If I’ve learned one thing over the past couple weeks reading through Genesis — don’t suggest that someone die if they are found to be guilty. If they had listened to the brothers, Benjamin would be dead. You may recall an earlier story that would have killed Rachel should the idols be found. Of course, the brothers here were also blown away by the mere suggestion they had done something wrong. Again. Deja vu. It wasn’t possible.
Why was Joseph so bent on this deception? If he intended to agonize his brothers, he succeeded. If he wished to put fear and anger into them, he succeeded. What would happen to Benjamin? Judah must have just wanted to puke. Do you know that feeling you get when something you have been put in charge of goes south? Here we are talking about a brother’s life and a father’s heart.
Joseph only wanted Benjamin. But the brothers would never dream of returning to their father without him. Judah tries to reason with Joseph by reminding him of what has transpired. I’m sure he figured that Joseph probably didn’t remember or have complete knowledge. He could have said, but didn’t, “we’ve been framed.”
Of course, Judah had no idea who he was telling all of this to. How do you think Joseph felt when he heard how his father would be sent to his grave if Benjamin didn’t return? Judah was willing to sacrifice himself for the freedom of his brother. Have you ever tried to strike up a bargain like this?
When we find ourselves in a situation that is going wrong, we often want to fix it. Have you ever offered to take the fall for someone else? Have you had to sacrifice your own freedom for the better good? Think of the example God has given us in sacrificing his own son for the redemption of the world. The words of John 3:16 ring in my head, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Now that’s love.
Let’s pray. Thank you, Lord, for making the sacrifice for me. I thank you that you paid the price for my sins to set me free. Give me a heart like yours so I may be as willing to help those in need. Open my mouth to share with people how much you love them. Use me to make a difference in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
