Joseph and His Brothers
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to learn the truth. “Ye are spies,” he said sternly; “to see the nakedness
of the land ye are come.”
They answered, “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.” He wished to learn if they possessed the same haughty
spirit as when he was with them, and also to draw from them some
information in regard to their home; yet he well knew how deceptive
their statements might be. He repeated the charge, and they replied,
“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.”
Professing to doubt the truthfulness of their story, and to still look
upon them as spies, the governor declared that he would prove them,
by requiring them to remain in Egypt till one of their number should
go and bring their youngest brother down. If they would not consent to
this, they were to be treated as spies. But to such an arrangement the
sons of Jacob could not agree, since the time required for carrying it
out would cause their families to suffer for food; and who among them
would undertake the journey alone, leaving his brothers in prison?
How could he meet his father under such circumstances? It appeared
probable that they were to be put to death or to be made slaves; and
if Benjamin were brought, it might be only to share their fate. They
decided to remain and suffer together, rather than bring additional
sorrow upon their father by the loss of his only remaining son. They
were accordingly cast into prison, where they remained three days.
During the years since Joseph had been separated from his brothers,
these sons of Jacob had changed in character. Envious, turbulent,
deceptive, cruel, and revengeful they had been; but now, when tested
by adversity, they were shown to be unselfish, true to one another,
devoted to their father, and, themselves middle-aged men, subject to
his authority.
The three days in the Egyptian prison were days of bitter sorrow
as the brothers reflected upon their past sins. Unless Benjamin could
be produced their conviction as spies appeared certain, and they had
little hope of gaining their father’s consent to Benjamin’s absence. On
the third day Joseph caused the brothers to be brought before him. He
dared not detain them longer. Already his father and the families with
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him might be suffering for food. “This do, and live,” he said; “for I fear