WHEN the corn, which Joseph’s sons had carried up from Egypt, was all gone, their father said to them, Go again, buy us a little food. His son Judah said to him that they would not go down unless he would send Benjamin with them, for the man had said to them, ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. Jacob asked why they had treated him so badly as to mention having another brother at home. They replied that the man had asked if their father was alive, and if they had another brother, and they must tell him. Then Judah said to his father, if he would send the lad with him, he would be surety for him, and they would arise, and go that they and their little ones might not die with hunger.
So Jacob prepared a nice present, and gave double money to his sons to give to the governor of Egypt, and he told them to take their brother and go again unto the man. He said to them, God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin, If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Poor Jacob! His heart was very sore again, and it must have been with great anxiety and longing that he awaited the return of his sons.
The men took the present their father had prepared, and took double money in their hand, and took Benjamin with them and made their journey again to Egypt. Once more they stood in the presence of Joseph. When he saw that Benjamin was with them he gave orders for a dinner to be prepared, saying those men should dine with him that day. His servant did as he was bidden and took the men into Joseph’s house. This made the men afraid; they thought the governor was going to find occasion against them because of the money, and that he wanted to make bondmen of them. So they spoke to the steward of Joseph’s house, whom they met at the door, and explained all about the money to him, and how they had brought double money with them. The steward answered very kindly, “Peace be to you, fear not; your God and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money.”
Then he brought Simeon out to them. And he took them into Joseph’s house, and he gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he fed their donkeys.
Their hearts were no doubt set at rest by this time. They heard that they were to eat bread there, so they got their present ready to give to Joseph when he would come in at noon. And when he came home they gave him the present and bowed themselves before him to the earth.
He asked of their welfare, and asked for their father; and when he looked at Benjamin he asked if that was their younger brother of whom they had spoken; and he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. He could say no more; his heart was yearning over his dear brother, and he had to hasten out of the room to find a place to weep, for he did not wish others to see him thus overcome. After a time of weeping he washed his face, and refrained himself, and went out of his chamber, and told his servants to set on bread. And they set for him by himself, and for them by themselves; and for the Egyptians that ate, by themselves; because the Egyptians might not eat with the Hebrews. And Joseph had his brothers placed before him; the first born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youths This, made the men wonder much, for how could this ruler know anything about their ages! And when the portions were served, Benjamin’s was five times as much as any of the others, and they ate and drank together, and for the time seemed to forget their sorrows.
That afternoon Joseph commanded his steward to fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they could carry, and to put every man’s money in the mouth of his sack; and to put his silver cup, as well as the money, in the sack of the youngest. The steward carried out these orders, and as soon as it was light next morning, he sent the men and their laden asses away.
They had not gone far when Joseph told his steward to hasten after them and ask them why they had rewarded evil for good—why they had taken his master’s silver cup. The steward soon overtook them and spoke thus to them. This made them feel very badly; they said they would not do such a thing as steal silver or gold out of their lord’s house; and to let the one with whom the cup was found die; and they all would be slaves to their lord. Then they speedily took down their sacks and search was made, beginning with the oldest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. And now what sorrow rent their hearts! In their great grief they tore their clothes. Then they laded their donkeys again, and turned back to the city.
ML 03/23/1902