Our Children, who are staying in worship with us this morning have been studying Joseph this fall.  They have completed their first rotation, covering Joseph and his brothers.  They begin their next rotation next Sunday, and will be studying Joseph in Egypt.

Joseph, who is the fourth and final of the Hebrew forefathers, after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is a big subject in the Bible.  You cannot cover him in one rotation.  Why, we know more about Joseph, than any other Old Testament character, with the possible exception of King David.  The story of Joseph is the longest of all the stories in the Bible, thirteen chapters in the Book of Genesis, occupying one quarter of the Book of Genesis, which itself is one of the longest books in the Bible.  We know Joe.  What might we learn from him?

As we enter this morning's story, which our children will soon by studying, Joseph is upset.  We read, "Then Joseph could no longer control himself."  Joseph is upset.  And so are we.  It is upsetting when our forefathers and foremothers are upset.

Let's remember who Joseph is.  No longer in the pit, where our children last saw him, he has been transported to Egypt, where incredibly he has risen to the rank of Prime Minister of Egypt.  That is to say, Joseph is the Pharaoh's second in command, and the Pharaoh as you will learn, is the King of Egypt.  So call Joseph the Prince of Egypt. 

How did he get there?  Well, dreams.  Joseph has correctly interpreted the King's dream, and therefore ha has been promoted to the position of prince in the King's court, preparing Egypt for the seven years of drought to follow the seven fatted years, which is what Joseph saw in the King's dream.  The seven fatted years have come and gone.  The drought has begun.  We are in year two.

There Joseph's continued leadership is critical to the economy and therefore survival of the country.  Oh, Joseph, where are you when we need you?  But, alas, we read, "Then Joseph could no longer control himself?he sobbed aloud uncontrollably."  We are told Joseph weeps so loud the Egyptians outside his palace can hear him.  Have you even been to Egypt?  They built things with big bricks back then.  So big, they are still standing today as wonders of the world.  So loud does Joseph sob, even the Pharaoh hears him several palaces and many thick walls away.  We're talking major tears.  Super sobs.  This is upsetting.

Why was Joseph, Prime Minister and Prince, wailing out of control like an infant?  Furthermore, Joseph is not alone.  As he wails, eleven bewildered brothers stand before him.  Talk about confused.  The brothers have just been caught stealing a cup from this mighty Egyptian's house.  At least one of them has, the youngest brother, Benjamin.  Now they are pleading for Benjamin's life, for if they do not return home to Israel with beloved Ben, their father, Jacob, will die from grief.

The eleven brothers are naturally nervous at getting caught, and in expectation of an emotional response from Joseph.  But not this one.  No tears.  Terror, yes, tears, no.  Even as Joseph, between sobs, interprets for them his tears, telling them he is Joseph, their brother, they do not expect this warm cheeked response.

This, Joseph?  Whom they had thrown into a pit and proclaimed as dead to their dad?  This Joseph, their brother, whom they had sold into slavery?  This Joseph, Prince of Egypt?  No way.  Sobbing before them, when he should have their heads.  The brothers are confused and clueless.

And so are we.  What is going on here?  What is this story telling us?  Why are we going to teach it to our children?  Well, let's review.  And not I need the children's help.  I've done this with the adults before in a modified form, but now I need the children's outrageous help, so if the kids would please come forward.  Joseph's life is a fun one to review.  It helps us to realize that Joseph really is our brother.  For Joseph's life is truly a series of "ups" and "downs", perhaps not unlike our own.

So here is what I want you to do, to help demonstrate Joseph's life.  Every time I say "up", I want you to stand up, until I say "down", at which time I want you to sit down, and so forth and so on, as I tell the story of Joseph's life.  OK?  Let's practice?

If nothing else you are going to get some exercise this morning.  Here we go.  Ready?  Joseph is lifted "up" at birth, being the apple of his father Jacob's eye as the first-born son of his favorite wife, Rachel.  Oops, we need the censured version here.  Anyway, it is biblical and basis for modern day Mormon problems.

So "up" (stay standing) is Joseph that his father gives him an "amazing coat of many colors".  Remember that story?  Which causes his brothers to be jealous and "down" on Joseph.  Not to worry, Joseph is so "up" on himself, that when he interprets his dreams he puts his brothers "down".  You study that some, too, remember?

