Joseph had ten older brothers. And they could. Not. Stand. Him. They were so jealous of Joseph, that one day they sold him to a group of traders heading to Egypt. Their own brother! Gone! Then they went home and lied to their dad about it.

Joseph spent years in Egypt. And it was rough! But God was working even in the rough times, and eventually Joseph rose all the way up to become the second most powerful person in the country. Part of his job was being in charge of all the food in Egypt.

Then a famine hit (which means there wasn’t any food). There was no food anywhere, including back home. So guess who came traveling into Egypt looking for something to eat? Ten very hungry brothers. They had no idea the important man they had to ask for food was actually the little brother they had gotten rid of.

Joseph could have thrown them in prison. But he didn’t. Instead, he said the most amazing thing: “Come near to me. I’m Joseph. Don’t be angry with yourselves. God sent me here to save your lives.” Joseph could forgive because he could see how God had worked through his whole crazy story. God used something terrible his brothers did to rescue his entire family.

Take Action: Is there someone in your family you’re not getting along with? Do one thing this weekend to move toward them instead of away. Make them a snack. Let them pick the game. Say “sorry” for your part, even if their part was bigger. Somebody has to take the first step, and Joseph shows us it can be you.