After Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he tells them to return home and bring his father back to Egypt. There are still five years of famine left; so, if they all come to Egypt, there, Joseph could provide for them. This same gracious invitation is extended from the Pharaoh, as well. And the brothers return to Canaan to tell their father Jacob all that has transpired in Egypt and how that Joseph is still alive.
After the brothers returned to Joseph again for the third time, in tears he revealed that he indeed was their brother. They were taken aback and dumbfounded at his declaration. But, he commanded them to return to Canaan and bring his father and all of their little ones to him in Egypt so that he could provide for them for the remaining five years of famine.
Joseph’s brothers went down to Egypt a second time to buy food; but this time they took their youngest brother. Remember, Jacob was extremely reluctant to send his youngest son. But Joseph had strictly warned them that if they did not bring him, then they would not be able to buy any more grain. So, Judah became surety for Benjamin.
Answering a great question from a commenter, Justin McKenzie in response to a video I made on whether a person can lose their salvation. You can watch that video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxEDGPTonqg
Justin believed that Hebrews 6:4-6 taught that a person COULD lose their salvation. In this video I explain why this is NOT the case and the meaning of that passage.
The famine persisted in the Land of Canaan; and Jacob’s tribe was pressed sore on account of it. So, he reluctantly allowed his son Benjamin to accompany his other sons back to Egypt to buy grain for the family, placing him in Judah’s care. Once they arrived in Egypt, Joseph informed his house steward to invite them to dine at his house. The brothers panicked, believing this was Joseph’s way to seize them.
Not only did the famine strike Egypt, but also the Land of Canaan. So, Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain. When they arrived, they found they needed to purchase from the governor of Egypt, who was their brother unbeknownst to them. Joseph accused them of being spies and demanded that their brother Benjamin be brought to him as proof that they were not.
