Overview (Verses 58 - 62)

An Encounter with Lost Brothers 
 
Years went by, but the sūrah leaves out what happened during them. It does not speak about the years of rich harvest, and how the people went about making the best use of them in their agriculture. Nor does it speak about how Joseph managed the system, and how he stocked the unused harvest. All these seem to be implied in Joseph’s own statement when he requested his appointment: “I am able to look after them with wisdom.” (Verse 55) Nor does the sūrah mention the arrival of the hard years with poor harvest, or how the people received them, or how they practically lost their livelihood during them. It all seems to be implied in the interpretation of the King’s dream, when Joseph said of these years: “Then after that there will come seven hard years which will devour all that you have laid up for them, except a little of what you have kept in store.” (Verse 48)
 
The sūrah does not mention the King or any of his ministers or advisors at any future event. It thus gives us the impression that all matters of importance were left in Joseph’s hands. It was he who managed the whole crisis. Joseph is the one given all the limelight, and the sūrah makes effective use of this historical fact.
 
As for the effects of the years of scarcity, the sūrah draws attention to this by referring to Joseph’s brothers as those that came from the desert, in a faraway land, to look for food in Egypt. This gives us an idea of how widespread the famine was. We realize the sort of policy Egypt adopted under Joseph’s direction. It is clear that neighbouring lands looked to Egypt for help, as it became the storehouse for the whole region. At the same time, Joseph’s story and his dealings with his brothers move along in a way that fulfils a religious purpose.
 
Poor harvests caused famine in the Kanaanite land and its surrounding areas. Joseph’s brothers, as numerous others, went to Egypt after it became known that it had plenty of supplies after having stored its surplus and managed it wisely. We see them here presenting themselves to Joseph, not knowing him for their brother. He immediately recognizes them because they have not changed much. They could not, in their wildest dreams, imagine that he was their brother. Far removed is the young Hebrew boy whom they cast in the well over 20 years previously from the man in whose presence they now find themselves, the Chief Minister of Egypt in his court and among his assistants and guardsmen.
 
Joseph did not reveal his identity to them, as he felt they should first learn a few lessons: “He immediately knew them, but they did not recognize him.” (Verse 58) But the way the story runs suggests that he accommodated them in comfortable quarters, then he prepared their first lesson: “When he had given them their provisions, he said: ‘Bring me that brother of yours from your father’s side. But if you do not bring him, you shall never again receive from me a single measure [of provisions], nor shall you come near me.’ They said: ‘We shall endeavour to persuade his father to let him come. We will make sure to do so. ‘Joseph said to his servants: Place their merchandise in their camel packs, so that they may discover it when they return to their people. Perchance they will come back.” (Verses 59- 62)
 
We understand from this that he managed to win their confidence so that they told him their situation in detail, mentioning that they had a young half brother whom they did not bring with them because their father loved him so dearly that he could not part with him.
 
Hence when he gave them what they needed and they were ready to depart, he told them that he wanted to see their brother: “He said: ‘Bring me that brother of yours from your father’s side.” (Verse 59) He justified his request by reminding them that he gives just measure to all who come to buy. He also reminds them that he is very hospitable to all who come. There was nothing to fear if their brother came with them. Indeed he would receive the kind treatment for which Joseph was well known: “Do you not see that I give just measure and that I am the best of hosts? But if you do not bring him, you shall never again receive from me a single measure [of provisions], nor shall you come near me.” (Verses 59-60)
 
As they were aware of their father’s attachment to their younger brother, particularly after Joseph’s loss, they explained to him that the matter was not so easy. Their father was sure to object, but they, nevertheless, would try to persuade him. They confirm their resolve to ensure that he would come with them on their next trip: “They said: We shall endeavour to persuade his father to let him come. We will make sure to do so.” (Verse 61) Use of the term ‘endeavour’ in this context describes that the matter would involve much effort on their part.
 
Joseph, for his part, ordered his men to put back in their packs the merchandise they had brought with them. This might have been some wheat and cattle feed, or might have been a mixture of money and some desert produce or animal hide and hair. All such items were used in commercial exchanges in market places. Joseph, however, wanted all their original merchandise returned so that they might find it when they have arrived home: “Joseph said to his servants: Place their merchandise in their camel packs, so that they may discover it when they return to their people. Perchance they will come back.’“ (Verse 62)