Genesis 44:18-34 – A Substitute Offered

The time has come to see how Joseph’s brothers will react to the trouble that has come upon Benjamin. Joseph has offered to let them go and keep only Benjamin as a slave. Will they leave Benjamin to the mercy of Egyptian slavery as they did Joseph, or have they changed?

At this point Judah speaks up. He has given his word to his father that Benjamin will be safely returned, or he will bear the blame. So, now he respectfully addresses Joseph and begs that he will listen patiently to him. He urges Joseph to show compassion to Benjamin for a variety of reasons, one of which being that his only brother (meaning Joseph) is dead. Now Judah knows that Joseph was sold as a slave, but he probably has told the lie of Joseph being killed by wild beasts so often, he has begun to believe it. His main argument for Benjamin’s release, though, is the terrible grief it will be to Jacob if they don’t bring Benjamin back. He pleads with Joseph not to inadvertently cause Jacob’s death by keeping Benjamin.

Judah truly loves his father and does not want to see him die from grief. He also truly loves Benjamin, more than his own life, for he willingly offers himself up in Benjamin’s place to satisfy the demands of justice. This is another picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, who willingly, out of His great love for His Father and us, offered Himself, in our place, to bear the punishment we truly deserved and offered up His life in exchange for ours.