The Reunion with His Brothers

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A long time ago, a very great famine spread across the land of Canaan. At Jacob's house, the food was running out. Jacob had twelve sons, and he loved them all very much.

So they wouldn't starve, Jacob asked his ten oldest sons, "Go to Egypt and buy food for us." They obeyed and set off on a long journey, leaving their youngest brother, Benjamin, at home.

In Egypt, the brothers went to the governor to ask for food. They bowed down before him with their faces to the ground, not knowing that this important man was Joseph, the brother they had sold many years ago.

Project in classBig-screen mode for Sunday school: large text, full screen and slide clicker support.Lesson kitA 45-minute plan, questions and a printable sheet for Sunday school.Where it happened: EgyptSee it on the Bible map and find other stories from the same place.

Story summary

During the famine, Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt to buy food and bowed before him without recognizing him. Joseph tested them and saw that they had changed. With tears, he told them who he was, forgave them, and explained that God had turned the evil into good to save many lives.

Where it is in the Bible: Genesis 42—45; 50:20

Lesson for kids

Forgiveness heals families, and God can turn the wrong done to us into good.

Questions to talk about as a family

After reading, use these questions to help your child remember and apply the story.

Why didn’t the brothers recognize Joseph?
What did Joseph do when he told them who he was?
Why is it hard to forgive? How does God help us?

The full story: The Reunion with His Brothers

Part 1

A long time ago, a very great famine spread across the land of Canaan. At Jacob's house, the food was running out. Jacob had twelve sons, and he loved them all very much.

So they wouldn't starve, Jacob asked his ten oldest sons, "Go to Egypt and buy food for us." They obeyed and set off on a long journey, leaving their youngest brother, Benjamin, at home.

Part 2

Joseph recognized his brothers right away, but they didn't recognize him. He wanted to know if their hearts had changed and if they were good now. So, he pretended not to know them and spoke harshly.

Joseph accused them of being spies. The brothers became very scared and said they were honest men. To test them, Joseph said that one of them would stay imprisoned in Egypt until they brought their youngest brother, Benjamin, to prove they were telling the truth.

Joseph: If you are honest men, bring your youngest brother here.

Part 3

The brothers returned home and told their father, Jacob, everything. Jacob was very sad and afraid of losing Benjamin too. He didn't want to let his youngest son go.

But the food ran out again, and the famine grew worse. Judah, one of the brothers, promised his father that he would protect Benjamin with his own life. With a heavy heart, Jacob finally agreed. The brothers returned to Egypt, taking Benjamin and many gifts.

Part 4

When Joseph saw Benjamin, his heart was filled with emotion. He prepared a great feast for all of them. Joseph performed one last test and saw that his brothers had truly changed. They cared for each other and protected Benjamin.

Joseph could no longer hold back. He asked all his Egyptian servants to leave the room. Alone with his brothers, he began to cry so loudly that everyone in the palace could hear.

Then he said, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" The brothers were paralyzed with fear. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.

Part 5

Seeing the fear in their eyes, Joseph called them closer. He told them not to be sad or angry with themselves for what they had done. He forgave them with all his heart.

Joseph explained that it was God's plan that brought him to Egypt. God used their wickedness to do something wonderful: to save the whole family and many other people from the famine. Joseph hugged and kissed them, showing his great love.

You planned evil against me, but God turned it into good, to save many lives. — Genesis 50:20