The seven fruitful years of harvest has brought so much grain to Egypt that Joseph can’t keep track of it all. But—
As Joseph predicted, the fields dried up after seven years, and famine swept across Egypt and included the land of Canaan where Joesph’s brothers lived.
Joseph’s father, Jacob, learns that he can purchase food from Egypt, so he sends the “boys” with money bags. Of course, they will have to appear before Pharaoh’s head spokesman.
Now Joseph is the governor of the land, the one who sells grain to all its people. So, when Joseph’s brothers arrive, they bow down to him with their faces to the ground. Genesis 42:6
Let’s put this scene in a freeze frame. It has been some twenty years since Joseph saw these wicked brothers. He recognizes them right away. They were adults when he last saw them, and they haven’t changed much. These brothers, who once overpowered him, now bow at his feet.
Joseph was young when they last saw him and has changed in adulthood. He looks clean-shaven like an Egyptian, dresses like an Egyptian, even speaks the Egyptian language. They have no idea that this ominous leader before them is their little brother.
A childhood dream pops up from Joseph’s memory—the one about the brothers’ sheaves bowing down to his sheaf.
The enticing play begins. Joseph speaks harshly in his foreign language, while the interpreter translates his words.
“You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
“No, my Lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. We were twelve brothers, the sons of one man from Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more. Your servants are honest men, not spies. Genesis 42:9-11
Joseph continues to insist that they are spies and has them thrown into prison for three days. There now, they can get a taste of what it is like to be thrown into prison unjustly.
On the third day, Joseph said to them, “If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.”
They said to one another [in their language, of course], “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.” Genesis 42:18-21
That incident so long ago is firmly engraved in their minds as much as it is in Joseph’s. After all these years, they still harbor the guilt.
Unresolved guilt always catches up with us eventually. The little boy thinks he has successfully eaten the cookie without being caught, but the left-over crumbs tell the tale. The wife deceives her husband then feels the guilt every time he kisses her. You can be sure your sins will find you out!
~ Joyce ~