Bible tale: Part 3 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

 Part 3 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

Genesis 40-41

re-told by Debbie Dunn

Story highlights:

* Joseph said dream of chief cupbearer meant he’d resume serving Pharaoh

* Joseph said dream of chief baker meant he’d be hung in 3 days 

* Joseph made 2nd in command after explaining Pharaoh’s dreams

Bible role-play begins:

Narrator #1: While Joseph was in prison, he met two new prisoners: the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh.

 

Narrator #2: One night, each of them had a puzzling dream. They wondered, "What did my strange dream mean?"

 

Narrator #1: The next morning, Joseph saw their sad faces and asked what the source of their troubles was.

 

Narrator #2: They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them."

Narrator #1: Joseph said, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me about your dreams."

 

Narrator #2: The chief cupbearer went first. He said, "In my dream, there was a vine before me. The vine had three branches."

Narrator #1: "I saw each branch bud, then flower, then be covered with clusters of grapes. I squeezed those grapes into Pharaoh's cup and handed it to him to drink."

 

Narrator #2: Joseph said, "Behold! The 3 branches represent 3 days. In 3 days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from this place and restore your job to you."

Narrator #1: "As you again serve Pharaoh his cups of wine, please tell him of my kindness to you so that he can set me free as well."

Narrator #2: The chief baker said, "Oh! Please consider my dream and hopefully provide me with good news. In my dream, I had 3 cake baskets on my head."

Narrator #1: "In the uppermost basket, there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh. Before I could give it to him, birds came and ate all the food in the 3 baskets on my head."

 

Narrator #2: Joseph sighed and sadly said, "The 3 baskets stand for 3 days. In 3 days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off your body and hang you on a tree. Then, the birds will eat your flesh."

Narrator #1: On the 3rd day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he gave the chief cupbearer back his job and hanged the chief baker.

 

Narrator #2: Did the chief cupbearer keep his promise to Joseph? Nope! He forgot.

 

Narrator #1: Two years passed. Joseph was now 30 years old. At that time, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had a frightening dream.

 

Narrator #2: Pharaoh called for his magicians and wise men. But no one could reveal to him the true meaning of his dreams.

Narrator #1: The chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Pharaoh, I just recalled that there is a man in prison who can interpret dreams. His name is Joseph."

Narrator #2: Pharaoh ordered, "Bring Joseph to me!"

Narrator #1: Joseph shaved, cleaned up, and changed clothes. He then came to Pharaoh to hear about his dreams.

 

Narrator #2: Pharaoh said, "Joseph, in my first dream, I saw 7 plump cows come up out of the Nile River to eat grass."

Narrator #1: "Next, I saw 7 ugly, thin cows come up out of the river, and they ate the 7 plump cows. Even so, they were just as thin and ugly as before."

 

Narrator #2: "In my second dream, I saw 7 plump ears of corn growing on one stalk. Then, 7 thin and withered ears of corn appeared. They swallowed up the plump ears."

Narrator #1: Joseph said, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do."

 

Narrator #2: "The 7 good cows and the 7 good ears of corn represent 7 years of plenty where there will be plenty of food for everyone to eat."

Narrator #1: "The 7 thin cows and the 7 thin ears of corn represent 7 years of famine that will follow those 7 years of plenty."

 

Narrator #2: "Wise Pharaoh that you are, you should appoint someone trustworthy to be set over Egypt as an overseer."

Narrator #1: "This overseer should take up one-fifth of everybody's crop and store it up during the 7 years of plenty."

 

Narrator #2: "Then, when the 7 years of famine happen, Pharaoh will have plenty of food to use and share so that all the people will live and not die."

Narrator #1: Pleased, Pharaoh turned to Joseph and said, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so wise as you. You shall become my second-in-command and be that wise overseer to save us from what is to come."

 

Narrator #2: Pharaoh took the signet ring from his own hand and put it on Joseph's. He gave him fine clothes to wear and a gold chain on his neck.

Narrator #1: He commanded everyone to bow to Joseph and obey his every command. Only Pharaoh would be more powerful than him.

 

Narrator #2: So, Pharaoh gave 30-year-old Joseph a new name. Joseph was also married to the daughter of a priest.

