Now it is Simeon’s turn to seemingly be left forgotten. Jacob is loath to let the brother return however the severe and ongoing famine will soon force his hand.
Read Genesis 43
The famine continues in severity and the family eventually run out of food. The brothers beg Jacob to let them return to Egypt (v1-2). Judah however also reminds his father that “the man” had insisted on them bringing their younger brother. This causes Jacob to lament their oversharing though the brothers argue that full disclosure was necessary to prove their credentials. They do, however seem to spin the account a littler in order to mask how readily forthcoming they were with the information (v3-7).
Judah asks his father to send Benjamin with him. Note that although they talk about Benjamin as “the boy” or “lad”, he would presumably have been in his thirties perhaps suggesting a level of protectionism towards the youngest and new favourite. Whereas Reuben was willing to offer his own sons as surety, Judah offers himself (However, he expresses some frustration at his father’s delay (v8-10). Jacob acquiesces and sends them with gifts and additional silver, hoping to appease the Egyptian leader (v11-14).
Joseph sees them with Benjamin and arranges for them to come to his own private dwelling for a meal. They fear that they are being taken away to be punished and so fess up to Joseph’s steward finding the silver in their bags. The steward reassures them and attributes their good fortune to their God. He returns Simoen to their company (V14-23).
At Joseph’s house, they offer their gifts to him, note the imagery of men from the east bringing out gifts. He inquires about their father and is visibly moved to see Benjamin whom he blesses. They seem lacking in curiosity about his concern for their family and the specific son. They are astonished to find that they are sat in age order. Joseph and the Egyptians eat separately to the Hebrews due to cultural expectations. Joseph remains segregated from his family (v24-34).
Digging a little deeper
Norice the comparison between Judah and Reuben. It was Reuben who had wanted to save Joseph before but had failed. Judah had in effect betrayed his brother, handing him over for personal gain, just as another Judah/Judas would do so for Jesus many years later. Now, Reuben’s attempt to protect the family and his brother prove half hearted and not enough again. Judah however steps up to the plate. Where Reuben can only offer his own sons as surety, Judah offers himself. It seems that something has changed in Judah. The events of chapter 38, his own experience of tokens of surety then and his understanding of what it means to be justified seem to have had an effect. Judah now is willing to step up as a brother and offer himself to stand in Benjamin’s place.
A look at ourselves
When the people come out to John the Baptist, he urges them to live lives that bear fruit of repentance. The indication is that Judah’s life is bearing fruit. If so, then he has moved from recognising another as more justified than him to finding true justification through God’s grace.
Judah himself stands as surety, a foreshadowing of how Christ does that for us. By taking our place and bearing our penalty, Christ enables us to be justified through union with him. It is this truth that enables us to live changed lives.
Faithroots 