Story 10
Joseph Forgives His Brothers
Genesis 42–45
Many years later, Joseph had become an important leader in Egypt. When a great famine came to the land where his family lived, Jacob sent Joseph's brothers to Egypt to buy grain. They bowed down before Joseph, but they did not recognise him. Joseph tested them and told them to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin.
When the brothers came back with Benjamin, Joseph saw that Judah was willing to stay behind as a servant in Benjamin's place. Joseph could not hold back his tears any longer. 'I am Joseph, your brother!' he said. 'Don't be upset or blame yourselves. God sent me ahead of you to save lives.' He hugged his brothers, forgave them, and invited their father Jacob to come and live near him.
Children learn: God can bring good out of hard times, and he helps us forgive people who have hurt us.