BRAGADAYJAH 148

Accordingly, as the Pharaoh commanded, so did Joseph. He gave them wagons full of provisions and food for the journey. He gave them all changes of clothing; but to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothing as well as 500 pieces of silver. And to his father he sent, ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with corn, and bread and meat for his father to eat on the way down. Then Joseph sent his brothers away and warned them to be careful as they went. One can understand Joseph’s concern. There was a famine all over, and they would be passing through famine stricken areas and a lot of hungry people on the way. They could easily fall into the hands of highwaymen, who would be willing to rob them, maybe even kill them, and steal their food; but Joseph need not have worried there were ten strong able bodied and combat hardened brothers apart from Benjamin; they could take care of themselves; but moreover God was watching over Israel and his children. So they returned home safely to their father. One can only imagine the joy and the elation of Israel to see all eleven of his sons return to him safely. He could see they were well laden with he-asses and she-asses and a good assignment of merchandise. One can also imagine his tears of joy and his shouts of praise and adoration to God his father on hearing the incredible news that his long lost son Joseph was not only alive and well; but that he had found honor and held high office in the land of Egypt; that he was that very lord and ruler of whom his sons had spoken on their first return. In choosing presents for his father, Joseph was very wise; for his brothers found it difficult enough to really convinced their father that he was still alive. An old man mourned and grieved for the loss of his son over many years only to be told he is still alive is not easy to convince; but there before his eyes were the wagons and the supplies his son had sent him, along with the greetings and the testimonies of his own sons including young Benjamin. At last Israel’s faint heart returned to him and so he said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive; I will go unto him.” More