Once upon a time, there was a young man named Joseph. He had many brothers, but they did not always love him very much. They were jealous because Joseph’s father loved him a lot and gave him a special colorful coat. This made Joseph’s brothers feel sad and angry inside.
One day, Joseph’s brothers did something very wrong. They took Joseph far away and sold him to some men who were going to another country. Joseph was scared and lonely. But God was with Joseph, and He helped him be strong and brave.
Many years passed, and Joseph became a very important man in Egypt. He helped the king take care of food during a big, big famine. The famine was like a long, dry desert that made it hard for people to grow food. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food because they were very hungry.
When Joseph saw his brothers, he remembered how they had treated him. He could have been angry and mean. But Joseph loved God and wanted to forgive them. Forgiving means to say, “It’s okay, I am not angry anymore.”
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” His brothers were surprised and scared. They did not think Joseph would be kind to them. But Joseph smiled and said, “Don’t be afraid. God sent me here to help you.”
Joseph hugged his brothers. His heart was full of love and forgiveness. He told them, “You meant to hurt me, but God used it for good. He saved many people, even you and me!”
Joseph’s brothers felt happy and sorry at the same time. They learned that God’s love is bigger than any mistake. Joseph showed them how to forgive and love each other again.
The sun shone bright like a golden light, and Joseph’s family was together again. They laughed and cried happy tears. God’s love made their hearts warm like a cozy fire.
And so, Joseph and his brothers lived with joy and peace, knowing that God’s love can heal any hurt.
Questions to think about
- Why were Joseph’s brothers jealous of him?
- How did Joseph feel when he saw his brothers again?
- What does it mean to forgive someone?
- How did Joseph show God’s love to his brothers?
- Can you think of a time when you needed to forgive someone?
Message of the story
God’s love is very big and strong. He helps us forgive others and brings good from hard things.
Bible passage
You can read the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers in the Bible here:
Genesis 45:1-15 (WEB)
Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
He wept aloud, so the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were troubled in his presence.
Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
“Now, do not be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
“For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.
“God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
**“So now, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He
