Jacob and Joseph

n Lesson 2, we learned Jacob mar-ried two wives, Leah and Rachel.

We also learned that God made greatpromises to Jacob for his descendants.

For these promises to come true,God blessed Jacob with many chil-dren. In fact, Jacob had twelve sons!

Their names were Reuben, Simeon,Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad,Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph andBenjamin. These twelve sons wouldbegin the twelve tribes of Israelthrough their children andgrandchildren.

Jacob leaves Laban

After fourteen years of serving Laban,Jacob wanted to move his family backto Canaan.

At first, Laban did not want Jacob togo. Laban received many blessingsfrom God during the years Jacobworked for him. But they finallyreached an agreement and parted ways.

Jacob took his family and caravanand headed to Canaan. As he got clos-er, Jacob began to worry. Remember,he had left to escape his brother’sanger so many years before.

He thought, “What if Esau stillwants to kill me?”

Jacob Wrestles God

As Jacob neared Canaan, he sent mes-sengers to announce his arrival: “TellEsau that I am returning to Canaanwith my family. But also tell him Iwould like to return home on friendlyterms with him.”

They relayed the message to Esauand quickly returned. “We deliveredthe message as you said, and Esau iscoming to meet you with 400 men!”

Jacob heard that and was scared. Hewondered why Esau would bring 400men just to greet him. So, he dividedhis family and herds into two groups.If Esau’s men attacked, at least half ofhis family could escape.

Jacob prayed fervently to God forhelp and deliverance. He knew thatGod would keep His promises to pro-tect him and his family.

Then, he instructed his servants totake his best animals—goats, sheep,cows and donkeys—as a gift to Esau.Perhaps a gift would calm any angerEsau still felt toward him.

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Jacob andJoseph

1 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON

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Then, Jacob toldhis family to go aheadof him. He campedalone that night topray again to God. Heknew he needed God’shelp to succeed withEsau.

That night, astranger suddenlyappeared. He grabbedJacob and began towrestle with him.They continued towrestle through thenight. When the mansaw that Jacob wouldnot give up, hetouched Jacob’s hip.This caused a sharppain in Jacob’s hip,but still he would not give in!

Jacob knew he was wrestling noordinary “stranger.” He was wrestlingthe Messenger of the Eternal, alsoknown as the Word who would laterbecome Jesus Christ.

Then the Messenger of the Eternalsaid, “The sun is rising. Let me go!”Jacob refused again. He replied, “Iwill not let You go unless You blessme!”

Turn to Genesis 32:27-29 to findout what happened:

“So He said to him, ‘What is your__________?’ He said, ‘__________.’

“And He said, ‘Your name shall nolonger be called Jacob, but______________; for you have

_______________ with _________and with men, and have____________________.’

“Then Jacob asked, saying, ‘Tell meYour name, I pray.’And He said, ‘Whyis it that you ask about My name?’AndHe ________________ him there.”

So, Jacob’s name was now Israel,which means “he struggles with God”and “prince with God.” Jacob refusedto give up no matter what. God gavehim a great blessing because of hisdetermination.

Jacob and Esau Meet

That morning, Jacob limped away tomeet his family. As he arrived, he saw

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Esau coming in the distance with his400 men.

Jacob bowed several times as hemet him. He hoped Esau would seehim as a friend and brother, not anenemy.

As Esau came near, he did not say aword. Instead, he ran up to Jacob andgave him a big hug and kiss! He wasso happy to see Jacob after so longthat he forgot all his past anger.

Jacob introduced his family andinsisted that Esau take the gifts heoffered. The brothers made peace witheach other, and Jacob con-tinued on his way.

Joseph Sold

Time passed and Israel’sfamily settled in the valleyof Hebron. Israel’s wife,Rachel, had died many yearsearlier during childbirth. Hemissed her very much, andtheir son Joseph had becomehis favorite.

Parents should alwayslove their children equally.But Israel favored Joseph,and his brothers resentedhim for it.

Even worse, Israel madea very special coat of manycolors just for Joseph. Thismade his brothers even morejealous.

One day, Joseph went outto meet his brothers. They

saw him coming and plotted to killhim!

Reuben, the oldest, heard the planand stopped them. He did not likeJoseph either, but he did not want to killhis brother.

“Throw him in this pit hereinstead,” he suggested. “That willteach him a lesson!” Reuben plannedto return later and help Josephescape.

