And Jacob [Israel] informed his sons that there is no way that Benjamin is going with them to Egypt, because they have already cost him one son, Joseph. He was not prepared to loose another son. Reuben then said to his father that he can kill both Ruben's sons if he didn't bring Benjamin back to his father. But Jacob denied him his request. He told Ruben that losing another son would surely kill him.
But famine was sore in the land. And when all the corn was eaten that they brought from Egypt, Jacob ordered them to go back to Egypt to get more food. They reminded him that Joseph insisted that Benjamin must come with them, otherwise travelling to Egypt would be for nothing. They also told them that Joseph also queried if their father was still alive.
Israel gave in and told them if that was the only way to get food, then it was how it must be. They could take Benjamin with them. He also ordered them to take gifts to Joseph and double their money, including the money that was returned to them on the previous occasion. He also spoke the Lord's mercy over them.
And so they took off with the presents, the money and Benjamin and travelled to Egypt. They finally stood before Joseph.
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house: 'Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready, for these men shall dine with me at noon.'
And the men did as Joseph said, and brought his brothers into the house.
But they were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house, and his servants gave them water and washed their feet, and they gave their donkeys food.
And the brothers made ready to present Joseph at noon, for they have heard that they would eat bread there.
And when Joseph came home, they offered him the presents that they brought with them, and they bowed before his feet.
He, in return, ask them about their welfare and their father's welfare ... asking if he was still alive.
They replied that Jacob was in good wealth and bowed again before Joseph.
Israel gave in and told them if that was the only way to get food, then it was how it must be. They could take Benjamin with them. He also ordered them to take gifts to Joseph and double their money, including the money that was returned to them on the previous occasion. He also spoke the Lord's mercy over them.
And so they took off with the presents, the money and Benjamin and travelled to Egypt. They finally stood before Joseph.
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house: 'Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready, for these men shall dine with me at noon.'
And the men did as Joseph said, and brought his brothers into the house.
But they were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house, and his servants gave them water and washed their feet, and they gave their donkeys food.
And the brothers made ready to present Joseph at noon, for they have heard that they would eat bread there.
And when Joseph came home, they offered him the presents that they brought with them, and they bowed before his feet.
He, in return, ask them about their welfare and their father's welfare ... asking if he was still alive.
They replied that Jacob was in good wealth and bowed again before Joseph.
Joseph then lifted up his eyes and then he saw Benjamin, his mother's son. He then ask the other brothers if Benjamin was the younger brother that they have spoken of.
Joseph then quietly went to his chambers and weep. After he washed his face, he went out told them to eat.
The next morning, before they leave, Joseph ordered that his personal silver cup should be hidden in Benjamin's sack. While they were deep into their journey, Joseph's servants caught up with them, informing them that Joseph's cup was stolen and that they are going to search the brother's sacks. And then they found the cup in Benjamin's sack.
They returned the men to the city. The brother's pleaded with Joseph to let Benjamin go with them, that he was innocent. They told Joseph that if they had to get home without Benjamin, their father would die of sorrow, because he had already lost one son.
And then Joseph could not hold the truth to himself anymore. He ordered his men to leave him, until he was alone with his brothers. He made himself known to his brothers: 'I am Joseph, and is my father still alive?' He brothers couldn't answer him, and just look at him in disbelief.
He asked them to came closer and said to them: 'Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me. For God did send me before you to preserve life. So it was not you that sent me, but God'. 'Now go back to my father and tell him that I'm still alive, and that God made me lord of all of Egypt. and that all of you and everything that you have must come to me. I will give you the the land of Goshen to dwell in. And I will take care of you for the next 5 years until the famine will be over'.
Joseph then fell upon Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
When Farao heard that Joseph had reunited with his family, he and his house was very pleased. He promised Joseph that he would take the best of care of Joseph's family, sending the best of wagons to go get Joseph's family, with presents for all.
Source: Genesis Chapter 45
Joseph then quietly went to his chambers and weep. After he washed his face, he went out told them to eat.
The next morning, before they leave, Joseph ordered that his personal silver cup should be hidden in Benjamin's sack. While they were deep into their journey, Joseph's servants caught up with them, informing them that Joseph's cup was stolen and that they are going to search the brother's sacks. And then they found the cup in Benjamin's sack.
They returned the men to the city. The brother's pleaded with Joseph to let Benjamin go with them, that he was innocent. They told Joseph that if they had to get home without Benjamin, their father would die of sorrow, because he had already lost one son.
And then Joseph could not hold the truth to himself anymore. He ordered his men to leave him, until he was alone with his brothers. He made himself known to his brothers: 'I am Joseph, and is my father still alive?' He brothers couldn't answer him, and just look at him in disbelief.
He asked them to came closer and said to them: 'Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me. For God did send me before you to preserve life. So it was not you that sent me, but God'. 'Now go back to my father and tell him that I'm still alive, and that God made me lord of all of Egypt. and that all of you and everything that you have must come to me. I will give you the the land of Goshen to dwell in. And I will take care of you for the next 5 years until the famine will be over'.
Joseph then fell upon Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
When Farao heard that Joseph had reunited with his family, he and his house was very pleased. He promised Joseph that he would take the best of care of Joseph's family, sending the best of wagons to go get Joseph's family, with presents for all.
Source: Genesis Chapter 45
