Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors – Bible Story

Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the first son of Rachel. He was born in Padan-aram, a region where his grandfather Abraham had lived. Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons, which caused resentment among them. To show his love for Joseph, Jacob gave him a special coat of many colors. This made his brothers even more jealous, and they began to hate Joseph.

One day, Joseph had a dream in which he saw himself ruling over his brothers. When he told his brothers about the dream, they became even angrier with him. They plotted to kill him, but Reuben, one of Joseph’s brothers, convinced them to throw him into a pit instead. Later, they sold Joseph to some Ishmaelite traders who were traveling to Egypt.

In Egypt, Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Joseph worked hard and earned Potiphar’s trust, but Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attempted rape. Joseph was thrown into prison, where he met two other prisoners. One of them was Pharaoh’s butler, and the other was his baker. Both of them had dreams, and Joseph interpreted their dreams for them. He told the butler that he would be released and restored to his former position, and he told the baker that he would be executed.

Two years later, Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him. He dreamed that seven skinny cows ate seven fat cows, and he also dreamed that seven withered ears of grain swallowed up seven full ears of grain. Pharaoh’s wise men could not interpret the dream, but the butler remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him.

Joseph was brought before Pharaoh, and he interpreted the dream for him. He told Pharaoh that the dream was a warning that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to store up food during the years of plenty so that they would have enough to eat during the years of famine.

Pharaoh was impressed with Joseph’s wisdom and made him his chief advisor. Joseph oversaw the preparation for the coming famine, and during the years of plenty, he stored grain and food throughout Egypt. When the famine came, Joseph was able to provide food for the people of Egypt and surrounding regions.

Meanwhile, Joseph’s brothers were suffering from the famine in their own land and came to Egypt to buy food. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. Joseph tested their sincerity and loyalty by accusing them of being spies and demanding that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. Joseph’s brothers returned to Canaan and brought Benjamin to Egypt. Joseph forgave his brothers and invited his entire family to come and live in Egypt where they could be provided for during the famine.

Joseph’s story is one of forgiveness, faith, and perseverance. Despite the hardships he faced, he remained steadfast in his trust in God and ultimately became a great leader who saved his family and an entire nation from famine.