NOTES for Gen 42:1-38
Today's reading tells us about Joseph's first meeting with his brothers after a long separation. Of course, the first thing that stands out is the mention of how the brothers bowed down to the ground before Joseph (v. 6). And Joseph immediately remembered the dreams he had seen in childhood (v. 9) and... accused his brothers of something of which they could not possibly have been guilty: being spies who had come to find out where and how best to attack the borders (vv. 9-12). At first glance, this is strange behavior. Joseph had recognized his brothers (v. 7), and they had bowed down to him; one would think that this was the moment to reveal himself to them, remind them of the past, and enjoy the triumph of restored justice. Instead, Joseph begins a complicated game: he gives no sign that he has recognized the brothers, accuses them of utterly impossible things, and demands that as proof they present to him the younger brother, Benjamin, who has remained at home (vv. 3-4, 13-16). One might think this was punishment for what they had done, a kind of revenge, a desire to let the brothers feel what it is like to risk the younger, beloved brother. It is easy to get rid of a brother whom you hate, but what is it like to risk the life and freedom of the one whom you love? Yet even this decision is not final: in the end Joseph releases all the brothers, keeping only one as a hostage, and orders them next time to bring the younger brother with them without fail (vv. 18-20). Joseph had no doubt that the brothers would have to return, since he knew how long the famine was supposed to last. More than that, he ordered that the full amount each of them had paid for the grain bought in Egypt be returned to them (v. 25). The earlier Joseph, who joyfully told his father and brothers about his dreams, would not have delayed revealing himself to those who had come and reminding them of everything that had happened before. But the present Joseph does not want proof that he was right, or even the triumph of justice. He wants repentance and conversion from his brothers. And that is impossible until you have been, so to speak, in the shoes of the one who suffered from your sin. Joseph lets his brothers feel what it is like to lose a beloved brother. At the same time, he lets them understand that the great Egyptian official with whom they have had to speak (and the brothers did not recognize Joseph!) is by no means hostile to them: see, he even returned the money for the grain they bought... And Joseph's brothers gradually begin to understand that what is happening to them is because of Joseph, because of their sin against their brother (vv. 21-22).