As the brothers of Joseph experienced the famine, are accused of being spies and being thrown in jail, they conclude that these things are happening due to their sinful treatment of their brother Joseph. What they don't see is that this path they are on will ensure that the entire family will have safety and provision and that this is actuality a huge blessing. Some see God as one who waits for us to make mistakes and then punishes us. The brothers felt that this was punishment. God has created a world of "reaping and sewing" where there are earthly consequences but God only rejoices in the good and never takes pleasure in the things of judgement. The brothers were consumed with their own guilt and due to that could not see the larger picture of blessings. Let us keep ourselves seeking our Lord so much that when the hard times come we will only have faith to look over the hard times knowing that the ultimate destination is the Love, peace, protection and provision of our Lord and God.