Hi Doves,

My reading about Joseph being 17 when he was sold into slavery by his brothers
and becoming "dead' to his father Jacob, led me to further reading in Genesis.

Joseph was Jacob's eleventh son, it was after his birth that Jacob began to try
and part company with his father-in-law Laban and cut ties with him. See Genesis
Chapter 31.  In Genesis Chapter 32, Jacob must settle old scores with his
brother Esau as well.
Jacob sends gifts ahead of his wives and children to Esau. Before meeting Esau
face to face, Jacob must also wrestle with God.

Genesis 32:22-32
Wrestling with God
22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and
his ELEVEN (my emphasis) sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23He took
them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. 24Then Jacob was left
alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25Now when He saw
that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the
socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26And He said,
"Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"
27So He said to him, "What is your name?"
He said, "Jacob."
28And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;[2] for
you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."
29Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray."
And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.
30So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel:[3] "For I have seen God face to
face, and my life is preserved." 31Just as he crossed over Penuel[4] the sun
rose on him, and he limped on his hip. 32Therefore to this day the children of
Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He
touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank.

PK