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Joseph and His Brothers
This chapter is based on Genesis 41:54-56; 42 to 50.
Under the direction of Joseph, huge buildings were erected
throughout the land of Egypt to store the surplus of the expected
harvest. During the seven years of plenty the amount of grain stored
away was too much to count.
And now the seven years of famine began, according to Joseph’s
prediction. “The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of
Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished,
the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all
the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.’ The
famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the
storehouses and sold to the Egyptians.”
The famine was severe in the country where Jacob lived. Hearing
of the abundant provision made by the king of Egypt, ten of Jacob’s
sons journeyed there to buy grain. They were directed to the king’s
deputy and came to present themselves before the ruler of the land.
And they “bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.”
“Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” His
Hebrew name had been changed, and there was little resemblance
between the prime minister of Egypt and the youth they had sold to
the Ishmaelites. As Joseph saw his brothers stooping and bowing
down, his dreams and the scenes of the past rose vividly before
him. His keen eye discovered that Benjamin was not among them.
Was he also a victim of the brothers’ treacherous cruelty? Joseph
determined to learn the truth. “You are spies!” he said sternly. “You
have come to see the nakedness of the land!”
They answered, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to
buy food. ... We are honest men; your servants are not spies.” He
wanted to learn some information from them about their home, yet
he knew how deceptive their statements could be. He repeated the
charge, and they replied, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the
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