His brothers agreed and threwJoseph into the pit and took his beauti-ful coat as well. Then they sat down to

eat dinner nearby. While they ate,some traders came by on their way toEgypt. Suddenly, they had a better ideanow that Reuben was gone.

“We should sell Joseph to thesetraders and make some money,” saidJudah. The brothers agreed.

Turn to Genesis 37:32-34 to seewhat they did next:

“So they took Joseph’s tunic ofmany ___________, and they broughtit to their ____________ and said, ‘Wehave found this. Do you know whetherit is your ___________ tunic or not?’

“And he ____________________ itand said, ‘It is my son’s tunic. A__________ _____________ has____________________ him. Withoutdoubt ____________________ is tornto pieces.’

“Then Jacob ___________ hisclothes, put __________________ onhis waist, and __________________for his son many days.”

Joseph’s brothers sinned badly byselling Joseph into slavery. Not onlydid they betray their own brother, butthey also lied to their father and brokehis heart.

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

The slave traders took Joseph and soldhim to a man named Potiphar.Potiphar was an Egyptian officer ofthe Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

As God did with Joseph’s fatherand grandfathers, He protected Josephand blessed him even as a slave.

Joseph found favor with Potipharfor working hard and being loyal.Potiphar put Joseph in charge of hishousehold and business affairs. Josephdid a good job, and God blessedPotiphar’s house.

As Joseph grew up, he became ahandsome young man. Potiphar’s wifenoticed his good looks and grew to likehim too much. She should only havehad those feelings for her husband.Instead, she gave in to her humannature and constantly pestered Josephto be intimate with her. He refusedover and over again because he knew itwas wrong. He did not want to commitsin by disobeying God’s law.

One day, Joseph was alone in thehouse with Potiphar’s wife. Shecaught Joseph by the arm and tried totempt him. Joseph immediately pulledaway and ran outside. As he did, hiscloak came off in her hands.

Potiphar’s wife was embarrassedand angry with Joseph, so she accusedhim of trying to hurt her. She lied tothe other servants about what hap-pened. “Joseph tried to be intimatewith me, but I screamed, and hedropped his cloak and ran away!”

Potiphar heard what happened andbecame angry. He believed his wife’slies and threw Joseph into prisonunjustly.

Joseph in Prison

Although Joseph was in prison, Godwas with him and showed him mercy.

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He inspired the prison keeper to putJoseph in charge of all the other pris-oners. Because Joseph obeyed God,the prison prospered.

During this same time, the Pharaohin Egypt became upset with his chiefbutler and chief baker. He put theminto the same prison with Joseph.

One night, they each had strangedreams that made them sad. Josephnoticed and asked, “Why do you eachlook so sad today?”

They replied, “We had dreams lastnight but do not know what theymean.”

Joseph knew that only God couldtruly explain dreams if they had spe-cial meanings. So, he encouraged thebutler and the baker to tell him theirdreams. God would reveal the mean-ing to Joseph if it was His will.

The chief butler went first. “I saw avine with three branches that broughtforth clusters of grapes. I took thegrapes, pressed them into Pharaoh’scup, and made wine. Then, I gave thecup to Pharaoh.”

God revealed the meaning toJoseph and he replied, “The brancheson the vine are three days. In threedays, Pharaoh will let you go fromprison. You will return to his house-hold and have your old job back.

“But remember me when you aregone. Please show your thankfulnessby speaking kindly of me to Pharaoh.Perhaps he will then free me.”

The baker was excited. MaybeJoseph could tell him that his dream

meant something good too. He toldJoseph, “In my dream, I had three bas-kets on my head. The top one had allkinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, butthe birds kept eating from it.”

Joseph replied, “Here is what yourdream means. The three baskets repre-sent three days. In three days, Pharaohwill release you from prison. Butinstead of returning to your old job, hewill hang you from a tree, and birdswill pick at your body.”

Three days later, the exact eventsthat God revealed to Joseph throughthe dreams took place. The chief but-ler returned to his job, and Pharaohhanged the chief baker.

But the chief butler selfishlythought only of his own happiness. Heforgot about Joseph and never men-tioned him to Pharaoh.

Pharaoh’s Strange Dreams

Two slow years passed while Josephremained in prison. He knew God waswith him and would work things out.But prison life was unpleasant and helonged for freedom.

