The big ideaThe Bible tells us Joseph forgave his brothers, and God turned a hard story to good.
How it works
Joseph was far from home in Egypt, because his brothers had sold him. A lie about him sent him to prison, but the keeper trusted him.
Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat cows eaten by seven thin cows. Joseph said seven good years were coming, then seven hungry years, and told Egypt to store grain. Pharaoh made him governor.
In the hungry years his brothers came for grain and bowed low. Joseph knew them, but they did not know him.
When Judah offered to stay in Benjamin's place, Joseph told them who he was. He forgave them, and the Bible tells us God turned it to good.
Joseph's road.The two sets of years.
Example 1: Count the years
Seven good years came first.
Then seven hungry years came.
7 + 7 = 14
So the dream covered fourteen years in all.
Example 2: Tell the dream
Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat cows that came up to graze.
Then seven thin cows ate them.
He dreamed again, of seven full ears of grain swallowed by seven thin ones.
Joseph said God would give the king his answer: good years, then hungry years.
Example 3: A granary
A granary was a tall storehouse for keeping grain dry and safe.
Joseph told Egypt to store grain from every harvest.
When the rain stopped, Egypt's storehouses were full.
Example 4: What forgiving looks like
The brothers had sold Joseph, and he could have stayed angry.
Judah offered to stay in Benjamin's place, and Joseph could hold back no longer.
He forgave them, and hugged Benjamin and kissed each of his brothers. Forgiving means letting go of anger.
Words to know
granary
A storehouse for keeping grain safe.
forgive
To let go of anger at someone who hurt you.
governor
The leader Pharaoh made Joseph over all Egypt.
Watch out
A lie sent Joseph to prison. He had broken no rule.
The cupbearer forgot Joseph for two whole years.
Joseph did not keep Benjamin as his servant. He forgave his brothers, and the family was together again.
Try it
How many good years came before the hungry years?
What did Joseph tell Egypt to do with grain in the good years?
What was Joseph's silver cup found in?
What did Joseph do when he saw how his brothers had changed?
Answers: 1. Seven · 2. Store it · 3. Benjamin's bag · 4. He forgave them
Try at homeWith a grown-up, talk about a time someone was unkind to you, and what forgiving could look like.
For grown-upsAsk: what could forgiving look like at home? The story tells what Joseph did; it is fine to talk about a time someone was unkind to your child, without hurrying to a lesson.
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