, even though he admits Jacob is the one who assigns Joseph to observe and report (149). He blames Joseph for entering Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:11), even hinting that Joseph might be “falling prey to temptation” (91).

He argues that Joseph turns into an Egyptian (156-9), though he ends his life with a saving desire to be buried in the land of the Hebrews. Pulse doesn’t see how radically Egypt is changed by Joseph. After all, Pharaoh seeks a blessing from Jacob (Genesis 47:7-10), and we know that the lesser is blessed by the greater (Hebrews 7:7).

Despite these flaws, Pulse’s main thesis is right, and his assembly of evidence is superb. The Joseph narrative is, he says, replete with deaths-and-resurrections of various kinds: separation and reunion; three-day or three-stage separation and restoration; opening of barren wombs; being cast into pit, raised from pit; going down to Egypt and coming up to Canaan; slavery and freedom; imprisonment and release; famine and deliverance; exile and return; stripped and clothed (165). Further, “the ebb and flow of the dramatic story is an ongoing downward/upward movement. Joseph, the members of his family, and even the Egyptians are brought low only to be raised up time and time again” (164).

In addition to developing this theme, Pulse uncovers a host of intriguing details.