Genesis 41-42

41
Pharoah then had two dreams that were similar: 7 fat cows/ 7 skinny cows.  The 7 skinny cows ate the 7 fat cows.  Similarly, 7 stalks of healthy grains and 7 stalks of thin and scorched grains.  The thin and scorched grains ate the 7 healthy grains.

Pharoah tried to find people to interpret (magicians, wise men, etc.) but no one could do it.  Finally, the cupbearer remember Joseph and told Pharoah about it.  Joseph was able to interpret the dreams. He totally attributed the interpretation to God, not himself. Essentially, the dream stood for 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine.  Joseph advised Pharoah to collect grains during the years of abundance in preparation for the years of famine.

Pharoah put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt.  Joseph married and had 2 kids during this time.  When the famine came, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grains to the Egyptians, who sold them to outsiders to came looking for food.

42
Joseph's brothers heard that there was food in Egypt and traveled there.  They did not recognized Joseph (though Joseph recognized them).  Joseph pretended to be strict with them (accusing them of being spies).  He demanded to know where the youngest brother was.  Finally, he agreed to give them food, but told them they had to come back with the youngest brother.

While on their way back, while opening their sacks, they saw the silver inside that they had used to pay for the grains.  They totally freaked out.

When they went back to their father, Jacob, they tried to convince him to let Benjamin come along.  Jacob refused, saying he had already lost Joseph.  So, they ate up the food, but then needed to go back and get more. Otherwise, they were going to starve.  Reuben then personally plead with Jacob, even offering his own sons' lives if he did not bring Benjamin back safely.