"YOU WILL BE TESTED" - Continue

 He sent them home and kept Simeon as a prisoner.  He also had money concealed in the bags of food 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, the openly told Joseph's steward of the money they found in the bags, offering to repay the 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 of the cup.  What 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 become slaves in Egypt.  Joseph countered that Benjamin alone must remain in Egypt as a slave but that all the rest of the must leave. - GENESIS 44:2-17.

Judah was moved to respond with an impassioned speech.  "He is the only remaining son of his mother, and his father loves him," Judah said.  Those words must have touched Joseph, for he was the oldest son of Jacob's wife Rachel, who had died while giving birth to Benjamin.  Joseph, like his father, evidently cherished memories of Rachel. Perhaps that connection made Benjamin dearer to Joseph. - GENESIS 35:18-20; 44:20.

Next time: "YOU WILL BE TESTED" - Conclusion

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