Narrator #1: During the 7 years of plenty, Joseph took one-fifth of all the food produced and stored it away in safety.

 

Narrator #2: Joseph managed to gather up so much food that it was as much as the sand of the sea.

 

Narrator #1: Before the 7 years of famine began, Joseph and his wife had 2 sons: Manasseh [Muh-na-suh] and Ephraim [Eff-rum].

 

Narrator #2: Next week, you will hear about the amazing things that happened during the 7 years of famine. FYI:

 

Narrator #1: END OF SKIT. Let's give our volunteers a great big hand!

Are you a Bible enthusiast or do you lead a Youth Group or Family Bible Study? To get a FREE PDF download of this story, click on this link below:

Free PDF download of Part 3 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob).

Do you want more stories about Joseph & his 11 brothers? If so, visit the 12 sons of Jacob chapter from my EXPLORE BIBLE STORY dot org website.

Click here to get more stories about Joseph & his 11 brothers.

My ever-expanding Explore Bible Story dot org website includes Bible stories and Biblical Family Trees about

• Creation, Adam, & his Descendants
• Noah, the Ark, & the Flood
• Abraham & Sarah
• Isaac & Rebekah, Esau & Jacob
• Jacob & his 4 wives
• 12 sons of Jacob who became known as the 12 Tribes of Israel
• Moses who was from the line of Levi
• Joshua who became leader of Israelites after death of Moses
• 12 Judges of Israel including Deborah, Gideon, & Samson
• Kings of Israel including Saul, David, & Solomon
• 4 Major Prophets of Israel: Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
• 12 Minor Prophets of Israel
• More Prophets of Israel: Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, & Elisha
• Women from Old & New Testament
• Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Lord, Savior, & King of king
• 12 Disciples of Jesus
• Apostle Paul & other Significant Followers of Christ
• Triune God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
• The Free Gift of Salvation & The Sinner's Prayer
• About Website: Explore Bible Story.org
• About the author: Debbie Dunn

Bible tale: Part 2 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

 Part 2 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

Genesis 39

re-told by Debbie Dunn

Story highlights:

* Joseph served as a slave to Potiphar th captain of Pharaoh's guard.

* Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph of trying to sleep with her.

* Joseph was cast into Pharaoh's prison for many years.

Bible role-play begins:

Narrator #1: Do you recall the tragic news of what happened to Jacob's 11th son, Joseph?

 

Narrator #2: Joseph's ten older brothers sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt.

Narrator #1: Then, they went home and pretended that a wild animal must have torn him to pieces and eaten him.

 

Narrator #2: His father, Jacob, also known as Israel, refused to be comforted for the loss of his favorite son.

Narrator #1: So, who was Joseph sold to? Joseph was sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard, the Egyptian king.

 

Narrator #2: God was with Joseph every step of the way. Not only that, but God also caused everything that Joseph did for his Egyptian master, Potiphar, to be successful.

Narrator #1: When Potiphar saw that everything that Joseph did for him in the house, in the field, and with his money was so successful, he gave Joseph a special job.

 

Narrator #2: Potiphar made Joseph his overseer. An overseer is someone put in charge of Potiphar’s entire house and over all that he had.

Narrator #1: As the years passed, Potiphar became so confident that God would bless everything Joseph did; he had no concern for anything except what he would eat in his next meal.

Narrator #2: There was just one problem. Joseph was so handsome and fit that Potiphar's wife had a crush on Joseph.

Narrator #1: She kept trying to convince Joseph to sleep with her. Of course, Joseph refused.

 

Narrator #2: There was no way that Joseph would break God's law nor do anything that would cause his master, Potiphar, to be sad or hurt.

Narrator #1: Day after day, when Potiphar was not around, his evil wife would try again and again to convince Joseph to be with her. He always refused.

 

Narrator #2: But one day, Joseph went into the house to work when he thought everybody was either in the field or away from home.

Narrator #1: Unfortunately, Potiphar's evil wife was there. She was tired of Joseph always saying "NO" to her.

 

Narrator #2: She sneaked up, grabbed his robe, yanked it off of him, and demanded, "Lie with me."

Narrator #1: Joseph left his robe in her hands and fled away out of the house as fast as he could.

