Telling Dad the Truth

By Mary Vee

Genesis 45:21-28

Judah stared at the carts stuffed with gifts.  Servants hauled donkeys and carts before the entrance of Joseph’s palace.  “They’re brimming with clothing, food, and provisions for the journey.  Look at this, Reuben!”

“Unbelievable.  There’s so much here!”

The eleven brothers walked along each cart amazed at the amount.  They rifled their hands through the garments, and sifted through the grain.

Dan laughed.  “Won’t Father be surprised?”

Reuben lowered his head and sighed.  “Yeah, he’ll be happy to hear Joseph is alive all right…I only hope the news doesn’t kill him.”

Judah laid his hand on Reuben’s shoulder.  “It’s going to be OK.  Father will be all right. You want to take the lead?”

Reuben wiped a tear then shook his head. 

The brothers grabbed ropes and led the donkeys and carts home.  A few days later they arrived in Canaan. 

When they reached the top of the last hill, Asher pressed ahead.  “There’s father!  One of the servants must have seen us and told him we arrived.”

Judah grabbed his arm and held him back.  “Let Reuben go first.”

They pulled the carts to the family camp and stopped. Jacob held his arms out.  “My sons, you’ve returned.  Now tell me, you know my eyes are not young, how many are you?”

Reuben stepped forward and accepted his father’s hug. “We are eleven, Father.”

“Eleven?  God be praised! Simeon has returned? And Benjamin is with you?”

“Yes, Father. We are all here.”  Reuben cringed as the words fell out of his mouth.  How am I going to tell him Joseph is alive?

Jacob walked to each son and hugged him.  When he reached Benjamin, he hugged him longer.  “Benjamin, I’m glad you’re home.”

“Father, you wouldn’t believe the sights we saw in Egypt. And guess who was there?”

Judah raced up and shoved his hand over Benjamin’s mouth.  “Perhaps Reuben should tell him, don’t you think?”

Benjamin backed away and nodded.

Jacob squinted towards Reuben.  “Have you something to say?”

“Yes—I—well—yes we have news for you.”  He took a deep breath and slowly released the air.  “When we reached the front of the food line in Egypt, a servant notified the governor. Moments later the governor appeared. He eyed Benjamin then had the servants escort us to his palace.  Not long after, guards led Simeon into our room. He brought water for us to wash then escorted us to a banquet hall. After our meal the governor told everyone to leave the room except us.”

Reuben combed his fingers through his hair and turned to his brothers.  They lowered their heads and sighed.  Jacob raised his hands. “Is that it?”

“Well, no.  The governor stepped closer to us—and—and he said---“  Reuben bit his lip. “He said he was Joseph--our brother.”

Jacob grabbed his chest and stumbled back.  The brothers help him to a chair.  “Don’t play tricks on me, Reuben.  I am an old man.  Don’t tell me such tales.”

Reuben walked closer and placed his hand on his father’s shoulder.  “I’m speaking the truth. My brothers are witnesses.  The governor of Egypt is your son, Joseph.”

“It’s true.”   Judah gently pushed his way through the other brothers and knelt before his father.  “We all saw Joseph. Come see the gifts Joseph sent you.”

Judah and Reuben helped Jacob stand.  Jacob walked to each cart and felt the bundles. “What is all of this?  Did you pay for these things?”

Reuben smiled. “They’re gifts from Joseph.”

“Then he truly is alive?  My son Joseph is alive?”  Jacob raised his hands toward the sky. “My son Joseph is alive!”  He turned to Reuben, Judah, and the others. “I must go see him before I die.”

Reuben laughed at the twinkle in his father’s eyes. “He wants to see you too.  He sent carts and donkeys and everything we’d need for the return trip.”

What did Reuben have to do?  Did he do it?  How did his heart feel afterwards?  Did you ever have to do this?

I AM Joseph

By Mary Vee

Genesis 45:9-20

Joseph tried to stop sobbing, but his muscles refused. It was a relief to tell his brothers who he was.  He’d hope they’d crowd close and try to hug him all at once, but they didn’t.  What was I thinking?  They barely know me any more.

He looked at his brothers and called each one by name.  “I am Joseph.  Look, don't be afraid, you aren't the one who sent me here as a slave, but God.  He's made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

The brothers shook their heads in disbelief.  Simeon whispered, “He doesn’t look like him. It might be a trick.  Be careful.” 

Joseph tipped his head and swiped away tears. “Oh really?  Shall I repeat words you said the day I was thrown in the pit, brother Simeon?

Simeon's squinted as if trying to see Joseph in the governor's face.

Joseph slid over to Reuben. “Hurry home to father and tell him Joseph is alive.  Let him know God has made me lord of all Egypt.  Bring him here to live, and bring all your families as well.  I will see to it that you and your families never hunger during the remaining five years of famine.

Tell Father that you've seen my own lips give this message and that you’ve seen all God has given me to do in Egypt.  Hurry before he grows hungry and sick.”

