Genesis 45:17-18: “Pharaoh said to Joseph, Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 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.’”
Word of Joseph’s family reunion soon reached the palace. Pharaoh was excited to learn about Zaphenath-Paneah’s family reunion. His son on the other hand, not so much. “He has eleven brothers?” he said, “These Hebrews seem to multiply like flies.” Ignoring his insulting remark, Pharaoh said to his servant: “Tell Zaphenath-Paneah to see me at once.”
Immediately Pharaoh’s son tensed up. Glaring at his father he asked: “What are you doing? You’re not inviting Joseph’s family to move here, are you?” The pharaoh frowned and replied: “Son, I don’t like the tone of your voice. Why do you question every decision I make, especially when it comes to my servant Zaphenath-Paneah?”
His son pulled himself together. Concealing his anger he continued with a more pleasant demeanor. “I’m sorry that I come across that way,” he said, “Naturally my sole concern is the welfare of Egypt. As you know, father, those Hebrew peasants and our highly developed Egyptian culture don’t mix. Most of them still live in the Stone Age. They have tended to their sheep and goats since the beginning of time.”
“Well, I’m glad you brought this to my attention, son!” Pharaoh replied. “We will discuss this with Zaphenath-Panea once he is here.” Emphatically, he added: “I want to invite his family to live here. He is one of my most faithful servants. Without him Egypt would be in dire straits and you know it.”
An hour later during a meeting with his officials, Pharaoh’s security guards brought in Joseph. Bowing low they announced: “Zaphenath-Paneah is here to see you.”
“Thank you”, Pharaoh replied and turning to Joseph he smiled and said: “We have heard the good news. Congratulations! It must be exciting to see your brothers after so many years.” Joseph smiled. “I see that word travels fast around here,” he said dryly. Everybody laughed and Pharaoh replied, “Yes indeed – and we are all very pleased to see you reunited with your family.” He paused and added, “And now I have a suggestion to make. Tell your brothers to return to Canaan and bring all of your family to Egypt.” Joseph was baffled. “Your Majesty”, he said, “You are too kind, but we are many…”
“What does your family do for a living?” the pharaoh interrupted Joseph. A bit perplexed he replied: “We have been shepherds for generations.”
“So it’s settled then,” Pharaoh said, “Your family moves to Goshen where they will have plenty of land to pasture their flocks and herds.”
Later, when they were alone the pharaoh looked at his son and said: “I believe I have solved a problem, son. The Hebrews will live in a separate territory and therefore won’t mix with our population.”
“I hope you are right,” his son replied gloomily, “I hope we haven’t gone to bed with an enemy who will kill us when the opportunity presents itself.”
At the governor’s mansion it was time to say goodbye. Joseph sent off his brothers with generous provisions for their journey, new clothing and carts to transport their wives and children when the time came to move to Egypt. For his father he had set aside ten donkeys loaded with food and ten female donkeys loaded with bread and other provisions for the journey. His parting words were: “Bring my father down here as soon as you can and don’t quarrel on the way!”
“What just happened?” Judah said after they had left the governor’s mansion, the very governor who turned out to be Joseph – their own brother. Everybody was still in shock. “This is incredible,” Levi said, “And I’m not sure what to think.” Reuben remarked: “I’m still waiting to wake up from a very strange dream.”
It’s not a dream,” Simeon put in soberly, “it’s a fact that Joseph is still alive and not only that, he is a man of power and influence. If he wants, he could use this power against us. We always have to remember that.”
Soon the brothers arrived in Canaan where Jacob awaited them eagerly. Once he spotted Benjamin he was relieved. As fast as his old legs could carry him he ran towards his sons. They had a big group hug and it took a while until Jacob noticed the astonishing quantity of provisions they had brought home. “Wow, that’s a lot of food!” he exclaimed, “and I don’t remember sending you off with so many donkeys.”
“These donkeys are a gift from your son Joseph,” Reuben blurted out. Suddenly, everybody got very quiet as his father stared him down, saying: “This is a bad joke!” Nobody said a word until Judah placed his arm around his dad. “I think we’d better sit down, father,” he said delicately, “We have something important to tell you.”
It took a little while for the news to sink in. At first Jacob couldn’t believe his ears, but after listening to their stories and seeing the carts Joseph had sent along he wept tears of joy. Over and over he said: “Praise God! Joseph is alive.”