The door opened and guards took us out of the room.  I needed a good pinch point to break free.  I knew that the odds of me succeeding at escape were slim to none.  It was the point of a blade, just to the right of my spine positioned just between my ribs, that kept me moving forward.

We proceeded down an inner staircase to the ground level.  Upon exiting the door I looked to find we were near the homes of the royalty.  I glanced at Nathan and he shrugged his shoulders.  It was now early evening.  You could see the glow in the sky as the sun was setting and the fires outside the homes were burning.

Being led to a small garden was not what I expected.  Within it were many flowers, fruits, and a stone floor at its center with chairs for lounging, tables for eating, and even a pool for baths.  We were asked to sit at a table where we could begin eating as we waited on our host.

How Joseph Became Mentuhotep

It did not take long for our host to arrive.  I saw him come around the corner of the garden with his escorts.  Once he made his way to the seat at the table, he dismissed the guards asking to be alone with us.

It was Mentuhotep.  It was time for answers, such as why was this guy so fascinated by us and Jacob’s sons?

“Do you know who I am?” He asked.
“Should we?” Nathan countered.
“Has my voice even changed so much as it cannot be recognized?” Mentuhotep asked as he spoke more softly and abandoned the Egyptian harshness.

I began to look into his eyes trying to see.  It was still dark even with the firelight.  The voice I did faintly remember.  It was impossible.

“Joseph?” I asked.
“Yes Clay.  I am Joseph, son of Jacob and my mother Rachel.” He replied.

Nathan and I screamed bursting out in laughter.  We jumped up and grabbed him giving big bear hugs.  We couldn’t believe it.  Suddenly it all made sense, how he recognized us, how he pulled us out of the crowd, and why he kept asking for Benjamin.  Speaking of which…

“Where are your brothers?  Please tell me you didn’t kill them.” I asked
“No, no, no! I didn’t kill them.  I have already revealed my identity to them earlier this afternoon.  I have forgiven them Clay.  God prepared the way for me to be here and protect my family.  I feel no anger towards them.”

“So what happened?” Nathan asked.
“I wasn’t killed by a wild animal obviously.  They sold me to slavers and I was taken into Egypt.  Here I was in the service of Potiphar.  I was falsely accused and put into prison, but then released by Pharaoh after interpreting dreams.  God showed me the meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams concerning this famine that all endure.”

“It was after these interpretations, and a plan God instructed to prepare Egypt for what would come, that Pharaoh gave me this position.  All is exactly as God has prepared to spare my family.”  Joseph concluded.

“So where are your brothers and what happens next?” Nathan asked.
“I have sent them to prepare for the journey home.  This time they will do more than take food.  My brothers will bring gifts to my father Jacob, and then return here to Egypt with his entire household.  I will arrange land in Goshen for them to live in.” Joseph stated.

Joseph’s Questions About Jacob And Benjamin

“Clay, please tell me the truth.  Is my father and Benjamin really well and taken care of?” Joseph asked.

I could understand his questioning.  After being sold into slavery all trust would have been broken between him and the other brothers.  Naturally he would find it difficult to believe anything they said.

“Yes, they are both doing great.  Jacob is older now.  Your dad’s heart was ripped away when he thought he lost you.  As a result, he would never let Benjamin out of his sight.  That’s why it was so hard for Jacob to allow Benjamin to come here.” I explained.

“I was afraid my brothers had caused them harm in some way or that dad passed away.” Joseph was anxious.  It was as if his fears were so deeply seated that they were hard to let go of.

“There is no reason to be afraid for them any longer.” Nathan reassured.
“I know.  Perhaps when I see my father I will finally be able to let that fear go.  I need to see him.” Joseph replied.
“How did the reunion with Benjamin go?” I asked.
“It was more emotional than I could imagine.  To finally see him and touch him to know he was still alive, we both broke down.” Joseph’s eyes began to water as his voice shook a little.

“What about you Clay?  I assume you will stay with Dad after all of this?” Joseph asked.
“Maybe for short while.  Yet I believe my time here is soon over.” I replied.

Nathan looked into my eyes as if shocked.  We had been with Abraham’s family for so long it was hard to imagine a life anywhere else.  I could understand his questioning and concern.

“Why is it over Clay?  What are you talking about?” Nathan questioned.
“We cannot remain in Egypt.” I really did not feel like explaining.
“Is there a reason why you cannot stay here with my family?” Joseph pushed.

“You remember my story don’t you Joseph?” I asked.
“Yes I remember.”
“When I was with Abraham, I remember him telling me of how God would bring his family into a foreign land.  There they would be slaves for four hundred years.  It took a while for me to put all the pieces together, my memory from childhood is not that great.”

“Nevertheless, I do remember from childhood that a man will be sent to one day bring your family out of Egypt.  I simply cannot spend that much time here as a slave.” I replied.