One night, Pharaoh had two strangedreams. He awoke troubled becausehe did not understand their meaning.Pharaoh did not know or obey God, sohe called for all the magicians and for-tune-tellers in Egypt. Not a single onecould interpret the dreams! This wasbecause they did not rely on God toreveal the meaning. They tried to usetheir own reasoning, which was influ-

enced by Satan, the god of this world.It frustrated Pharaoh that no one

could interpret his dreams. Suddenly,the chief butler remembered Joseph!“Pharaoh, there was a young Hebrewman in prison that told the baker andme the meaning of our dreams whenwe were there. And the events came topass exactly as he said!”

Pharaoh immediately called to theprison and sent for Joseph. When hearrived, Pharaoh said, “I have had twodreams that I cannotunderstand. Can youtell me their mean-ing?”

Joseph replied, “Icannot interpret themmyself, but God willgive you an answerby revealing them tome.”

So, Pharaoh toldJoseph his dreams. “Inthe first, I stood by theriver. Suddenly, sevenwell-fed cows cameout and began to feedin the meadow. Then,seven ugly starvedcows followed them.The second set ofcows ate up the firstcows but stillappeared hungry.Then I woke up,” saidPharaoh.

He continued, “Inmy second dream, I

saw seven heads of grain grow plumpand healthy on one stalk. Then, seventhin heads grew up after them. And thethin heads devoured the good heads.”

“What do they mean?” askedPharaoh.

“Well,” Joseph replied. “Thedreams mean the same thing. God hasshown you the next 14 years.

“The first seven cows and headssignify seven years of fertile bless-ings from God. Egypt’s farms will

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produce much more than you need.But, the second seven cows andheads signify seven years of terriblehunger.”

When Pharaoh heard the interpreta-tion, he wondered what to do.

Joseph continued, “Pharaoh, Irespectfully urge you to do the follow-ing. Select a wise man and set himover Egypt. He can choose officers toset aside one-fifth of all the foodEgypt produces. Then, during theseven years of famine, there will beplenty for everyone.”

Pharaoh listened to the advice anddecided it made sense. Then he choseJoseph to look after the storage of thecrops. Because God was working withJoseph directly, there was no wiserman.

“Joseph, you will be second only tome in Egypt. Here is my ring, fineclothes and a gold chain to show yourposition and authority,” said Pharaoh.

During the following seven years,Egypt’s land produced plenty, just asGod had revealed.

Joseph made sure to set aside one-fifth of the crops in the storehouses.When the famine came, Egypt wouldbe prepared. Also during this time,Joseph had two sons, Ephraim andManasseh.

The seven years of plenty came toan end, and just as Pharaoh’s dreamsshowed, famine started.

People came from far and wide tobuy from Egypt’s storehouses.

Brothers Reunite

Back in Canaan, the famine hurtJacob and his family as well. Heinstructed his sons to go to Egypt tobuy grain.

All but Benjamin set out for Egypt.Jacob did not want to lose Benjaminas he had lost Joseph.

The brothers arrived in Egypt andlined up to buy food. As theyapproached the head of the line,Joseph recognized them. Happinessfilled him at seeing his brothers again!

But, to teach them a lesson, he didnot say who he was. Many years hadpassed, and now Joseph dressed as anEgyptian. His brothers did not recog-nize him.

“Where do you come from?”Joseph asked. They replied, “FromCanaan to buy food, sir.”

“I don’t believe you! You arespies!” exclaimed Joseph. The broth-ers were horrified! “No, sir, we areonly honest sons here to buy food.”

Joseph did not want revenge, but hedecided to test his brothers. He saidagain, “I think you are liars andspies!” With that, he instructed his ser-vants to put his brothers in jail.

Three days later, Joseph came tothem in the jail. He said, “Nine of youmay take the grain back to your fami-ly. But one must stay behind in prison.When the nine return with youryoungest brother, only then will I freeyour other brother.”

The brothers discussed theiroptions. “This is happening because ofwhat we did to Joseph,” they said.“Didn’t I tell you not to harm him?Now we must pay for what we did,”said Reuben.

Joseph overheard what they said.He still loved his brothers very much,despite what they had done. He turnedhis back as tears came to his eyes.

The nine brothers headed for homeand left Simeon in prison waiting.When they arrived home, theyexplained to their father what had hap-pened. Jacob was frightened to allowBenjamin to go back to Egypt.However, the grain eventually ran outand they had to return.

They set out for Egypt, promisingtheir father that they would protectBenjamin.

Joseph saw them arrive and orderedhis servant to take them to his home.He would prepare a great dinner forthem. He had Simeon released fromprison to join them. While they ate,the brothers wondered why Josephhad invited them.

