In Feast or Famine (IFOF) is the second book in The Egyptian Chronicles (my Amazon aff link) and picks up Joseph’s story where we left off in Potiphar’s Wife. Many of your favorite characters will reappear in IFOF, the dramatic conclusion of Joseph’s story, where you’ll meet his wife, Asenath, a new character to cheer for, cry with, and love.
Biblical Characters Returning:
Joseph Is Back & Bigger Than Life!
The model, Raz Degan, whose handsome features I wrote about as my “Joseph” in The Egyptian Chronicles series. (ATTRIBUTION: Stefano Salvati, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
We begin the tale with poor Joseph still in prison, but WOWZERS! Does he come alive as Egypt’s hunky vizier!
The Bible tells us he was sold by his brothers when he was seventeen (Gen. 37:2) and made vizier of Egypt at age thirty (Gen. 41:46). We also know he waited two years in prison after interpreting dreams for the baker and cupbearer before Pharaoh had the nightmares that set Joseph free (Gen. 41:1).
Subtract those two years from Joseph’s total thirteen, and ask yourself, “How were Joseph’s previous eleven years divided?” When did Potiphar’s favor change to that unjust imprisonment? No one knows. In The Egyptian Chronicles’ FICTION, Joseph serves in Potiphar’s household for approximately seven years and remains in prison for six.
Speaking of Potiphar…
The above photo: Joseph’s Arrival in Egypt, Potiphar’s Purchase (Owen Jones, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Lots of folks ask if the Bible ever says what happened to Potiphar after Joseph was released from prison.
The short answer is…no.
The Bible is God’s story. Potiphar was included for the part he played in blessing and refining Joseph, who would become one of the first covenant bearers to bless other nations. Remember that part of God’s promise to Abraham?
[God said to Abram,] “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2–3
Potiphar was an essential part of God’s story, showing how BOTH blessing and refining are necessary to mold an effective leader. Seventeen-year-old Joseph was unwise (and perhaps arrogant) to share his dreams about ruling over his brothers when he knew they already hated him. Thirty-nine-year-old Joseph, after Potiphar’s blessing and then his betrayal, used wisdom like a scalpel to test his brothers before showing them God’s grace and forgiveness.
Though Potiphar isn’t mentioned specifically in the later chapters of the Genesis account about Joseph, Potiphar’s lingering influence remains a part of Joseph’s shining character in In Feast or Famine. My heart ached for Potiphar in Book #1 of The Egyptian Chronicles (my Amazon aff link). I so wanted him to be a good man! He gets a chance to redeem himself in the sequel, and Ommi Pushpa is there to help…
Purely Fiction Characters Return
Three Cheers For Pushpa!
Okay…I gotta say: Pushpa is one of my all-time favorite characters. I LOVE this spunky li’l ol’ woman. The only thing bigger than her heart is her determination. She’s never had an opinion she didn’t share and never met a problem she wouldn’t try to fix.
And she does it all without much conversation about her faith. Did you notice that in Potiphar’s Wife (my Amazon aff link)? We’ll delve a little deeper into Pushpa’s spiritual journey in Bk #2 of The Egyptian Chronicles.
Queen Tani’s Rise to Power
For those who read Bk#1, you might remember the giant king, Pharaoh Khyan, and his wife, Queen Tani. Khyan is largely accepted as the third ruler of Egypt’s Hyksos Dynasty. The Hyksos are sometimes referred to as Amu, which some say means they were Amorites who migrated from Canaan to Egypt. Whether peaceably or by force, the Hyksos gained the highest positions of power, and Egypt was split into Two Lands.
Historically, Khyan was a strong ruler. Tani is also attested as a king’s wife and sister on several monuments. But whose wife? Whose sister? Because the research was somewhat conflicting during this Hyksos period, I felt the freedom to adapt dates and relationships.
Thankful I write fiction, I gave Tani a full-blooded Egyptian heritage–as well as her brother, Apophis. In the first chapter of In Feast or Famine (my Amazon aff link), Tani and Apophis play a key role in Joseph’s future.
Another Reader Favorite: Hami
I think my editor would have totally killed the contract if I hadn’t written Hami into the sequel. This witty, kind-hearted Medjay warrior remains a pillar of strength and composure in Joseph’s world even after our hero replaces Hami as Egypt’s vizier. Their long-time friendship deepens as Hami continues to provide his unique mix of humor and wisdom at crucial moments.
What About Ahira?
Listen, y’all–I agree that Joseph and Ahira were perfect for each other. And, yes, I KNOW Joseph promised to marry her as soon as he was released from prison. But the BIBLE SAYS Joseph married Asenath!
“Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:45
No one was more upset about this than my editor–believe me. She even dreaded reading the first draft because she knew Joseph would be forced to marry a pagan priest’s daughter.
And I dreaded writing it! I wanted Joseph and Ahira to be married also, but even fiction doesn’t always work out the way we’d like. Since I couldn’t bring myself to make her a concubine–nor imagine any scenario in which Joseph would allow it–Ahira remains in the book but doesn’t marry Joseph. If you’re wondering how it can ever be okay, please trust the One who rescued Joseph from so many impossible situations! I PROMISE that Elohim takes great care of both Joseph’s and Ahira’s hearts.
Want More Sneak Peeks & Behind the Scenes Info?
I’ve created a downloadable CHARACTER LIST from In Feast or Famine to give you a glimpse of other carry-over characters who appear in both books of The Egyptian Chronicles (my Amazon aff link) series.
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