Years had passed. The famine Joseph foresaw had spread across all lands *** Egypt, Canaan, and beyond. The Nile no longer overflowed, the earth cracked beneath the sun, and hunger groaned through the villages.
But in Egypt, there was food *** because Joseph had prepared. His storehouses overflowed with grain, and Pharaoh's name was praised.
Meanwhile, in Canaan, Jacob heard rumors that Egypt had food. "Go," he said to his sons, "and buy grain so that we may live."
So ten of them set out *** all except Benjamin, the youngest, whom Jacob would not risk losing.
***
The Stranger in the Palace
They entered Pharaoh's grand hall, where Egyptian officials moved with discipline and splendor. And at the end of the hall stood a man of authority, robed in gold, his expression calm but sharp. None of them recognized him *** how could they? Joseph had grown into a man of power, speaking Egyptian, wearing the seal of Pharaoh.
But Joseph recognized them instantly. The same faces that had laughed as they sold him years ago now bowed low before him *** just as in his dream.
He felt a storm rise within him *** anger, grief, longing ** but his wisdom whispered, Wait. Test them first.
***
The Test
Joseph spoke through an interpreter: "Where do you come from?"
"From the land of Canaan," they replied. "We are twelve brothers, sons of one man. The youngest is with our father, and one... is no more."
Joseph's heart clenched at those last words. No more. That's what they thought of him.
"You are spies," Joseph accused. "You came to find the weak places in our land."
They protested, but Joseph kept a stern face. He imprisoned them for three days. Then he said, "Bring your youngest brother to prove your honesty. One of you shall stay here."
They looked at one another in fear, whispering among themselves in their own tongue **"unaware Joseph understood every word.
"This is punishment for what we did to our brother," Reuben said. "We saw his distress when he pleaded for his life, but we ignored him."
Joseph turned away and wept.
He bound Simeon before their eyes and sent the rest home with grain **'and secretly returned their money in their sacks.
***
Return to Canaan
When they told Jacob what happened, his heart broke again. "You would take Benjamin too? Joseph is gone, Simeon is gone... and now BenjaminYou would take Benjamin too? Joseph is gone, Simeon is gone... and now Benjamin?"
But hunger knows no mercy. When their food ran out, Jacob reluctantly agreed. "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
They returned to Egypt with Benjamin.
***
The Feast
When Joseph saw Benjamin, his heart trembled. The boy was grown *** a man now ***yet he still carried the gentle face of his mother, Rachel.
"Prepare a feast," Joseph ordered. His brothers were terrified. "Why does the ruler invite us to dine?"
At the table, they bowed again. Joseph looked at Benjamin and whispered softly, "God be gracious to you, my son." He had to leave the room to hide his tears.
They ate together. Joseph had their portions served, but Benjamin's was five times larger. The brothers laughed nervously *** and for the first time, there was no envy, only gratitude that they were still alive.
***
The Final Test
Before they left, Joseph secretly placed his silver cup in Benjamin's sack. When the guards caught them, Joseph thundered, "Why have you repaid good with evil?!"
The brothers fell to their knees. Judah stepped forward. "Let Benjamin go home. Take me instead. Our father will die if the boy does not return."
Joseph could bear it no longer. His heart, long restrained, burst open. He cried out, "Everyone leave me!" The hall emptied, leaving only him and his brothers.
***
The Revelation
Tears streamed down his face. The brothers trembled, unsure what was happening.
Then, in their own language, Joseph said, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?"
They stood frozen. Their mouths opened, but no words came. Guilt, fear, disbelief *** all hit them at once.
Joseph stepped closer. "Come near me. I am your brother, whom you sold into Egypt."
They fell to their knees, faces to the floor, trembling. But Joseph lifted them gently. "Do not be afraid. You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good ** to save lives this day. It was not you who sent me here, but God."
Then he embraced Benjamin, weeping on his shoulder. Each brother came, one by one, and Joseph forgave them all. The palace echoed with sobs ** not of sorrow, but of healing.
**"
Reunion and Restoration
Pharaoh heard of Joseph's family and welcomed them. "Bring your father and all your kin," he said. "You shall dwell in the best of the land ** in Goshen."
Joseph sent wagons and gifts, laden with grain and goods. When Jacob saw them, his heart revived. "It is enough," he whispered. "Joseph my son is still alive; I will go and see him before I die."
When they met, father and son embraced ** years of pain melting into one moment of peace. Joseph wept on his father's neck for a long time.
***
Understanding Above All
Joseph lived in Egypt with wisdom. He cared for his family, guided Pharaoh, and ensured no one starved. When Jacob died, the brothers again feared Joseph would take revenge.
But he said softly, "Am I in the place of God? You planned harm, but He turned it into good."
And Joseph's understanding _ the same that guided him from the pit to the palace _ shone brighter than ever. He saw how every wound, every betrayal, every tear had been part of a greater plan.
***
End of Chapter 10
In the twilight of his life, Joseph looked out across the land of Egypt_once a place of slavery, now a place of salvation. He knew that one day his descendants would leave this land, led by another chosen one, carrying with them the memory of dreams that came true.
And as he closed his eyes, Joseph whispered one last time:
"God's plan always begins in mystery… but ends in mercy."