Thoughts on Genesis 44
In chapter 43, we saw how Judah undertook to take responsibility for Benjamin’s safety before their father Jacob. In this chapter, Judah clearly stood out. Attesting to the truth that God can work a complete change in even the most selfish personality.
When he was younger, Judah neither showed regard for his brother(Joseph), as he convinced his brothers to sell Joseph as a slave, nor did he regard his father, as he joined his brothers in lying to their father about Joseph’s fate.
But brethren, that was the old Judah many chapters before now! There was a turning point for Judah.
In this chapter, there is a new man. We see the evidence of a changed man as he once again took responsibility by stepping forward to plead their case before Joseph, not mindful of the risk that he could have him killed. Judah courageously defended himself and his brothers as he pleaded for mercy. He also offered to put himself in Benjamin’s place. Wow!
It is never over until God says so. No incident should define our life forever. It is God who works in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure. If God has not given up on us, we must not give up on ourselves or give up on that brother or sister who may have been defined by his present misdemeanor.
Judah became a man of his words. Becoming a slave was a terrible fate, but he was determined to keep his word to his father. Accepting responsibility means carrying it out with determination and courage regardless of personal sacrifice.(unlike the way he broke his promise to Tamar in the matter of giving her in marriage to Shelar in Gen 38).
This change was not lost on Joseph. He was now convinced that his brothers had dramatically changed for the better. In Gen 45:3, Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
Judah’s life is an inspiration.
For though at the beginning, he was a conniving, selfish, promise- breaking, and whatever other negative name we may call him, he ended with a better testimony as we see in Gen 49:8-10.
“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.
Gen 49:8-10 NLT
