Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them.
Then they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed. And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack. He said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”
Comment: Joseph understood what they were saying to one another as did the interpreter. Thinking that he, Joseph, couldn’t understand them they verbalized their guilty consciences. Joseph was very touched – he turned away weeping – but he continued with his plan. Simeon was restrained and presumably imprisoned. The other nine get a bag of grain and presumably are reminded that if they want any more grain or to see Simeon again they must return with Benjamin. No doubt with troubled minds and mixed emotions they set out for home. But on the journey, to get some animal food, opening a bag, their minds are ripped apart as they see their money! Does the Egyptian plan, if they return, to accuse them of thievery? I guess for convenience sake they didn’t open the remainder of the bags on the way home, but they surely must have been tempted. Although they don’t understand what is going on, at least there is a healthy acknowledgement that God is above it all!
Prayer: Through all the vicissitudes of life, help me to remember that You, God, are still in charge.
As I read it! 