16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’

19 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’”

21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”

25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Dear God, it would seem from the telling of this story in verses 26-28 that the boys never came clean and told their father what they did. It looks like they just told him that Joseph survived the animal attack since their words, according to verse 26 were, “Joseph is still alive!” I also noticed that Joseph’s instruction to them when they left was, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” He could probably foresee the guilt they would each feel and how they might take it out on each other. He was ready for it to be over for all of them.

I think it is interesting, also, that Joseph continued to treat Benjamin differently. It almost intimates that he did not totally forgive his brothers. There was still some bitterness there. Sure, Benjamin was his only full brother, but they had really done something unthinkable to him. He could see your overall plan, but I think there was still a part of him that couldn’t forgive.

I have been there with someone. In fact, I have been there a few times. One time I didn’t get a job that I really wanted, but, not getting that job actually led to a better job because someone involved with that search recommended me for the job I have now. It was all good. But I suffered for a few months after that rejection (yes, only a few months), so when I ran into a couple of those board members who didn’t hire me at a gathering I must confess that I was talking to them and hoping they left the conversation regretting that they hadn’t hired me—even though I had a better job than the one they had to offer.

Father, I still hold on to bitterness, and I am sorry. Please forgive me. Heal me from the things that have hardened my heart. I am sure that Joseph would love to have been in a place where he gave as much to all of his brothers as he gave to Benjamin, but he just wasn’t there. Help me to look beyond what others may or may not do to me and simply show them your love. This will give me freedom and give you the glory in their eyes.