state of mind. But now experience of violence would show them not only their past guilt, but that, however

God might seem to delay, He was the avenger of all wrong. More than that, if Benjamin were placed

relatively to them in the same circumstances of favoritism as Joseph had been; and if, instead of envying

and hating him, they were prepared, even when exposed through him to shame and danger, not only to

stand by him, but to suffer in his stead, then they had repented in the truest sense, and their state of mind

was the opposite of what it had been twenty years ago.73 Proceeding on this plan, Joseph first imprisoned all

the ten, proposing to release one of their number to fetch Benjamin, in order to test, as he said, the

truthfulness of their statements.

This excessive harshness was probably intended to strike terror into their hearts; and, at the end of three

days, he so far relented as to retain only one of their number as a hostage; at the same time encouraging

them both by the statement that, in so doing, his motive was "fear of God," and by the assurance that, once

satisfied of their innocence, he cherished no evil design against them. The reference to "fear of God" on the

part of an Egyptian, and this apparent shrinking from needless rigor, must have cut them to the heart, as it

brought out in contrast their own implacable conduct towards Joseph. Simeon was chosen to remain behind

as hostage, because he was the next oldest to Reuben, who was not detained, since he had endeavored to

save the life of Joseph. This also must have contributed to remind them of their former wrong; and, for the

first time, they avow to one another their bitter guilt in the past, and how God was now visiting it. So

poignant were their feelings that, in the presence of Joseph, they spoke of it, in their own Hebrew, ignorant

that Joseph, who had conversed with them through an interpreter, understood their words. Joseph was

obliged hastily to withdraw, so as not to betray himself; but he wavered not in his purpose. Simeon was

bound before their eyes, and the rest were dismissed; but each with ample provender for the journey,

besides the corn they had bought, and with the purchase-money secretly restored to them.

The terror with which the unexpected turn of events had inspired them was deepened when, at their first

night's quarters, one of them discovered the money in his sack. But, as before, the impression was

wholesome. They traced in this also the avenging hand of God: "What is this that God hath done unto us?"

The narrative which, on their return, they had to tell their father was sufficiently sad. But the discovery they

now made, that the money which they had paid had been secretly put back into each man's sack, seemed to

imply some deep design of mischief, and filled Jacob and his sons with fresh fears. If the condition of their

again appearing before the ruler of Egypt was, that they must bring Benjamin with them, then he, who had

already lost two sons, would refuse to expose to such a risk his darling, the last remaining pledge of his

Rachel. Reuben, indeed, volunteered the strange guarantee of his own two sons: "Slay my two sons, if I

bring him not to thee." But this language was little calculated to reassure the heart of Jacob. For a time it

seemed as if Jacob's former sorrow was to be increased by the loss of Simeon, and as if Joseph and his

family were never again to meet.

If we ask ourselves why Joseph should have risked this, or added to his father's sorrow, we answer, to the

first question, that, since Joseph now knew the circumstances of his family, and had Simeon beside him, he

could at any time, on need for it appearing, have communicated with his father. As to the second difficulty,

we must all feel that this grief and care could not be spared to his father if his brothers were to be tried,

proved, and prepared for their mission. And did it not seem as if Joseph had rightly understood the will of

God in this matter, since the heart of his brethren had been at once touched to own their past sin and the

Hand of God?

Could he not then still further commit himself to God in well-doing, and trust Him? Nay, could he not also

trust Jacob's faith to bear up under this trial? At most it would be short, and how blessed to all the fruits

expected from it! Once more the event proved the correctness of his views. As the stock of provisions,

which the sons of Jacob had brought, became nearly exhausted, a fresh application to the royal granaries of

Egypt was absolutely necessary. This time it was Judah who offered himself in surety for Benjamin. His

language was so calm, affectionate, and yet firm, as to inspire Jacob with what confidence can be derived

from the earnest, good purpose of a true man. But he had higher consolation - that of prayer and faith: "God