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!

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

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Saturday, August 15, 2026

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