Scroll to the bottom for thoughts/discussion questions!
One sentence summary: Joseph is remembered by the chief butler after Pharaoh has some disturbing dreams, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream and is made a rule over all Egypt, there is a famine in all the land, Joseph's brothers go to Egypt to buy bread and meet Joseph without recognizing him, and Joseph plays a trick on the brothers to test them.
At the end of two years, Pharaoh has a dream. In the first, seven ugly, gaunt-looking cows come up out of the river. Seven fat and healthy cows come up, and the skinny cows consume them. He wakes up, goes back to sleep, and dreams again. In the second dream, seven plump heads of grain come up on a stalk, but seven other others come up after them, destroyed by the east wind, and devour the healthy ones. Pharaoh awakes to find it was just a dream. The next morning, "troubled in spirit," he calls all the wise men and magicians of Egypt to tell them his dream, but no one can interpret it. Then, the chief butler confesses to Pharaoh that he has made a grave mistake by forgetting about Joseph, a Hebrew slave of Potiphar who interpreted his dream. He tells Pharaoh how the events came to pass just as Joseph had said. Pharaoh immediately calls for Joseph who gets cleaned up and is brought before him. Pharaoh tells him that he has heard he can interpret dreams and asks if he can interpret his. Joesph gives all the glory to God. He answers, "It is not in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Pharaoh relays the dreams in detail, and Joseph give the interpretation. The seven fat cow and seven healthy head of grain are seven years of plenty that will come upon all Egypt; the seven gaunt cows and seven blighted grains are seven years of famine that will follow them, and that will be so severe that the years of plenty will be forgotten. Joseph says the two dreams are a confirmation from God that of events that will happen soon. Joseph advises Pharaoh to select a wise man as an overseer in all Egypt and officers under him to collect 1/5 of all the food during the seven years of plenty, to be stored up for the seven years of famine. "The advice [is] good in the eyes of Pharaoh and all his servants.." Pharaoh says that none in all the land are as wise as Joseph, "in whom is the Spirit of God." He is given fine linen robes and a gold necklace and put in charge of all of Egypt. Only Pharaoh will be greater. He rides in a golden chariot, and all bow to him.
Through the next seven years, Joesph executes his plan to save 1/5 of the crops in storehouses in each of the cities, and so much is gathered that it is like the sand of the sea. Pharaoh gives him an Egyptian woman to be his wife, and he has two sons, the first named Manasseh (meaning "forgetfulness") because "God made me forget all my toil and my father's house" and the second named Ephraim (meaning "fruitful" because "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Then, the seven years of famine begin, as Joseph had said. It is severe in all the surrounding nations, but Egypt has bread.
Back in Canaan, Israel and his family are running out of bread, but they hear there is bread in Egypt, so he tells his sons to go down to buy food. Benjamin stays behind, because Israel could not bear it should anything happen to him.
The brothers arrive in Egypt, and when they see Joseph, they bow down to him. Joseph recognizes them, but he acts as if he does not know them and speaks harshly to them. (They do not recognize him.) He accuses them of being spies, but they tell him who they are. They say they used to be 12 brothers, but one is "no more." Joseph says he will prove whether or not they are spies, and tells them that one of them can return to Canaan to fetch Benjamin while the others stay in prison. He throws them all in prison, apparently to think about it, for three days. Then, Joseph speaks to them again and says that only one will remain behind in prison, while the rest go back with the food and fetch their youngest brother. At this, they speak to each other and say that they are guilty for what they did to Joseph, how they showed him no mercy when "they saw the anguish of [his] soul when [he] pleaded with [them.]" Reuben says that he tried to stop them, but now Joseph's blood is on their hands. Joseph, speaking Hebrew, understands them, although they do not know he does, and he walks away and weeps. He comes back and binds Simeon, and has the rest of his brothers' sacks filled with grain, provisions for the journey, and the money they brought to pay for it.
On their way home, one of the brothers opens his bag to see his money, and "their hearts fail," and they wonder what God has done to them.
They return to Jacob and tell him all. He refuses to send Benjamin back with them. Reuben tells his father to kill his own two sons if he doesn't bring Benjamin back alive and that he will take full responsibility for him. Israel absolutely refuses, as he says that after losing Joesph, if anything happens to Benjamin, he will die of grief.
Thoughts/Discussion Questions:
Joseph kept his attitude right all throughout his time in prison. How do we know? Because when he could have sought glory and honor for himself, he gave all the credit to God. If he had been prideful at the beginning of his life, he certainly allowed his trials to humble him. Are you keeping the right attitude during your times of trial and being "in prison?"
When Joseph's life changed forever in one minute, his faith in God must have gone through the roof! Do we believe that God is always working things out for us if we are believing Him, and that one day, we will surely see it? Will you be found in faith when He comes/moves in your life "suddenly?"