14 Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” 17 And he put them all in custody for three days.

18 On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”

22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” 23 They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. Genesis 42:14-23

Of course Joseph had no intention of harming his brothers, but I’m sure they were sweating bullets about this time. He let them think about their situation for three days. If they were altogether in one prison, the fingers would’ve started pointing.

Also, it seems though that one of them might have caught on about Joseph wanting to see the youngest in the family. Why such a request? We understand why he would’ve asked, but they weren’t privy to their own future like we are.

Now they began the blame game and finger pointing. They were all in on Joseph’s demise so they are all to blame. But they are all about to be exposed. Of course, Jacob won’t like it when he’s been told the truth but he would have to hear it.

So after 20 years their sin will finally catch up with them. We wish this would happen in our everyday lives.

And yet we don’t because we know what we are capable of given the right circumstances. We don’t like to admit it, but we are still sinners saved by an awesome God. We don’t like the ‘sinners’ part, but we love the ‘God’ part.