Moses grew up among the Egyptians and learned their wisdom. But in his heart he still loved his own people, the Israelites, who were now poor, hated slaves. Yet they served the Lord God, while the Egyptians worshiped idols and animals. Moses felt a call from God to help the Israelites. When Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, heard about his efforts to free them from slavery, he became angry. Moses fled to another country when Pharaoh tried to kill him. There he became a shepherd.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

During Joseph’s lifetime, the Egyptians treated the people of Israel kindly. Sometime after Joseph died, a king who cared nothing for Joseph or the Israelites began to rule Egypt. This king said, “Let us rule these Israelites more strictly and make them work hard for Egypt.” He was afraid the Israelites would become too numerous and powerful. He commanded that all the Israelite baby boys be killed.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

Joseph was made ruler over the land of Egypt, and did his work faithfully and thoroughly. Seven years of plenty soon slipped by, then began the years of famine. Even in the land of Canaan where Joseph’s family lived, food was scarce. His father Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt and sent Joseph’s ten brothers to get some.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

After many days, Joseph arrived in Egypt. How strange it must have seemed for him to see the great Nile River and the cities full of people. The merchants sold Joseph as a slave to Potiphar, an officer in the army of Pharaoh, who was ruler of Egypt. Joseph was a handsome boy, with a pleasant and willing spirit. His master, Potiphar, soon placed Joseph in charge of all his house.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

After Jacob came back to the land of Canaan, his youngest son Benjamin was born. Now Jacob had twelve sons. Of all Jacob’s children, Joseph was his favorite. He loved Joseph because he was Rachel’s child, and because he was the son of his old age. Joseph was also a good boy, faithful and thoughtful. Jacob made Joseph a special coat, a mark of his favor to Joseph. It made his older brothers very jealous.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

While Jacob stayed in Haran, he wanted Rachel, the daughter of Laban, for his wife. Jacob told Laban, “I will work for you seven years if you will give me Rachel.” Laban agreed. On the day of the wedding, the bride was brought to Jacob. As was the custom in that land, she was covered with a thick veil so her face could not be seen. They were married, but later when Jacob lifted the veil, he found that he had not married Rachel whom he loved. It was her older sister, Leah, whom he did not love at all!

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

After Esau discovered that he had lost his blessing, he was very angry. He said, “Soon my father will die, and then I will kill Jacob.” When Rebekah heard this, she said to Jacob, “Leave home and get out of Esau’s sight before it is too late. Perhaps when he no longer sees you, he will forget his anger.”

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

After Abraham died, God was very kind to Isaac and blessed him. However, Isaac’s wife Rebekah had no children for nineteen years. Isaac prayed earnestly for a child, and God answered his prayer. Twin boys, Esau and Jacob, were born to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau grew up to be a hunter. He was rough and covered with hair. Jacob was quiet and thoughtful. He stayed at home and took care of his father’s flocks. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, because he liked the deer meat that Esau brought him. But Rebekah loved Jacob more.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

The Lord came to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your children, and to their children, and it will be their land forever.” Abram built an altar and made an offering to the Lord and worshiped Him.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 3 minutes

Abram took his wife, Sara, and his tents, sheep, cattle, and servants, and left his home in Ur. His nephew Lot, who also had animals and tents, went with them. They crossed rivers and climbed hills until at last they came into the land of Canaan. This was the land God had told Abram about. They set up their tents and prepared to live there. Every morning, the herdsmen took the livestock out to pasture, but they soon ran into a problem. There was not enough land for all the animals. Abram and Lot would have to separate.

January 1, 2025 in  Bible Stories 3 minutes