Joseph's mind games with his brothers continue in Genesis 43. Though Israel had at first insisted that Benjamin would only go to Egypt over his dead body, that eventually became a real possibility. The severe famine was continuing, and only the Egyptians had food. When Israel's family ran out of grain again, they felt they had no choice but to make a return trip to Egypt and face that paranoid administrator who seemed to have it out for them for some reason.
As the ten brothers reach Egypt with fear and trembling, they are shocked to receive an invitation to Joseph's house! Certain that this means they are about to be ambushed, the children of Israel quickly argue their case to the steward of the house, protesting that, on their last trip, their money had magically appeared in their sacks and that they were definitely not guilty of stealing it.
To their amazement, the steward agrees with them. He states that, indeed, he had received their payment in full and that, if their money had reappeared to them, they should be thankful to their God for such a miraculous blessing. To show that he is truly not mad, the steward even restores Simeon to them. Slowly but surely the brothers realize that they are not in trouble after all.
At noon, they prepare to eat in Joseph's house. Joseph appears and asks them more questions about their family. He seems much more pleasant now that they have brought Benjamin with them. The brothers are surprised to find themselves seated by birth order (how could he know something like that?) and are also astonished that the youngest is given portions five times as large as any of the others.
As they eat and drink and relax, the brothers may begin feeling that their troubles are behind them and that it will all be smooth sailing from here on out. They couldn't be more wrong...
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OK, I realize that Joseph was not technically a Copt. But the pun was too good to pass up!
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