Day 1
We ended Genesis 42, and now we are starting Genesis 43! In preparation for the lessons to come, let’s read all of Genesis 43 to your Tiny Arrows!
Day 2
The famine was still going on in Egypt! Joseph told Pharaoh there would be 7 years of famine, and it had only been 2 years so far! Today let’s read Genesis 43:1 and 45:6 and have your Tiny Arrow count how many years are left of the famine! 7-2=5!
Now the famine was still severe in the land. – Genesis 43:1 NIV
For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. – Genesis 45:6 NIV
Day 3
There was still a famine in Egypt and Canaan and even though Jacob’s sons had went to Egypt and back to get grain, they had run out of it! They needed more! Today let’s read Genesis 43:2 and talk to your Tiny Arrow about the food your family eats the most of. Maybe it’s bread, eggs or even yogurt! Then tell them how many times a week or month you have to buy the item so you have enough each week! Jacob’s and his family ran out of grain, and now the needed more!
So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” – Genesis 43:2 NIV
Day 4
Jacob had told his sons to go back to Egypt to get more grain, but Judah told him the only way they could go is if they obeyed the man who was in charge of the food and bring Benjamin back with them! He could not see the man in charge unless Benjamin was there! Today let’s read Genesis 43:3 and color and cut out Benjamin. Then have your Tiny Arrow try to come to you with and without Benjamin. When they have Benjamin, let them see your face, but if they do not have him, hide your face! Save this cut out for the next lesson!
But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” – Genesis 43:3 NIV
Day 5
Judah told his father he would go back to Egypt to get grain only if Benjamin went with them! Today let’s read Genesis 43:4-5 and grab the Benjamin cut out for the previous activity! Then have your Tiny Arrow play the role of the brothers and you play the role of Jacob. Designate a spot to be “Egypt” and have them tell you that they will not go there without Benjamin. Then give them the Benjamin cut out and have them bring it to Egypt!
“If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” – Genesis 43:4-5 NIV
Day 6
Jospeh’s brothers were suppose to go back to Egypt, but they needed Benjamin to go with them! Jacob asked his sons why they told the man in charge they had another brother! Why they gave him so much information! So many details! Today let’s read Genesis 43:6 and have your Tiny Arrow tell you a story. Then ask them to tell you more details about the characters in the story. Their names, what they like, etc. Just like Jospeh’s brothers told the man in charge details!
Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?” – Genesis 43:6 NIV
Day 7
Jospeh’s brothers told their father that the man in charge asked them lots of questions! They had told him about their lives, and he had asked them more details too! Today let’s read Genesis 43:7 and have your Tiny Arrow tell you another story (or the same from the previous lesson) and ask questions about it. Just like Joseph asked questions!
They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’ he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’ We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?” – Genesis 43:7 NIV
Day 8
Jacob did not want Benjamin to go down to Egypt. Then his son Judah told him that he would be responsible for Benjamin. Today let’s read Genesis 43:8 and ask your Tiny Arrow the name of the other brother who wanted to be responsible for Benjamin if they went down to Egypt. Reuben! Then read Genesis 42:37.
Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.” – Genesis 43:8 NIV
Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.” – Genesis 42:37 NIV
Day 9
Judah told his father that he would be responsible for Benjamin. He would look after his younger brother and make sure he was safe! Today let’s read Genesis 43:9 and have your Tiny Arrow take a walk, do an obstacle course or play a game. Every step of the way make sure they are being safe and careful, then explain that Judah wanted to make sure Benjamin would be safe too!
“I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.” – Genesis 43:9 NIV
Day 10
Judah wanted to take care of Benjamin so they could go down to Egypt and get more grain. If they had left earlier, they could have gone down and come back twice! Today let’s read Genesis 43:10 and have your Tiny Arrow run from one point to another. When they do, time how long it takes. Then have them sit by you for double the time it would have taken them to run to the same spot and back twice! Tell were sitting by you for so long that they could have run back 2 times.
“As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.” – Genesis 43:10 NIV
Day 11
Jacob was going to send his sons to Egypt to buy more grain, but he wanted to send them with some presents too! He wanted them to bring balm, honey, spices, myrrh and nuts! Today let’s read Genesis 43:11 then color and cut out all the presents and glue them in the bag!
