“Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, (notice how the inevitable process of much deliberation, denial, rationalisation, deflection and blameshifting amongst the brothers is here confirmed; they have clearly entertained such self-indulgent rationales that attempt to explain away their guilt and only now, once they are finally faced with the consequences of their sin, are they forced to accept the harsh reality; proving at the same time also that throughout these many years they never truly confessed nor sought repentance) for we saw the anguish of his soul (what a horrifying revelation – to have it confirmed for us the confusion and torment our dear young Joseph suffered at those final moments – how terrified he must have been!) when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; (notice the admission of wilful blind- and deafness made here) therefore this distress has come upon us.” (How remarkable to note here that the Jewish People of God at the time, even before the law was given to Moses, inherently understood such principles as reaping and sowing; forgetting also not that nature is the tutor of all [Romans 1:20]. I also find it very disconcerting how quickly modern man would be to dismiss the kind of reasoning seen here as mere irrational paranoia, and therein effectively neglecting to arrest the opportunity for repentance.) And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” (Thankfully, unlike modern man and his propensity always to excuse his own sinful behaviour, Reuben once again proves himself to be the wiser brother in reasserting their guilt and the accuracy of the sowing and reaping or even eye for an eye principle. How delightful to understand here that even though we recognise that an equal measure of loss can be demanded of us to the precise degree in which we sinned i.e. caused said loss [the law of an eye for an eye], God is ultimately almost always prepared to show us Mercy beyond what we deserve, proving Himself Merciful and Good again and again, as the brothers will soon discover. It is almost as if they are blinded in their guilt to the possibility of Mercy, believing there to be no way in which their blood will not be required of them, and therein consequently doubting the validity of Joseph’s arrangement whereby he promises they will be saved if only they bring young Benjamin with them.) But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. (Maintaining his identity as an Egyptian man and effective stranger throughout. It is precisely for this very reason that the brothers would view him only as an instrument of God’s wrath and not expect Mercy to come from his hand. Ironically the very Mercy he would soon bestow upon them is just as much in his capacity as an instrument of God, for he is “an Israelite indeed!” 😊.) And he turned himself away from them and wept. (How painful it must have been to hear this full admission after all these many years – effectively casting off any denials or erasure of memory that Joseph might have allowed himself with time to lessen the pain. As a man of God I believe his heart is also here breaking as he views the anguish that the brothers have brought upon themselves by their sin, knowing that for him at least, in his innocence, all things have worked together for Perfect Good.) Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. (Having regained his composure.) And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.” (It is important that they view for themselves the seemingly woeful predicament they should leave Simeon in should they fail to produce Benjamin. Bringing Benjamin, however much of a gamble it is, would at least be an act resting upon Faith and Hope, whereas failing to do so would be a very wilful and deliberate condemning to death of poor Simeon – not unlike their initial sin against Joseph – which would heap only more hot coals upon their heads. Oh woe is me – how difficult we make things for ourselves when we sin! Funnily enough, Simeon might be viewed to be in the most precarious position of them all here, but is ironically enough perhaps the safest 😅.)

“²¹Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.”

²²And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” ²³But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. ²⁴And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.”

– Genesis 42:21-24 (NKJV)