I Am Joseph!

Judah had offered to remain in Egypt so Benjamin could return to their father. Hearing him, Joseph understood how much his brothers had changed.

Joseph could not hold back his tears any longer.

He asked every servant to leave the room. Then he wept so loudly that people outside could hear him.

“I am Joseph!” he told his brothers. “Is my father still alive?”

His brothers were too frightened and amazed to answer.

Joseph invited them to come closer.

“Do not be afraid,” he said gently. “You meant to harm me, but God used what happened to save many lives. God sent me here ahead of you so our family could live.”

Joseph did not choose revenge. He chose forgiveness.

Joseph embraced Benjamin, and both brothers cried. Then he embraced the rest of his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

When Pharaoh heard that Joseph's family had come, he was pleased.

“Bring your father and all your families to Egypt,” Pharaoh said. “The best of the land will be yours.”

Joseph gave his brothers wagons, food, clothing, and everything they needed for the journey.

When the brothers reached Canaan, they hurried to Jacob.

“Joseph is still alive!” they cried. “He is ruler over all Egypt!”

At first Jacob could not believe them. But when he heard Joseph's message and saw the wagons Joseph had sent, hope returned to his heart.

“My son Joseph is alive,” Jacob said through joyful tears. “I will go and see him before I die.”

Jacob gathered his whole family, and they began the journey to Egypt.

During the journey, God spoke to Jacob in the night.

“Do not be afraid to go to Egypt,” God told him. “I will be with you.”

At last, Joseph heard that his father was near.

He prepared his chariot and hurried to meet him.

Joseph stepped down from his chariot and ran toward him.

Joseph embraced him and wept for a long time. Jacob held the son he had believed was gone forever.

Joseph's family was together again. The years of sadness had not been forgotten, but God had brought hope, forgiveness, and new life from them.

Joseph had learned that forgiveness is stronger than anger, love is stronger than jealousy, and God can still be working even when his plan is difficult to see.