MAY 18, Genesis 50:19-21

Have you heard of Joseph, the one whose father gave a coat of many colours to? His father loved him so much that he gave him this very special coat which caused his brothers to be so jealous that they sold Joseph away as a slave. However, God was with Joseph and he was made the second most powerful man in Egypt by the Pharaoh.

Sometime later, there was a serious and long famine, and Joseph’s brothers had to go to Egypt to buy corn. They did not know that their brother was alive. They did not expect him to be alive and therefore did not recognise Joseph when they came to bow to this powerful Egyptian man. Was revenge on the mind of Joseph? What would you do to people who betrayed you? Joseph could easily have taken revenge on his brothers. Instead, he showed great kindness to them by granting them food and eventually allowing them to live in Egypt.

Dear child, it is not easy to be gentle towards those who have treated you badly. Joseph must have found it difficult to be gentle to his brothers but with the help of God, he was able to do so. Perhaps you can pray to God to enable you to be gentle to others?

Write down 3 things you can do to show your gentleness to people around you.
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________

Thought: May I learn to be like Joseph!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to show gentleness towards others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.