Why does Joseph plant the silver cup? What is the ultimate aim of such a move? How does this relate to his status as the beloved son? Appeal explicitly to the story as a whole (i.e. Gen 37-50) and to article from Anderson in your answer.
The story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 provides both a resolution and fulfillment of promises made by God to Abraham. Putting the story as a whole into context, Joseph, much like Abraham, was appointed as an elect due to his sacrifice and unparalleled human obedience to God’s will. Although Joseph was exiled by his own family, abandoned by his brothers and left to die, a seemingly impossible situation to survive, God once again proves to uphold his promises even in the most improbable circumstances. As Joseph begins to rise up in the royal hierarchy, undoubtedly due to his unconditional faithfulness to God, this notion of God fulfilling the promises made to Abraham to allow his lineage to be fruitful and multiply takes hold; God is proven to be committed to upholding his promise.
Therefore, because Joseph is being used as a faithful servant to God, the planting of the silver cup is significant because it indicates the forgiveness of a merciful and faithful God. It is no coincidence that the cup is made of the same material Joseph was sold for (Genesis 37:28); the silver is symbolic of the relation between two decisions, the one they made in the past and the redemptive one they have presented before them. To ensure the brothers have undergone a change in heart, Joseph uses the silver cup as a symbol of the betrayal his own family had inflicted onto him; although he has forgiven them, he must confirm they have changed themselves. The motive behind this action was less an act of revenge but rather a divine test given by God through Joseph as his beloved son. A parallel can be drawn between the test given to Abraham in sacrificing his most beloved son and this test given to the brothers in sacrificing Benjamin. As Anderson mentions, “the surrender of Benjamin to these brothers is tantamount to sacrifice,” due to his status as the youngest and most loved brother. Joseph is merely testing them with the same scenario they were given when they sold Joseph into slavery; a test that will determine if they are worthy of the forgiveness Joseph want to give them as a beloved son of a merciful God.
However, in light of Anderson’s analysis of the act of betrayal, this idea that the betrayal Joseph undergoes especially in concert with his “death” (being sold into slavery) and “resurrection” (being appointed as an elect) actually leads to the ultimate salvation of the brothers is one that piqued my interest. An important aspect of the story of Joseph put in context of Genesis as a whole is that in the end, God has good intentions for all of mankind. To end Genesis with this story revolving around the act of betrayal, forgiveness, and salvation is paramount in understanding the overarching message: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives,” (50:20).
Foundations of Theology 
Your analysis of the cup being made of the same material that Joseph was sold for is insightful and really solidifies the relationship between the two decisions. You extract much more symbolic meaning from the of the cup than is evident at first glance, especially calling the cup itself a symbol of betrayal instead of just assigning the comparison to Benjamin’s position as the new beloved son. The interpretation of the resurrection of Joseph as the salvation of mankind definitely helps to wrap up the whole narrative under the message you quote in your closing lines.
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Just as Nathaniel noted, the most interesting aspect of your response was the mention of silver being the same material Joseph was once sold for. You note, “Joseph uses the silver cup as a symbol of the betrayal his own family had inflicted onto him.” I really enjoy looking at this from a literary perspective. The silver cup is a symbol of the old and new, death and resurrection. For example, Joseph plants a silver cup in Benjamin’s bag to see if the brothers have truly repented for what they have done, and with Judah’s self-sacrifice, the narrative of rebirth perpetuates.
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First I’d like to point out that it is a good observation that this passage marks God’s fulfillment of his promise to Abraham. This is part of a larger theme at work in Genesis. God will keep his promises as long as you keep your faith in him, which Joseph does even in the darkest depths of his life without family, possessions, or even freedom. Another thing I liked about your commentary is that you mentioned that Benjamin is the most beloved brother of Jacob now that Joseph is gone. This is very important because Joseph essentially puts Benjamin in the same situation as he was in and the other brothers in the same situation as they were in when they were going to kill him. Their change of heart demonstrates that they have truly changed.
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