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.” – Genesis 43:11 NIV
Day 12
Jacob was going to send his sons to Egypt with presents, but he also wanted them to bring double the money for the grain! Today let’s read Genesis 43:12 and 42:25-26. Ask your Tiny Arrow why Jacob wanted them to have double the money—because they got their money back the first time! Then ask them how the money got in their sacks—Joseph put it there!
“Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake.” – Genesis 43:12 NIV
Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. – Genesis 42:25-26 NIV
Day 13
Jacob was sending his sons with presents and money and he allowed Benjamin to go too! He wanted to make sure that they went straight to the man in charge! Today let’s read Genesis 43:13 and ask your Tiny Arrow what three things the brothers were bringing to Egypt with them. Presents, double the money and their brother! Then designate a spot to be Egypt and have your Tiny Arrow pretend to be the brothers and you be the man in charge! Have your Tiny Arrow travel to the spot and go straight to you! Just like the brothers were suppose to go straight to the man in charge!
“Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.” – Genesis 43:13 NIV
Day 14
Jacob sent his sons on their way, but before he did he prayed! He prayed that God would give them mercy! Today let’s read Genesis 43:14 and send your Tiny Arrow to do a chore, but before they go pray out loud over them that they would have mercy in their task! Just like Jacob prayed for his sons!
“And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back to you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” – Genesis 43:14 NIV
Day 15
Jacob’s sons went to Egypt! They brought presents, double the amount of silver and Benjamin! When they got there, they went straight to Joseph! Today let’s read Genesis 43:15 and color the coloring page!
So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. – Genesis 43:15 NIV
Day 15
Jacob’s sons went to Egypt and Joseph saw them! Then Joseph told his steward to take them to his house so that he could eat with them at noon! Today let’s read Genesis 43:16 and ask your Tiny Arrow what meal did Joseph invite his brothers to? Lunch! Then have a meal or snack and pretend like you are at Joseph’s house!
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.” – Genesis 43:16 NIV
Day 16
Jospeh’s steward did what Joseph asked him to do! He took Jospeh’s brothers to Jospeh’s house! Today let’s read Genesis 43:17 and make an invitation! It can be for someone in your house or a friend, but have your Tiny Arrow make an invitation for someone to come over!
The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house. – Genesis 43:17 NIV
Day 17
When Joseph’s brothers were invited to Jospeh’s house, they were scared! They were not excited to go there, they thought they were in trouble! Today let’s read Genesis 43:18 and ask your Tiny Arrow why they thought they were in trouble, because of the money! Then ask your Tiny Arrow if they had brought anything to help them not be in trouble! Yes! They brought double the money!
Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.” – Genesis 43:18 NIV
Day 18
The brothers went to Jospeh’s house, but before they even went in they decided to speak to the steward! Today let’s read Genesis 43:19 and have your Tiny Arrow go outside to your front of back door. Then have them speak to you at the door, but while they are still outside the house. Just like Jospeh’s brothers talked to Jospeh’s steward outside the house!
So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. – Genesis 43:19 NIV
Day 19
Jospeh’s brothers were speaking to the steward at the door. They wanted to explain to him that they had found the silver they had used to pay for the grain in their sacks! They wanted to tell him that they had brought it back! They wanted to pay for the grain they had already used! Today let’s read Genesis 43:20-21 and give your Tiny Arrow two coins and grab two toys. Then have your Tiny Arrow give you one coin and you give them the toy and coin back. Then have them want to buy the second toy with the other coin, but have them give you both coins, to pay for the first and second toy! Just like the brothers wanted to pay for all the grain!
“We beg your my pardon our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us.” – Genesis 43:20-21 NIV
Day 20
Jospeh’s brothers brought silver from the grain they had already used and silver for the grain they wanted to buy! They wanted to explain to the steward that they did not take the silver back with them, they had only found it! Today let’s read Genesis 43:22 and grab 2 coins. Give one to your Tiny Arrow then hide the second. Have them find it, and after they do, have them bring both coins back to you! Just like Joseph’s brothers found the silver and brought it back, along with more silver for what they wanted to buy next!
