From Prison to Palace
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.
At first Potiphar’s wife was very friendly to Joseph. But when Joseph would not do wrong to please her, she became his enemy. She falsely accused Joseph of doing a wicked deed. Potiphar believed her story and had Joseph cast into a dark prison.
Joseph had faith in God. In prison, he was cheerful, kind, and helpful. Soon, because of his faithfulness and honesty, the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners.
When Joseph was thirty years old, Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him greatly. One of his servants told him about Joseph.
Immediately Pharaoh called for Joseph and said, “I understand that you can interpret dreams.”
Joseph answered, “Of myself I am not able to do it, but God will give Pharaoh a good answer.”
Pharaoh said that in his dream seven nice, fat cows came up out of a river. Then seven thin cows ate up the seven fat cows, but they still looked thin, poor, and miserable.
Then Joseph said to the king, “Your dream means there will be seven very good years, followed by seven very poor years. The king should appoint someone to store much food in the seven good years.”
Right away the king appointed Joseph and made him the second most powerful ruler in Egypt. God had not forgotten His friend Joseph.
Genesis 39-41
Joseph brings glory to God by interpreting Pharaoh’s dream.
Parents:
Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. (Psalm 128:1)
Children:
1. Why did the people like Joseph?
2. Who told Joseph what Pharaoh’s dream meant?
3. How did the king reward Joseph?