Genesis 44:18-34
Verse 33 Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
Joseph had a meal with the brothers where it would seem it was obvious to them that something was up. The man who had accused them of being spies wanted to eat with them? And of all the crazy coincidental moments, they had been seated according to their birth order, how could he have known that? And why was it that Benjamin had been given so much more food than the rest of them? They were finally on their way home with their youngest brother when Benjamin is accused of stealing.
Knowing they couldn’t leave Benjamin behind in Egypt, Judah knows it is up to him since he had promised his father the safe return of the youngest brother. Judah told Joseph something which had more meaning than he knew. The brother who had been the one to suggest selling Joseph into slavery in the first place is willing to put himself in the place of the youngest brother.
It may be that he remembered how his father had responded to their story about finding Joseph’s special coat covered in blood and he didn’t want to have to see his father grieve the same way if they didn’t bring Benjamin back with them or maybe it was that he was feeling guilty about the lie they had told their father 20 years ago. No matter his reason for doing it, he put himself in a position to take one for the team.
These brothers knew the situation they were in. Benjamin may have been a bit nervous about his future. The other sons of Jacob were feeling like they were under judgment because of what they had done to Joseph. Joseph was seeing how the brothers, who so willingly sold him into slavery, were not as willing to allow Benjamin the same fate because of what it had done to their father. They all knew what was at stake but Judah was the first to give a solution.
Judah was willing to give up everything for the sake of others. It was an act of love. Love for his father and love for his brothers. Though Judah didn’t know it, he was giving a glimpse of what his descendant, Jesus would do many generations in the future.
Making It Personal
Have you ever been willing to give things up for someone else? Why? How can selfless acts reveal Christ working in you?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever said you would take someone else’s punishment? Why would you do that? What does it mean to you that Jesus did that for you?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for this glimpse of sacrificial love. Help us to be aware of places we need to be willing to sacrifice for the good of others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments