FROM PIT TO POWER—A BLACKBOARD TALK ON THE STORY OF
JOSEPH

Ask the children what lad it was that was thrown by his brothers into the pit. When they have answered, draw on the board a simple oval to represent the pit. Then go on to bring out seven sad points in the story of Joseph. Represent these points by thorn-like triangles rising about the pit like a sharp hedge.

These seven points, as you can elicit them in order, are: Jacob’s partiality that brought Joseph so much woe, the envy of his brothers, the slavery into which they sold him, the unjust accusation by Potiphar’s wife, the long imprisonment in Egypt, the separation from home, the life spent in a heathen country.

But all of these seven sharp calamities, as cold and merciless as steel, that grew up around this pit into which the poor lad was thrown, Joseph changed to pure gold by his honesty, his faithfulness, his bravery, and his trust in God. As the speaker says this let him go over what he has drawn with yellow chalk, converting the oval pit, with its seven sharp points surrounding it, into a golden crown.

“Now what has happened to Joseph?” let him ask the children. His nobility has transformed his sorrows into a golden glory. He has gone from pit to power. He is next to Pharaoh, able to help his father and his wicked brothers, and all the world beside. Now, children, what lesson do you see in this for us?