Genesis 43, 44, 45
The second year of famine was in the land and Joseph’s brothers came again to Egypt to buy grain, and stood before him. This time the youngest brother, Benjamin, was with them, and Joseph longed much to make himself known to him, but he waited. He had Simeon brought out of prison, and a meal prepared for them all at his own house. At the meal each was seated according to his age, and they wondered much how this could be known.
Early the next morning they started for Canaan with their sacks filled with grain, and in one sack the servant had put Joseph’s silver cup. When only a short ride from the city, the man overtook them, asking for his master’s cup. They set down their sacks for him to search, and when he opened Benjamin’s sack, there was the silver cup!
So they all turned back and came again before Joseph, bowing themselves to the ground. He said they could go home, only Benjamin must stay and be his bond servant. The brothers felt how this would grieve their aged father. And Judah begged most earnestly to stay as a servant instead of Benjamin. You remember Judah was the one who had first wanted to sell Joseph for a slave, and had no pity either for him or for their father.
Now Joseph saw that his brothers cared for their father, and he could no longer wait to tell them who he was; but said to them, “I am Joseph, whom ye sold into Egypt.” The brothers were full of fear and shame to hear this, and could not answer. But Joseph spoke most kindly, forgave them, and told them they were to bring his father and their families to live in Egypt until the other five years of famine were ended. So he sent them home with wagons and presents, and best of all, the good news to Jacob that his son Joseph was alive, and a governor in Egypt.
The story of Joseph’s love and forgiveness to his cruel brothers is very wonderful. Read it all in the chapters in Genesis.
ML 11/15/1936