“We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.” – Genesis 43:22 NIV
Day 21
Joseph’s brothers explained to the steward about the money, but the steward told them God had given the money back! They could keep the money they had brought with them from the first grain they got! They even got to see Simeon! Today let’s read Genesis 43:23 and hide a small box or baggie of “treasure” (whatever you want to put in there) and have your Tiny Arrow find it in one of their backpacks or dresser drawers. Then explain they found treasure just like God had given Jospeh’s brothers treasure!
“It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. – Genesis 43:23 NIV
Day 22
After Jospeh’s brothers had found out that God had give them treasure, they went inside the house! They got water to wash their feet and food for their donkeys! Today let’s read Genesis 43:24 and help your Tiny Arrow wash their feet! Just like the brothers washed their feet!
The steward took the men into Jospeh’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. – Genesis 43:24 NIV
Day 23
Joseph’s brothers were in Jospeh’s house and were getting their presents ready to give to Joseph! Today let’s read Genesis 43:25 and help your Tiny Arrow make a present for someone and wrap or put it in a bag! Just like the brothers got their presents ready for Joseph!
They prepared their gifts for Jospeh’s arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there. – Genesis 43:25 NIV
Day 24
Jospeh’s brothers were at his house, and when Joseph came home, they gave him gifts and bowed down before him! Today let’s read Genesis 43:26 and have your Tiny Arrow make a gift for the next person who is coming to your house, and when they arrive, give it to them!
When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. – Genesis 43:26 NIV
Day 25
After Joseph got his presents, he asked his brothers how they were. Then he asked them how their father was! Today let’s read Genesis 43:27 and have your Tiny Arrow ask you or someone in your house how they are, then ask how their family is! Just like Joseph asked!
He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?” – Genesis 43:27 NIV
Day 26
Joseph asked his brothers how they and their father was, then they answered him! They told Joseph that their father was alive and well! Then his brothers bowed down before Joseph! Today let’s read Genesis 43:28 and have your Tiny Arrow pretend to be the brothers while you pretend to be Joseph! Then ask them a question, and after they answer you, have them bow down! Just like Joseph’s brothers answered the question then bowed down!
They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him. – Genesis 43:28 NIV
Day 27
Jospeh was talking with his brothers, and then he saw Benjamin! His brother! He asked his other brothers if he was the youngest then blessed Benjamin! Today let’s read Genesis 43:29 and color the Benjamin coloring page, or have your Tiny Arrow choose a stuffed animal or toy to represent him. Then have your Tiny Arrow show you “Benjamin” and bless them with Jospeh’s words, “God be gracious to you!”. Save the toy or coloring page for the next lesson!
As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” – Genesis 43:29 NIV
Day 28
Joseph was so moved by seeing his brother that he went into his room and wept! Today let’s read Genesis 43:30 and use the same toy or coloring page from the other day. Then have your Tiny Arrow hide it behind their back, and when they bring it out, pretend to cry, just like Joseph cried!
Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. – Genesis 43:30 NIV
Day 29
Joseph got to see his brother! He was so moved he cried! Then he washed his face and told the people to serve lunch! Today let’s read Genesis 43:31 and grab a dry washcloth. Have your Tiny Arrow pretend to cry, then to “dry” their face with the washcloth. After they “dried” their face have them say “Serve lunch!” Just like Joseph did!
After he had washed his face, he came back out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.” – Genesis 43:31 NIV
Day 30
Joseph told his people to serve the food! Joseph by himself, the brothers by themselves and the Egyptians by themselves! Today let’s read Genesis 43:32 and color the coloring page. Save this page for the next lesson!
They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. – Genesis 43:32 NIV
Day 31
Jospeh’s brothers all sat at the table in the order of their age! The oldest to the youngest! Today let’s read Genesis 43:33 and write the numbers 1-11 above the brothers heads on the paper from the previous lesson! Save this paper for the next lesson too!
The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. – Genesis 43:33 NIV
Day 32
Jospeh’s brothers got to eat at Jospeh’s house! Benjamin, Jospeh’s brother, got 5 times the amount of food as everyone else! Today let’s read Genesis 43:34 and grab the coloring page from the previous lesson! Draw an oval on top of each man’s plate, and 5 stacked ovals over Benjamin’s!
When the portions were served to them from Jospeh’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him. – Genesis 43:34 NIV
Day 33
Today let’s reread Genesis 43 and remember the activities and verses we learned!