Genesis 47-50

I wonder how many years into the famine it was before Joseph realized God had used the difficulties of his life for the salvation of Egypt? And then his brothers walked back into his life. God's purpose must have hit him like a ton of bricks. Seventeen years later, after their father was dead, the 10 oldest sons of Israel still feared Joseph's power. In Genesis 50:19-21 Joesph repeats the lesson that God taught him to his frightened brothers. Joseph learned about the way God uses suffering to shape people of faith. It affected him the rest of his life.
It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart