Find Inspiration From Biblical FamiliesНамуна

From the prison to the palace

Pharaoh had two troubling dreams two years after the cupbearer was released from prison. The cupbearer finally remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh of his ability to interpret dreams.

Pharaoh sent Joseph to be brought from the dungeon in prison. Joseph interpreted the dreams with God’s help and recommended a plan to respond to God's revelation about the seasons of harvest and famine in Pharaoh’s dreams by appointing commissioners and someone to manage the harvest and save grain for the lean years.

Pharaoh appointed Joseph to oversee his palace and the plan he outlined for the years of harvest and drought. Joseph was promoted to second in command of the land in Egypt (Gen. 41:40) and was equipped with Pharaoh’s signet ring, robes of fine linen, a gold chain, and a chariot.

The famine predicted in Pharaoh’s dream came to pass, and none of the nations around Egypt had any food. But Egypt had plenty, and Joseph oversaw selling food to neighboring nations that had nothing to eat.

Joseph’s brothers and father were still living in Canaan, where the drought and famine were severe. Jacob sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy grain, but he didn’t allow Benjamin, the youngest, to go.

The brothers appeared before Joseph and bowed down in his presence. Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him. He pretended not to recognize them, spoke harshly to them, and accused them of being spies. They rejected that claim and said they only came to buy grain to eat.

Joseph insisted his brothers were spies and required nine brothers to return home with grain and bring Benjamin back while Simeon stayed in Egypt in prison.

After the brothers and Jacob had eaten all the grain they had brought home from Egypt, Jacob sent them back to Egypt to buy more food—this time with Benjamin in tow. When Joseph saw his brothers, he had servants slaughter an animal and prepare a meal for them to share together.

Following the meal, Joseph had his servants pack the mules of his brothers with as much grain as they could carry and a bag of silver in each bag. He then instructed them to place Joseph’s silver cup into Benjamin’s bag. On their journey home, the brothers realized what had happened when they were approached by Egyptian guards and taken back to Egypt.

Joseph was left alone with his brothers when he revealed himself. They were terrified at first, but Joseph encouraged them to go and get their father and return to Egypt, where he planned for them to live in Goshen.

Jacob, 130 years old, and his sons returned to Egypt to live in the land of Goshen. Almost two decades after Jacob arrived in Egypt, he took time to bless all of his sons. He died shortly after giving the blessing at the age of 147.

Questions for Reflection:

- How can parents create a family environment with no favorites among siblings?

- What are the best ways to teach children how to forgive?

- After forgiveness, what does it take to reconcile relationships in the family?