Benjamin has Joseph's Cup lesson is number 9 in the Life of Joseph series found in Genesis 44.
Joseph has been in Egypt for years. He has a family. He is
very powerful. He is the governor. He is second in charge only after Pharaoh.
Joseph was put in charge of saving grain during seven good years. Now, during
the famine, people from all over are coming to Egypt to buy grain. Pharaoh said
anyone that wants to buy grain has to see Joseph.
Joseph’s brothers have visited Egypt to buy grain. Benjamin
didn’t go the first time, but Joseph said not to come without him the next time
they came. Joseph kept Simeon as a prisoner until they returned. They didn’t
recognize Joseph. But, he knew who they were.
They returned to Egypt so all of Joseph’s brothers were now
in Egypt. They brought gifts to the governor. They also tried to return the
money that was found in their grain bags the last time they left. Simeon was taken
out of prison and Joseph had a meal with all of them.
Joseph told his steward to fill each person’s grain bag with
food and put their money inside at the top of each bag. But, Joseph wanted his
silver cup to be put at the top with the money of the youngest brother’s bag.
Early the next morning, the brothers left with their donkeys.
They were out of the city, but had not traveled very far when Joseph sent his
steward after them. Joseph said to follow them and when you catch up, ask them “Why
have they repaid evil for good? Is this the one that the governor drinks from? You
have done evil.”
When the steward caught up to them, he repeated what Joseph
said. They asked him “Why do you say these things? We would not do these
things! Remember, we brought back the money that we found in our bags from the
last trip. We wouldn’t steal from the governor’s house. If you find anything with
us, he should die and we will become your servants.”
They agreed and everyone quickly unloaded their grain bags
and opened them up. They began the search with the oldest brother and they
found the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. They were so upset, they tore their
clothes. Then they reloaded their bags onto their donkeys and returned to the
city.
Joseph was still at his house when they returned. They bowed
down (or “fell before him on the ground”). Joseph asked them what have they
done? Didn’t they know that he practiced prophecy?
Judah asked Joseph “What can we say? How can we clear
ourselves? God knows our sins and we are your servants.” But Joseph replied
that “Far be it that I should do that. Only the man that had the cup will be my
slave. As for the rest of you, return to your father in peace.”
Judah walked closer to Joseph and asked to speak to him. He asked
him not to be angry because “you are even like Pharaoh.” He explained that
Joseph had asked about their family and they told him about their father and
youngest brother. He said they tried to tell him that their father would die if
Benjamin left. But Joseph said they wouldn’t see him without Benjamin the next
time. We needed to buy food, so our father told us to return and take the
youngest with us.
Judah continued telling Joseph that if they returned to Canaan
without Benjamin, their father would die. He has already lost one son that had
the same mother.
Judah asked Joseph if he could stay as a servant to Joseph
and let Benjamin return to their father with his brothers. He told Joseph “How
can I return to my father without my youngest brother and watch my father die
because he’s not with us?”
We will continue this and find out how Joseph answered Judah's request in the next lesson.
We will continue this and find out how Joseph answered Judah's request in the next lesson.
This review pack has the question and answer worksheet, a maze in color and black & white, a Word Search puzzle and the thought worksheet asks the students to list Joseph's brothers and discuss what they know about each one. This can be used for several lessons and is in color and black & white.
Click here to download the pack.
These are Discussion Starter worksheets and the kids love them! This file includes a teacher's answer sheet. Click here to download.
Click here to see this sons of Jacob poster and more that would be
good for the final worksheet in this lesson.
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