The sons of Jacob (minus Benjamin) travel to Egypt for grain.  Several sources place the location of Joseph in the Lower Egypt delta area. (Lower Egypt is actually in the north and Upper Egypt is in the south - the Nile River runs south to north.)  This was many miles from Jacob's  home, not an easy journey.  Most likely they traveled near the Mediterranean Sea and down to Egypt.

What must Joseph have thought when he saw the fulfillment of his dream of sheaves bowing down as his brothers bowed down before him?

Even though Joseph knew his brothers, his brothers did not recognize him.  Of course Joseph had changed drastically since the brothers last saw him.  And, chances are Joseph was dressed as Egyptian royalty.

Joseph didn't make things easy for his brothers when they came for grain.  First he accused them of being spies and told them they must send one of the brothers to get the youngest son Benjamin, then placed them all in custody for three days.  On the third day, Joseph reverses things and then tells them that they all may go after the youngest brother and only one brother (Simeon) must remain in custody. Obviously Joseph had a change of heart.

After returning to their home, Jacob's sons must explain to their father why his son Simeon is not with them.  What is the significance of Reuben offering both his sons as “hostage” in the situation concerning the return of Benjamin?  Could it be that if Reuben's sons were killed, then Reuben would suffer as Jacob suffered at the loss of Benjamin and Joseph?  Judah, however, offered himself to Jacob as personally responsible for the safety of Benjamin.

Apparently Jacob hadn't planned to send his sons back to Egypt for Simeon.  It wasn't until the famine continued and they needed more grain that he sent them on a return trip.  This time they took some of the best products of the land.  These products came from trees that weren't as affected by the famine as other crops were.

The book of Jasher recounts numerous details concerning the interaction between the brothers and Joseph. Wonder what the brothers thought when Joseph seated them in order of their birth? It says they were astonished. And what's this with Joseph giving Benjamin five times as much food?

Judah presents himself as a protector of Benjamin. It is the beginning of the alliance with Judah and Benjamin as together they will later be known as the Jews.

Judah’s character surfaces once again as he offers himself in place of Benjamin (a foreshadowing of Jesus’ offer). His willingness to defend Benjamin, to honor his father, and be willing to substitute himself could be another reason the line of the Messiah comes through Judah.

Genesis 45:8b
And He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler over all the land of Egypt. 
Notice in the above verse it says "He has made me a father to Pharaoh", MKJV

That little word "a" is left out in the NIV.  Speculation is that by this time Pharaoh is dead and his son has taken his place, which is why Scripture records that Joseph was a father to Pharaoh. However, Joseph  maintains his position as king in the kingdom.

When Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, he tells them to return for their father and bring him to Egypt to live in the region of Goshen.  This area was primo territory, lush with streams and tributaries running to the Mediterranean Sea and to the Nile River.

Great verse hidden away in today's reading concerning Joseph's understanding of the reason his brothers sold him.
Genesis 45:8a
"So then, it was not you (his brothers) who sent me here, but God."

How often in our lives can we look at bad things that happen to us and yet see the hand of God at work? Maybe, it's time to stop and reflect.