The Very Rev Colin Sinclair describes the moment of reconciliation in his series focussing on the life of Joseph.

THE moment is coming when Joseph will reveal himself to his brothers and they will confront their past.

The hardest truth you’ll ever face is the truth about yourself. However, Jesus said: “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” to which we might add “but it may hurt you first!”

Meanwhile Joseph and his brothers are enjoying a sumptuous feast. With all matters resolved and relationships between them and the Egyptian authorities in very good order, the family prepare to take their leave, not knowing a trap has been set by their brother. A silver cup has been placed in Benjamin’s bag. Joseph needs to know whether they will abandon Benjamin when the “crime” is discovered, in the same callous way they abandoned him.

Time, though, has done its work and now Judah both speaks of God and also confesses to their historic guilt (44:16). For years their actions had robbed them of their peace. If it is true that you are only as sick as your secrets, now was the time to come clean. Keeping it secret had kept them in bondage to fear for too long.

Judah then makes the longest individual speech in the whole of Genesis (44:18-34). Astonishingly, he pleads to take Benjamin’s place. They are no longer a team of rivals but a band of brothers. They will not abandon Benjamin in his hour of need.

Joseph has heard enough – it is time to disclose his identity. Understandably, their immediate reaction is one of dismay as he stands in front of them. Their brother, whom they sold as a slave, is now Prime Minister of Egypt! Joseph’s response is extraordinary and shows how far he too has come. His words are of welcome. He believed that, though they had done wrong, God had overruled their actions for a greater purpose. This was not only good news for Egypt but also for his own family. He wanted to use his position, in difficult economic times, to provide for their future. Above all he wanted his father to know he was alive, no doubt hoping he would be proud of what Joseph had become.

Despite all his titles, in the end he was just his father’s boy. Perhaps, deep down, all children want to know that their parents are proud of them. It is incumbent on parents to make sure they know they are.

Speeches over, now came the moment of reunion and reconciliation. Joseph first turned to his younger brother, Benjamin, but soon all of them experienced his forgiving embrace. What they had done was unforgivable—yet he forgave them. There is no greater picture in the Bible of the forgiving love of Christ. His love overcame their shame. How could they refuse him now? It was only once they had embraced that it became time to talk. On both sides they had a lot of ground to cover, but especially hearing about the extraordinary journey of Joseph. Welcomed by Joseph they became a family and true brothers for the first time ever.

“ Joseph needs to know whether they will abandon Benjamin when the “crime” is discovered, in the same callous way they abandoned him.

Finally, the brothers headed home to tell their father the whole sorry truth. Joy overcame anger and, after being momentarily stunned, Jacob knew he had to see Joseph with his own eyes as soon as possible.