Genesis 44:11-12 - Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
The brothers' payment in silver was supposed to be put into the mouth of each of their sacks per Joseph's instructions. Did the steward just ignore it while looking for the silver cup? Did the brothers see the silver in the mouths of their sacks? Did no one even bother with the money now that the silver cup was involved?
The brothers had noticed that they had been seated at the table in Joseph's house in order of age. Did they notice that this was the search order now too? Did the steward know who was who from memory or did he use crib notes?
Joseph was torn between the desires of revealing his identity to his brothers and his deep pain at their betrayal and inhumane treatment of him.
ReplyDeleteJoseph, like most of the other Patriarchs was an emotionally damaged individual. It took God to do a mighty work in him to help Jospeh forgive his brothers and hence allow Jospeh to play his part in the continuation of the Abrahamic blessing.
http://indifferencegivesyouafright.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/i-forget-reading-the-story-of-joseph-in-harmony-with-the-other-patriarchal-narratives-of-genesis/