The brothers fell to the ground before Joseph, their foreheads touching the earth. Joseph recalled his dreams… Wise and noble Joseph deferred revealing his identity to his brothers for a later time. Just think of the self-control he possessed! His heart must have been filled with the longing to share the joyful news of his existence with his aged, righteous father, who had mourned him as lost for over two decades. Yet, he resisted the urge of a benevolent, generous heart and opted for an approach that would benefit both himself and his brothers. Joseph was acutely aware of their rough and unruly character; they were rugged shepherds, raised among nomads, accustomed to a life herding flocks in the wilderness, living in untamed freedom. They knew no self-governance, disregarding authority; they often disobeyed and insulted their father, fulfilling every wicked desire, with their hands frequently stained with innocent blood. Such were the sons of Jacob as described in Scripture. They required a lesson; it was vital for their well-being that they learn submission and the art of civility. Those with cruel hearts, who trampled over conscience and the fear of God, could only be brought to sense and awareness through the torment of human dread. Foreseeing a severe famine, Joseph also anticipated the need to move Jacob's family from Palestine to Egypt. Did he not summon his brothers, upon their arrival in Egypt, to accuse them of being spies? If they had brought their unruly behavior and chaos into this new land, they would have quickly drawn the ire of the Egyptians; such recklessness could spell disaster for both Jacob’s family and Joseph himself, resulting in great misfortune. What had been gained through enduring hardship needed to be safeguarded by prudent conduct. Joseph approached his brothers authoritatively, with a stern demeanor, questioning them, “Where do you come from?” To which they replied, “From the land of Canaan; we have come to buy grain.” He countered, “No, you are spies; you have come to see how vulnerable our land is!”
THEOSIS