In Chanaan there was great suffering - because of the famine. One day Jacob sent his ten oldest sons to buy corn in Egypt. He kept only his youngest, Benjamin, whom he loved best, with him.In Chanaan there was great suffering - because of the famine. One day Jacob sent his ten oldest sons to buy corn in Egypt. He kept only his youngest, Benjamin, whom he loved best, with him.
As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he knew them; but they did not recognize him. He pretended to believe them spies, and cast one of them, Simeon, into prison. Then he gave them as much corn as they could carry, saying, "Bring Benjamin to see me, and I will set Simeon free."
When Jacob learned from his sons what Joseph wanted, he was sad for fear some harm would befall Benjamin. He refused to let the little boy go.
Soon the corn that the brothers had brought was gone. Jacob told his sons to buy some more. But they said, "We cannot, unless you let Benjamin go with us, or Joseph will not sell us corn."
Juda, one of the brothers, promised to bring back Benjamin. Finally Jacob agreed to let his youngest son go, and the brothers set out for Egypt.
When Joseph saw Benjamin, he wept for joy. He prepared a banquet for his brothers. He ordered that their sacks should be filled with corn.
At last the brothers started back for Chanaan. They had not gone far when a servant of Joseph's overtook them. "You have stolen my master's silver cup," said he.
To prove their innocence, the brothers asked to be searched. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Ashamed and bewildered, they returned to Joseph's house.
Now Joseph had ordered a servant to put the cup secretly in Benjamin's sack. When his brothers returned, he said, "Let Benjamin, in whose sack my cup was found, remain as my servant. The rest of you may return to your father's house."
Juda cried, "Take me as your servant! What shall I say to my father if Benjamin does not return? Jacob will die of grief."
Joseph could no longer restrain himself. Weeping before them, he said, "I am Joseph your brother!"
Joseph pardoning his brothers who had sold him into Egypt is a figure of Jesus Christ forgiving our sins if we repent and make a humble confession.
- from My Bible History in Pictures, by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, D.D., 1934; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael J O'Doherty of Manila, Philippines