For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Joseph takes care of his family and all of Egypt through the famine — and old Jacob gets to meet the most powerful king in the world.
Today's Story
Joseph brought his father Jacob to meet Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Even though Jacob was just a humble old shepherd and Pharaoh was a mighty king, Jacob — full of years and full of God — blessed Pharaoh! The old man prayed God's goodness over the king.
Pharaoh gave Joseph's family the best part of the land, a place called Goshen, where there was good grass for their flocks. The whole family settled there safely, with plenty of food, while the rest of the world was hungry.
All through the long famine, Joseph wisely managed the food he had stored up in the good years, sharing it carefully so that the people of Egypt wouldn't starve. Because of Joseph's wisdom, countless lives were saved.
Jacob lived seventeen more peaceful years in Egypt, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, near his beloved Joseph. After all the running and struggling and waiting of his long life, Jacob finally had rest.
God had taken a scared young man, a tricky schemer, a grieving father — and brought him, at the very end, to peace. God is faithful all the way to the end of the story.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- Old Jacob, a humble shepherd, blessed the mighty Pharaoh. You don't have to be powerful to bless others. Who could you bless with kind words?
- God gave Jacob peaceful years at the end, after a hard life. How does it help to know God can bring rest after hard times?
- Joseph's wise planning saved many lives during the famine. How can planning ahead and being wise help other people?