Chasing a Trail of Smoke and Reason

Joseph has ascended to power in Egypt.  As Pharaoh's vizier, he deftly manages the kingdom's grain stores to survive the coming tribulations.  Meanwhile his family back home in Canaan is beginning to feel the effects of the famine.  Aware that Egypt has food, Jacob sends his all of his sons to Egypt except for Benjamin, who he treasures as Rachel's only remaining son ( 42:1-5 ).  What follows is easily the best literature in Genesis.  This is the first time where the contents of the Torah feel less like disjointed myth-mashing and more like a real novella, complete with such literary features as emotive, three-dimensional characters and dramatic irony. Joseph Dwelleth in Egypt by James Jacques Joseph Tissot, ca. 1896-1902 CE   A Secret Identity & A Clever Ruse When Joseph's brothers (sans Benjamin) arrive in Egypt in an effort to acquire food Joseph, who they fail to recognize, accuses them of being spies ( 42:6-12 ).  Seeing that his only full-blood brother is miss