During Joseph's initial interrogation of his brothers, who have come to Egypt to buy grain, the brothers talk about their family and state that Benjamin and their father are alive. This crucial information would have brought joy to Joseph's heart, but he also uses it to push the plot forward in an unexpected, clever, and wise path.
He sets up a series of tests to discover the true state of the brothers' hearts. First, is his brother Benjamin really alive? During the interrogation, they had lied about Joseph being dead. He needs to find out if they are lying about Benjamin. Two, will someone volunteer to get Benjamin? Joseph throws all the brothers in prison to demonstrate his power and show that he is serious about his accusations. But upon their release, no one volunteers to return to Canaan and fetch Benjamin. It seems that not a single brother is trustworthy to return, or perhaps none wants to face their father and explain why nine brothers are missing. Joseph then changes his plan. Instead of nine brothers remaining in an Egyptian prison, only one will stay behind. That sets up the third test: will someone volunteer to stay? Alas, upon their release, they fail this test as well. If someone had volunteered, that would've shown that one trusted his brothers to come back for him, indicating that there had been a change of heart among the brethren.
Under pressure and facing a man who fears the Lord, the Holy Spirit begins his work, and the brothers start to crack.
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Kurt Snow serves as a ruling elder at Covenant Reformed Church of Sacramento (RCUS). He served as a member of the Board of Governors of City Seminary of Sacramento from 2000 to 2020.