Because Joseph is "up" at his dad's place, sucking "down" sodas and soaking "up" the sun, Jacob sends his favorite son "down" to Schechem to check "up" on his  brothers, who are so annoyed at his constant tattle tailing that they throw him "down" into a pit, determined to be the end of him.  Are you keeping "up" with me?  The life of Joseph.  A tale of "ups" and "downs".  Fortunately, the brothers listen "up" to the oldest brother, Reuben, who reminds them how "down" dad will be if they shed the blood of this favorite son.  So they lift Joseph "up" out of the pit - which is where the story will continue for you, rotation #2 - and instead sell their brother Joseph to a caravan traveling "down" to Egypt, where he is put "up" for sale and sold "down" into slavery.

Where he gets a job "up" at Potiphar's house, working "down" in the wine cellar.  Upon which he distinguishes himself such that Potiphar raises him "up" to be his chief household steward.  Whereupon he catches the eye of Potiphar's wife, who wants to get "down" with Joseph.  We will skip this too, but it is in chapter 39, for those of you who want to check it out later.  Fortunately, Joseph's Jewish values hold "up".  So Potiphar's wife is "down" on Joseph, and makes "up" a story about Joseph which is a "down" right lie.  Therefore, hubbie Potiphar is "up" set and has Joseph  thrown "down" into the dungeon.  Is there any end?  The "ups" and "downs" of Joseph, our brother.

So it continues.  It so happens the Pharaoh has a dream which shakes him "up" and leaves him "down".  In seeking an interpretation, one of the Pharaoh's servants brightens "up" and tells the Pharaoh of a Hebrew fellow who is "down" in prison and who is incredibly "up" on interpreting dreams.  So the Pharaoh sends the servant "down" to the prison to bring Joseph "up" to the palace.  Whereupon Joseph breaks "down" the riddle of the dream.

In gratitude, the Pharaoh not only lifts Joseph "up" out of prison, but "up, up and away"  (tip toes, please) to the high post of Prince and Prime Minister, second in command only to the Pharaoh, himself, which is "down" right amazing.  Now Joseph is so "up" that all the people bow "down" to him.  Which is where his brothers enter in.  Who could have ever thought "up" such a story?  And now you can sit "down".  Please give the children a round of applause.  Now you can stand "up" and return to your seats.

Well, there you have it, the store of Joseph's life.  A chronology of "ups" and "downs".  Like the Negro spiritual says, "I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down, sometimes level to the ground".  That's life, brothers and sisters!  A story of "ups" and "downs".  Joseph is our brother, indeed.  We ought to study him in Sunday School.

What can we learn from the life of our bro Joe?

1)   Life isn't level.  There are "ups" and "downs", good days and bad days.  Guess what?  It's all a gift.  Every day.  So celebrate.

2)   No matter how privileged, no matter how high your position, be you Prince or Prime Minister, life is not perfect.  Never was!  So get used to it.  And still celebrate.

3)   The coat doesn't make the person.  It's what's inside that counts.  You knew that, for you have been to Sunday School.

4)   It's good to just be who you are.  OK?

Joseph was pretending to be the Prince of Egypt.  He was not a prince.  He was one of Jacob's twelve sons.  He had just forgotten who he was.  In fact, he had even been renamed by the Pharaoh, Zeph'enath-pane'ah.  Try that one on for size.  15 letters, all one name.  Zeph'enath-pane'ah.  It doesn't even sound Jewish.

Joseph had forgotten who he was.  But when he sees his brothers, he remembers.  He remembers who he is.  In his first words to his brothers he says, "I am Joseph."  Not the prince, nor the slave.  Not the Pharaoh's right hand man, nor Potiphar's servant.  Not Zeph'enath-pane'ah, or Zippy for short.  "I am Joseph."  In the presence of his brothers, he recognizes who he is and breaks down into serious sobs.  It is good to be himself.

As the story concludes, Joseph forgives his brothers their trespass against him.  Rather than revenge for their treachery against him, he sees the bigger picture.  Three times in four verses Joseph says to his brothers, "It is God who sent me."  "It is God who sent me."  Joseph realizes who he is.  "I am Joseph," a child of God.  And all God's children are his brothers and sisters.  Not to Lord over, or get even with, but to live with in kindness and generosity.

So it is Joseph's brothers, and their families, and their dad, Jacob, who is also called Israel, who are invited to dwell in the land of Egypt, for Joseph, through God's wisdom, has prepared for them a place to stay.  Which is our fifth and final lesson from this story. 

5)   When you've got the goods, share them.

And so it is that the children of Israel survive the drought and for four hundred years dwell in the land of Egypt, until Moses.  But that's a story for another day of another "Prince of Egypt".  For now, enjoy your studies of Joseph.  And thanks for staying with us in worship.  We love you.

AMEN.