Genesis 41 for Kids

After his brothers sold him, Joseph ended up in Egypt. Life was hard, and some of it was very unfair. But through all of it, God was with Joseph — and people noticed that God gave Joseph wisdom, especially to understand dreams.

One night, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had two strange dreams. First, seven fat, healthy cows came up from the river — and seven skinny, bony cows ate them all up! Then, seven plump heads of grain were swallowed by seven thin, dried-up ones. Pharaoh woke up worried, and nobody in all of Egypt could tell him what the dreams meant.

Then someone remembered Joseph. They rushed him out of prison, cleaned him up, and brought him to the palace.

“I hear you can explain dreams,” Pharaoh said. Joseph answered, “I can't do it. But God will give Pharaoh the answer.”

God showed Joseph the meaning. “Both dreams mean the same thing. Seven good years are coming, with plenty of food. But then seven hard years will follow, when nothing grows. So, wise king, store up food during the good years — and Egypt will have plenty to eat during the hard ones.”

Pharaoh was amazed. “Is there anyone wiser than this? God is with him!” So he put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt — second only to the king himself. The boy from the pit was now a ruler. And God had a reason: Joseph would save many, many lives.