Genesis 50:19-21
”Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.“
Something Joseph’s brothers were unaware of. If Joseph had meant them harm, it would have been done unto them. As I reflect on this, Joseph recognized them! They had no idea who he was!
When Joseph’s brothers first encountered him in Egypt, they did not recognize him as their brother because he was now a high-ranking official in Egypt, and they had sold him into slavery years earlier, so they had no reason to suspect he was the same person they once knew; Joseph deliberately concealed his identity to test their character and eventually reveal himself to them later on.
Key points about this situation:
- Joseph’s disguise: He used an interpreter to communicate with his brothers, further obscuring his identity.
- The reason for not revealing himself: Joseph wanted to see how his brothers would behave now that they were in a position of powerlessness before him.
- The eventual revelation: Later in the story, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, causing them great shock and remorse.