Joseph tells his servant to put his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Joseph plants the cup in the sack to have all the brothers come back to Egypt another time. His aim for this trick is to see how the brothers will react. The brothers protect their youngest brother and throw themselves to become his slave instead of their brother. Joseph also plays this trick on them to hear the story about “losing” their other brother. The brothers describe how Israel loved his last wife and only had two sons from her. These two sons he loved dearly and since he had lost one, he did not want to lose another. This story shows how Israel did consider Jospeh as the beloved son. Israel favored Joseph and had him close to him all the time just like Benjamin. The other brothers knew of this favoritism and were jealous of him. When the brothers lied about Joseph’s death, Israel went into mourning. He sulked and told them that he would, “continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave” (Gen 37:34).
Anderson states that Joseph is the beloved son and since he is the beloved son, he, “must die as a result of such favor” (Anderson 207). Joseph must have a death and rebirth. Joseph’s death is a metaphorical one. He is betrayed by his brothers and is sold into slavery. Joseph has many obstacles in his life, but God is always on his side. When Benjamin is caught with Joseph’s silver cup, the brothers have a choice to get, “rid themselves of a favored sibling, spurning their father and leaving Benjamin behind in Egypt” or to plea for his freedom (208). However, the brothers do not take the option they did with Joseph and chose to surrender themselves for Benjamin. Jospeh is moved to tears because of this act and decides to reveal himself.
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