Genesis 44 Commentary
We have a game being played on the brothers. But it’s not purposeless. These events are transforming lives. The brothers who easily dispensed of Joseph, all and in unison tear their clothes as they lament their predicament. How can they stand Benjamin’s imprisonment? They all return to Egypt even when only Benjamin is at fault – according to the play. We can clearly see that there is a change of heart.
Verse 14 talks of Judah and his brothers arriving back at Joseph’s residence (Not Reuben and his brothers). Judah is a leader among his brothers but his role here is more than just leadership.
The fight is around Benjamin. Jacob may represent the LORD who suffers the loss of a child. Joseph may present the LORD who seeks justice. Judah may represent the LORD who stands up to defend the guilty, hopeless, and defenseless. And Benjamin? Well, Benjamin is you and me – loved but missing and in need of rescue.
It is a spiritual battle. Benjamin is innocent but not exactly innocent. The cup was found in his bag. It is this fact which is most important. Justice is required. The thief (sinner) must be punished. But Judah shows up – the LORD Jesus is called the Lion of Judah with this reference in mind.
In a moving speech, Judah gives us details of the promise he had made. In an action reminiscent of the LORD’S work at Calvary, Judah offers himself to be jailed instead of Benjamin. You cannot read these pages without getting emotional! The bond between Judah and Benjamin is forged here.
It’s a bond that would last the entire history of the peoples of Jacob as recorded in the Old Testament. It speaks of the bond formed between the savior and the saved. You cannot be saved and still lack a real bond and love with and for your savior.
The self-giving love of Judah is nothing but a symbol of the realities that we see in the LORD Jesus. It is precisely at this point that Judah underlines an important part of the blessing. So we have two individuals, Joseph and Judah, highlighting the blessing of Abraham in high definition! Of course, Levi would define how Jacob interacts with her God in temple worship, but that won’t happen until the time of Moses – The Book of Exodus.
The story of Jacob’s sons reveals an interesting pattern. The blessing doesn’t have a straight line. Like Jacob, his sons start from a “sinner’s” position and move to repentance and a strong walk with the LORD.
The sons who didn’t mind the sight of their father mourning; the sons who went in, probably one by one or in groups to console Jacob over Joseph’s death – a death they knew didn’t exist; these same sons are now ready to be enslaved in place of their brother. It can only be God!
Which saint starts from a clean page?
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