Joseph brought five of his brothers before Pharaoh and also brought his father Jacob to meet Pharaoh; Jacob blessed Pharaoh. At Joseph’s request, Pharaoh gave Jacob’s family good land in the region of Rameses. As the famine grew severe, Joseph opened the storehouses in an orderly way. The people bought grain with money, livestock, and land. Later Joseph gave them seed and set an arrangement: one fifth would belong to Pharaoh and four parts would remain for the people, so they could keep farming. Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen years. Near the end of his life, he asked Joseph to swear that he would bury him back in Canaan, where his fathers were buried. After Joseph promised, Jacob worshiped God at the head of his bed.
Joseph carried the special mission and leadership responsibility God allowed him to have during the famine. He did not treat the grain as his own glory, but managed the storehouses in an orderly way, helped the people have grain and seed, and cared for his father’s household. Near the end of his life, Jacob still remembered God’s promise about Canaan and worshiped God at the head of his bed. This story reminds us that true leadership is not showing off power; it is being faithful, honest, orderly, and caring about others’ needs in appropriate responsibilities. For children, the application belongs in small responsibilities. When a problem is beyond their ability, they should seek help with family, teachers, or trusted adults.
Free stories are available on the web — featured and journey stories unlock in the FaithSow App
Free stories are available on the web — featured and journey stories unlock in the FaithSow App
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