Joseph in Egypt for Kids

Ishmaelite traders carried Joseph far from his home and sold him in Egypt. Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, bought Joseph and brought him into his household.

Joseph was a slave, but God was with him. Potiphar saw that Joseph worked faithfully and that the Lord made his work succeed. So Potiphar placed Joseph in charge of his whole house. From then on, God blessed everything Potiphar owned. Potiphar trusted Joseph with nearly everything.

But trouble came. Potiphar’s wife tried to persuade Joseph to do wrong. Joseph refused. He wanted to be faithful to his master and to God. One day, she grabbed Joseph’s garment, but he left it behind and ran away. Then she told a lie about him. Potiphar believed the accusation and sent Joseph to the king’s prison.

Even there, God had not left Joseph. The prison warden noticed that Joseph was trustworthy. Before long, he placed Joseph in charge of the other prisoners.

Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker were also put in the prison. One night, each man had a troubling dream. Joseph said that interpretations belong to God, and he listened to their dreams.

The cupbearer had dreamed about a vine with three branches. Joseph explained that in three days, the cupbearer would return to his place beside Pharaoh. The baker had dreamed about three baskets of bread, with birds eating from the top basket. Joseph explained that in three days, the baker would be put to death.

Everything happened just as Joseph had said. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him, but the cupbearer forgot. Joseph remained in prison for two more years.

Then Pharaoh had troubling dreams. He saw seven fat, healthy cows come out of the Nile. After them came seven thin, gaunt cows, which swallowed the healthy ones. Pharaoh also dreamed of seven full ears of grain. Then seven thin ears, scorched by the east wind, swallowed them.

No one could explain the dreams. At last, the cupbearer remembered Joseph. Joseph was quickly brought from the dungeon. He shaved, changed his clothes, and stood before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh told Joseph that he had heard Joseph could interpret dreams. Joseph answered, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

God showed Joseph what the dreams meant. Egypt would have seven years of great plenty, followed by seven years of terrible famine. The famine would be so severe that the years of plenty would be forgotten. Joseph advised Pharaoh to choose a wise man to gather and store grain during the good years.

Pharaoh knew Joseph’s wisdom had come from God. He took off his signet ring and placed it on Joseph’s hand. Then he set Joseph over all Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself.

Joseph rode in Pharaoh’s second chariot. During the seven plentiful years, he gathered enormous amounts of grain and stored it in the cities. When the famine began, Joseph opened the storehouses. People from Egypt and many other lands came to buy grain. Through every long and difficult season, God had been preparing Joseph to help save many lives.