This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Genesis 37, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Joseph. He lived with his family in a place called Canaan. Joseph had eleven brothers, but he was his father’s favorite because Joseph was born when Jacob was older. His father made him a special robe with many colors, and Joseph was very proud of it.
One day, Joseph had a dream that he told his brothers. He dreamt that he was like a sheaf of wheat and that his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his. This made his brothers very angry and jealous. Later, he had another dream where the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him, and he told his family about it. His father didn’t like that dream and scolded Joseph for it.
One day, Joseph’s brothers were taking care of the sheep far away from home, and their father asked Joseph to go and check on them. Joseph found them in a place called Dothan. But when they saw Joseph coming, they plotted to hurt him because they were so angry and jealous of him.
Joseph’s brother Reuben tried to stop them from hurting Joseph and told them to throw him in a pit instead. So, they took off Joseph’s special robe and threw him into the pit. Then they saw some traders passing by and decided to sell Joseph to them instead of hurting him.
Joseph was taken to a place called Egypt, where he was sold as a slave to a man named Potiphar. Joseph’s father thought he was dead because his brothers had taken his special robe, put blood on it, and told their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. His father was very sad and wouldn’t stop crying. Jacob missed his son, Joseph, very much. But, little did he know, Joseph was alive and well in Egypt.
Biblical Lessons
- Joseph was sold into slavery but God was still with him and had a plan for his life
- It’s not good to be jealous of others
- We should always trust that God has a plan for us, even when things seem bad
Related Stories
Joseph Brings His Family to Egypt
Joseph Interprets Two Prisoners’ Dreams
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