Unfortunately for Simeon, Joseph’s brothers didn’t return quickly. Jacob stayed adamant that Benjamin remain with him, fearing for his life. That all changed, however, when they ran out of food again.
Judah pleaded with his father to release Benjamin into his care. He vowed to take personal responsibility for his brother, but Jacob still refused. Finally, Jacob realized that his entire family would die without more provisions, so he sent Benjamin back to Egypt with his other sons.
When Joseph saw his brothers, he had them taken to his house for a feast. The brothers were afraid though.
18 They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.”
It’s always interesting how people can fear the very thing happening to themselves that they have done to others.
The brothers explained to Joseph’s steward what had originally happened with the silver. They were assured of their safety so they prepared the gifts which they had brought for Joseph.
26-28 When Joseph came home, they presented to him they gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”
They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him.
Joseph’s prophetic dreams had just come to fruition.
As Joseph met his full-blooded brother, Benjamin, he became very emotional and ran out looking for a place to cry. After he had washed his face, he came back out had the food served.
33 The men were seated in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment.
Joseph commanded his servant to fill the brothers’ bags with all the food they could carry. He also instructed that their silver be returned and that his silver cup be placed in Benjamin’s sack. The next day after he sent the brothers on their way, Joseph sent his servants after them, accusing them of taking his silver cup. (On a side note, verses 5 and 15 mention Joseph using divination and one mentions the cup as a tool for this.) The brothers defended themselves, declared their innocence, and said the guilty one would become a slave. After Benjamin was found to have the silver cup, all the brothers returned with him to Joseph’s house. Judah pulled him aside, explained his vow to protect Benjamin, and asked if he could take his place as a slave.
Judah was the one who had originally talked his brothers out of killing Joseph. It’s interesting to see him now standing up to honor his commitment to protect his brother at his own expense.
45:1 Joseph could no longer control himself before all of his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!”
No one else was there when Joseph made himself known to his brothers, but the Egyptians heard him weeping and told Pharaoh’s house about it.
3-8 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
Can you imagine the fear when realizing that the person you betrayed and considered killing has now become one of the most influential and powerful people in the world? It would be normal to assume that the wronged person would use that power for revenge, but not Joseph.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
This story shows that not only does God use people’s bad for good, but that maybe sometimes it’s all part of the big plan. The Lord knew what would happen and he forewarned Joseph about it when he was younger. In fact, his warning is what helped provoke his brothers in the first place.
Joseph told his brothers to send for his father and all that he had. He told them to bring his entire family to Goshen so that he could provide for them.
Pharaoh and all of his officials were pleased to hear about Joseph’s brothers, and Pharaoh even instructed him to have his brothers take animals to help them move.
18-20 I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.
“You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'”
Again, God’s mercy, grace, and love are unfathomable. He forgives and shows kindness. How much more should we do the same?
I love the Bible for being transparent and relevant.
24 He sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
The brothers went home and told Jacob about Joseph and his spirit was revived.
Lord, thank you for your unending mercy and grace. I can’t even understand your goodness, yet sometimes it’s easier to see in stories when your’e not having to also experience things like the famine and being sold into slavery. Joseph and Simeon both spent time in prison as innocent men and Jacob thought his son was dead, but I can see your good surrounding them. Help me to see the good surrounding me at all times. Let me have peace that anything which may come upon my life will be used for good. Grant me peace and patience and help us all love you and each other today.
A Walk Through The Bible 