Study Desk

Every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was severe in every land.

Listen," he went on, "I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die."

But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he thought, "Something might happen to him."

The sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

So Joseph imprisoned them together for three days.

Then they said to each other, "Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us."

But Reuben replied: "Didn't I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn't listen. Now we must account for his blood!"

Joseph then gave orders to fill their containers with grain, return each man's money to his sack, and give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out.

At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his money there at the top of the bag.

But Jacob answered, "My son will not go down with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. If anything happens to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hairs down to Sheol in sorrow."

If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.

But if you will not send him, we will not go, for the man said to us, ‘You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.'"

I will be responsible for him. You can hold me personally accountable! If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, I will be guilty before you forever.

May God Almighty cause the man to be merciful to you so that he will release your other brother and Benjamin to you. As for me, if I am deprived of my sons, then I am deprived."

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his steward, "Take the men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they will eat with me at noon."

When we came to the place where we lodged for the night and opened our bags of grain, each one's money was at the top of his bag! It was the full amount of our money, and we have brought it back with us.

The steward brought the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet, and got feed for their donkeys.

Since the men had heard that they were going to eat a meal there, they prepared their gift for Joseph's arrival at noon.

Joseph hurried out because he was overcome with emotion for his brother, and he was about to weep. He went into an inner room to weep.

They had not gone very far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Get up. Pursue the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?