 

Narrator #2: Of course, his rejection deeply hurt her pride. So, she cried out to the men of her household and lied to them.

Narrator #1: She held up Joseph's robe and said, "That Hebrew slave, that Joseph, tried to sleep with me. When I cried for help, he left his robe and ran away."

 

Narrator #2: When Potiphar came home, his evil wife repeated her lie to him about Joseph trying to sleep with her.

Narrator #1: Sadly, Potiphar believed his wife and refused to believe Joseph, who truthfully denied it.

 

Narrator #2: Filled with anger, Potiphar threw Joseph into the prison where the king kept all his prisoners.

Narrator #1: Poor Joseph! His brothers betrayed him by selling him as a slave when he was 17.

 

Narrator #2: Now, his Egyptian master, whom he had faithfully worked for during ten or more years, refused to believe he was innocent.

Narrator #1: The Bible clues us in that he was in prison for at least two years.

 

Narrator #2: During those two or more years, God was with Joseph. He showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Narrator #1: As a result, the prison keeper put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners in that prison.

 

Narrator #2: Whatever was done in that prison, it was trustworthy Joseph who did it.

Narrator #1: The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because God was with him

Narrator #2: And whatever Joseph did, the Lord made it successful.

 

Narrator #1: Please tune in next week to find out the wonderful thing that happened to him when Joseph turned 30. 

Narrator #2: END OF SKIT. Let's give our

Are you a Bible enthusiast or do you lead a Youth Group or Family Bible Study? To get a FREE PDF download of this story, click on this link below:

Free PDF download of Part 2 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob).

Do you want more stories about Joseph & his 11 brothers? If so, visit the 12 sons of Jacob chapter from my EXPLORE BIBLE STORY dot org website.

Click here to get more stories about Joseph & his 11 brothers.

My ever-expanding Explore Bible Story dot org website includes Bible stories and Biblical Family Trees about

• Creation, Adam, & his Descendants
• Noah, the Ark, & the Flood
• Abraham & Sarah
• Isaac & Rebekah, Esau & Jacob
• Jacob & his 4 wives
• 12 sons of Jacob who became known as the 12 Tribes of Israel
• Moses who was from the line of Levi
• Joshua who became leader of Israelites after death of Moses
• 12 Judges of Israel including Deborah, Gideon, & Samson
• Kings of Israel including Saul, David, & Solomon
• 4 Major Prophets of Israel: Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
• 12 Minor Prophets of Israel
• More Prophets of Israel: Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, & Elisha
• Women from Old & New Testament
• Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Lord, Savior, & King of king
• 12 Disciples of Jesus
• Apostle Paul & other Significant Followers of Christ
• Triune God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
• The Free Gift of Salvation & The Sinner's Prayer
• About Website: Explore Bible Story.org
• About the author: Debbie Dunn

volunteers a great big hand!

Bible tale: Part 1 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

 Part 1 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

Genesis 37

re-told by Debbie Dunn

Story highlights:

* Joseph’s brothers hated Joseph’s dreams where they bowed to him

* Jacob showed his love for Joseph by giving him a multi-colored robe

* Joseph's older brothers threw him into a pit & sold him into slavery

Bible role-play begins:

Narrator #1: Have you ever felt jealous of a brother, sister, cousin, friend, or acquaintance? I know I have!

 

Narrator #2: What does the Holy Bible have to say about why it is not a good idea to entertain feelings of jealousy?

Narrator #1: Proverbs 14:30 states: "A peaceful mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones."

 

Narrator #2: The 10th commandment orders us not to covet. Covet means to be jealous or to envy. In Exodus, 20:17, this commandment states:

Narrator #1: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

 

Narrator #2: So, let's get back to our story about Jacob, his 4 wives, his 12 sons, and 1 daughter. Sadly, there was a lot of jealousy going on.

 

Narrator #1: Leah was jealous of her younger sister Rachel because their husband Jacob loved her the best.

 

Narrator #2: Rachel, who had to wait 14 years to give birth to Joseph, was jealous of Leah, who had 6 sons and 1 daughter.

Narrator #1: Jacob's sons probably felt it was okay to feel jealous of Joseph because their father, Jacob, treated Joseph so much better than them.

 

Narrator #2: The Bible states in Genesis 37, verse 3, "Now Israel, meaning Jacob, loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age."

