Wicked Men Had Learned Repentance
These sons of Jacob had changed in character. They had been envious, hot-headed, deceptive, cruel, and revengeful they had been; but now, tested by adversity, they were unselfish, true to one another, devoted to their father, and, even now as middle-aged men, subject to his authority.BOE 106.1
Three days in the Egyptian prison were days of bitter sorrow as the brothers thought about their sins. Unless Benjamin could be brought, their conviction as spies appeared certain.BOE 106.2
On the third day, Joseph had the brothers brought before him. He dared not detain them longer. Already his father and the families with him might be suffering for food. “Do this, and live,” he said; “for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.”BOE 106.3
Joseph had communicated with them through an interpreter. Having no idea that the governor understood them, they talked freely with one another in his presence. “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.” Reuben, who had formed the plan for delivering Joseph at Dothan, added, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy,’ and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.”BOE 106.4
Joseph, listening, could not control his emotions, and he went out and wept. When he returned, he commanded that Simeon be bound before their eyes and again committed to prison. Simeon had been the instigator and chief actor in the cruel treatment of their brother Joseph.BOE 106.5
Before permitting his brothers to leave, 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 group, opening his sack, was surprised to find his bag of silver. The others were alarmed and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”BOE 106.6
Jacob was anxiously awaiting the return of his sons, and when they arrived the whole encampment gathered eagerly around as they told their father all that had happened. Dread filled every heart. The conduct of the Egyptian governor seemed to imply some evil intent, and their fears were confirmed when, as they opened their sacks, the owner’s money was found in each. In his distress the aged father exclaimed, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. 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 any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.”BOE 106.7
But the drought continued, and the supply of grain from Egypt was nearly exhausted. The shadow of approaching famine grew deeper and deeper. In the anxious faces of all in the camp, the old man read their need. At last he said, “Go back, buy us a little food.”BOE 107.1
Judah answered, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’” Seeing that his father’s resolve 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 you and also our little ones.” He offered to be responsible for his brother and to bear the blame forever if he failed to bring Benjamin back to his father.BOE 107.2
Jacob could no longer withhold his consent. He instructed his sons to take to the ruler a present of such things as the famine-wasted country had—“a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds,” and also a double amount of money. “Take your brother also,” he said, “and arise, go back to the man.” As his sons were about to leave on their doubtful trip, the aged father arose, and raising his hands to heaven, uttered the prayer, “May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin.”BOE 107.3
Again they journeyed to Egypt and presented themselves before Joseph. As he looked at Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he was deeply moved. He hid his emotion but ordered that they be taken to his house to dine with him. The brothers were greatly alarmed, afraid of being accused regarding the money found in their sacks. They thought that it might have been placed there to furnish a reason for making them slaves. In proof of their innocence they informed the steward of the house that they had brought back the money found in their sacks, also other money to buy food; and they added, “We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” The man replied, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Their anxiety was relieved, and when Simeon was released from prison and joined them, they felt that God was indeed gracious to them.BOE 107.4