Part 7 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

Genesis 43-44

re-told by Debbie Dunn

Story highlights:

* Brothers dined with Egypt’s Governor never guessing he was Joseph

* Brothers head back home to Canaan with bags full of grain

* Steward pursues brothers to retrieve governor’s stolen silver cup

Bible role-play begins:

Narrator #1: Joseph's 9 older brothers made their 2nd trip to Egypt to purchase grain so that their family would live and not die of starvation.

Narrator #2: This time, they had their youngest brother Benjamin with them.

Narrator #1: They also brought double the amount of silver coins to again try to pay for the grain they had purchased the last time they came to Egypt.

Narrator #2: They were badly frightened when the governor's steward took them to his house. They wondered, "Was he going to arrest us or attack us or kill us?”

Narrator #1: Quickly, they explained to the steward about finding their silver coins in the bags of grain they had brought home to Canaan.

Narrator #2: They begged, "Please understand that we brought double the amount of silver coins to pay for that grain as well as the grain we wish to purchase today."

Narrator #1: Very kindly, Joseph's steward said, "It's all right. Don't be afraid." He pretended that he had actually received their silver coins, so that this silver must have been a gift from their God.

Narrator #2: Calming down, they followed the steward into Joseph's house. They gratefully received the water to wash their feet. They were also happy to be given food for their donkeys.

Narrator #1: Best of all, the steward brought Simeon out to them, whom they had been forced to leave behind the first time they came to Egypt.

Narrator #2: His other brothers were so happy to see that he was safe and well. That was such a relief!

Narrator #1: The brothers prepared the gifts their father Jacob, also known as Israel, had sent. They also cleaned themselves up as they heard they would be eating a noonday meal with Egypt's 2nd in command.

Narrator #2: When Joseph came home, they presented their gifts to the governor and then bowed themselves down to the ground.

Narrator #1: Using an interpreter, Joseph asked, "How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?"

Narrator #2: The brothers replied, "Yes, your servant, our father, is still alive and well." Again, they bowed themselves down to the ground.

Narrator #1: As Joseph looked about, he spotted his young brother Benjamin, his own mother's 2nd son.

Narrator #2: Joseph asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?"

Narrator #1: They nodded. Joseph said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Narrator #2: Deeply moved at the sight of his blood brother, Joseph hurried out of the room so they would not see him crying.

Narrator #1: After Joseph had washed his face, he returned. Controlling his emotions, he told his steward, "Serve the food."

Narrator #2: The brothers were seated at one table. Joseph and the other Egyptians in the room sat at another table.

Narrator #1: They were seated separately as no Egyptian would willingly eat at the same table with Hebrews, later to be called Jews. In other words, they were prejudiced.

Narrator #2: The brothers were astonished that the steward correctly seated them in the order of their birth, from the oldest to the youngest. How could he know?

Narrator #1: When the steward served them food, they all noticed that he gave Benjamin five times the amount they received.

Narrator #2: There was still plenty for them all to eat. All the people feasted and drank freely with the governor of Egypt.

Narrator #1: After the meal, Joseph whispered to his steward, "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry. Also, put their silver coins into the mouth of each sack."

Narrator #2: Joseph also instructed him, "Place my own special cup, the silver one, into the mouth of the youngest brother's sack, along with his silver coins and grain."

Narrator #1: The steward obeyed. Then he led the brothers to a room where they could spend the night.

Narrator #2: When dawn arrived, the steward sent the 11 brothers on their way back to their father in Canaan.

Narrator #1: They had not gone far when Joseph sent the steward to chase them down to ask why they had stolen Joseph's special silver cup.

Narrator #2: When he got there, the steward demanded, "Why have you repaid good with evil? One of you wicked men has stolen the governor's special silver cup!"

Narrator #1: The brothers protested, "We would never have done anything so wicked! Search our bags. If you find it, that brother shall die, and the rest of us will become that governor's slaves."

Narrator #2: The steward nodded his head. Beginning with the oldest brother, he searched each man's sack of grain.

Narrator #1: What strange adventures will happen to them next when he finds the silver cup in the youngest brother's sack? You will find out next week.

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