Genesis 43:26-30 "And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there."
Joseph’s brothers had tarried for a while before coming back to Egypt. They were afraid of Joseph’s judgment. Israel was unwilling to send Benjamin back with them because Jospeh was already holding Simeon prisoner. He was concerned that he would lose his only other son by Rachel if he sent Benjamin with his brothers. He only relented when it was obvious that they would starve to death otherwise.
Joseph’s brothers still had no idea who he was. They did not yet know that it was his house they were standing in. All they knew at this point was that he was someone with great authority over their lives. They bowed to his power and authority and offered him the best they had to bring.
Joseph drew them out with careful examination. He caused them to confess to him the truth of their situation, even though this was something he already knew. This confession was not for his sake but for theirs. It was an acknowledgement in their own hearts that they understood that they were not in control.
In all of this, Joseph’s love for his brothers was becoming something he could not keep hidden. Benjamin was Joseph’s only full brother and was never complicit in the other brother’s plot against Joseph. Israel was father to them all, but only Joseph and Benjamin were born to Rachel. He looked upon his brother Benjamin, spoke a blessing upon him, and was moved to tears with his great love for him.
When Jesus first begins to work in our lives, we may only be aware for a while that He has authority, and we have none. We may rebel against the idea of being prisoners and servants. Yet, we learn that without Him there is only spiritual famine in our land (lives). We are drawn back to Him out of a desire to live, and we come to the point where it is better to live as a prisoner than to die. We have not yet seen the great love He has for us, but dear ones that revelation is coming and with it, great joy!