“Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, (we have quite the prophetic picture here of an opportunity awarded the brothers for a type of “resurrection life”, following a three day “death” period under the earth in a dungeon prison) for I fear God : If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; (notice the use of the possessive pronoun here to subtly indicate that their current identity is tied to imprisonment: that which they rightfully, currently deserve, save for the intervening hand of salvation 😃)  but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. (In the phrase “for I fear God” Joseph is asserting his allegiance to the Truth by awarding them ample opportunity to prove their innocence lest he execute a man wrongfully and is found guilty of murder in the sight of the Lord. He does however ensure that they are aware that it is for fear of the Lord alone that he continues to make concession after concession, as clearly the first brother he allowed to return home has not as yet returned with the youngest, as per his request. This also ensures that God is ultimately given the glory when their lives are spared. Joseph is proving himself to be exceedingly Merciful in setting the rest of the brothers free after three days – save for one – in light of the fact that they have yet to prove themselves blameless before him. His Mercy is considered all the more endearing in light of the fact that their past behaviour actually reinforces their propensity for guilt and yet he continues to give them the benefit of the doubt. Joseph is of course also moved to compassion by the knowledge of his father and extended family going hungry in the interim the longer he waits to release them, and that the more brothers he allows to return home, literally the more hands there are to “carry grain for the famine of [their] houses”. Nevertheless he continues in his wisdom to allow the brothers to choose the man that will stay behind, yet among themselves. It is also worth noting at this point that Joseph has now invoked the Name of the One True God and it is as if one can palpably sense that the stakes have been significantly raised for all involved.) And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” (Again they are warned as to the severity of the terms upon which their integrity continues to hinge, despite all the concessions already made. Failing to do so in light of all that has been very clearly communicated to them, would amount to grievous sin against God Himself as well as His Beloved Child and Appointed Servant. Again. 😦 . And yes, indeed, it would be punishable by death.) And they did so.”

“¹⁸Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: ¹⁹If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. ²⁰And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.”

And they did so.”

– Genesis 42:18-20 (NKJV)