IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOSEPH

"YOU WILL BE TESTED"

Joseph launched into a series of tests designed to reveal who his brothers were at heart. He started by speaking to them harshly, through an interpreter, accusing them of being foreign spies. To defend themselves, they told him about their family-including the key fact that  they had a younger brother still at home. Joseph tried to hide his excitement. Was his little brother really alive? Now Joseph knew how to proceed.  He said:  "By this you will be tested," and then he told them that he must see this younger brother. In time, he agreed to let them  return home to fetch the youngest if one of them would agree to remain behind as a hostage. -Genesis 42:9-20. 

As the brothers talked matters over, unaware that Joseph could understand them, they reproached themselves  for the terrible sin they had committed 20 years earlier.  "We are surely being punished on account of our brother," they said, "because we saw his distress when he begged us to show compassion, but we did not listen.  That is why this distress has come upon us."  Joseph understood what they were saying, and he had to turn aside so that they could not see his tears.  (Genesis 42:21-24) He knew, though, that real repentance involves far more than a mere feeling of regret over the consequences of a wicked deed. So he proceeded with his test. 

He sent them home and kept Simeon as a prisoner. He also had money concealed in the bags of food that they took home.  The brothers journeyed home and with difficulty, persuaded Jacob to let them  take his beloved Benjamin with them to Egypt.  When they arrived in Egypt, they openly  told Joseph's steward  of the money they had found in their bags, offering to pay full amount.   That offer was admirable, but Joseph needed to see more of their true nature. He provided them with a feast  barely concealing how moved he was upon seeing Benjamin. Then he sent them on their way homeward, again laden with food, but this time, a silver cup was hidden in Benjamin's bag. - Genesis 42:26-44:2.

Joseph then sprang his trap. He had his brothers pursued, arrested, and accused of stealing the cup. When it was found in Benjamin's bag, all of them were brought back to Joseph. Now Joseph had a chance  to learn what kind of men his brothers were. Judah acted as their spokesman.  He pleaded for mercy, even offering that all 11 of them  became slaves in Egypt. Joseph countered that Benjamin alone must remain in Egypt as a slave but that all the rest of them must leave. -Genesis 44:2-17. 

Next time: Conclusion of "YOU WILL BE TESTED" 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015