Genesis 44:11-14 Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the
ground, and each man opened his sack. (12) And he searched, beginning with the eldest
and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. (13)
Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they
returned to the city. (14) When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's
house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground.
These verses bring us to the climax of
Joseph’s testing of his brothers. The extent to which they have changed will
now be made obviously evident in their reactions and actions. Joseph is aware,
just as his brothers are aware, that Benjamin is very precious to their father.
Therefore this test is in many respects a repeat of Genesis 37, with the
temptation, the crucial question being the same, how will they treated the
favoured son? They knew that Joseph was precious to their father, yet this did
not keep them from acting in jealousy and selfishness. Likewise they know that
Benjamin is precious and dear to their father, so much so that it is their very
real fear that if they should return without Benjamin their father would die. What
will they do now that Benjamin is about to be taken away from them?
The brothers’ grief, anguish and fear are
plain to see as they tear their clothes and fall before Joseph, casting
themselves upon his mercy and favour. Joseph holds them to their word, and
declares that all of them but Benjamin are free to go, Benjamin as punishment
and payment for his crime of theft must now remain as Joseph’s servant, with no
promise of release. This test exceeds that of the previous test with Simeon.
There Joseph promised to release him when they returned with Benjamin, but now
the brothers will have to return to Jacob and declare to him that he shall
never see Benjamin again.
How will the brothers’ react, will they
fight for the life of their brother, will they plead with Joseph? Or will they
simply walk away and abandon once and for all Benjamin, in the same manner that
they allowed Joseph to be taken away from them?
The change is quickly evident, evident
not just in their sorrow, anguish and fear, but also in their actions,
specifically Judah’s actions. Judah quickly and freely seeks to sacrifice himself
for the sake of his father, brother and family. He pleads that he might take
the place of Benjamin, so that Benjamin might return to his father, lessening
the grief and preserving the life of their father.
We see in this a picture of Christ. Unlike
Benjamin in whose sack the cup was planted, we all stand condemned before God.
We are all rightly and justly found guilty and therefore must pay the penalty
for our sin, which will be to suffer under the hand of God’s wrath for all of
eternity in hell. Christ in divine grace and mercy steps forward and freely,
willingly takes our place and receives out punishment. The result of which is
that we are restored to life and given eternal life, one of joy and blessing in
the presence and kingdom of God.
Gracious
Saviour we adore You today as we are reminded of that great work that You
accomplished on our behalf. We cannot fathom the depths of your grace and mercy
that brings us into the favour of God. We praise You that because of Your
obedience and sacrifice, You have appeased and turned aside the wrath of God
from us and brought us forgiveness, peace and life with God. Help us today to
understand yet more of our great salvation and respond by offering to you our
lives, seeking to live them for the furtherance of Your glory. Amen.
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