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" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/missionbibleclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/12_joseph-saves-his-family.png?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/missionbibleclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/12_joseph-saves-his-family.png?fit=700%2C467&ssl=1" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-9902" src="https://i0.wp.com/missionbibleclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/12_joseph-saves-his-family.png?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" alt="12_Joseph Saves his Family" width="300" height="200" data-recalc-dims="1" data-lazy-src="https://i0.wp.com/missionbibleclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/12_joseph-saves-his-family.png?resize=300%2C200&is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"> Scripture Reference: Genesis 41:iii-47:12

Suggested Emphasis or Theme: We should not hold a grudge.

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Story Overview:

The 7-year famine in Arab republic of egypt was experienced throughout the region. When Joseph's brothers traveled to Egypt to obtain grain Joseph did not reveal his identity until he saw that were sorry for what they had done to him in the past. He revealed his identity and forgave them for what they had done. He and so invited his male parent, State of israel, to move the unabridged family to Arab republic of egypt. Pharaoh welcomed Joseph's family and gave them the land of Goshen to live in.

Background Study:

(Genesis 41:53-57) Arab republic of egypt and the surrounding regions suffered horrible famine.  Because Joseph had correctly interpreted God's warnings Egypt had properly prepared for the dearth by storing grain.

01_Ge_12_07_RG(Genesis 42:1-38) The names "Jacob" and "Israel" are used interchangeably in these Scriptures but both refer to Joseph's begetter.  State of israel sent all of his sons to Egypt to get grain.  Just as he used to do to his son, Joseph, Israel kept his youngest son, Benjamin domicile.

About twenty-two years had passed since the brothers sold Joseph to the slave traders. Joseph now spoke the Egyptian language, and dressed and looked much like other Egyptians. It isn't surprising that Joseph'southward brothers didn't recognize Joseph when they saw him.  On seeing him they bowed to him in what was really a fulfillment of the dreams Joseph used to tell them about (Genesis 37:5-ix).

Joseph used the fact that they did not recognise him to his reward and began to question them equally if they were spies.  He was able to find out that his father and younger brother were still live.  Joseph's brother, Simeon, was kept in Egypt while the other brothers returned abode with grain. He told them to come back with Benjamin or do not come up back at all.  Then Joseph organised that his servants would plant the argent that the brothers had paid for the grain to be planted in their bags.  When they discovered information technology on their journeying domicile the brothers knew they appeared guilty of theft.  On their return Israel was devastated that Simeon was also now lost to him.

(Genesis 43:i-44:34) Equally time went by the famine became worse. Israel knew that he would take to send his sons (including Benjamin) to Arab republic of egypt to become more grain. He sent them with extra gifts and more silver hoping to appease the human in accuse of the grain.

Joseph'southward behaviour had his brothers confused to say the to the lowest degree.  Ane moment he was angry and the next he was inviting them to his habitation for dinner.  All of this was Joseph's mode of finding out more information and testing to see if they had inverse from the manner they were when they sold him all those years ago.

Again Joseph had silver planted in their bags as they left Egypt.  His favourite silver cup was planted in Benjamin'south bag and this was after discovered.  Knowing Benjamin could be enslaved or killed for this Judah offers his own life in identify of Benjamin's.

(Genesis 45) Joseph saw in his brothers testify that God had worked in their hearts to bring repentance. He could no longer get on with the charade. He revealed himself with much weeping. When Joseph revealed who he was, his brothers must have been terrified. The i they had sold into slavery at present had the power of life and decease over them! Did Joseph hold a grudge? Would he pay them back? Human nature would have prodded Joseph to go even with his brothers. But his mental attitude was one of godly humility and understanding. In fulfilment of the dreams of his youth Joseph knew God was using him to relieve his family.  He said to his brothers:

"But God sent me ahead of y'all to preserve for you a remnant on globe and to save your lives by a great deliverance. And then and so, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He fabricated me father to Pharaoh, lord of his unabridged household and ruler of all Egypt." Genesis 45:vii-viii, NIV

(Genesis 46:1-47:12) Joseph's brothers returned to Canaan and told their begetter the news of finding Joseph. The whole family unit moved to Arab republic of egypt. At that time, including Joseph and his sons, Israel'due south family numbered lxx people.

