FBkids: Lesson 16 - God Delivers Joseph

Bible Story – Lesson 16

Hello everyone! We are glad to be back again with you this week. We are praying that we will see you all in person very soon!

Today we are going to talk to you about Joseph one more time. We are going to tell you how God took a very bad situation in Joseph’s life and used it to bring great joy!

Have any of you ever done something wrong? Of course, we all have. Maybe you broke a rule and your mom or dad were mad. Did they stay mad forever, or did they forgive you? Forgiveness means you don’t hold someone’s sin against them. Your parents might not have been happy about you doing something wrong, but they eventually forgave you. That is what happened in Joseph’s family.

After Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, he eventually came to serve in the house of Potiphar. The Bible tells us three times in a row that the Lord was with him and made him prosper. Even Potiphar recognized the Lord’s presence in Joseph’s life, promoting him to a place of authority in his home.

Things were going well for Joseph, but God had even better things planned for him. God used another bad experience to get Joseph closer to an even bigger blessing. God used the evil of Potiphar’s wife to prepare Joseph for his eventual promotion. She accused Joseph of a serious crime, which he didn’t commit, and it resulted in him being thrown in jail.

Do you think Joseph ever doubted God during all these trials? It would be hard to be constantly attacked, especially when you are doing your best to be obedient to God. But the Bible says the Lord showed Joseph steadfast love, which is the special love and loyalty God shows based on His covenant. So even though things were looking rough for Joseph again, God was still with him.

For two years Joseph was in prison. Overall, he had either been a slave or a prisoner for thirteen years. Even though God shows kindness to His people, He often uses long periods of trouble and waiting to prepare the people He intends to use.

Though Joseph’s wait was long, God promoted him from a slave in prison to Egypt’s second in command. This promotion came when he was able to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream when no one else could. Joseph gave the credit for this to God. He was then able to help Egypt thrive and then survive during a great famine. This is what God used to reconcile Joseph’s family.

The famine lead Joseph’s family to Egypt. The bowed before Joseph, not recognizing who he was. He recognized them though. Joseph tested them. They eventually admitted to themselves that they had sinned against Joseph. They confessed and repented. That is something we must do when we accept God’s salvation too, just like we talk about with the ABC’s of becoming a Christian.

Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers. He forgave them and did not hold their sins against them. Just like God does with us!

Joseph’s family was finally reunited. The Pharaoh allowed them all to live together in Egypt. Joseph was finally able to be with his father Jacob. God had used man’s evil to accomplish His good plan, to save many people.

Just as God saved His people through the suffering of one man, Joseph, He provided salvation to us through Jesus Christ.

Jesus died for us and was exalted as King. He offers eternal life to all who believe in Him. That is definitely great news!