Joseph Sold into Slavery
Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, aroused jealousy among his brothers due to his dreams of authority and his distinctive coat. Enraged, his brothers initially planned to kill him but instead sold him to a caravan of Midianite traders heading to Egypt, where he was purchased as a slave. This pivotal event in Genesis 37 initiates Joseph's journey that leads to his rise as a ruler in Egypt, ultimately preserving the Israelite family line during famine and demonstrating God's sovereign providence in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs.
Meanwhile in the World
Egypt's Old Kingdom builds the pyramids (c. 2600-2100 BC). Mesopotamia is dominated by Akkad and then Ur III. The Indus Valley civilization flourishes. Stonehenge is being constructed in Britain. This is the era of the great ziggurats and the first law codes (Ur-Nammu).