GENESIS 42
12 He said to them, “No, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see.” 13 And they said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.” 14 But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. 15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 And he put them all together in custody for three days.
– Genesis 42:12-17
GENESIS 42 JOSEPH PUTS BROTHERS TO THE TEST
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Joseph questioned their true identities in their coming to Egypt
Because they didn’t recognize him, he wanted it to stay that way
To know that his father and youngest brother were still alive,
He accused them of being spies and prove to him that they weren’t
If they bring the youngest brother to Egypt, they passed the test
It was the only way Joseph could see his only brother by his mother.
We witness again the wisdom of Joseph in this account. Of course, Joseph knew they were his brothers, but by accusing them they were spies, he will be able to ask them to prove that they truly had a younger brother. Since they didn’t recognize him, they were all so fearful that they wouldn’t have grain to bring back to their father and Benjamin and would eventually die because of the famine.
Joseph’s plan to find out about his father and Benjamin was brilliant. He could continue to make them believe what they know about him: the authority to grant them to buy grain in Egypt. This way he can confirm that his father and Benjamin are all well. It also gives him a chance to confine the rest of his brothers, not to punish them for what they had done to him, but to share with them his comfort and riches in Egypt.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think Joseph had that ability to still treat his brothers well despite what they did to him?
