Joseph (son of Jacob)

Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was also called Israel. He lived many centuries before Jesus, during the time of the Hebrew family leaders Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph’s father loved him deeply and gave him a special robe, often called the coat of many colors. Joseph also had dreams suggesting that his family would one day bow before him. His older brothers became jealous and angry, but God had a surprising purpose for Joseph’s life.

Joseph’s story is found in Genesis 37 through 50. His brothers threw him into a pit and sold him to traveling merchants, who took him far from home to Egypt. There Joseph served an Egyptian official named Potiphar. Although Joseph acted faithfully, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him, and Joseph was put in prison. God helped Joseph understand the dreams of two prisoners. Later, Joseph explained Pharaoh’s troubling dreams. He warned that seven years of abundant harvests would be followed by seven years of terrible famine. Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of storing food for the difficult years. When famine reached Canaan, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain. They did not recognize him at first. After testing their hearts and seeing that they had changed, Joseph told them who he was. His brothers were frightened, but Joseph forgave them. He understood that God had used painful events to save many lives.

Joseph’s life teaches children that God can be at work even when life feels unfair or confusing. Joseph chose faithfulness in slavery, patience in prison, wisdom in leadership, and mercy when he had power over those who had hurt him. His example can help children tell the truth, keep doing what is right, and forgive others. After Joseph revealed himself, Jacob and the whole family moved to the region of Goshen in Egypt, where Pharaoh provided for them. Much later, when the Israelites left Egypt, Moses carried Joseph’s bones with them, as told in Exodus 13. They were finally buried at Shechem, according to Joshua 24.