How could a silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s bag secure the brothers’ return and allow Joseph to finally reveal himself?
This was no ordinary drinking glass. It was a cup used in the art of divination in ancient Egypt. Diviners would use the liquid in the cup to reveal a certain message. Joseph had his silver cup placed inside Benjamin’s bag before his brothers left Egypt. Once they had gone, Joseph sent someone after them to search their bags.
When the cup was discovered in Benjamin’s possession, the brothers were forced to return to Joseph.
This was exactly what Joseph had planned.
By placing the cup in Benjamin’s bag, Joseph secured their return and created the opportunity to reveal himself to his brothers. What appeared to be an accusation surrounding a missing silver cup was actually part of Joseph’s carefully designed test.
The cup had become the means by which Joseph brought his brothers back before him.
The silver cup was more than a valuable object. Joseph used it to create a situation that would bring his brothers back and allow him to reveal himself.
An object associated with divination became the centerpiece of Joseph’s plan—a silver cup placed in a brother’s bag that ultimately brought the family back together and set the stage for Joseph to reveal his identity.
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