Chapters 42 - 45: Joseph met his brothers.
Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. He kept back Benjamin fearing that he might lose him, like he lost Joseph.
The brothers came to Joseph but could not recognise him, although Joseph did. They bowed down to pay homage like the rest of the people. Joseph pretended not to know them and gave them a hard time. "You came to spy the land."
To prove their innocence they told Joseph every thing about themselves, but Joseph put them in prison. On the third day Joseph told them that he would give them the benefit of a doubt. They could return with grains for the family, but one of them must stay behind as a surety. He would be released when they verify their story by bringing their youngest brother as proof.
The brothers spoke to each other and recognised this as a judgment of God for selling Joseph, "a reckoning for his blood". They did not know that Joseph could understand what they were saying, since he was speaking to them through an interpreter. Joseph was so touched, and wept.
They left Simeon behind and headed for home without knowing that Joseph had instructed that the money they paid for the grain be hidden in their sacks of grain. Along the way, when they took some grain to feed the asses they discovered the money and were stricken with fear.
Upon reaching home they related the whole incidence to Jacob. When they emptied their sacks, every sack of grain has a bundle of money in them. Jacob knew that if Benjamin were to go to Egypt it was very unlikely he would return. Reuben pleaded with Jacob, "Slay my two sons if I do not return with Simeon and Benjamin". The father would not relent.
When they have used up all the food they had to return to Egypt for more. But they would have to bring Benjamin along. Judah said to his father, "I will take full responsibility for Benjamin". Jacob did not have a choice. He asked the sons to bring along gifts of choice fruits, a little balm, honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. They also took double the amount of money. "May El-Shaddai grant you mercy".
They came to Joseph full of fear. They approached the steward of Joseph's house and tried to explain to him about finding the money in their sacks. The steward cynically replied that maybe God put the money in their sacks. Joseph pretended to believe their story, took the money and returned Simeon to them.
Joseph then invited them for a feast. When Joseph entered the hall they bowed down to pay homage. Joseph asked about their parents and whether the new member is Benjamin. Joseph could not control his emotion and excused himself to his chamber to weep. He then returned for the meal.
Joseph sat at the head table by himself, the Egyptians occupied a table by themselves and the Israelites ate at another table by themselves. The Egyptians could not sit down with foreigners for meal since it is an abomination to them. The servants would take food from Joseph's table to serve the brothers. Everyone got one share, but Benjamin got five shares.
Meanwhile the servants were loading grains into the sack of his brothers as instructed by Joseph. Again they were told to put the money at the mouth of the sacks. In addition they were to put Joseph's silver cup at the month of Benjamin's sack.
When morning came the brother left for home. Joseph allowed them to travel for a distance before sending his servants after them. The servants told them that they came to check for stolen properties. Of course the brothers denied any knowledge of this. They were so sure that they said, "With whomever the goods are found, let him die and we will be slaves to your master." The servants searched the sacks and found the money and the silver cup. They were then escorted back to Egypt.
Judah and his brothers pleaded guilty and offered to be slaves of Joseph. But Joseph said that only Benjamin be punished as the cup was found in his possession.
Judah related how Jacob was unwilling to let Benjamin come to Egypt because he has lost Joseph. Jacob only relented when Judah guaranteed that he would bring Benjamin back safely. So Judah volunteered to be a slave in place of Benjamin, otherwise his father would be totally shattered. Joseph was so touched by his brothers' love for one another and for their parents that he broke down and cried. He revealed to them that he was Joseph.
Joseph assured them that what they had done to him in the past was the plan of God; to send him to Egypt to prepare for the great famine. To save lives.
Hate was never a part of Joseph's personality. After going through all the agony in a strange land he did not see his encounter with his brothers as an opportunity for vengeance. All the action he took was to learn about his brothers' relationship with each other. He knew that the ordeal he has gone through is the will of God. The brothers were just the instruments to operate the will.
