While Joseph is “giving main character energy” (as the kids would say), another son of Israel quietly slides into focus in these two chapters: Judah. Judah is the fourth son of Leah, Jacob/Israel’s first wife—not a very prominent position—not someone whose name we would expect to remember. But we do remember Judah. He gets a kingdom named after him and he’s a very prominent member of Jesus’ genealogy.
But, up until this point in Genesis, he’s not been looking too good. It was Judah who suggested the brothers sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites in Chapter 37. And in Chapter 38, Judah behaved shamefully towards Tamar, time and time again. But he gets humbled before that episode is over.
We don’t hear from Judah for a while, as we follow Joseph’s story in Egypt. Even when the brothers go down to Egypt the first time, Judah is in the background, but we can imagine those experiences humbled him even more.
The strain of the situation was enough to make Judah step out from the shadows and face the situation with integrity. He is the one who has to face his father with the hard truth: they either starve or take Benjamin to Egypt. But, knowing how grieved his father would be if something happened to Benjamin, Judah offered himself as surety for Benjamin’s safe return, and he has a chance to prove it.
Joseph set up a false crime as a pretense to keep Benjamin with him. Joseph’s motives for this are hidden from the audience, but given what happens next, it’s not unreasonable to think Joseph was using the situation as a test to see whether his brothers had changed since they sold him. If they fail the test, at least he’ll have Benjamin; but if they pass…
Judah steps up and gives a heartfelt speech, offering himself in Benjamin’s place, and, as we’ll see, that’s what turns the tide for Joseph. Though a middle son, Judah has incredible powers of persuasion: persuading the others to sell Joseph, persuading his father to let Benjamin go to Egypt, and now persuading Joseph to not enslave Benjamin. Judah, the one who was the cause of Joseph’s enslavement, now offers himself as a slave in his brother’s place. The story has come full circle. Judah is truly repentant, and his redemption is at hand.
Laura Weant is privileged to be the pastor of the good folks at Bethany Lutheran in Boone, where she enjoys daily sunrises over the mountains, the sound of the babbling brook in her backyard, chasing chickens, avoiding her children when they’re arguing, and talking theology with her pastor-lumberjack husband. Also, music. And faking-it at gardening.
To Consider
If Judah was your brother, would he be redeemed in your eyes, considering what he had done?
Have you ever had to right a former wrong, like Judah? How did God work through you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you humble the proud and bring us to true repentance. Pierce our hearts with the knowledge of our sin and help us return to you. Shower us with your boundless forgiveness, and give us your grace, for the sake of your Son, Jesus. Amen.