Joseph learned a few tricks from his father Jacob, the trickster. He makes sure that his servants place his silver cup in Benjamin's sack. Joseph says that he is only going to make Benjamin his slave as he is the one who "stole" the cup. Judah then defends his brother saying that it would grieve their father too much to lose Benjamin as they had lost their brother Joseph (who they did not know they were talking to). I often wonder why Joseph went to such lengths to test his brothers. Part of me thinks that maybe Joseph is planning revenge. Maybe here it was to test to see if they have the same type of jealousy toward Benjamin as his brothers had towards Joseph himself. Would they so easily sell Benjamin into slavery as they did Joseph? Judah, who spoke up for Benjamin, was also the one who had the idea of selling Joseph into slavery back in chapter 37. Now he is offering himself in place of his brother. Judah has grown from his past mistakes, hurts, and losses. He is a new man.
Judah is not a central figure in this story, but plays an important role. We know that he suffered great losses with his sons and wife dying. Obviously, he is dealing with the grief and guilt of failing his father by selling his brother into slavery all those years ago. His name means to praise the Lord, but his life has not lived up to his name, until here. God never gave up on Judah, and brought him around slowly after many mistakes, hurts, and losses. Now Judah is ready to give himself up in place of his brother. Another from the tribe of Judah will not only give himself up for his brother, but for the whole world, as Jesus comes from the line of Judah.
"God, thank you for your grace and never giving up on us. Help us to grow from our experiences and with our journey with you. In your son's name, Amen."
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1 comment:
What a beautiful commentary on today's reading.
To realize that Jesus is known as the "Lion of Judah" makes this chapter and this commentary very precious.
God takes our wrongs and shortfalls and makes beauty out of our ashes. I have often relied on this promise as I reflect on how many times I have not lived up to the standard God has set for me; and, yet in love and mercy He creates something good out of my mess and gives me chance after chance to live in His light.
"Father, forgive me, even now for all my failures and help me through your Holy Spirit to live the overcoming life You have for me."
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