Four lessons from the life of Joseph

I spent last week at a holiday camp for children aged 8-12 years. During this time the children learnt about four lessons from the life of Joseph, who lived about 3,700 years ago (~1680 BC). They also learnt some verses from the Bible (see Appendix).

God keeps His promises

God promised Abraham that his descendants would form a great nation, who would occupy the land of Canaan and who would be a blessing to the people of the world (Gen. 12:2-3). His grandson Jacob had 12 sons, which was the beginning of the nation of Israel. There was conflict within Jacob’s family because the children had four different mothers. One of these children was Joseph, who saved the family and was a blessing to the people near Egypt. So, Joseph was an example of God keeping part of His promise to Abraham.

And the Bible says that Christians are spiritual children of Abraham (Eph. 3:6-9). It also says that whatever God says in the Bible will be fulfilled – it will come true (Ezek. 12:28). So, Joseph reminds us that God always keeps His promises.

God is in control

Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob and when He was young, Joseph dreamed that he would rule over his family, and they would bow down to him. This made his 11 brothers jealous of him. They wanted to kill Joseph, but Reuben and Judah convinced them to sell him as a slave to some Midianites who were travelling to Egypt. Now Joseph was in a situation that was out of his control. But this didn’t stop God’s plan. The Bible says that God is always with His people whatever the situation. Jesus said, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt. 28:20NIV). So, Joseph reminds us that God is always in control – the brothers wanted to hurt Joseph, but God protected him.

God helps His people

Joseph was a stranger in the foreign land of Egypt. But God gave him success – he was put in charge of Potiphar’s household. But when Potiphar’s wife made a false accusation about Joseph, he was put in prison. Then he was put in charge of the other prisoners. In all these situations, “the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did” (Gen. 39:23). So, Joseph reminds us that God always helps His people.

God’s plan is revealed

A 7-year famine caused Jacob’s brothers to visit Egypt for food. By this time Joseph was second in command of the nation and the brothers bowed down to him. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and he forgave them for selling him into slavery. And he invited his family to move to Egypt. So, Joseph saved his family from the deadly famine. After Jacob died the brothers were afraid that Joseph would take revenge, but Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20).

Conclusion

Joseph reminds us that God always keeps His promises; He is in control; He helps His people, and His plan will be evident to all in hindsight.

Like Jesus Christ, Joseph was rejected by his own people, suffered unjustly, and was later exalted to bring salvation to others. God’s plan is to change our destiny from being separated from Him to being in fellowship with Him.

Appendix: Memory verses

At the holiday camp, the children also learnt these verses from the Bible.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Ps. 119:105).
The Bible tells us about God and Jesus. It will help guide you like a map or GPS. It will show you how to live God’s way.

“I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave His life for me” (Gal. 2:20b).
Jesus wants you to live by faith in Him every day and tell others about how they can also live in faith for Him.

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn. 5:12).
You can share the message of the Bible with others and help them understand what God has done for us.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Cor. 13:4).
It is hard to be like Jesus and love like Jesus, but with the power and help of the Holy Spirit God can work through you to love even our enemies.

Written, July 2025