Narrator #1: Jacob decided to show this love by ONLY giving 17-year-old Joseph a robe made of many different colors.

 

Narrator #2: "But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him." [Genesis 37:4]

Narrator #1: One morning, Joseph woke up recalling a very odd dream.

 

Narrator #2: Joseph said, "Brothers, hear this dream that I have dreamed. In my dream, we were binding sheaves of grain in the field."

Narrator #1: "Behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And believe it or not, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf."

 

Narrator #2: "His brothers said to him, "Are you trying to tell us that we are supposed to treat you like you are our king? There is no way we would do that!”

Narrator #1: "So they hated Joseph even more for his dreams and for his words." [Genesis 37:8]

 

Narrator #2: Soon after, Joseph had a second odd dream. "Father, brothers, behold, I have dreamed another dream."

Narrator #1: "In my dream, the sun, the moon, and 11 stars were bowing down to me."

 

Narrator #2: His father rebuked him and said to him, "Joseph, what is this dream you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”

Narrator #1: As a result, "his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind." [Genesis 37:11]

 

Narrator #2: Soon after, his brothers went about 50 miles away to Shechem to pasture their large flock of sheep and goats.

Narrator #1: After they had been gone for a while, Jacob told Joseph to go and see how his brothers and flocks were doing.

 

Narrator #2: When Joseph arrived in Shechem, he looked this way and that for his brothers. 

Narrator #1: A man told him, "Your brothers went to Dothan to continue pasturing the flock."

 

Narrator #2: Joseph traveled the 15 miles to reach them. His brothers saw him coming from afar and devised an evil plan to kill the dreamer.

Narrator #1: Changing their mind, they ganged up on him, tore off his robe of many colors, and threw him into a pit.

 

Narrator #2: Later, when they saw a caravan heading to Egypt to sell their goods, they sold Joseph to them as a slave for 20 shekels of silver.

Narrator #1: But how did they plan to cover up their crime? They thought and thought.

 

Narrator #2: They finally figured out they could kill a goat, dip the robe of many colors in the blood, and claim that a wild animal must have attacked and killed this person.

Narrator #1: When they got home, pretending to be sad and puzzled, they said, "Father, we have found this bloody robe. It looks like the robe you had made for Joseph. Could this be his robe?"

 

Narrator #2: Jacob cried out, "It is my son's robe. A fierce animal must have torn Joseph to pieces and eaten him!"

Narrator #1: His sons, their wives, and their sister tried their best to comfort their father.

 

Narrator #2: But for many weeks, Jacob wept and refused to be comforted.

Narrator #1: In the meantime, the Midianites had taken Joseph to Egypt and sold him as a slave to a man named Potiphar. He was the captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

 

Narrator #2: END OF SKIT. Let's give our volunteers a great big hand!

Are you a Bible enthusiast or do you lead a Youth Group or Family Bible Study? To get a FREE PDF download of this story, click on this link below:

Free PDF download of Part 1 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob).

Do you want more stories about Joseph & his 11 brothers? If so, visit the 12 sons of Jacob chapter from my EXPLORE BIBLE STORY dot org website.

Click here to get more stories about Joseph & his 11 brothers.

My ever-expanding Explore Bible Story dot org website includes Bible stories and Biblical Family Trees about

• Creation, Adam, & his Descendants
• Noah, the Ark, & the Flood
• Abraham & Sarah
• Isaac & Rebekah, Esau & Jacob
• Jacob & his 4 wives
• 12 sons of Jacob who became known as the 12 Tribes of Israel
• Moses who was from the line of Levi
• Joshua who became leader of Israelites after death of Moses
• 12 Judges of Israel including Deborah, Gideon, & Samson
• Kings of Israel including Saul, David, & Solomon
• 4 Major Prophets of Israel: Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
• 12 Minor Prophets of Israel
• More Prophets of Israel: Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, & Elisha
• Women from Old & New Testament
• Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Lord, Savior, & King of king
• 12 Disciples of Jesus
• Apostle Paul & other Significant Followers of Christ
• Triune God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
• The Free Gift of Salvation & The Sinner's Prayer
• About Website: Explore Bible Story.org
• About the author: Debbie Dunn