Joseph knew that God had been at work to preserve His people. Instead of perishing in the famine, Jacob and his family were welcomed into Egypt. Joseph bundled a meeting with the Pharaoh. He told them that they could live in the nearby state of Goshen. During the famine, the Israelites lived in relative comfort in Egypt. Jacob lived there seventeen years, until his death at the age of 147 (Gen. 47:28). Joseph had repaid evil with good, and God was pleased.

A annotation about what will happen in the years following this story…Israel lived in Egypt for seventeen years before his decease.  In the terminal capacity of Genesis State of israel blesses his sons and claims Joseph's sons as his own.  This helps explain how Ephraim and Manasseh are later named among the tribes of Israel.  Afterwards State of israel's death his family connected to multiply and flourish.  Years afterwards, when the book of Exodus opens we volition observe the Israelites had increased greatly.  The Pharaoh of Exodus had made the Israelites slaves and, by the fourth dimension Moses is born, the story of Joseph saving Egypt volition have get a dim memory to many.

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Way to Introduce the Story:

"Has anyone ever been to a family unit reunion? That'due south when everyone in a family unit gets together to visit with each other. Sometimes you meet aunts and uncles and cousins that y'all haven't seen in a long fourth dimension. In today's lesson we are going to detect out how Joseph had a family reunion with his family unit that he had not seen in twenty-two years. Let's run into who Joseph'due south family unit is:" Draw a family tree from Abraham down to Joseph and his brothers. Make boxes and leave the squares blank and so that the children tin can fill up them in.
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The Story:

There was dearth in the state. A dearth is a time when no plants abound and people do not have enough food to eat.

At that time in that location was simply one place where there was plenty of food to consume. That identify was Egypt. Arab republic of egypt had enough nutrient because Joseph was in charge. He had correctly interpreted a dream for the Pharaoh and so he knew Egypt had to store grain in the years before the famine had come. Joseph told everyone to salvage some of the grain when there was actress. Then, when the famine came, Arab republic of egypt had enough food stored.

Joseph was very wealthy and had a family. He was 2d in command only to the Pharaoh. But it had not always been this manner for Joseph. Many years before he was living in Canaan with his father and brothers. His brothers had been then angry with him that they sold him as a slave. Joseph's father did not know Joseph had been sold as a slave. He idea Joseph was expressionless.

But now Joseph's brothers and father were in trouble. Considering of the famine they did not take enough food. Israel, Joseph'southward father, sent his ten oldest sons to Egypt to buy grain. Only his youngest son, Benjamin, stayed habitation with Israel.

The brothers did non recognize Joseph when they saw him merely he knew who they were. Since the Pharaoh had put Joseph in accuse of the grain, his brothers had to ask him for it. He was a very important human so they all bowed earlier him to enquire for the grain.  This brought back many memories for Joseph. Years agone, when he was just a boy, he used to tell them near dreams he was having. "In my dream we were all sheaves of grain. All of y'all bowed down to me."

"We are older than y'all!" they had replied, "Nosotros will never bow down to you!" That was and so but look at them now! All of his brothers were bowing down to him to ask for grain.
Joseph was glad to see his brothers but he wanted to know if they still hated him like they used to. He wanted to know if they were sad for what they had done to him.

Joseph did not tell them who he was. He told them that he would give them grain if they would bring Benjamin dorsum with them the next time. He said that Simeon would stay with him until they came back. He told them not to come back unless they brought Benjamin. The brothers took their bags of grain and went back home.

On the way domicile the brothers looked in their bags of grain and were shocked to find non only the grain just their silver as well! They were afraid. That silvery is what they had paid the Egyptians for the grain. What if the Egyptians thought they had stolen the silver? (They did not know that Joseph had put the money in the bags to test them).

Every bit time went by the grain was all used up and Israel and his family became hungry again. Israel did not want the brothers to take his youngest son, Benjamin, to Egypt merely he knew that if Benjamin didn't get, and so the official in charge of the grain would non requite them any. Benjamin said proficient-bye to his male parent and went with his brothers.

Joseph was so happy to run across his brother Benjamin! Simply he still did not tell the brothers who he was. They nevertheless thought he was only an important Egyptian. They had no idea this was their brother, Joseph. The brothers tried to requite the money dorsum from final time but Joseph's servants would non take it. The brothers were very confused.

Joseph held a large feast for all of his brothers and gave Benjamin five times every bit much food equally everyone else. Joseph and Benjamin had the aforementioned mother so Joseph felt special feelings for him. He wanted to bear witness beloved to Benjamin only he was not yet ready to tell his brothers who he really was. He had to make sure they understood that what they had done to him was wrong.

