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From Eternity Past
the governor, on account of his high rank, ate by himself. The Egyp-
tians 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 messes unto them from before him,” but Ben-
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jamin’s was five times as much as any of theirs. He hoped to ascertain
if the youngest brother was regarded with the envy and hatred that
had been manifested toward himself. Still supposing that Joseph did
not understand their language, the brothers freely conversed with one
another; thus he had good opportunity to learn their real feelings. Still
he desired to test them further. Before their departure he ordered that
his own drinking cup of silver be concealed 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 laden with grain, and all felt that they had
safely escaped the perils 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 uttered the scathing inquiry, “Wherefore
have ye rewarded evil for good? Is not this it in which my lord drinketh,
and whereby indeed he divineth? Ye have done evil in so doing.” This
cup was supposed to possess the power of detecting any poisonous
substance placed therein. Cups of this kind were highly valued as a
safeguard against murder by poisoning.
To the steward’s accusation the travelers answered, “Wherefore
saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do
according to this thing: behold, the money, which we found in our
sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan:
how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? With
whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also
will be my lord’s bondmen.”
“Let it be according to your words,” said the steward; “he with
whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.”
The search began immediately. “They speedily took down every
man his sack to the ground,” and the steward examined each, beginning
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with Reuben’s, and taking them in order down to that of the youngest.
In Benjamin’s sack the cup was found.