“I understand.  Know that I will do all that I can to prevent this from happening, yet still have faith Clay.” Joseph insisted.
“Does Jacob know about this?” Nathan asked.
“I am not sure if he knows or even would remember.  I know Isaac once knew of the prophecy.” I replied.

Joseph’s Request With The Power Of Mentuhotep

“I do not wish to see you go Clay.  Give it some time to think over.  In that time I have a request of you.” Joseph stated.
“You are going to try and hook me into staying, aren’t you?” I replied laughing.

“My father will be coming with the whole family.  Will you please help by going with men to Goshen and prepare the land for them and help them settle?”  He asked smiling.

“Alright.  I will go help Jacob.  How do you know that the land will be available to us?” I asked.
“After my brothers left I approached Pharaoh and informed him of what took place.  He has already decided that my family is to have the best of the lands.” Joseph confirmed.

“Goshen is among the most fertile of the lands.  It will be good for your family there.  Great for livestock and grazing, you guys are lucky the Nile supplies its water.” I acknowledged.
“That will be our new home.  Here we will be protected by the crisis of that famine.” Joseph reassured me.

“Where is Jared by the way?” Nathan asked.  Admittedly we had somewhat forgotten him.
“He is with Reuben and my brothers to soon be headed to get my father.” Joseph stated.  “When I saw you both I knew Jared was nearby.  I had men search for him and brought him to my brothers.”

“Just out of curiosity, why send Jared with your brothers?” I asked.
“It may take some convincing for my father to believe I am alive and in this position within Egypt.” Joseph made a good point.  Jacob would have a hard time imagining this.

Joseph’s Assurance He Has Forgiven His Brothers

“After things settle down, and knowing your father is older in age, at some point the inevitable will happen.  After your father is gone, will you remain so forgiving with your brothers?” Nathan questioned.

“Yes, I have completely forgiven them.  No doubt what they did was wrong.  It devastated me.  Nevertheless, God took what they intended for harm and turned it into good.  He used what was impossible to create possibilities.  I cannot be angry for what God has done.” Joseph insisted.

“Will you withhold anything from them in Goshen?” I asked.
“No, each will have according to their abilities.  We do need to prosper here and their skills will be put to use.” Joseph again assured us.

“Are you angry at all?” Nathan asked as in disbelief.
“This is still new to you discovering me here.  It is a shock.  What you have experienced may have brought you anger towards them.  Please do not be angry.  I have overcome that long ago.”

“Rather for myself I find relief knowing my brother and father are still alive.  I found happiness that I can see them again.  A lot of time has passed and many events have come and gone.  I realize my purpose here.  There is no reason to be angry.” Joseph again reassured.

The confidence that Joseph held in his purpose here was undeniable.  In fact, what took place would have been impossible.  He was right, Nathan and I were absolutely in shock.

We finished eating while continuing to talk with Joseph.  There were moments of crying, laughing, and it was the beginning of what would become a bigger family reunion.  The night ended as we were taken to a small home that was once servant’s quarters.  There we washed and rested for the night.

Preparing To Leave For Goshen

The next morning we began to prepare for the needs that Jacob’s family would have in Goshen.  There was a lot to put in order.  It would require a couple of days planning and preparation.

Joseph had mentioned that Pharaoh desired to meet all of Jacob’s family.  I found it interesting how Pharaoh had become so close to Joseph.  It was as if he was an adopted son.  At my request Joseph kept Nathan and myself under the radar.

I really had nothing to offer Pharaoh and certainly did not wish to insult him if he discovered my future plans of leaving.  I explained to Joseph there was simply nothing for anyone to gain by creating an audience between Pharaoh and myself.

The anticipation of Pharaoh and his family at the arrival of Jacob was almost that of long lost family finally returning home.  This was something that I never expected to see.

Once all preparations were made Nathan and I began the short trip to Goshen.  There we began to plot the land for potential homes and a layout of the farm.  Understanding the terrain, water flow for when the rains returned was important.  Utilizing irrigation and other needs had to be considered.

We continued this work with the aid of some of Joseph’s Egyptian engineers as we waited for Jacob to come.  Through all of this I continued to consider the future course of action that I would take.

I had contemplated remaining with Jacob’s family after he was gone.  Yet I had a difficult time accepting that.  Up until this point I had been with individual men.  Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, but now who would I go with?

This family would grow quickly.  Whatever purpose I may have served, if I served one at all, would now be over.  They would be safe for a time.

As for my purpose of being here, I had begun to search for God.  Yet there was still a part of me that couldn’t let go.  I did not understand why.  I wasn’t trying to be stubborn.  I wasn’t trying to refuse.  It was like I was there willing, but I couldn’t see God nor hear Him.

I felt like a small child who had lost his parents in a crowd.  There I sat screaming out to find them, but strangers simply kept passing by.  This was a feeling that had no explanation.