Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt
Many years after Joseph became a powerful leader in Egypt, something terrible happened in the land where his family lived. There was a famine—a time when no food could grow. People everywhere were hungry, including Joseph’s father, Jacob, and his brothers.
But in Egypt, there was plenty of food because Joseph had wisely stored grain during the seven good years. So Jacob said to his sons, “Go to Egypt and buy some food so we can survive.”
The Journey to Egypt
Ten of Joseph’s brothers packed their bags and traveled to Egypt. Only their youngest brother, Benjamin, stayed home with Jacob because Jacob was afraid something might happen to him.
When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they were taken to see the man in charge of the grain. They didn’t know it was Joseph, their brother, whom they had sold into slavery many years ago!
The Brothers Bow Before Joseph
When Joseph’s brothers saw him, they bowed down low before him, just like Joseph had dreamed when he was younger. But they didn’t recognize him because he looked like an important Egyptian ruler.
Joseph recognized them right away, but he didn’t tell them who he was. Instead, he decided to test them.
Joseph’s Test
Joseph spoke sternly to his brothers. “Where are you from?” he asked.
“We have come from Canaan to buy food,” they replied.
Joseph said, “You are spies! You’ve come to see where our land is unprotected!”
“No, my lord!” they protested. “We are honest men! We are twelve brothers, but one is no longer with us, and the youngest is at home with our father.”
Joseph wanted to see if his brothers had changed, so he came up with a plan. He said, “If you are telling the truth, prove it. Leave one of your brothers here and bring your youngest brother to me. Then I’ll know you’re honest.”
Simeon Stays Behind
Joseph kept Simeon in Egypt while the others went back to Canaan with sacks of grain. Secretly, Joseph told his servants to put the money the brothers had paid for the grain back into their sacks.
When the brothers stopped to rest on their journey home, they discovered the money in their bags and were afraid. “What is God doing to us?” they wondered.
The Brothers Return Home
When the brothers got home, they told Jacob everything that had happened. Jacob was very upset.
“Why did you tell him about Benjamin?” Jacob asked.
The brothers explained, “The man said we must bring Benjamin, or we cannot buy more food.”
Jacob said, “Benjamin cannot go! If anything happens to him, I will be heartbroken.”
God’s Plan
Joseph’s brothers didn’t know it yet, but God was using this situation to bring their family back together. Joseph wanted to see if his brothers had changed and if they would treat Benjamin with love and care.
Lesson
This story shows us that even when things seem scary or confusing, God is working behind the scenes to make things right. Like Joseph, we can trust God’s plan and be kind and forgiving, even when others have hurt us.