I am doing a study on Joseph in Genesis, and have two questions. First, what do the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to Joseph symbolize? His family? There is no mention of Joseph's mother coming to Egypt. I could only assume she is dead. Second, why does Joseph treat his brothers the way that he does when they are in Egypt? Is it because there are unresolved attitudes surfacing? Is it that he is testing them to see if they changed? I can't figure it out, because the Bible says he wept during these interactions (Genesis 43:30).
Yes, I believe God knew Rachel would be dead before the family journeyed to Egypt. As for how he is treating his brothers, I agree that Joseph is testing them--making sure they have really changed. After hurt, trust must be rebuilt. Trust cannot be commanded; it is a process. The weeping indicates the depth of pain Joseph felt. It may have been an emotional mix of grief, anger, betrayal, abandonment, frustration, longing, and hope. This is something many Christians can relate to--especially those who have "been around a while."
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