Seven years of plenty have passed; seven years of famine have arrived. All the surrounding countries come to Egypt and to Joseph to buy corn; so, too, do Joseph's 10 brothers.
Great drama unfolds between Joseph and his brothers. Viewing this one might wonder about its necessity, but apparently a loving God was orchestrating the whole scenario. Here, the reader needs to understand these brothers, as they will eventually all be gathered to Joseph, will become the foundation of a nation unlike any other with eternal implications.
The whole of this drama is recounted in Genesis Chapters 42-47. The principles played out in the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers will probably occur again when Jesus is reconciled to His Jewish brethren at the "end of the age".
Meanwhile the interaction between Joseph and his brethren as they work out the purchase of corn is designed to accomplish several purposes:
1) To awake the consciences of the brothers and cause them to reflect on and perhaps abhor their own wickedness. This happened.
2) To enable Joseph to see for the first time his younger brother, Benjamin. The requirement, Benjamin be brought to Egypt as a condition for purchase of additional grain anguished the father, Jacob, beyond measure. This happened.
3) To bring about reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, with Benjamin present. This happened.
4) To bring Jacob and his entire household to Egypt. This happened.
When reconciliation and restoration occurred, the family realizes:
1) Joseph's dreams were of God and gave direction and validation to all that flowed from them. The first dream was validated when the brothers bowed down to Joseph; the second, when Joseph's parents bowed down to him.
2) God was directing their steps far more than they knew.
3) God sovereignly chose Joseph for this job which involved the saving of at least two nations: Egypt and Israel (a nation in the making). God demonstrates the pleasure of His purposes for the entire family's being in Egypt by the way He opened Pharaoh's heart to the family. Pharaoh fully accepted the family, though they were herdsmen and shepherds vocations repugnant to most Egyptians. He also gave them wonderful welcoming gifts; none more wonderful than the Land of Goshen to dwell in. It was the best land in Egypt and politely off limits to the rest of the Egyptians.
Now the larger purposes of God would be worked out with Israel (over the course of 430 years) growing to such size ( 2 1/2 million by some estimates) as to be able to mount an army when, after Moses, and under Joshua's leadership, they moved into Canaan to possess the land.
It began with two dreams.
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