Genesis 44 - Rock Bottom

This chapter reveals Judah's insight into Divine providence. So sure that they had done nothing to sleight the Egyptian Lord (their brother Joseph) that when they were accused of taking items from the palace, the brothers were bold enough to state their innocence and offer themselves as slaves if any brother were found with stolen items.

To their horror, Benjamin's sack was found with Joseph's cup. The boy they had sworn to protect with their lives was now holding evidence of their guilt. They would never return to their father and they would all die in slavery.

In verse 16, Judah says something insightful. He says "God has uncovered your servants guilt". Here he is not referring to the cup but to all the lies and injustice they had brought on Joseph and their own father. Judah sees God's hand of justice being placed on the brothers therefore Judah pleads in humility before Joseph fully confessing the truth of what happened to Joseph and how his father never knew the truth.

Judah offers himself as a living sacrifice so that Benjamin may be spared and his father, Jacob might not die from the loss of his beloved son. Judah has true compassion for his father and realizes that God has brought him to account for the wrongs committed. Like Jesus, he was willing to give himself as a substitutionary sacrifice - but unlike Jesus he was fully guilty and deserving of the condemnation that befell him.

Judah realizes that God sees everything and is able to order events to hold us accountable for sins. He realizes that mercy is his only hope and places himself at Joseph's command knowing even in that God can work and perhaps make a way of forgiveness.

When we consider our circumstances, can we see God divinely ordering events to bring about his purposes? Judah got that this was not about him, but about God and he trusted in God's lovingkindness toward his father and in humility pled for forgiveness undeserved.

Our Heavenly Father may bring us to a place of humility, but not because of his vengeance. He wants that all would repent and come into his offer of restoration. He sent his Son to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could be in fellowship with God and receive His Holy Spirit. We were fully guilty and deserving of eternal punishment, but God intervened.

Consider again Judah's confession. Are there some skeletons in your past that you need to confess before God and receive His forgiveness? Is there a past you thought you left behind but continues to plague your soul? Like Judah, confess your guilt before God - leave nothing hidden and place yourself on the lovingkindness of the King!

May God richly bless you as you seek him and as you serve him!