Over 18 years have gone by since Joseph was sold. But God has a great purpose in mind. How little the brothers realized that the one of whom they were so jealous, and had sold into slavery, would be the one they would have to plead with for bread! How little this world realizes that every knee is going to bow to Jesus (Phil. 2:1010That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10)).
V.6 Count the number of times that they bowed before Joseph.
V.8-11 Only when the brothers acknowledge their wickedness would he be able to reveal the great secret of who he was.
V.12-20 The difficulties increase, so the work in their heart goes deeper.
V.21 They could never forget the moment years before, when they had seen the look on his face, when they had sold him as a slave (Matt. 27:3636And sitting down they watched him there; (Matthew 27:36)). For the Lord Jesus there was no pity.
V.25-28 Notice the last nine words!
V.29-38 It looks as if the story might end here. What a tragedy that would have been! (1 Cor. 15:14, 8, 19).