Last week we learned about Joseph.  We continue the story this week as we learn about his
brothers' trip to Egypt.  The children will learn that it is possible to forgive even when someone
has done something that has hurt them very much. 
 

 * Joseph became a ruler in Egypt.  Pharaoh was the only person in the land who had
    more power.  Joseph was given a wife and they had two sons.

 * There were good crops for 7 years and Joseph had the people to store the grain.  Then it quit
     raining and no crops would grow.  The famine was all over the earth, and Egypt was the only
     country with food.

 * Jacob sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy grain for food.  The brothers bowed down before
    Joseph.  He knew who they were, but they didn't recognize him.  He gave them food, kept
    one of the brothers in prison, and told them that when they came again, they would have to
    bring their youngest brother.  (Benjamin was Joseph's own brother.)

 *  Jacob was afraid to send Benjamin, but Benjamin went with the brothers when they returned
     to Egypt to buy grain a second time.  This time Joseph told them who he really was.  They
     were afraid because of the way they had treated him, but Joseph was forgiving.  He told
     them to go and get their father and move him and their families to Egypt because the famine
     would not be over for a long time.

 *  Jacob was so happy when they told him about Joseph.  Jacob and all the family moved to
     Egypt and he was able to see his son again.

 *  The famine lasted for 7 years.  The Egyptians spent all their money for grain.  Then they
     traded their livestock for food, and finally their land.  They all became servants to Pharaoh,
     but Joseph's family lived in the land of Goshen and had plenty of food.

    The story of Joseph and his brothers can be found in the book of Genesis chapters 42,
    43, 44, 45, 46, and 47
 

                                                                     Ephesians 4:32