Meeting the Brothers

Joseph after being relieved from prison was appointed to the position of treasurer by the king and took charge of supervising the agricultural affairs in the country. Due to his wisdom and providence at the time of famine and hardship when there wasn't enough water in the Nile River for any kind of cultivation, people had enough grain to run a healthy life and even more that was stocked in warehouses. The neighboring countries, however, were struck terribly by the famine and it was even spread over farther countries such as Jerusalem and Canaan where Jacob and his sons were living. Jacob thinking of a way to provide some grains, called his sons and told them:

Jacob: " Now that the famine is a serious threat to our people you shall attend to the presence of the wise minister of Egypt whose fame and honor has been over spread everywhere and ask him for help, but leave Benjamin with me so that being apart from you won't make me depressed."

When Joseph's brothers attended to his Presence, he immediately recognized them but they didn't. One of them went forth and said:

One of brothers: " We are twelve brothers of whom one has stayed with our father and one was lost years ago. Now we are here to buy some grains and save the family from the over spread famine."

Joseph being aware of his father's and Benjamin's health ordered to give them enough wheat and also put their money among the wheat bags secretly. When they were about to set out for Canaan, Joseph told them:

Joseph: " Next time you're coming to Egypt, take your brother with you so that I can make sure you're honest in your words." They replied:" We shall hope to be able to convince our father and take him with us."

When they described what had happened to their father and when Jacob was informed that they wanted to take Benjamin with them, he rejected them at first and said:

Jacob: "No, if you take him with you, you may again neglect him and he may have the same fate as his brother, Joseph. "

When they were unloading the wheat bags they found their money there, so they turned to their father and said:

Brothers: " Look how honorable and generous is the king of Egypt. He didn't accept our money, so have no fear and send him with us and we shall take good care of him. "

Finally when they promised to bring him back safe and sound and after Jacob made them vow on it, he accepted to let them take Benjamin to Egypt. Joseph got extremely happy to see his brother Benjamin. He called him alone to his presence and introduced himself to Benjamin but advised him strictly to keep it as a secret and not to let anybody know about it.