Wise and honorable Joseph, however, chose to keep his identity hidden for the moment. His soul possessed remarkable self-restraint. How his heart must have yearned to share the joyous news of his survival with his elderly, beloved father, who had mourned him for over two decades, believing him to be lost forever! Yet, he resisted the powerful impulse of a kind and generous heart, choosing instead to act in a manner that would truly benefit both himself and his brothers.
Joseph was acutely aware of the rough-hewn nature of these men; they were essentially untamed shepherds, raised in the wilderness, who had led lives of unrestrained freedom among their flocks. They had little regard for authority and often disobeyed their father, frequently taking actions that were both rebellious and violent. Such was the portrayal of Jacob's sons as noted in the Scriptures. They required a lesson in humility and decorum for their own sake. Those with cruel hearts, who disregarded their conscience and the fear of God, could only be brought to awareness and self-reflection through the painful experience of fear.
Anticipating a prolonged famine, Joseph foresaw the necessity of relocating Jacob's family from Canaan to Egypt. Was this not why he initially accused his brothers of being spies upon their arrival? If his brothers had brought their unruly and reckless behavior into this new land, they could have quickly garnered the wrath of the Egyptians. The safety of Jacob’s family and Joseph’s own well-being would have been at great risk, leading to severe consequences. What had been attained through enduring hardships needed to be safeguarded by prudent conduct. Joseph addressed his brothers with an air of authority, questioning them closely. "Where do you come from?" he inquired. "From the land of Canaan," they replied, "we have come to buy grain." He retorted, "You are spies; you have come to observe the weaknesses of our land!"
THEOSIS