Jan. 13 - Genesis 42-43

I am going to go ahead and admit my guilt before starting today's synopsis.  I read ahead today.  I did.  I couldn't help myself.  I just had to find out what happened.  It was definitely one of those "can't put the Book down" kind of mornings.  It just wasn't a good stopping point.  A good lesson, and failure on my part, in temptation.  Oopsy.
So, to get to today's reading, without giving away tomorrow's...
The famine is still going on and Joseph is in control of all of the grain in Egypt.  His father, Jacob, hears of the grain in Egypt and sends 10 of his 12 sons to get enough supply to feed the family (He keeps Benjamin home in fear that he could be killed, and obviously thinks Joseph has been killed).  The brothers head to Egypt and go to the master of the grain.  Joseph immediately recognizes them, but they don't recognize him.  He starts to ask questions about the brothers' family, realizing that Jacob is still alive and his brother, Benjamin stayed back with him.  Joseph begins to accuse them of being spies and orders that one of the brothers be put in prison, while the other 9 go home and bring back Benjamin to prove that they are honest people.  The nine brothers head back to Canaan with the grain that Joseph sold them, but on the way realize that the silver they paid for the grain is in their sacks.  When they get to Jacob and tell him what has happened, he finally agrees to send Benjamin back with them to prove their honesty, get their imprisoned brother, and more food.  The brothers head back to Egypt with the silver that was sent back the first time, plus more silver to pay for more food, along with lots of treasures to give Joseph to make amends.  They make it back, find Joseph and try to prove themselves.  Joseph sees Benjamin and begins to weep.  He tells all the brothers to come to his place for a feast.  This makes them nervous, thinking he is going to punish them in some way.  Still not realizing this is the brother that they sold, they arrive at his home.  They feast with Joseph and his people.  The dynamic of the dinner was interesting.  Joseph was served by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians by themselves.  It was considered "detestable" to the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews.  The men were seated from oldest to youngest and Benjamin was given 5 times the amount of food as everyone else. 
Okay, so lots of information in those 2 little chapters.  First off, how could the 10 brothers be okay with the fact that Jacob feared for Benjamin's life, but would be "okay" if any of the other sons were killed or imprisoned?  Were the brothers not at all suspicious as to why Joseph was asking so many questions?  Why did Joseph not immediately say who he was and deal with it?  Payback?  Was he being modest?  Interesting. 
Just wait until tomorrow...