Basic HTML Version
140
The Beginning of the End
When Joseph recovered his composure, he returned. Because
of the laws of social class, the Egyptians were forbidden to eat
with people of any other nation. This is the reason that the sons of
Jacob had a table by themselves, while the governor, because of his
high rank, ate by himself. The Egyptians also had separate tables.
When all were seated, the brothers were surprised to see that they
were arranged in exact order according to their ages. Joseph sent
“servings to them from before him,” but Benjamin’s was five times
as much as any of theirs. He hoped to find out if the youngest brother
was regarded with the envy and hatred that the brothers had shown
toward himself. Still supposing that Joseph did not understand their
language, the brothers freely conversed with one another, giving him
a good opportunity to learn their real feelings. Still he wanted to
test them further. Before they left Egypt he ordered that his own
drinking cup of silver be placed in the sack of the youngest.
Final Test of Their Repentance
Joyfully they set out on their return. Simeon and Benjamin were
with them, their animals were well-burdened with grain, and all felt
that they had safely escaped the dangers that had seemed to surround
them. But they had only reached the outskirts of the city when they
were overtaken by the governor’s steward, who inquired angrily,
“Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which
my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You
have done evil in so doing.” This cup was supposed to possess the
power of detecting any poisonous substance placed in it. Cups of this
kind were highly valued as a safeguard against murder by poisoning.
The travelers answered the steward’s accusation, “Why does my
lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do
such a thing. Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan
the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then
could we steal silver or gold from you lord’s house? With whomever
of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my
lord’s slaves.”
“Let it be according to your words,” said the steward; “he with
[109]
whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.”