08-01

his favorite son, Joseph

Jacob had four wives and 12 sons. Joseph was the son of Rachel, whom Jacob loved more than his other wives. Therefore, Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons.

taking care of the flocks

People at that time allowed their animals to go wherever they could find grass to eat. Someone traveled along with the animals to protect them.

08-02

slave traders

Slave traders bought people to be used as slaves. They then sold them to other people for a profit. They often traveled very far to buy and sell slaves.

08-03

dipped it in goat’s blood

Joseph’s brothers wanted their father to think the blood on the robe was Joseph’s blood.

08-05

She became angry

The wife of the government official who bought Joseph was angry that Joseph would not sleep with her. She lied about Joseph to her husband so he would be angry with Joseph and put him in prison.

08-06

the meaning of the dreams

The Egyptians believed that God spoke to the Pharaoh through his dreams. Pharaoh’s advisors normally helped him understand what his dreams meant.

08-08

Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph

Pharaoh was impressed with Joseph because Joseph was the only person who was able to to tell Pharaoh what God was saying through Pharaoh’s dreams.

08-10

The famine

The famine began seven years later, after the seven years of good harvests (See: 08:07).

08-11

The brothers did not recognize Joseph

The brothers came to Egypt at least ten years after they sold Joseph into slavery. They did not recognize Joseph because he was ten years older and was dressed as an Egyptian official.

08-12

if they had changed

Joseph’s brothers did evil when they sold him as a slave (See: 08:02). He now wanted to know if his brothers would still treat people badly.

God used the evil for good

Joseph was willing to forgive his brothers because he believed that God had caused their evil action to result in a good thing. By going to Egypt as a slave, Joseph gained the power to save his whole family from the famine.

08-13

Joseph’s brothers returned home

The brothers returned home in order to bring their father and their families from Canaan to Egypt so they would survive the famine.

08-15

The covenant promises that God gave to Abraham were passed on to Isaac, then to Jacob, and then to Jacob’s 12 sons and their families

All the descendants of Jacob would receive the land and blessings that God promised to Abraham and Isaac (See: 05:03, 06:04, 07:10).

the 12 tribes of Israel

God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Therefore, the descendants of his 12 sons were called the 12 tribes of Israel.