"And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. 22And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required." (Genesis 42: 21-22)
When the ten sons of Jacob went down to Egypt to get corn for their father and their families, Joseph the new ruler of Egypt, disguised himself so that they did not recognize him (Genesis 42: 7).
When all the troubles fell upon the ten brothers, from Joseph's accusation that they were spies, to demanding that one of their brothers stay and bring down their youngest, they recalled the wrong which they had committed against their brother Joseph.
Yet Reuben boldly declared what they were suffering.
Reuben identified their brother Joseph as "the child", which in Hebrew is "yeled", a boy, a youth, a child – -someone who is defenseless, someone who did no wrong.
Like Joseph, Jesus the Son of God did no sin, yet He became sin for us that we would receive His righteousness (2 Corinthian 5: 21)
Jesus did not deserve this death, but He died for us that we would be saved from death in our own trespasses, because of Adam and our own failings.
The ten brothers represents the world, those who do not believe, those who do not recognize the Savior. Let no one presume that the world walks about with no sense of guilt or shame for their sin. Paul writes:
"18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." (Romans 1: 18-19)
"Hold the truth" is better translated "supress the truth", yet no one can escape a conscience which demands satisfaction for the wrongs which we have committed.
Jesus even told His disciples that His Holy Spirit would convict the world of three things:
"8And when he [The Comforter] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
The world is covicted of sin, because they believe not on Jesus. Just as the same sin, the same blood-guiltiness still held onto the ten brothers, so too the world that does not believe on Jesus is convicted of sin when they Behold the Son.
Yet for us in Christ, we are no longer convicted of sin, because we believe on Him. Today, the Holy Spirit convicts us of righteousness and reminds us that the Devil is judged.