Today’s
Scripture Reading (May 12, 2012): Genesis 43
Joseph’s current position was all because of Judah’s decision. The story
of that day when the dreamer had walked into the field had probably been
repeated over and over again when the brothers (excluding Benjamin) had
gathered together. On that day it was Reuben that had assumed the role of
saving his little brother. Reuben was the oldest of the children of Jacob, and
as the brothers plotted to kill Joseph, it was Reuben that had suggested that
he be thrown into the cistern. And it had been Reuben that had suggested that
they should just leave the boy there trapped. His excuse was that it was one
thing to leave Joseph where the animals could come and kill him, but it was
quite another thing for them to kill Joseph with their own hands. But the
reader is told of Reuben’s real motivation. His intent was to come back after
the brothers had moved on to rescue his brother.
But then Judah stepped in, apparently without the knowledge of Reuben. And
he suggested that Joseph be sold into slavery. I can just imagine the
conversation between Reuben and Judah later. I really believe that the motive
for Judah was not for money, but so that his Joseph would not die. But by
stepping in he had destroyed any chance (as far as he was concerned) of Joseph
being restored to his family. Joseph was lost - forever.
So now, as the famine continues and the house of Jacob once more finds
themselves in need of food. But the man (Joseph, but none of the brothers
realize that yet) says that they can’t have any more food unless Benjamin comes
with them. Benjamin has lived a sheltered life. He was Joseph’s only full
brother, and dad had not let him out of his sight since Joseph had disappeared.
But now, if the family was going to have food, Benjamin was going to have to
make a trip.
And Judah saw an opportunity to at least partially redeem himself. He
had sold Joseph into slavery, but now he could be responsible for Benjamin. For
Judah, it would be the beginning of a path back to restoration.
We all have failed in a responsibility. And we all need to find a place
for the restoration to start. We know that we are forgiven, but for our
emotionally healing it often takes a restorative act. Just because we failed
once doesn’t mean that we can’t be trusted in the future. The one thing that
Judah needed more than even the food that was in Egypt was for his dad to trust
him with his most prized possession – Benjamin.
Tomorrow’s
Scripture Reading: Genesis 44
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