Joseph in Egypt
In Egypt, Joseph went from slave to prisoner to Pharaoh's helper. God helped him understand dreams and prepare for a famine. When his brothers came for food, Joseph forgave them.
You will learn to...
- Retell how God helped Joseph in Egypt.
- Explain how Joseph forgave his brothers.
- Understand that God can bring good out of hard things.
Words to know
- Famine
- A time when there isn't enough food.
- Forgive
- To choose not to hold a wrong against someone.
- Pharaoh
- The title of the king of Egypt.
Read the full lesson (for older kids and grown-ups)
In Egypt, Joseph worked for an official named Potiphar. Even when Joseph was treated unfairly and put in prison, the Bible says the Lord was with him.
In prison God helped Joseph explain dreams. Later Pharaoh had troubling dreams, and Joseph told him that seven years of plenty would be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of storing food.
When the famine came, Joseph's brothers travelled to Egypt to buy food. They didn't recognise him. Finally Joseph told them who he was. He forgave them and said that God had used everything for good, to save many lives.
Joseph had every reason to be angry, but he chose to forgive. Forgiveness means choosing not to pay someone back for hurting us. It doesn't mean what they did was okay. Joseph saw that God had been working all along.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.
Family conversation starters
- What's the difference between forgiving someone and saying what they did was okay?
- Can you think of a time something good came out of something hard?
Main people: Joseph, Jacob · Topics: Forgiveness, God's plan, Faithfulness · Review status: awaiting theological review