This fourth dimension when the brothers left to go back habitation Joseph tested them again. Joseph secretly told his workers to put all of their payment money into the bags of grain that they were taking home to Israel. He also told them to put his own expensive silvery cup in Benjamin's purse. And then Joseph sent his brothers on their way home.

Joseph waited a petty while and so he sent his officials after his brothers. When the officials plant the money and loving cup they brought all of the brothers back to Joseph. Joseph told them that it looked as if Benjamin stole his cup. Benjamin would have to stay and be a slave in Egypt.

Joseph's blood brother, Judah, begged him non to proceed Benjamin. "It will make my father and so sad! First my father's favourite son, Joseph, was taken abroad from him. Now he will die if we tell him that his son, Benjamin, is gone."

When he heard almost his father and how lamentable his brothers were for hurting him Joseph broke downwards. He saw that they actually loved their begetter. Joseph said, "Don't you empathize . . . I am Joseph!"

What a shock! Joseph'southward brothers were so happy to see their brother once again. They were very lamentable that they had been then hateful to him before. Joseph forgave his brothers. Even though they had been mean to him when he was younger he would not stay angry with them. He would not agree a grudge.

Joseph invited all of his brothers to come alive in Egypt where there was plenty of food. And so the brothers went back to Canaan and told their begetter, State of israel, the good news. Joseph is notwithstanding live!

Israel and all of his family moved to Egypt to exist with Joseph. There were seventy people in Israel's family. Even the Pharaoh was happy for Joseph. He met Joseph's father and agreed that he and his family should live in the land of Goshen in Arab republic of egypt.

Joseph forgave his brothers and always took care of his family unit. Even though there was a famine Joseph'south father and brothers were all safe in Egypt.

If someone did something bad to you would you continue beingness made at them and hold a grudge? Or would you forgive them?

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Ways to Tell the Story:

This story can exist told using a diversity of methods.  Always remain true to the facts constitute in the Bible just help children connect to its meaning by using drama, visual aids, voice inflection, pupil interaction and/or emotion.
Click here for visual aids and story-telling methods.


Click here to download the slideshow or click here to download the pictures to print.
Each teacher is unique so only use the illustrations that best relate to the mode YOU are telling the story in THIS lesson. Too many illustrations tin be confusing so eliminate any that cover other stories or details you do not wish to emphasise in this lesson.
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Review Questions:

  1. Why did Joseph'due south brothers come up to Egypt? To buy grain during the famine.
  2. Who did Joseph say that his brothers must bring back adjacent time they came for grain? Benjamin
  3. In whose sack of grain did the officials find Joseph's missing argent cup? Benjamin'due south
  4. Did Joseph forgive his brothers for what they did to him? Aye
  5. Why did Israel and his unabridged family unit movement to Egypt? So they would have plenty of food during the famine.

Song Suggestions:

  • I've Got Peace Similar a River Song
  • Sons of Jacob Song
  • Refer to the Vocal Page on this website for more options.

Learning Activities and Crafts:

(How to choose the best learning activities for my educational activity situation)

Activities:

  • Continue to review and learn the names of Jacob's 12 sons.
  • Read and discuss Romans 12:17-19
  • Review the story using newspaper doll figures.
  • Await upwards Egypt and Palestine (Cana) on a map and measure how far Joseph'due south family had to travel.
  • Sing songs about love and forgiveness out of the church building song volume.
  • Read about Egyptian dress and brand-upwards and dress up one or more of the children.
  • Utilize a manus puppet and tell the story from unlike points of view (Joseph, Israel, Benjamin, Simeon, Judah)
  • Pick one scene in the story and act it out (discovering the silver loving cup, Joseph revealing himself, etc.)

Check the Teaching Ideas page on this website for ideas that are adaptable to any lesson.

Link to full list of printablesClick hither for "Joseph Saves His Family" printables to impress (A4 paper)
Click here for "Joseph Saves His Family unit" printables to print (Alphabetic character size-United states of america)

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Other Online Resources:

  • Joseph Tests His Brothers worksheets (Calvary Curriculum)
  • Joseph Reveals Himself to Hid Brothers worksheets (Calvary Curriculum)
  • Jacob Moves to Arab republic of egypt worksheets (Calvary Curriculum)

Notation: Also run into the Joseph Sold By His Brothers Story and the Joseph in Egypt Story on this site. Some of these resources relate to this lesson.


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