“And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.” (Genesis 44:1)
Joseph had his steward fill the brothers sacks with as much as they could carry. Just like the first time Joseph also had their money put in the sacks. In Benjamin’s sack he had Joseph’s silver mug placed inside.
At first light the brothers left, heading towards their father. This time Joseph had the steward follow them and when he caught up to them he should accuse them of theft.
When the steward caught up to them each man searched his own bag and found the money, including the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. The brothers were distraught and tore their clothes. The steward explained that not only would they be guilty of theft, so would the stewards boss be held to blame.
The brother Judah takes the lead role in discussions with Joseph. He explains that there is no way for the brothers to explain what had just happened. But if Benjamin is held guilty and not allowed to return with to his father, Israel will die of grief.
“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.” (Gen 45:1)
Joseph wept aloud. The Egyptians heard him, the house of the Pharaoh heard him.
“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.” (Gen 45:3)
Imagine the brothers shock that their brother Joseph is standing before them. As a powerful Egyptian he could have them thrown in chains or worse. Confusion was rampant.
Joseph went on to relieve their guilt.
“5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
6For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
7And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
9Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:
10And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:” (Gen 45:5-10)
A wonderful picture of love. Joseph does not blame them for the sin they did unto him, he was happy that it was part of God’s plan. As rough as Joseph’s, his brother’s, and his mother’s and father’s life was, God had made a path to prosperity and a future posterity.
God didn’t make their lives easy, but he made it easier than it would have been. Life is not easy, you will suffer, but God, through Jesus eases the way. By believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the Cross for YOUR sins, and inviting Jesus to take over your life your way to eternity is secure.
Joseph now brings Israel to live in the land of Goshen, a very fertile part of Egypt.
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