Genesis 44
Genesis 44
In Genesis 44, Joseph is continuing to test his brothers through placing hte silver cup in Benajmin’s bag. A main spiritual principle that we see in this passage is the character change of Judah.
Judah selflessly offers to substitute himself for Benjamin as Joseph’s servant for the sake of his father. If Jacob were to lose his son Benjamin, he would have essentially grieved to death. This is in stark contrast to Judah’s lack of care at disposing of Joseph a few chapters earlier in Genesis 37: 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.
Notice the difference in chapter 44, verses 33-34: 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”
The substitute of Judah for Benjamin should remind us of the substitute of Jesus for the sacrifice of sin on our behalf. Judah is a picture, Jesus is the real thing. The saving, transforming power of Jesus can change the most vile sinner into a saint, as imperfect as we are.
I can be different. You can be different. But the power to change does not come from with-in, it comes from with-out. Only Jesus can truly change us from the heart level.
Discussion: What in your life does God need to change?
By: Graham Withers
In Genesis 44, Joseph is continuing to test his brothers through placing hte silver cup in Benajmin’s bag. A main spiritual principle that we see in this passage is the character change of Judah.
Judah selflessly offers to substitute himself for Benjamin as Joseph’s servant for the sake of his father. If Jacob were to lose his son Benjamin, he would have essentially grieved to death. This is in stark contrast to Judah’s lack of care at disposing of Joseph a few chapters earlier in Genesis 37: 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.
Notice the difference in chapter 44, verses 33-34: 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”
The substitute of Judah for Benjamin should remind us of the substitute of Jesus for the sacrifice of sin on our behalf. Judah is a picture, Jesus is the real thing. The saving, transforming power of Jesus can change the most vile sinner into a saint, as imperfect as we are.
I can be different. You can be different. But the power to change does not come from with-in, it comes from with-out. Only Jesus can truly change us from the heart level.
Discussion: What in your life does God need to change?
By: Graham Withers
No Comments