Joseph and His Brothers
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in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our
father, and one is not.”
Professing to doubt their story, the governor declared that he would
require them to remain in Egypt till one of their number should go and
bring their youngest brother. If they would not consent, they were to
be treated as spies. But to such an arrangement the sons of Jacob could
not agree, since the time required would cause their families to suffer
for food; and who among them would undertake the journey alone,
leaving his brothers in prison? It appeared probable that they were to
be put to death or 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.
Wicked Men Had Learned Repentance
These sons of Jacob had changed in character. Envious, turbulent,
deceptive, cruel, and revengeful they had been; but now, tested by
adversity, they were unselfish, true to one another, devoted to their
father, and, themselves middle-aged men, subject to his authority.
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.
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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 him might be suffering for food. “This do, and live,” he
said; “for I fear God: if ye be true men, let one of your brethren be
bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of
your houses: but bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your
words be verified, and ye shall not die.”
Joseph had communicated with them through an interpreter. Hav-
ing no thought that the governor understood them, they conversed
freely with one another in his presence. “We are verily guilty con-
cerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he
besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come
upon us.” Reuben, who had formed the plan delivering Joseph at
Dothan, added “Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the