The land of Egypt goes through the
plenty and famine just as Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. But, you know,
funny thing, years of bad crops tend to be more than just local, and the land
of Canaan is going through the same thing, which means Jacob and Co. are
looking at hard times. Jacob, though, sends his sons, except for the new
youngest, Benjamin, to Egypt to buy food. The word is that Egypt had plenty of
food to sell during this time.
So, an aside, here. Despite what
jokes about the Exodus might tell us about taking 40 years to cross, the region
is not very big. We’re talking about a journey of weeks at most, and there are
always caravans moving back and forth across the region. They are the lifeblood
of the area, carrying not just goods from other lands, but news. To Jacob’s
group, going to Egypt is just your basic road trip.
Arriving in Egypt the brothers are
brought before, you guessed it, Joseph. I know, it’s like something out of a
soap opera. The brother, sold into slavery years ago is reunited with his
family. Will he use his position to take revenge upon them?
Dun dun dun!
Oh, and the brothers don’t
recognize him.
Remember, we had an unknown time
with Potiphar, at least two years in prison, the seven years of plenty, and now
we’re into the famine. All told I would say Joseph has been gone for at least
10 years, I’m betting more like 12+. For all that time, Joseph has been walking
living like an Egyptian. He even has an Egyptian wife, Astenath. We find out
later that he actually has two sons, so it’s been a while.
So, Joseph reveals himself as the
lost brother and there’s a teary-eyed family reunion!
No. Not even close.
He reveals himself and takes his
revenge upon his brothers for selling him!
Nope. He doesn’t reveal himself.
Like any good soap opera, the crucial reveal isn’t going to happen for several
episodes, but we will get to see both sides of this epic fakeout unfold.