We now come to the most moving and emotive period of Joseph’s life. In some respects, it is difficult to explain except that he is testing his brothers. Jacob decided to send his sons to Egypt to buy grain. The brothers were reluctant to go, and I am certain that they were not ready for the reception that awaited them. Jacob was really a broken man – only sent 10 sons because he wanted to keep Benjamin home. He could not risk the loss of Rachel’s second son. They still had not told their father the truth. Their coverup remained but it didn’t have much longer to go.
The ten arrive before the governor (v7) Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him. He would be at least 37 years old (30 when he stood before Pharaoh and 7 years of plenty passed). He would be dressed in Egyptian clothes and learned another language; no doubt he was the last person they expected to see. Joseph acted as a stranger and spoke roughly to them through an interpreter. They bowed down to him (v6) and Joseph probably remembered his dreams (v9) He spoke harshly to them, accusing them of coming to spy out the weakness of the land. The answer: “We are not spies, we are brothers, honest men, your servants” Really, if so, they have changed! One thing was true — they were “servants” in fulfilment of his dream. Accusations of spying were common after all the brothers were aliens in a foreign land.
v15 Joseph maintains they are spies and that he will prove their honesty by detaining them until their younger brother comes. They had told him that Benjamin was at home and another brother was no more. I wonder how Joseph felt when they said, “One is no more”. Little did they know they were speaking to that one? His heart must have leapt; a lump must have come to his throat. Joseph says one of them must go and bring the younger brother or they will be detained as spies.
v17 He imprisons them for 3 days. It seems that they are in distress and a quandary — maybe they can’t decide who should go and bring Benjamin. On the third day (v18) Joseph says, “Do this and live for I fear God”. I wonder what they thought when he said that. He’s almost pleading with them to stay alive and especially when he said, “I fear God”. It seems that Joseph is having difficulty keeping himself from blurting out the truth. An Egyptian telling them he fears God, which God, who’s God?
They can’t bring themselves to choose one so Joseph (v19) decides for them. “One stays here and the rest of take grain for your household and bring back your brother. “ I’m sure Joseph could see that if he didn’t make a decision the family would die of starvation, which was the last thing he wanted.
Now that Joseph has made it easier for them, they respond, and their conscience pricks them. (v21). The 3 days in prison has caused them to think back 21 years. They told him of Benjamin and the lost brother. Reuben argues (v22) that he was right, “l told you but you would not listen, that’s why this is happening to us. “
Unbeknown to them Joseph overhears their conversation. He spoke to them in Egyptian via interpreter. On hearing this he cannot contain himself (v24) “He turned away and wept.” He returned and took Simeon and bound him in front of them. He wants them to move quickly and to see Benjamin asap.
Simeon is imprisoned and they are sent on their way with sacks of grain and their money back. I wonder what Joseph’s servants thought — special treatment. (v25)
On their journey one sack is opened and the money found (v27). One tells the others and their reply is
“Why has God done this to us?” How often do we ask the same question? If God is doing it, He is testing us to make us better people, better disciples. Notice how these men now refer to Joseph as ‘our brother’ whereas before he was called ‘the dreamer’.
They are in a dilemma. They continue home when perhaps they should have returned with the money, but they must also not return without Benjamin. They relate the story to Jacob (v29-35). Jacob (v36) is at his wits end — “Everything is against me — Joseph gone; Simeon gone; now you want to take Benjamin from me.” Where was Jacob’s trust in God now? When he wrestled with the angel years ago, he wouldn’t let him go until he blessed him but now, he has no resistance. We must never allow circumstances to get us down — The Bible says, “we are more than conquerors thro’ Him who loved us” “Blessed be God who always causes us to triumph. “ When things seem against us that is quite likely the time when God is most for us. Jacob is full of self-pity. Reuben even offers his two sons to bring Benjamin back alive. Jacob refuses — what would two dead grandsons be to him anyway.
