SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 43
BIBLE VERSES:
“Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life’ (Genesis 43:8-9)
“As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.” (Genesis 43:29)
THE SECOND JOURNEY TO EGYPT (vs. 1-34)
After they had consumed the grains the bought from Egypt, the famine was still severe. Jacob asked his sons to buy more food. But Judah told him that they could not go unless they along Benjamin. Judah guaranteed the safety of Benjamin and assumed responsibility to bring him back with them. So, they traveled back to Egypt with gifts of honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. They also took double amount of silver and proceeded with their journey. When they arrived, Joseph invited them to his house and prepared food for them. Joseph asked about his father and seated them in order of the ages from the oldest to the youngest. And benjamin was served five times more than anyone else.
THOUGHTS:
Judah’s willingness to be the surety and bear the blame for young Benjamin showed that his attitude towards his brothers had totally changed. What he had done to Joseph, he had became a loving and protective brother. May we learn to take good care of your younger siblings and accept responsibility for their welfare.
Jacob was a man of integrity. He instructed his servants to take extra money to pay for the precious purchase as well as the present purchase. Let us imitate the trait of honesty to uphold our reputation.