Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The famine in the land continued to worsen. When they had eaten up the grain they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little food." Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly protested to us, saying, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"

If we send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food from you," Judah said. "But if you refuse, we won't go." Israel asked them why they had told the Egyptian official that they still had another brother when in fact they didn't. The brothers explained that he had asked about their family situation, including whether their father was alive and if they had any other brothers.

Judah offered to take responsibility for Benjamin's safe return, saying, "I'll be surety for him. If I don't bring him back to you and present him before you, let me bear the blame forever." Their father agreed and instructed them to take some of the finest fruits from their land as a gift to the Egyptian official. He also gave them double money in case it was an oversight.

Israel asked them to take Benjamin with them and return to Egypt, praying that God would show mercy before the official so he would release Benjamin and allow him to see his family again. The men took the present, double money, and Benjamin, and set out for Egypt. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he ordered his steward to prepare a meal and invited the brothers to dine with him at noon.

The brothers were frightened, thinking they had been brought into Joseph's house as prisoners because their money had been returned in their sacks. They approached Joseph's steward and explained that they had come down initially to buy food, but found their money intact when they opened their sacks. They also mentioned that they had brought more money with them to purchase additional food.

The steward reassured them, saying, "Fear not; your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I've returned your money." He then released Simeon from custody and provided for the brothers' needs, including giving them water to wash their feet and feeding their donkeys.

As they prepared the gift, Joseph arrived at noon, and the brothers presented it to him when he came home. They bowed down before him, inquiring about his father's well-being and confirming that he was still alive. When Joseph saw Benjamin, he asked if this was indeed his younger brother, whom they had spoken of earlier.

Joseph's emotions overwhelmed him with compassion for his brother, and he sought a private place to weep. He composed himself, saying, "Set on bread," and the brothers sat down to eat separately from the Egyptians, who refused to dine with them due to their dietary restrictions.

The men were amazed at each other as they ate, with Benjamin receiving five times more food than any of his brothers. They drank wine and celebrated with Joseph, enjoying a joyful meal together.