Moved by Judah’s speech, Joseph is unable to restrain his emotions. To the consternation of his shocked brothers, he reveals that he is Joseph. In a long speech he attempts to dissipate their sense of guilt by stressing God’s role in sending him to Egypt in order to preserve the lives of his family. With the famine set to continue, Joseph sends his brothers back to Canaan in order to bring the rest of his family to Egypt (From the ESV Study Bible).

One of the most pressing questions about Joseph’s brothers in this section of Genesis is, “have they changed?” In chapter 44, Joseph once again tests them one last time. This time by placing a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack to accuse him of theft. In steps Judah, the once selfish but now self-less brother is willing to lay down his own life in the place of Benjamin. In doing so he foreshadows his descendent Jesus Christ, who willingly laid down his life for his people. For “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)

In Genesis 43 Jacob and his sons find themselves once again without food in the midst of famine. This prompted a second visit to Egypt, this time with Benjamin in tow. The brothers expect a harsh reaction from Joseph, who is still concealing his identity from them but are instead met with surprising mercy.

In Genesis 42 a shortage of food in Canaan forces Jacob to send his sons to Egypt, but Benjamin, Joseph’s younger brother, remains at home, for Jacob fears losing him, too. When Joseph encounters his brothers again, he deliberately conceals his identity. After accusing them of being spies, he holds Simeon hostage, sending the others back to Canaan on the understanding that they will return with Benjamin. Here we see God’s servants under pressure as they face difficult circumstances. Joseph, Jacob, and his brothers are being hard-pressed by God’s providential hand as he shapes them into his likeness.

In Genesis 41 we see the working of God’s plan on full display as he redeems Joseph’s affliction. This chapter tells the story of Joseph’s rise in status from being a prisoner in the king’s jail to becoming the chief administrator of Egypt. God's providential work in Joseph's past sufferings has prepared him for this moment. Joseph continues in faithfulness and humbly acknowledges God as the source of his deliverance and blessing.

Chapter 40 begins with Joseph imprisoned. He becomes the servant of two royal workers who are imprisoned for offending Pharaoh. With God’s help, Joseph interprets their dreams, predicting that one of them will be reinstated but the other put to death. This event seems like it may be an opportunity for Joseph to get out of prison, but he is forgotten by the man who promised to remember him. Yet in all of this, God’s providence is at work- in strange places, through strange people, and in seemingly strange timing- to bring about God’s plan.

This chapter brings us back into Joseph’s story, which sharply contrasts with Judah’s. Instead of pursuing selfish desires and giving in to temptation, Joseph shows himself to be a man of integrity. He rises to prominence as a servant in the house of Potiphar. When Potiphar's wife tries to entice Joseph, he doesn't give in and flees. Joseph is then falsely accused and imprisoned. In the ups and downs of Joseph's story, we begin to see a repeated phrase: "The LORD was with Joseph."

This chapter takes a detour from the story of Joseph to focus on Judah and Tamar. In this shocking account, we see the deep darkness of sin- what happens when people disdain the word of God and pursue the exhalation of self. But hidden in this story is also the grace of God, continually working out his purposes for his people.

In Chapter 37, we see again that favoritism does not lead to favorable outcomes. We also learn of Joseph’s dreams which will be fulfilled throughout the rest of Genesis. However, these dreams and Jacob’s favoritism deepen his relational conflict with his brothers. When the opportunity presents itself, they sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt. The once exalted son is now cast into suffering. Where is God in such times? As we look at this chapter we see that even when God appears to be hidden, he is not uncaring or absent, but actively working for his good purposes.