Introduction
Chapter 44 has a riveting climax to the suspense that has been building through the last two chapters. The disappearance of Joseph many years earlier had brought much pain and guilt to the household. His brothers had been cruel and deceptive.
Now the tables were turned. Benjamin was in trouble. Judah had given his word to protect him, but would he do it at the expense of his own life? Judah’s fervent appeal for Benjamin’s freedom and his offer to trade places with him is heartrendingly beautiful. He who once encouraged his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery was now offering himself as a slave to keep Benjamin free and to spare his father from pain.
God left us an example in this story of the amazing transformation He can do in a life devoted to Him. The brothers, who had once been selfish, jealous, and vengeful, had become humble, caring, and loyal.
God has the same power today to transform your life as He did then to transform the lives of Joseph’s brothers.
By: Lisa Ward
Departure
Joseph’s brother departed Egypt with a sense of happiness and relief, after all they were treated exceptionally well. Simon was out of prison and their sacks were filled with grain. The concern of a bad outcome was no longer a worry.
Again, unbeknownst to the departing brothers, their money was placed in the top of the grain sacks. Joseph also had his special silver cup placed in Benjamin’s grain sack. They began their journey back to Canaan.
This was the final test that Joseph set before his brothers. Joseph commanded his servant to overtake them and ask them why they had returned evil for good. His servant did as he was directed. The brothers confidently replied that they did not steal the cup. They had enough trust with each other that they confidently said that the thief should be killed and the rest taken as slaves. The servant responded he with whom it is found shall be my slave. The servant knew that none of them took the silver cup, so he did not acknowledge the suggestion to kill the thief.
The Silver Cup
The brothers quickly let down their grain sacks. This suggests they had nothing to hid and that they were innocent. Their confidence was high, we know this for they had just promised that if the stolen cup was found among them, the guilty one would stay in Egypt as a slave.
As we know, the planted silver cup was found. Now they were filled with horror for the cup was found in Benjamin’s grain sack. The was the remaining son of Rachel. If they had not changed, they very well may have been glad to see him go too. But, they all tore their clothes which tells us this was the worst thing imaginable for them. In fact, they all returned to the city because Benjamin would be sentenced to a life of slavery in Egypt.
Previously, the brother’s cared less about the grief they brough upon their father and of course even less about Joseph. The thought of hurting either one was a radical change in their characters. There was such a change, they were willing to stand with Benjamin in face of the sentence that would be executed against him. What a heart change and this is the same change that Jesus wants us to experience.
Changed Hearts
As they stood before Joseph, they fell to the ground in humility. Joseph played the part of an Egyptian when he asked them, “Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?” As we read about Joseph’s life we know that he worshipped Yahweh, so we can confidently say that he was playing the part. They made a humble plea for mercy. Once again, for the third time, they fulfilled the dreams Joseph had more than 20 years before (Gen. 37:5-11).
Judah demonstrated his change of character when he basically confessed that God has found out the iniquity of them. In Judah’s mind, the brother would live their remaining years as slaves in Egypt because what they had done to Joseph years before.
Judah insisted that all of them would stand by Benjamin. He made an appeal that all they wanted to do was to buy some grain. Their father is an old man and Benjamin is a child of his old age, and his brother is dead. Judah said that their father did not want Benjamin to come fearing that calamity would befall him and he was grieving that his other son had gone out and was surely torn to pieces. If something happened to Benjamin the sorrow would send him to the grave. Judah also told Joseph that if he doesn’t bring Benjamin back that he would bear the flame forever before his father. Judah was greatly concerned about the welfare of both Benjamin and his father, Jacob. Judah had made himself as surety for Benjamin to his father. This meant that Judah’s own life and standing before his father would be destroyed if Benjamin never returned. Judah then offers his life for Benjamin.
This reminds us how Jesus stood in our place becoming sin for us and died the death we deserved. The innocent one paid the debt for the guilty. May we humble ourselves and respond to such a gift in love and obedience.