Joseph walked to his brother Benjamin, look in his eyes for a moment then hugged him. His head fell on Benjamin’s shoulders as he wept puddles of tears.  “Benjamin. My brother Benjamin, how I’ve longed to see you.”  After a few moments, Joseph moved back to his oldest brother, Reuben then to Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Napthali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, and Zebulun hugging and weeping on each brother’s shoulders. 

Judah walked up to the governor and studied his eyes.  His jaw dropped.  “Joseph?  It’s really you?”

“Yes. I truly am your brother, Joseph."


The brothers laughed and slapped each other on the back.  "It's Joseph!"  


"He's alive--and--a--governor?  Unbelievable." 


"Yeah, maybe we should have thrown you down the pit so you could be king, Dan."  


"Funny, Napthali....very funny.  Here, let me throw you on the floor."


The twelve sons of Jacob spent a few moments swapping stories and updating Joseph about the family.  


When Pharaoh heard the good news about Joseph's brother's visit he was pleased.  "Bring you father and all you families here to me.  I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land. Take my carts to bring your belongings. Also, don't be concerned about bringing your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."


The brothers faces lit up with each word from the Pharaoh.   The next morning they left for Canaan.




When the brothers finally admitted the truth and showed they were truly sorry for what they had done to Joseph bad things stopped happening.  God doesn't always teach us this way, but sometimes He does.  God loves us so much that He gave His only Son to take the punishment for our sins that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have everlasting life. God will forgive you for whatever you have done wrong.  All you have to do is ask.  


Do you have any questions I can help you with?  You can email me at mimary_vee@yahoo.com. 

Can Reuben Save Simeon?

By Mary Vee
Genesis 42:29-37

Reuben and his brothers came to the last hill before their father's home. Asher walked up to the front of the group. The others joined him. "Reuben, you're going to do all the talking, right?"

I wish I didn't have to, but I'm the oldest. Reuben raised a corner of his mouth. "Of course. I don't mind telling father."

Asher slapped his older brother on the back and laughed with relief. "Thanks."

Reuben yanked the rope for his donkey and took the lead down the hill. In the distance he noticed his father standing near a tent. Reuben's pace slowed. He's going to be mad. How do I tell Father that Simeon's in jail? How do I tell him I need to take Benjamin back to rescue Simeon?

As they neared, Jacob walked out to the road. He shaded the sun from his eyes. "My sons, you're home!"

The brothers tied their donkeys to a tree and walked over to their father. Reuben turned to look at each brother. "Remember, I do the talking." They nodded, raised their heads, and smiled.

Jacob opened his arms to give each of his sons a warm welcome. "My sons, I'm so glad you're home. Come, have something to eat and drink. You must tell me about your journey."

Jacob raised his cup to give a toast. "To my sons who brought food for our families." As Reuben and the others raised their cups, Jacob scanned the row of boys. "Do my old eyes deceive me? Didn't I send ten sons to buy food? Why do I see nine?"

He slammed his fist on the table. "Where is Simeon?"

Dan and the other brothers coward back.

Reuben rubbed the back of his neck. "I will tell you about our journey." He took a deep breath. "The man who is lord of the land spoke with harsh words to us. He said we were spies!"

Jacob's eyes flashed wide. "Spies? Why did he say that? What did you do?"

Reuben shoved his hands down on the table. "I told him--" he pointed to his brothers, "--we told him 'We are honest men, not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One has died, and the youngest is with our father in the land of Canaan."

At that moment, Benjamin closed the gate for the sheep. He rubbed his hands together and sat at the table. "You're back! Great, I could use some help with--hey, where's Simeon?"

The older brothers growled at him. "Quiet, Squirt."

Jacob pressed his hands together and looked back at Reuben. "So, what happened to Simeon?"

'Well, the lord of the country said, 'There is a way you can show your honesty. Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for your hungry families and leave. When you get home, get your youngest brother and bring him to me. If you do these things, I will know you truly are honest men and will set your brother free and allow you to trade in Egypt."

"And you left Simeon there?"

Reuben stood and took a few steps from the table. "There's more."

Jacob pushed up with his cane and followed Reuben. "More? What could be worse?"

Reuben and the other brothers led Jacob to their grain sacks. Each opened his. Jacob gasped. "Why is there money on top of the grain?"

"We don't know. We did what we were told. It wasn't until we were half way home that the money was discovered."

Jacob pressed his fist on his chest and closed his eyes. "I can't take much more. Joseph is dead, Simeon is gone, and now you want to take Benjamin away? What more could be against me?"

Reuben bowed. "Take my two sons. If I don't bring Benjamin back to you, take my sons. Trust me. I will bring him back to you."

The Bible says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding." Reuben has stopped thinking about himself and started thinking of others. He wanted to rescue Simeon. He wanted to protect Benjamin. He wanted to get food for the families.

Will Jacob let Reuben take Benjamin to rescue Simeon? Reuben realizes that all his troubles came because they sold Joseph into slavery. When everything goes wrong for you, what do you think God wants you to do? Click on the comment button.