After thoroughly test’n & mess’n with his brothers in order to discern whether or not he could trust some of them, Joseph decides that he can trust Judah! (because Judah had HIT ROCK BOTTOM AND BENEFITED FROM THE BLESSING OF SCANDALOUS EXPOSURE [see Genesis 38:24-26, and see John 4:29]).

Then Joseph stops deceiving his brothers, and says, “It’s me! I am Joseph!”

Joe’s bros were dismayed! (This is like when the Count of Monte Cristo tells Danglars, Villefort, Mondego, and Caderousse that he is really Edmond Dantés!). This is a shocking and terrifying revelation! (Like when God tells Ruby Turpin that she is an old warthog from hell!).

Even more shocking is what happens next…

Joe looks at his abusers and says, “Come near to me, please.”

And they came near.

And Joseph said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.” (So there it is! They are guilty! They are busted! They are criminals! They have committed the heinous crime of human trafficking!!!).

And…

Joseph said, “And now…” (Oh baby! Joe’s bros are about to GET IT! With all the authority and power Joseph possess, Joe’s bros are about to be punished to no end!).

Joe said, “And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here.”

Eh?

What?

How?

Eh?

But…?

What’s going on!?!?

Joseph says, “Lemme tell you guys THE TRUTH. Lemme tell y’all what’s REALLY GOING ON! —> God sent me before you to preserve your lives! For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. So go get dad and bring him back here to live as an exile with us! You shall all be abominable shepherd sojourners in Goshen! I will provide for you, so that you guys do not come to poverty.”