11. Joseph’s Reunion with his Brothers (Genesis 42-45)

After many years in Egypt, moving from slavery to prison and finally to becoming the great governor of the entire land, Joseph came face to face with his past. A great famine was ravaging the whole region, and his brothers had to travel from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain. They did not recognize him, as he dressed like an Egyptian and was a man of great power, but Joseph identified them immediately. Far from acting out of vengeance, Joseph put them to the test to see if their hearts had changed and if they had left behind the envy that led them to betray him.

Joseph saw how his brothers showed remorse for their past actions and, above all, how they cared for Benjamin, the youngest brother, and for their father Jacob. Seeing this change of heart, Joseph could no longer restrain himself. Weeping emotionally, he made himself known, exclaiming: "I am Joseph, your brother! Is my father still living?". The initial shock and fear of the brothers turned into a great moment of forgiveness. Joseph comforted them by saying that, although they planned evil, God had turned it into good to save many lives during the famine.

This account is the climax of the story of Jacob's family. The entire family moved to Egypt, where they lived in peace for many years. This episode teaches us the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Joseph shows us that forgiveness is not about forgetting what happened, but deciding not to let hatred dominate the future. It also reminds us that, even in the most painful betrayals, God can bring about an unexpected blessing for everyone.