Joseph and his Brethren
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that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
And he turned himself about from them, and wept, and returned to
them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon,
and bound him before their eyes.”
Joseph selected Simeon to be bound, because he was the instigator,
and principal actor in the cruelty of his brethren toward him. He then
directed that his brethren should be liberally supplied with provision,
and that every man’s money should be placed in his sack. They pursued
their homeward journey in sadness. As one of them opened his sack
to feed his beast with provender, he found his money, just as he had
brought it to Joseph. He told his brethren, and they considered that a
new evil would arise, and they were afraid, and said one to another,
What is this that God hath done unto us? Shall we consider this as a
token of good from the Lord, or has he suffered it to occur to punish us
for our sins, and plunge us still deeper in affliction? They acknowledge
that God has seen their sins, and has marked their wrongs, and that he
is now visiting them for their transgressions.
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When they came to their father Jacob they related to him all that
had transpired, and said, “The man who is the Lord of the land, spake
roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. And we said unto
him, We are true men; we are no spies. We be twelve brethren, sons of
our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in
the land of Canaan.” They told their father that he would not believe
their word, and said, If ye are not spies, leave one of your brethren
with me, and take food for your households; and when ye come again
bring your youngest brother, and then I will release you your brother
that is bound, and ye shall be at liberty to trade in the land.
As they emptied their sacks, every man’s money was found in his
sack, and they were all afraid. Jacob was distressed, and said unto
them, “Me have ye bereaved of my children; Joseph is not, and Simeon
is not, and ye will take Benjamin away. All these things are against
me.” Reuben assured his father that if he would intrust Benjamin to
his care, he would surely bring him again to his father; if not, he might
slay his two sons. This rash speech did not relieve the mind of Jacob.
He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead,
and he is left alone. If mischief befall him by the way in the which ye
go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.”
Jacob’s affections cling to Benjamin with all the strength of a
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