The story of Joseph fills the last fourteen chapters of Genesis (chapters 37–50). It is one of the most dramatic and moving stories in the Bible, full of jealousy, betrayal, temptation, injustice, forgiveness and reunion. Above all, it shows how God works through painful events to accomplish his good purposes.
The favourite son (Genesis 37)
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, and the first son of Jacob's beloved wife Rachel. Jacob openly favoured him and gave him a special coat — often called a "coat of many colours". Joseph also had two dreams in which his family bowed down to him, and he told his brothers about them.
His brothers' jealousy turned to hatred. When Joseph came to check on them in the fields, they threw him into a pit and then sold him to traders travelling to Egypt for twenty pieces of silver. They dipped his coat in goat's blood and let their father believe he had been killed by a wild animal.
Faithful in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39)
In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. "And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man" (39:2, KJV). Potiphar put him in charge of his household.
But Potiphar's wife tried repeatedly to seduce him. Joseph refused: "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (39:9). When she grabbed him, he fled, leaving his garment behind. She falsely accused him, and Joseph was thrown into prison.
In prison (Genesis 40)
Even in prison, "the LORD was with Joseph" (39:21), and the jailer put him in charge of the other prisoners. He interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's butler and baker. As Joseph predicted, the butler was restored — but he forgot Joseph for two more years.
Ruler of Egypt (Genesis 41)
Then Pharaoh had two troubling dreams: seven fat cows eaten by seven thin cows, and seven good ears of grain swallowed by seven thin ones. The butler finally remembered Joseph. Joseph explained that the dreams meant seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, and he advised Pharaoh to store grain during the good years.
Pharaoh appointed Joseph, at about thirty years old, as ruler over all Egypt, second only to himself. Joseph wisely prepared the nation for the famine.
The brothers come to Egypt (Genesis 42–45)
When the famine struck, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. They bowed before the governor — not recognising him as Joseph — fulfilling his childhood dreams. Joseph tested them to see whether they had changed, especially in how they treated his younger brother Benjamin.
When Judah offered to become a slave in Benjamin's place, Joseph could no longer hold back. He wept loudly and revealed himself: "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt" (45:4). Then he said something remarkable:
"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." (Genesis 45:5, KJV)
The family reunited (Genesis 46–50)
Jacob and his whole family — about seventy people — moved to Egypt and settled in the land of Goshen. Jacob was reunited with the son he thought was dead.
After Jacob's death, the brothers feared Joseph would take revenge. Joseph reassured them with words that sum up the whole story:
"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20, KJV)
Lessons from Joseph's life
- God is present in suffering. Repeatedly we read, "the LORD was with Joseph", in slavery and in prison.
- God's providence: God works through human choices — even evil ones — to bring about good (compare Romans 8:28).
- Integrity matters, even when no one is watching and doing right brings suffering.
- Faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibility.
- Forgiveness is possible. Joseph forgave his brothers fully and cared for them.
- Favouritism hurts families. Jacob's favouritism helped cause the conflict.
Joseph and Jesus
Many Christians see parallels between Joseph and Jesus: both were loved by their father, rejected by their brothers, sold for silver, falsely accused, raised from humiliation to glory, and became the means of saving many lives. These echoes help us see the pattern of God bringing salvation through suffering.
For reflection
- Where do I need to trust that God is with me in a difficult situation?
- Is there someone I need to forgive, as Joseph did?
- How can I stay faithful when doing right is costly?
Continue with Exodus: rescue, law and God's presence, or go back to Abraham. Joseph's story is wonderful to share with children — see our Kids Bibles.