Honestly, the story of Joseph has always been one of my most favorite stories, within or without the Bible. I have read or watched different interpretations of it so many times, that I know its storyline much better than most TV shows or movies I have watched casually. That being said, having spent a lot of time with the story, I have also gotten the chance to reflect on its symbolism and meaning more than once.
What Joseph’s brothers do to him is beyond terrible, effectively killing him, and against the initial odds Joseph thrives. When it seems like Joseph is about to exact the revenge that he, in Anderson’s words, “would have good grounds to seek… against those who have treated him so unjustly,” Joseph subverts our expectations and treats his brothers not only with mercy but total forgiveness — something I’m sure most of us cannot imagine doing. And the way he goes about ensuring that his brothers have truly changed and that they are deserving of his forgiveness is brilliant, as he sets a test.
Joseph clearly sets the wheels in motion to test his brothers from the moment he sees them by accusing them of being spies and sending them home to retrieve Benjamin, but also planting their money back in their bags. When they depart for the second time, it is clear that Joseph is meaning to further test his brothers as he plants the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. But why does he do this to the one brother who has never done him wrong, whom he loves deeply? And what is his ultimate aim?
I think the key is that Joseph is aware that he was betrayed because he was favored and was able to realize that Benjamin must have taken his place as the preferred child in his father’s eyes. And so his test is to tempt his brother’s with the same choice they made earlier — to rid themselves of the favored son by allowing him to take the blame for the cup and leaving yet another brother in slavery. His test is successful as Judah, who spurred on the initial effort against Joseph, this time chooses, in Anderson’s words, “an option that requires him to make the supreme sacrifice,” and proves that he has changed into a man willing to lay down his life for a favored brother.
Just as his earlier dreams predicted, Joseph in this moment stands truly as the beloved son in both the eyes of his father and his brothers through these actions. As the favored son he bore the cost of such favoritism and by remaining just and forgiving managed to reap the rewards of that status.
(P.s. Joseph saying “Do not fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people,” will forever be one of my favorite lines.)
Introduction to Theology: Charlotte Spraul 
I think you wrote a really beautiful response to the story, but one thing about it bugs me… Joseph essentially forgives his brothers because God willed the entire thing to happen. Is that true? Did God intend Cain to kill Abel? Doesn’t he punish Cain? What’s the difference?
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You have such a well written response! I also have found the story of Joseph in the past very interesting and enjoy analyzing every time I read it. I definitely agree that Joseph plants the silver cup in the backpack as a test to see if his brothers have matured/changed since sacrificing himself earlier. It is important to note that the reason he chose Benjamin was because he was aware that this brother had moved into his previous rank in the view of their father. How do you think the story or the impact of the story would be changed if he placed in with another brother?
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