Genesis 44: 1-15: “And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?”
Joseph found it hard to remain anonymous to his brothers but he still had one more test for them to survive. He wanted to see how they treated Benjamin. They all knew about the relationship between Jacob and his two wives and his two concubines but there was only one other son belonging to Joseph’s mother. It the brothers could show that they were still trustworthy with Benjamin, his only full brother then they would show that they were no longer working for their own benefit. This section also show the final rehabilitation of Judah. As the history of Israel progresses Judah takes the prominent place as his tribe becomes the kingly tribe and finally the Messianic tribe. Judah needed to show that he was trustworthy and he proves true through this experience. He offered his own sons as hostage for Benjamin and now he shows himself faithful.
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
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