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From Eternity Past
child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is
required.”
Joseph, listening, could not control his emotions, and he went out
and wept. On his return, he commanded that Simeon be bound before
them and again committed to prison. In the cruel treatment of their
brother, Simeon had been the instigator and chief actor.
Before permitting his brothers to depart, Joseph gave directions
that they should be supplied with grain and that each man’s money
should be secretly placed in the mouth of his sack. On the way, one of
the company, opening his sack, was surprised to find his bag of silver.
The others were alarmed and said, “What is this that God hath done
unto us?”
Jacob was anxiously awaiting the return of his sons, and on their
arrival the whole encampment gathered eagerly around as they related
to their father all that had occurred. Apprehension filled every heart.
The conduct of the Egyptian governor seemed to imply some evil
design, and their fears were confirmed when, as they opened their
sacks, the owner’s money was found in each. In his distress the aged
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father exclaimed, “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.” “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.”
But the drought continued, and the supply of grain from Egypt was
nearly exhausted. Deeper and deeper grew the shadow of approaching
famine. In the anxious faces of all in the encampment, the old man
read their need. At last he said, “Go again, buy us a little food.”
Judah answered, “The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying,
Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. If thou wilt
send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food; but if
thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us,
Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.” Seeing that
his father’s resolution began to waver, he said, “Send the lad with me,
and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and
thou, and also our little ones.” He offered to be surety for his brother,
and to bear the blame forever if he failed to restore Benjamin to his
father.