The Second Journey to Egypt
43:1 to 45:28
Joseph’s brothers had experienced a measure of repentance during their traumatic experience in Egypt, but there was still much more to be accomplished in their hearts by the Ruach ha-Kodesh before they would be truly prepared and unified spiritually to serve their fathers and be the founders of the twelve tribes of Isra’el. They had not yet confronted Yosef himself, learned to confess their sin, and finally experience the joy of forgiveness that brings fellowship and unity.
To accomplish these things, another trip down to Egypt was necessary. The famine continued longer than anyone could have anticipated, and the abundant supplies that they had brought back on their first trip were nearly exhausted. Nevertheless, they kept putting off a second trip because of their certainty that it would prove disastrous unless Benjamin were with them and because of Jacob’s adamant refusal to let him go.655
The reunion of Joseph and his brothers is one of the most beautiful and moving stories in the entire Bible. Reconciliation between brothers once alienated is in itself a powerful theme. But in this case, the offended brother, being Joseph, was totally innocent of any wrongdoing. On the other hand, the treacherous brothers were racked with the pain of guilt, having long since assumed Yosef was dead. Furthermore, the narrative is written in such a way as to heighten the suspense and build to the dramatic moment in which Joseph revealed his true identity to his brothers. It is the climax of the story of Yosef.
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