按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
of the country where Jacob dwelt。 Hearing of the abundant provision made by
the king of Egypt； ten of Jacob's sons journeyed thither to purchase grain。
On their arrival they were directed to the king's deputy； and with other
applicants they came to present themselves before the ruler of the land。 And
they 〃bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth。〃
〃Joseph knew his brethren； but they knew not him。〃 His Hebrew name had been
exchanged for the one bestowed upon him by the king； and there was little
resemblance between the prime minister of Egypt and the stripling whom they
had sold to the Ishmaelites。 As Joseph saw his brothers stooping and making
obeisance； his dreams came to his mind； and the scenes of the past rose
vividly before him。 His keen eye； surveying the group； discovered that
Benjamin was not among them。 Had he also fallen
225
a victim to the treacherous cruelty of those savage men？ He determined to
learn the truth。 〃Ye are spies；〃 he said sternly； 〃to see the nakedness of
the land ye are come。〃
They answered； 〃Nay； my lord； but to buy food are thy servants come。 We are
all one man's sons； we are true men； thy servants are no spies。〃 He wished
to learn if they possessed the same haughty spirit as when he was with them；
and also to draw from them some information in regard to their home； yet he
well knew how deceptive their statements might be。 He repeated the charge；
and they replied； 〃Thy servants are twelve brethren； the sons of one man in
the land of Canaan； and； behold； the youngest is this day with our father；
and one is not。〃
Professing to doubt the truthfulness of their story； and to still look upon
them as spies； the governor declared that he would prove them； by requiring
them to remain in Egypt till one of their number should go and bring their
youngest brother down。 If they would not consent to this； they were to be
treated as spies。 But to such an arrangement the sons of Jacob could not
agree； since the time required for carrying it out would cause their
families to suffer for food； and who among them would undertake the journey
alone； leaving his brothers in prison？ How could he meet his father under
such circumstances？ It appeared probable that they were to be put to death
or to be made slaves； and if Benjamin were brought； it might be only to
share their fate。 They decided to remain and suffer together； rather than
bring additional sorrow upon their father by the loss of his only remaining
son。 They were accordingly cast into prison； where they remained three days。
During the years since Joseph had been separated from his brothers； these
sons of Jacob had changed in character。 Envious； turbulent； deceptive；
cruel； and revengeful they had been； but now； when tested by adversity； they
were shown to be unselfish； true to one another； devoted to their father；
and； themselves middle…aged men； subject to his authority。
The three days in the Egyptian prison were days of bitter sorrow as the
brothers reflected upon their past sins。 Unless Benjamin could be produced
their conviction as spies appeared certain； and they had little hope of
gaining their father's consent to Benjamin's absence。 On the third day
Joseph caused the brothers to be brought before him。 He dared not detain
them longer。
226
Already his father and the families with him might be suffering for food。
〃This do； and live；〃 he said； 〃for I fear God； if ye be true men； let one of
your brethren be bound in the house of your prison： go ye； carry corn for
the famine of your houses： but bring your youngest brother unto me； so shall
your words be verified； and ye shall not die。〃 This proposition they agreed
to accept； though expressing little hope that their father would let
Benjamin return with them。 Joseph had communicated with them through an
interpreter； and having no thought that the governor understood them； they
conversed freely with one another in his presence。 They accused themselves
in regard to their treatment of Joseph： 〃We are verily guilty concerning our
brother； in that we saw the anguish of his soul； when he besought us； and we
would not hear； therefore is this distress come upon us。〃 Reuben； who had
formed the plan for delivering him at Dothan； added； 〃Spake I not unto you；
saying； Do not sin against the child； and ye would not hear？ therefore；
behold； also his blood is required。〃 Joseph； listening； could not control
his emotions； and he went out and wept。 On his return he commanded that
Simeon be bound before them and again committed to prison。 In the cruel
treatment of their brother； Simeon had been the instigator and chief actor；
and it was for this reason that the choice fell upon him。
Before permitting his brothers to depart； Joseph gave directions that they
should be supplied with grain； and also that each man's money should be
secretly placed in the mouth of his sack。 Provender for the beasts on the
homeward journey was also supplied。 On the way one of the company； opening
his sack； was surprised to find his bag of silver。 On his making known the
fact to the others； they were alarmed and perplexed； and said one to
another； 〃What is this that God hath done unto us？〃should they regard it
as a token of good from the Lord； or had He suffered it to occur to punish
them for their sins and plunge them still deeper in affliction？ They
acknowledged that God had seen their sins； and that He was now punishing
them。
Jacob was anxiously awaiting the return of his sons； and on their arrival
the whole encampment gathered eagerly around them as they related to their
father all that had occurred。 Alarm and apprehension filled every heart。 The
conduct of the Egyptian governor seemed to imply some evil design； and their
fears were confirmed； when； as they opened their sacks； the owner's money
227
was found in each。 In his distress the aged father exclaimed； 〃Me have ye
bereaved of my children： Joseph is not； and Simeon is not； and ye will take
Benjamin away： all these things are against me。〃 Reuben answered； 〃Slay my
two sons； if I bring him not to thee： deliver him into my hand； and I will
bring him to thee again。〃 This rash speech did not relieve the mind of
Jacob。 His answer was； 〃My son shall not go down with you； for his brother
is dead； and he is left alone： if mischief befall him by the way in the
which ye go； then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the
grave。〃
But the drought continued； and in process of time the supply of grain that
had been brought from Egypt was nearly exhausted。 The sons of Jacob well
knew that it would be in vain to return to Egypt without Benjamin。 They had
little hope of changing their father's resolution； and they awaited the
issue in silence。 Deeper and deeper grew the shadow of approaching famine；
in the anxious faces of all in the encampment the old man read their need；
at last he said； 〃Go again； but us a little food。〃
Judah answered； 〃The man did solemnly protest unto us； saying； Ye shall not
see my face； except you