Joseph's Big Surprise

Years had passed. Joseph had become the second most powerful person in Egypt! He stored food during the good years. When the bad years came and everyone was hungry, people came to Egypt to buy food—including Joseph's brothers!

They didn't recognize Joseph. He looked like an Egyptian leader now. But Joseph knew exactly who they were.

After testing them to see if they had changed, Joseph couldn't hold back anymore. He sent all the Egyptian servants away.

Then Joseph started crying—really, really loud!

'I am Joseph!' he said to his brothers. 'Is my father still alive?'

His brothers were TERRIFIED! The brother they had sold was now the most powerful man they'd ever met! Would he punish them?

But Joseph said something amazing. 'Don't be scared or angry at yourselves. Yes, you sold me—but GOD sent me here! He had a plan all along. God sent me to Egypt to save our family from starving!'

Joseph hugged his little brother Benjamin and cried happy tears. Then he hugged all his brothers and cried some more. They finally talked together like family.

'Go get Dad!' Joseph said. 'Bring the whole family to Egypt. I'll take care of everyone!'

When the brothers told Jacob, 'Joseph is ALIVE!' he couldn't believe it. But when he saw the wagons Joseph sent, he believed.

'My son is alive!' Jacob cried. 'I have to go see him!'

What the brothers meant for evil, God used for good. God can do that with our hard times too.