Chapter 44

Joseph sends them away, but decides to test them.   He puts his own silver cup in Benjamin's sack along with his money.  After they are gone, Joseph sends his servant to accuse them of stealing the cup.  They play innocent, since they are this time, but the cup is found in Benjamin's sack.  They return to Egypt.  They all offer to be Joseph's slaves, but Joseph requires only that Benjamin stay as slave, since he had the cup.  Judah tells the whole story of Israel's love for Benjamin to Joseph, and begs to stay in Benjamin's place.

2024 - Why was it Judah, the fourth born to Leah, that offered himself in Benjamin's place?  Most obvious is that he had pledged to his father that he would take all the blame. But why Judah?  Why is he the one who shouldered the blame at home?  Not the firstborn Reuben, who was innocent of Joseph but had no idea Joseph was involved.  Not Simeon, who was already captive in Egypt.  And not Levi, from whom the intercessory priesthood would come.  Levi would have been the one I thought would intervene.  But it was Judah, from whom Kings,  and still more importantly the Messiah would come.  Ahhh....Judah offers himself in exchange for another as Jesus would offer himself for all!  Now doesn't the Bible make good sense!?  Such details don't just happen.  God makes them happen!

FB 031424 Thursday