SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 44
BIBLE VERSES:
“Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.” (Genesis 44:1-2)
“Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?” (Genesis 44:15)
“So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’ “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 on my father.”” (Genesis 44:30-34)
A SILVER CUP IN A SACK (vs. 1-34)
When the brothers of Joseph arrived, Joseph gave instruction to the steward of the house to fill the men’s sack with as much food as they can carry and put each man silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put his silver cup in the sack of the youngest. So he did as Joseph said.
When the men were on their way home with the donkeys, Joseph sent his steward to catch up with them and search who stole his silver cup. Upon searching, they found it in the sack of Benjamin. So all of them returned to the city. When they arrived, Joseph said to them: “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?” (v. 13). Judah stood up offered himself to the one to remain as slave instead of Benjamin. But Joseph refused so Judah told him about his promise to his father. He could not go back with his father if the boy was not with him and misery would came upon his father.
THOUGHTS:
Judah displayed his humility and confession to Joseph. he also showed love towards his father and brother Benjamin. He was willing to be the surety, to bear the blame even though it would cost his life. Can you be a brother like Judah?
Judah courageously defended himself and his brothers and pleaded for mercy. And he offered himself to be put in Benjamin’s place. When there is a situation that needs a strong voice and courageously action, do not remain silent. Speak up even if it can cause serious repercussions.
Judah kept his promise to his father and willing to become a slave. Accepting a responsibility demands carrying it out with determination and courage regardless of personal sacrifice.