And he put them all together in custody for three days.
Joseph's ten brothers came to Egypt for food, and the man questioning them is the brother they sold. They do not know him, and instead of grain he gives them three days in prison — why not a pardon?
The prison that fits the crime
Joseph holds all the power here, and his first move is not food but a cell. One writer explains what losing their liberty was meant to teach them:
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Hamilton SmithJoseph now takes the first step to convict them of their sin, by putting them into prison. The fear of losing their lives had brought them to Egypt, and the result is that they lose their liberty. For three days they are left in prison so that they may learn in some measure what their sins deserve. Joseph had been thrown into prison unjustly, but they are justly brought into the same condemnation. The result is that conscience begins to work, for they say, "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother."
Measured against his own years
The sentence is real, but it is short. One writer measures it against the years Joseph himself had spent in prison:
L. M. GrantThey are all put in prison, however, for three days. Joseph was wise to make them feel the pain of being locked up. But it was brief compared with the years of his own imprisonment. After the three days he lightens their sentence. Instead of keeping nine men in prison, he orders that only one stay behind while the rest go home to bring their younger brother back.
Love doing its strange work
Joseph could have met their need and sent them away. One writer explains why he did more than that:
J. G. BellettJoseph, however, had something more to do for them than simply supply their present need. He must prepare not only a blessing for them, but them for a blessing. His method may seem strange to them for a while. But love and wisdom directed it all from beginning to end… It was indeed his work, but it was his strange work. He was doing his act, but it was his strange act. He arranges circumstances so that sorrow may work repentance. But he does not yet show himself. For all this may be the way of his hand, but it was not the way of his heart.
Another writer names the aim behind the hard treatment, and what would have been lost without it:
F. B. HoleThe sternness he used toward them was skilful. Its aim was to convict them of their sin, humble them, and bring them to self-judgment and repentance. This inward heart work was an absolute necessity. To have filled them with the grain of Egypt while leaving their hearts untouched would have been a disaster.
Three days to think
What the confinement produced was not information for Joseph but memory in them. Nobody interrogated them in the cell; the silence did the work:
W. T. P. WolstonAnd now we read, "And he put them all together in custody for three days." They got three days in prison, had time to think, and came to this right conclusion: "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us." On the third day Joseph said, Go home, and bring your youngest brother to me.
When God's dealings feel rough
One writer applies the scene to anyone whose conscience God has begun to stir. Note what he makes of the third day:
C. StanleyAnd so God sometimes seems to treat the awakened soul roughly. Instead of giving salvation, the poor, anxious one finds himself in Joseph's prison. But on the third day — for resurrection is the only door out of Joseph's prison — "Do this and you will live," says Joseph.
A picture of a future meeting
The scene also looks ahead. One writer sees in Joseph's testing a picture of how Christ will one day deal with Israel:
William KellySo Joseph carries out a most solemn searching of the heart and conscience of his brothers. It is exactly what the Lord from a better glory will do before long with His Jewish brothers. He is now outside, in a new position they never expected, and they do not know Him. But He too will cause the pinch of famine to press upon them. He too will work in their hearts, so that in due time He may make Himself known to them righteously.
Summary
- Guilt — Joseph's first step is a prison, not a pardon. It is meant to convict his brothers of their sin.
- Justice — Joseph's own prison was unjust. Theirs is just, and it lasts three days, not years.
- Love — the sternness is skilful and aims at repentance. Full sacks and untouched hearts would have been a disaster.
- Conscience — the three days do their work. The brothers begin to say, "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother."
- Release — the third day opens the prison, and resurrection is the only door out of it. Christ will search His own people's hearts the same way, then make Himself known.
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