“And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.” (Gen 42:6)
Joseph has gone from an insignificant teenager to be only second to Pharaoh. Joseph did not go to any school, his intelligence in economics and politics came from God. God is with him.
Joseph had the power to sell food to traders from different lands. He also had the power to refuse. Then Joseph saw his brothers, he knew them but they did not recognize him. Joseph knew this and was going to use that to his advantage.
Joseph only spoke to his brothers through an interpreter. Joseph knew them and understood their language, he just didn’t want them to know that. His brothers had bowed down to show respect to the power of Joseph. It was the tradition of the time.
After the formalities Joseph asked them why are you here? His brothers said, we are from Canaan to buy food. Joseph changes the mood.
“And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.”(Gen 42:9)
Joseph knew that they were not spies, but he needed them to fear him. And they did.
“And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.” (Gen 42:10-11)
Joseph continued to accuse them of being spies. Through Joseph’s interpreter they said,” And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.”(Gen 42:13)
Joseph understood the truth the brothers had said, but he needed them to continue to fear him. Joseph tells the brothers that they will be held in an Egyptian prison until their youngest brother is brought to Egypt.
“17And he put them all together into ward three days.
18And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
19If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
20But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.” (Gen 42:17-20)
The brothers spoke to each other, all the while thinking Joseph did not know he understood them.
“21And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
22And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” (Gen 42:21-22)
Joseph turned his back to his brothers and wept. Joseph returned to them and communed with them. Then he bound Simeon and had all of the men’s sacks filled with corn. He also had all of their money put into the sacks. Joseph had sent them to their father with the food they wanted and the money they had spent.
Stay tuned…
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