Joseph's Colorful Coat

Old Jacob had twelve sons. He loved them all. But he loved Joseph most of all - and his brothers knew it.

One day Jacob gave Joseph a gift. A coat of every beautiful color.

Joseph spun around in his new coat. He had never felt so special.

But the brothers had no special coats. They watched, and they frowned.

'Why does Father love him best?' they grumbled. 'It isn't fair.'

Joseph smiled and waved. 'Good morning, brothers!' They turned away.

Day by day, the brothers' hearts grew colder. And colder.

Happy Joseph never noticed the storm growing behind him.

That night, Joseph had a dream. A very strange dream.

Eleven little bundles of wheat all bowed down to one tall bundle.

Joseph told his brothers everything. Their faces went red with anger.

'Will YOU rule over US?' they shouted. 'Never, little brother!'

Joseph dreamed again. The sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed too.

Even Father frowned. The brothers said nothing - but they began to plan.

'Go and check on your brothers,' said Jacob. So Joseph set off.

Joseph walked far from home, over the dusty golden hills.

The brothers saw a flash of color far off. 'Here comes the dreamer.'

'Let's get rid of him,' they whispered. 'And his silly coat too.'

They grabbed Joseph and pulled off his beautiful coat.

Then they put him deep down in a dry, empty pit. 'Let me out!'

Just then, traders came by on camels, heading far away to Egypt.

So they sold their own brother for a handful of silver coins.

Joseph looked back at his brothers. They did not wave goodbye.

The brothers dipped the coat in goat's blood. They had a wicked plan.

They showed it to Jacob. The old father wept and wept. But far away, Joseph's story was only beginning.

The traders took Joseph to Egypt - a land bigger than he had ever dreamed.

Joseph worked for an important man. He worked hard and was always kind.

Soon his master trusted him with everything. God was with Joseph.

But one day Joseph was blamed for something he did not do.

And so Joseph was thrown into prison. Far from home, all alone.

But Joseph did not give up hope. 'God is still with me,' he said.

Two of the king's servants were there too. Both had strange dreams.

God helped Joseph explain their dreams. 'Yours means good news!'

'When you go free,' Joseph asked the cupbearer, 'please remember me.'

But the cupbearer forgot. Two long, quiet years went by.

Far away in the palace, mighty Pharaoh woke up shaking. 'What a dream!'

Not one wise man in all of Egypt could explain it. Pharaoh grew upset.

Then the cupbearer gasped. 'I remember! A young man in prison!'

Quickly they washed Joseph and brought him to the palace.

Joseph stood before the king of all Egypt. 'Can you explain my dream?' asked Pharaoh.

Joseph knew just what it meant. 'Seven fat cows, then seven thin, hungry ones.'

'Seven good years are coming, then seven hungry ones. Store food now!'

Pharaoh was amazed. 'You are wise! You shall rule all of Egypt with me.'

For seven good years, Joseph stored grain. Mountains and mountains of it.

Then the hungry years came. No rain. No food. People grew afraid.

Even Joseph's family was hungry. So the brothers traveled to Egypt for food.

They came to buy grain - and found themselves in a grand golden place.

The brothers bowed low before the great ruler - just like in the dream.

They did not know him. But Joseph knew them at once. His brothers!

Joseph turned away so they would not see him cry. What should he do?

At last Joseph could wait no more. 'It's me! I am Joseph, your brother!'

The brothers shook with fear. But Joseph smiled. 'Don't be afraid.'

'You meant to harm me,' he said. 'But God meant it all for good.'

Then Joseph brought his old father to Egypt. Jacob hugged his lost son tight.

The whole family was together again, safe and full of love. God had turned every sad thing into something good.