Genesis 44 Devotional

A Brother Who Takes the Place

“Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers.”Genesis 44:33 (BSB)

Joseph sets one final test. His silver cup is hidden in Benjamin's sack, and the brothers are brought back and told that Benjamin alone must stay as a slave. Years before, they had sold their father's favorite son into slavery without a second thought. Now they have the chance to walk away free and leave Benjamin behind.

Instead Judah steps forward. He says that God has exposed their guilt (44:16), and then he pleads with the governor, describing what losing Benjamin would do to their father. He asks to stay as a slave in the boy's place so that Benjamin can go home (44:33). The man who once proposed selling Joseph (37:26-27) now offers himself for his brother. It is a picture of real repentance, and a glimpse of something greater. From Judah's line came Jesus, who did not merely offer to take our place but actually did, giving his life for us (1 Peter 3:18). Our hope rests on his substitution, not on our own change.

To think about: How does knowing that Jesus took your place change the way you treat the people around you?