Genesis 44

I can almost imagine Genesis 44 as a reality television show. We, the viewers, know that Joseph has set his brothers up by putting the silver cup into Benjamin's sack and then sending his steward to catch up with them and take Benjamin to be a slave. Joseph, however, doesn't know how the brothers will respond. The brothers don't know that the man who is creating these challenging and distressing situations for them is their own brother, Joseph. There is much dramatic tension. I can imagine the scenes switching between the brother and Joseph. Everyone is wondering what is going to happen? Will history repeat itself and the brothers choose to leave Benjamin, the favorite son, in Egypt?

No.

Instead we see Joseph's dream fulfilled and his brothers bowing down before him. (Gen. 37:6-7) Judah steps up and says something a little odd for the situation - “God has uncovered your servants guilt” - and offers all the brothers as Joseph's slaves (v.16). Joseph refuses. “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” (v.17)

What was really going on here? The brothers were not guilty with regards to the cup yet Judah admits guilt.  Earlier they had been talking amongst themselves about what they did to Joseph when things got rough on their first visit to Egypt (Gen. 42:21-22). I believe that this is the guilt Judah is referring to - their guilt before God for how they treated Joseph.  Joseph's response to Judah's admission is just - only the guilty shall suffer the consequences - but the phrase “go back to your father in peace” would bring to mind the extreme pain that their actions towards Joseph caused as well as what will be experienced by Jacob if Benjamin doesn't return.

 

Jacob's pain is the focus of Judah's speech that takes up the rest of the chapter (vs 18-34). In it he recounts Joseph's probing about the family and demand that Benjamin comes to Egypt on the next trip. He tells Jacob's version of what happened to Joseph and the commitment he has made to his father to guarantee Benjamin's safety.  Then it comes: the act that reveals a transformation of Judah's heart. Judah says:

“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. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father.”

Twenty years ago Judah was willing to see that misery in Jacob's face. He willingly sold Joseph and went along with the story that an animal must have attacked the beloved son of Jacob. Not this time. He is no longer jealous of his father's attachment to Rachel's son. He is a man of his word and he lays down his life for his brother. And that is enough for Joseph. Genesis 45:1 “Then Joseph could no longer control himself...”

Additional Note & Question:

1. Throughout this story I've been mindful of Judah as the ancestor of our Saviour Jesus. While all of his actions are not righteous, the fact that it is Judah who offers himself in place of Benjamin does draw to our minds the sacrificial offering of Jesus in our place to pay the wages of our sins.
2.  Do you think it is right to test people to see if they have changed? Does the New Testament speak to this?