25 July Genesis 44

Judah is a changed man

Genesis 44:33 (AMP) “Now, therefore, please let your servant (Judah) remain here instead of the youth a slave to my lord, and let the young man go home with his brothers”.

Joseph says, "Leave Benjamin with me and return to your father." Judah says, "Please let me stay here instead of the boy. I will be your servant, Joseph." Judah doesn't know he's talking to his brother Joseph. He continues, "Let me stay as your servant and let the boy return with his brothers."

This differs significantly from how Judah and his brothers treated Joseph years ago. Back then, they sold Joseph into slavery. Now, they have the chance to do the same thing to Benjamin: leave him as a slave and go back to their lives. But this time, Judah does something very different. He offers his own life as a substitute for Benjamin, willing to become a slave so Benjamin can go free.

Jesus, from the line of Judah, would one day also lay His life down for all of us. Philippians 2:5-11 (NLT) “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.

Just as Judah's willingness to sacrifice himself for Benjamin is a powerful example of love and selflessness, so is Jesus' sacrifice for us. We are called to have the same attitude of humility and service, following in the footsteps of our Lord.