The next morning, they left forhome. They had not gone far whenthey noticed chariots chasing them.The chariots surrounded them, andJoseph’s servant stepped out. “Whyhave you repaid my master’s generos-ity with offense? You stole his specialsilver cup,” he said.

Joseph’s brothers were shocked.They did not know that Joseph had putthe cup in Benjamin’s bag. He hadalso put the money they paid for thegrain back into each of their bags.Remember, Joseph was trying to teachthem a lesson.

They insisted that they had notstolen the cup. “Search our bags andyou will see,” they said.

So, the chief servant began to opentheir sacks. One by one, he openedthem and pulled out the hidden money.

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Then, he reached into Benjamin’s bag.Out came Joseph’s cup! The brotherswere confused. They did not knowhow the money and the cup had gotteninto their bags. But they knew the con-sequences. Benjamin would die, theywould become the servants ofPharaoh’s chief officer, and theirfather would be heartbroken.

They arrived at Joseph’s palace andbowed deeply before him. Judah said,“We do not know how the money orsilver cup appeared in our sacks. Butbecause we have sinned in the past, wewill be your slaves anyway.”

Joseph replied, “Only Benjaminneed be my slave. I will only punishthe one who stole my cup.”

“Please, no!” Judah cried. “If wereturn to our father without hisyoungest son, he may die from sad-ness. Take me instead to spare him!”

Joseph could not hold in his secretanymore. Tears fell from his eyes ashe saw the love his brothers had forhis father. “Brothers,” he said, “I amJoseph whom you sold into slavery somany years ago. Hurry, go to ourfather and tell him you have found me.Tell him you may bring your familiesto live in Goshen and have plenty dur-ing the famine.”

The brothers could not believe whatthey heard. They hugged and kissedJoseph and left to tell Jacob the won-derful news.

Ephraim and Manasseh Blessed

So, Jacob reunited with Joseph andmoved his entire household to Egypt.There, they prospered and had plentydespite the worsening famine.

Many years passed and Jacob grewolder. He called Joseph to him alongwith his two sons.

“Joseph, God Almighty blessed memany years ago. He promised to makemy descendants multiply and give usmuch land. Now, your two sons,Ephraim and Manasseh, are my sonsas you and your brothers are,” saidJacob.

Adding Ephraim andManasseh as Jacob’s sonswould allow them to be a partof the blessings that Godreserved for Jacob’s family.So, Joseph brought his sonsover to Jacob for his blessing.

Jacob placed his right handon Ephraim’s head to beginthe blessing. “Father, youhave put your right hand onthe wrong son. Manasseh isthe firstborn who shouldreceive the right hand bless-ing,” said Joseph. But Jacobrefused to switch his hands.

For he said, “Manassehwill become a great peopleand nation like no other inhistory. But his youngerbrother, Ephraim, will beeven greater. Ephraim’s

descendants will become a multitude ofnations.”

Shortly after, Jacob called all hissons to him. “Let me tell you what willhappen to your peoples in later times.”He proceeded to tell his sons of theirdescendants in the future as Godrevealed it to him.

When Jacob finished speaking, hedrew his last breath. Another great ser-vant of God died, but he left behindmany important lessons from which wecan learn.

In our next Lesson, we will look atthe life of yet another great servant ofGod—Moses.

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BIBLE MEMORY:

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K R A H C A S S I Y U D O AP D A B N P N A P H T A L ID Y I V H L J W E R T G P LX L J A H M I A R H P E H KV F D C Y K F U C G D S A SM U R X U O D H I O B V C IJ G T Z A B S R E U B E N MI N U L U B E Z E R T Y U EB V S M R H A N H I O L P OD O Y A T U K X J G E N T NH A I N G J M C E A T H G WL P N A F Y O K R I M P B DP E K S D T U S E L N I O VJ A H S S G I Z E B G V N ET K L E A B A A D P R E Q FN A S H E R S Q C K H L S B

JACOBISRAELREUBENSIMEONLEVIJUDAHDANNAPHTALIGADASHERISSACHARZEBULUNJOSEPHBENJAMINEPHRAIMMANASSEH

WORD SEARCHFind each word from the list below in the puzzle. The words may be found in any direction. Be sureto check off each word as you find it.

ReubenSimeonLeviJudahZebulun

IssacharDanGadAsherNaphtali

Joseph (Ephraim, Manasseh)Benjamin