SAC Entry: Joseph and the Caravan to Egypt
This is my entry for the 2nd Steemarket Art Contest. I decided to name this painting 'Joseph and the Caravan to Egypt' because if you are familiar with the story of Joseph and his 11 brothers in the Bible, you would know which scene I am referring to.
The idea for this painting was inspired by a Bible story I taught during my one-month stint as a Sunday School teacher last month. The Bible story we were exploring was the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis.
For those who are not familiar with this story it basically tells about Joseph who was the son of Jacob, one of the patriarchs of the Israelites. Joseph had a younger brother, Benjamin, and 10 half-brothers. However, Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. Joseph was greatly resented by his half-brothers due to Jacob's favoritism. So one day his brothers plotted to kill him but then changed their minds. They decided to sell Joseph to some Ismaelite merchants who were on their way to Egypt. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver.
The Bible never mentioned Joseph's reactions but we could imagine what it was like for him - anger, hopelessness, helplessness, fear, sadness. I imagined his loneliness as he traveled with the caravan across the Arabian desert. He must had been full of fear of the uncertainty of his future. He knew no one, and his life depended on the mercy of those who would own him (as a slave). So this journey to Egypt was my inspiration for this painting. If you look closely at the painting, you probably can guess which one is Joseph!
Details of the painting:-
Category: painting
Title: Joseph and the Caravan to Egypt
Size: 8.3 x 11.7" (A4)
Date: 7 August 2017
Technique: Watercolor and marker on paper
Two progress photos of this painting.
What do you think of this painting? Please leave your comments below. Thank you!
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This is really good @coloringship ! As for Joseph's reaction, we can find out how he was feeling all the way in the book of Genesis. Despite of his brother's betrayal, the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man. Everything he did the LORD blessed him.
And from there we could realise that if we keep hoarding on our past and be resentment to those who inflicted upon us, we would have still felt in the dumps and probably will dwindle in our darkening soul; but Joseph taught me one thing, set aside and focus on God, and keep going , and we will definitely see things through and be victorious! :)
upvoted
Exactly @littlenewthings . Yes Joseph trusted God and was greatly blessed. When we read the Bible it was after the fact. But I would love to know the deeper side of Joseph's struggles - the fear of the future, the uncertainty of his life, all these humbling emotions that he had to go through. He was literally 'set apart' from what he knew best - his dotting and coddling dad, the luxurious life of a favored son, the servants at his beck and call - all these were stripped away once he was sold for 20 pieces of silver. Imagine his reactions! The horror on his face, the paralyzing fear.
The journey with the caravan of merchants and camels was a refining fire for him. With the scorching desert heat at daytime and the crippling cold at night he had nowhere to turn to but to his inner self which he found wanting. He must had long for the comfort of what he had to leave behind. The anger at his brothers and at the same time had to face the reality of not seeing Benjamin and his father perhaps forever. These conflicting emotions he had to endure were the tongues of fire that refined him. That must be the time he finally realized he was a proudful brat - boasting about his dreams to his brothers, flaunting his robe in front of them probably with a smirk on his face. And of course tattled about his brothers to his dad.
Joseph repented perhaps on top of a camel.
Because the next thing we knew he "succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master". As a slave he was at the mercy of his master.
Though physically in bondage, he found solace in God and his reliance on God for all was what truly set him free. :)
Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts, @littlenewthings .I appreciate it lots!
It would make a nice card design :) Hope you win.
Thank you @deermarshall . I don't have high hopes judging from the previous contest but I am doing it for fun. The more the merrier :)
I do agree, that's my motivation for entering too.
Yup I highly encourage all minnow artists to participate in art contests. It's the easiest way to connect with the community, imo. Winning is just a bonus.
Beautiful.. but honestly, i have no clue, which one is joseph?
Thank you @rayfa ...the one at the middle. The man who was pulled behind a camel :)
Thank you, hope you win :)
I loved that story. In fact I acted in the play Joseph And His Coat Of Technic Colors in my school days. I played the part of Benjamin, the youngest son.
There are so many beautiful and convicting Bible stories. My personal favorite is the book of Job and David and Bathsheba :)
Wonderful written article
I followed you and upvoted and resteemed your post
Please, upvote my post:
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First off I just have to ask... Why the one month stint? What happened?
Very beautiful. I LOVE the contrast of the straight black on the soft watercolor.
Well done :)
Thank you @arbitrarykitten .
Our church is small and we only have 4 kids to teach. One month for one teacher. It's a rotation, so a teacher only teach once a year :)
Ok. I was thinking it was something more sinister than that lol! I volunteered to teach a youth group upon moving- unfamiliar church. I had to leave- it was a real live cult...
Upvoted. Good colours!
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@perennial/crytocurrency-newbies-identifying-the-gems-from-the-germs
Thank you @perennial :)