Reading for April 1st

Read Genesis 44.1-34
Joseph puts his brothers to the text.
In verse 4: Why have you returned evil for good?
This question sounds like a theme central to the Joseph story as a whole.
Joseph's words to his brothers in 50.20 summarize the theme of the interplay of good and evil.
In verse 5: Divination is the skill of determining the divine will or plan for the future.
This was apparently done by  observing the effects created by certain objects placed in the water contained in the sacred cup (v. 4).
In verse 9: The brother's words unknowingly put Benjamin under the threat of death since the silver cup was planted in his sack (vv. 2, 12).
In verse 13: They tore their clothes a sign of intense anguish and grief.
In verse 14: The story places Judah in the foreground as the leader of his bothers.
He is about to play a key role as the hero in this scene.
Joseph's earlier dreams in 37.5-11 are again fulfilled as the brothers feel to the ground before him.
In verse 16: here we then, my lord's slaves: Those who once sold Joseph as a salve (37.28) offer themselves as slaves to Joseph.
In verse 17 Joseph offers the other brothers the temptation to save themselves by sacrificing Benjamin.
The test is a replay of the brothers' earlier decision to sacrifice their brother Joseph for their own benefit (37.28).
In verses 29, 31: Sheol is the place of the dead.
In verses 33-34: Judah offer himself in place of the boy, Benjamin.
Judah's willingness to sacrifice himself to save Benjamin redeems his earlier involvement in the plot to sell Joseph as a slave (37.26)
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