Joseph Helped His Family Move
Genesis 46:5-7, 28-34; 47:1-12
Our story comes from the book, or part, of the Bible called Genesis. Genesis means "the beginning."
Our story tells about a man named Joseph. Joseph loved God.
For a long time, Joseph lived in Egypt, far away from his family. God had made him a leader in Egypt. Joseph had helped the people of Egypt to store food so they would have enough food to eat.
Even though Joseph's family lived far away in Dothan, in the land of Canaan, Joseph still cared for them.
One day, Joseph heard that his family didn't have enough food to eat. Joseph loved his family and wanted to help them. Joseph told the king of Egypt about his family. The king sent big carts to Canaan so Joseph's family could pack up their belongings and move to Egypt.
Clickety, clack. Clickety, clack. His father, Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and their families began to travel to Egypt. They brought their cows, sheep, and everything that they owned. Finally, they reached Egypt.
At last, Joseph heard that his family was close by. He jumped into his chariot and raced to meet Jacob and the rest of his family. Whiz, bumpety, bump. When Joseph reached his family, he gave Jacob a big, long hug! But Joseph's family still needed a place to live.
Joseph brought five of his brothers and his father Jacob to meet the king. They told the king that they took care of cows and sheep. When the king heard this, he said to Joseph, "Have your father and your brothers live in Goshen. That is the best part of the land. They can care for their cows and sheep there."
So, Joseph's family had the best land to live on, just as the king had told Joseph to give them. They also had enough food to eat. Joseph didn't have to worry about his family anymore.
God took care of Joseph's family. God takes care of our families too.
Bible Paraphrase: Trust in the LORD. (Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. – Psalm 37:3 NIV)
Text Truth: God takes care of our families.
Long before they were reunited, Joseph evidently forgave his brothers and released the pain of their betrayal. Because of this forgiveness, God reconciled Joseph with his family. God took care of Joseph's family.
Pray for your family and any conflicts that come to your mind. We see from the story of Joseph's family that God can heal relationships, bring reconciliation to family members, and reunite a family.
The Lord can do that for your family too. Trust in Him and believe that He will do so.
As you tuck your preschooler in bed, talk about the day you had. How did God care for your family throughout the day? Reassure your preschooler that God also takes care of your family at night too.
Make a photo book of the people in your extended family. Give each family member a page of his or her own. Include a picture, name, birth date, and other special facts. Don't forget to include family members that live far away.
Use English muffins, cream cheese, and cut-up veggies or dried fruit to make "portraits" of the people in your family. As you enjoy your snack, talk about the different ways God takes care of your family.
Reread the Bible story and help your child listen to hear what Joseph did for his father and brothers. (He asked the king to give them land to grow food so they would have enough to eat.) Then think of ways God has taken care of your child through grandparents who gave clothes or a sibling who passed down a toy.
Use the photo book made as a guide to pray for your family. Pick a different family member to pray for each day and thank God for caring for that person.
Our story comes from the book, or part, of the Bible called Genesis. Genesis means "the beginning."
Our story tells about a man named Joseph. Joseph loved God.
For a long time, Joseph lived in Egypt, far away from his family. God had made him a leader in Egypt. Joseph had helped the people of Egypt to store food so they would have enough food to eat.
Even though Joseph's family lived far away in Dothan, in the land of Canaan, Joseph still cared for them.
One day, Joseph heard that his family didn't have enough food to eat. Joseph loved his family and wanted to help them. Joseph told the king of Egypt about his family. The king sent big carts to Canaan so Joseph's family could pack up their belongings and move to Egypt.
Clickety, clack. Clickety, clack. His father, Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and their families began to travel to Egypt. They brought their cows, sheep, and everything that they owned. Finally, they reached Egypt.
At last, Joseph heard that his family was close by. He jumped into his chariot and raced to meet Jacob and the rest of his family. Whiz, bumpety, bump. When Joseph reached his family, he gave Jacob a big, long hug! But Joseph's family still needed a place to live.
Joseph brought five of his brothers and his father Jacob to meet the king. They told the king that they took care of cows and sheep. When the king heard this, he said to Joseph, "Have your father and your brothers live in Goshen. That is the best part of the land. They can care for their cows and sheep there."
So, Joseph's family had the best land to live on, just as the king had told Joseph to give them. They also had enough food to eat. Joseph didn't have to worry about his family anymore.
God took care of Joseph's family. God takes care of our families too.
Bible Paraphrase: Trust in the LORD. (Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. – Psalm 37:3 NIV)
Text Truth: God takes care of our families.
Family Devotional
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. — Genesis 45:1-2
Long before they were reunited, Joseph evidently forgave his brothers and released the pain of their betrayal. Because of this forgiveness, God reconciled Joseph with his family. God took care of Joseph's family.
Pray for your family and any conflicts that come to your mind. We see from the story of Joseph's family that God can heal relationships, bring reconciliation to family members, and reunite a family.
The Lord can do that for your family too. Trust in Him and believe that He will do so.
Activities You Can Do at Home
A Day Full of Care
As you tuck your preschooler in bed, talk about the day you had. How did God care for your family throughout the day? Reassure your preschooler that God also takes care of your family at night too.
A Photo Book of Caring
Make a photo book of the people in your extended family. Give each family member a page of his or her own. Include a picture, name, birth date, and other special facts. Don't forget to include family members that live far away.
Edible Portraits
Use English muffins, cream cheese, and cut-up veggies or dried fruit to make "portraits" of the people in your family. As you enjoy your snack, talk about the different ways God takes care of your family.
Ways God Takes Care of Us
Reread the Bible story and help your child listen to hear what Joseph did for his father and brothers. (He asked the king to give them land to grow food so they would have enough to eat.) Then think of ways God has taken care of your child through grandparents who gave clothes or a sibling who passed down a toy.
Pray for Those You Care About
Use the photo book made as a guide to pray for your family. Pick a different family member to pray for each day and thank God for caring for that person.
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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
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