Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers

Joseph is reunited with his family (image from freebibleimages.org).

Central Truth: What is intended for evil, God can turn around for good.

Scriptures: Genesis 44-47

Before Joseph's brothers returned to Canaan, Joseph had his servant hide their money in their sacks and to  hide Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's sack. When the brothers had traveled a short distance, Joseph's men overtook them and accused them of stealing the silver cup. The brothers denied they had the cup, saying whoever has the cup should die and the rest of them enslaved. When the sacks were emptied and the cup found in Benjamin's sack, they returned to Joseph in Egypt.

When the brothers were brought to Joseph, Judah begged him not to take Benjamin, explaining how it would kill their father to lose another son. Joseph was so touched he could no longer refrain from revealing his identity. He sent his brothers back to Canaan to bring back their father and their families to Egypt because there was still five years left of the famine. 

Easter Celebration

"And he saith unto them, 'Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before yo into Galilee" Mark 16:6-7

Today we celebrate Resurrection Day at Tabernacle of Praise! We cut out Easter eggs with scriptures and placed them in an envelope. I found the template at biblestoryprintables.com. We read each of the scriptures aloud and talked about the Resurrection along with some snacks. 

Happy Easter and may God bless you! 

Joseph Meets His Brothers

Joseph meets his brothers (image from freebibleimages.org).

Central Truth: What was meant for evil, God will turn for good.

Scriptures: Genesis 42-43

Joseph had been put in charge of the storehouses in Egypt. When the famine struck, he opened the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians and to people from other countries. After two years of famine, Jacob sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy food so they would not die. When the brothers went before Joseph, they did not recognize him, but he recognized them. He accused them of being spies and locked them in prison for three days. They tell Joseph that they are the sons of one man who lives in Canaan. They tell him that their youngest brother, Benjamin, was left behind and another brother had died. In order to prove their story, Joseph told them to bring their younger brother to Egypt. To ensure their return, Joseph imprisons their brother, Simeon. When the brothers returned home, to their horror they discover that their money they had paid for the food had been placed in their sacks. They were greatly afraid. 

When their grain had run out, Jacob again sent his sons back to Egypt. He sent his youngest son, Benjamin, with them along with spices, nuts, honey, and double the money. Upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph commanded that a feast. The brothers tried to explain to the steward of Joseph's house about the money found in their sacks, but he was unconcerned and sat them down for a meal according to their birth. The men were amazed that Joseph knew their birth order and that Benjamin received five times as much food as the rest.

Joseph: the Incredible Dreamer was also used as a supplement to this week's lesson. It contains activities, puzzles, and coloring pages based on the Joseph story.

Pharaoh's Dream

Preparing for seven years of famine (image from freebibleimages.org).

Central Truth: God always prepares a way.

Scripture: Genesis 41

Two years after the Butler was released and restored to his position in Pharaoh's house, the pharaoh has two disturbing dreams. In the first dream, he dreamed of seven fat cows coming from the Nile River followed by seven lean cows that ate the seven fat cows but never gain weight. In the second dream, pharaoh dreamed of seven good ears of corn that grew and then seven thin ears of corn grew up that devoured the seven good ears of corn. The dreams disturbed the pharaoh and, even worse, his magicians and astrologers could not interpret his dream. 

The Butler remembered Joseph and how he had interpreted his dream while he was imprisoned. The pharaoh, desperate to know the meaning of his dreams, sent for Joseph who was then washed and shaved and brought before pharaoh. After pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams, Joseph then gives the pharaoh the interpretation of them. Joseph tells the pharaoh that the two dreams are one and the same. God has revealed to pharaoh that in the next seven years will be abundance and plenty that will be followed by a severe seven-year famine throughout the land. Joseph advised the pharaoh to find a wise man to gather food during the seven years of plenty to store away for the years of famine to come. Pharaoh then appointed Joseph as governor and set him in charge of gathering for the future famine. 

Pharaoh then gave Asenath, the daughter of the priest of On, to Joseph for a wife and changed his name to Zaphnathpaaneah. Joseph and Asenath have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

As a supplement to this lesson, I used an adult coloring page of Joseph standing before pharaoh interpreting his dream on Paint the World Super Coloring. This website has many awesome adult coloring pages that range in difficulty. 

The Butler and the Baker

The butler is restored to his position (freebibleimages.org).

Central Truth: Dream interpretations belong to God.

Scripture: Genesis 40

One day the pharaoh of Egypt became angry with his butler and his baker and threw them in prison. While they were in prison, Joseph was put in charge of them. One night, the butler and the baker each had a dream but did not know what the dream means. Joseph saw them looking sad and asked them why they looked so sad. The butler and the baker told Joseph that they each had a dream but there was no interpreter. Joseph tells them that interpretations belong to God and to tell him their dreams.

The butler tells Joseph that he dreamed of a vine with three branches that budded and blossomed and brought forth grapes. He had the pharaoh's cup in his hand and filled it with the grapes and gave it to the pharaoh. Joseph told the butler that in three days pharaoh will restore him to his position. Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he is restored because he was wrongly accused and put into prison.

The baker then tells Joseph his dream of three baskets on his head full of bread. Birds came down and ate all that was in the baskets. Joseph tells the baker that in three days the pharaoh will execute the baker.

Joseph's interpretation of each man came to pass. The butler was restored to his position and the baker was put to death, but the butler forgot his promise to Joseph and did not remember him.

Joseph: the Incredible Dreamer was also used as a supplement to this week's lesson. It contains activities, puzzles, and coloring pages based on the Joseph story.