Jacob had a big, hungry clan on his hands when famine hit the region of Hebron. He heard food was available in Egypt so he sent his sons to go and buy some.

“. . . [Jacob] said to his sons, ‘Why do you just keep looking at each other? I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.’” Genesis 42:1-2

It seems there was tension between Jacob and his sons. Twenty-two years earlier they had reported Joseph’s disappearance under suspicious circumstances, and Jacob never learned what actually happened.

He must have asked again and again how the brothers found Joseph’s torn, bloodied robe. Where was it located? Were there were animal tracks around it? What kind of animal?

He must have wondered whether Joseph’s disappearance was an animal attack or a murder. How could they return with his robe, but not look for his body or bury him?

The brothers kept the secret, but they probably exchanged many furtive glances with each other over the years. It was painful to be a family with a dark secret; it broke trust. When Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt, he kept Benjamin with him in Hebron for fear that harm might come to him, too.

What Joseph Overcame

Joseph had spent a lot of time recovering from his brothers’ betrayal. Living as a slave and spending years in prison gave him time to think, and the names he gave his sons  . . . Manasseh, “because God made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household” and Ephraim, “because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering” . . . .tell us that Joseph worked hard to put his past into perspective.

It was a great challenge for Joseph to serve as the ruler of Egypt, but it was perhaps a greater challenge to overcome the pain of his past. His success was tested when the brothers who betrayed him showed up in Egypt after more than two decades.

Family Ties

Joseph didn’t make things easy for his brothers when they appeared before him. He instantly knew them, but they failed to recognize that the Egyptian ruler in front of them was their brother.

Now it was Joseph who had a secret and he wanted to keep his brothers connected to him while he decided what to do about their situation. He used his authority to make demands on them and set traps. He told them to bring Benjamin to him, he imprisoned Simeon, and then he ordered their silver to be placed back into their bags.

Joseph made sure that when his brothers got home they would remember him and have to come back to him someday.

Jacob’s Grief

Jacob’s grief was compounded when his sons came home. They brought back food from Egypt, but they left Simeon behind and apparently failed to pay for what they bought. They also reported that they were required to bring Benjamin back to Egypt if they ever wanted to see Simeon or buy food again.

“Their father Jacob said to them, ‘You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!’” Genesis 42:36

Jacob seems to have suspected that his sons were responsible for the loss of Joseph. In the midst of all the family’s problems, Jacob was most distraught over his missing children and he blamed his sons. He didn’t want to give them another chance to add to his sorrows.

“ . . . Jacob said, ‘My son [Benjamin] will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.’” Genesis 42:38

However, Jacob relented when they ran out of food again. To save the family, he had to risk Benjamin, so he gathered some gifts to give to the ruler in Egypt, and agreed to let Benjamin go.

“Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.’” Genesis 43:13-14

Welcome Back, Brothers

At least a year had passed since Joseph’s brothers surprised him with their first visit, and that was long enough for Joseph to devise a plan for their next meeting.

As soon as the brothers arrived in Egypt they went to Joseph’s steward to return the silver they found in their bags. The steward was prepared for this and set their minds at ease about the money. He brought Simeon out to join them, and then took them to Joseph’s house where they prepared to have a meal with Joseph.

Benjamin

Joseph’s earlier plan had worked; his younger sibling Benjamin came down to Egypt with the brothers. Joseph had what he asked for, but he was startled by the effect seeing Benjamin had on him.

“Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.” Genesis 43:30

The brothers were seated in birth order during the meal. They were astonished at this, but it was just one of the surprises Joseph had in store for them. The next morning, shortly after they set off for Hebron with their sacks of food, they were stopped and searched by palace officials and Joseph’s silver cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

Back to Joseph’s house they went and threw themselves to the ground before him in despair. They all expected to become Joseph’s slaves as punishment for the theft, but Joseph wanted only Benjamin to remain with him.

The Dam Breaks

Judah offered himself in Benjamin’s place. He explained how precious Benjamin was to their father and begged that he be released to go back to Jacob.

“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Don’t let me see the misery that would come on my father.” Genesis 44:33-34

The thought of his father’s grief broke the emotional dam inside Joseph. He wept loudly and told his brothers who he really was.

They were stunned into silence, but Joseph drew them near and forgave them. He told them everything that God had accomplished through his suffering and he urged them to bring their father down with them to live in Egypt. Joseph had power and wealth and he wanted to care for his family now that they were reunited.

Reconciliation 

Genesis 45:14-15 is a beautiful picture of reconciliation.

“Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.”

They finally were able to talk with each other.

What a joy to have everything out in the open, to confess and forgive past sins, and engage with each other’s lives.

Reconciliation for All

Joseph’s story foretells the story of Jesus. People betrayed Jesus, sold him, and called for his death, but he responded with forgiveness and grace. People who seek a relationship with Jesus are forgiven, and they get to come near him. They get to share life with him and he uses his power and authority to bless them. Best of all, the Father in heaven is glad because his loved ones are reconciled to each other.

Jacob’s sons were reconciled to each other.

All that remained now was for them to go and tell their father Jacob . . . and be rid of the dark secret they had held onto for so long.