Joseph

Joseph was seventeen years old when his father, Jacob, sent him to check on his brothers and their flocks.

His brothers already hated him because Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons and had given him an ornate robe. They also reacted angrily when Joseph told them about two dreams in which members of his family bowed before him.

When the brothers saw Joseph approaching, they plotted to kill him. Reuben persuaded them to put Joseph into an empty cistern because he intended to rescue him later.

While Reuben was absent, Judah proposed selling Joseph rather than killing him. The brothers sold Joseph to travelling merchants for twenty shekels of silver, and he was taken to Egypt.

The brothers then used Joseph’s robe to deceive Jacob into believing that a wild animal had killed him.

Who Was Joseph?

Scripture does not present Joseph as a flawless person, but neither does it describe him as proud or blame him for his brothers’ actions.

Jacob’s favouritism damaged the family, and Joseph’s dreams increased his brothers’ anger. However, the brothers remained responsible for choosing hatred, violence, deception and human trafficking.

A person’s imperfect behaviour never makes abuse or exploitation deserved.

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar. The Lord was with Joseph, and Potiphar eventually placed him in charge of his household.

Potiphar’s wife repeatedly pressured Joseph to sleep with her. Joseph refused, explaining that it would be a wicked act and a sin against God. When she grabbed his cloak, Joseph left it behind and ran from the house.

Potiphar’s wife then falsely accused Joseph, and he was imprisoned. The Lord remained with Joseph, showed him kindness and gave him favour with the prison warden, who placed him in a position of responsibility.

Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, while clearly stating that interpretations belong to God. The cupbearer was restored to his position but forgot Joseph until Pharaoh dreamed two troubling dreams two years later.

When Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret his dreams, Joseph said that he could not do it himself but that God would give Pharaoh the answer.

Joseph explained that Egypt would experience seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. He then advised Pharaoh to appoint a discerning and wise leader, collect a fifth of the harvest during the abundant years and store food for the famine.

Pharaoh recognised Joseph as discerning and wise and placed him in authority over Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself.

During the famine, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians and to people from other countries. His work helped preserve many lives, including the lives of Jacob’s family.

When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for grain, Joseph recognised them, but they did not recognise him. Joseph questioned them, accused them of being spies, detained Simeon and required them to return with Benjamin.

During their later visit, Joseph arranged another test involving Benjamin and a silver cup. Judah then offered to remain in Egypt as a slave in Benjamin’s place because he could not bear to cause their father further grief.

Joseph wept and revealed his identity. He told his brothers not to remain overwhelmed by distress because God had worked through what happened to preserve lives.

After Jacob’s death, the brothers feared that Joseph would seek revenge. Joseph wept, refused to place himself in God’s position, reassured them and promised to provide for them and their children.

What This Joseph Bible Story Teaches Kids

Joseph’s story shows that God can remain present and accomplish good without calling the harmful actions themselves good.

Joseph’s brothers intended to harm him and remained responsible for their choices. God’s sovereign work did not transform betrayal, slavery or false accusation into morally good actions.

Scripture records Joseph acting faithfully in Potiphar’s household, prison and government. However, it does not describe every private emotion or tell us that Joseph never struggled, became bitter or questioned what was happening.

Joseph also did not forgive by denying the seriousness of the harm. He refused revenge, preserved his family’s lives and later comforted his brothers. Reconciliation developed alongside truth, changed behaviour and safeguards.

Children can learn perseverance and forgiveness from Joseph without being taught to tolerate mistreatment. Forgiveness does not require keeping abuse secret, immediately trusting someone again, removing appropriate consequences or returning to an unsafe relationship.

Joseph experienced a remarkable reversal within his particular story. Scripture does not promise every faithful person promotion, visible vindication or a clear explanation for suffering during this life.

Joseph’s completed Hero Mission explores perseverance: recognising a hard or unfair situation and choosing the next safe, honest step without pretending that the situation is acceptable.

Put the story into action – explore Joseph’s Perseverance, a completed Bible hero mission for kids inspired by this hero. To read Joseph’s story, explore Genesis 37-50 on Bible Gateway.