Perspective: WK5 - WED
Testing
Genesis 44:1-5
Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.
As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’”
Genesis 44:14-18
Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?”
“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”
But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.”
Then Judah went up to him…
Genesis 44:33
Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.”
The plan is in place, and the trap is set. Joseph frames Benjamin as a thief, caught red-handed mid-getaway. Not only has each brother, once again, left Egypt with their payments of silver stashed in the grain they had purchased, but the youngest has apparently pilfered the ruler’s silver cup. This discovery comes after the brothers boldly claim their innocence, and the declaration is made, “Whoever is found to have [the cup] will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.” (v10)
Ironically, no one in the story believes Benjamin is a criminal. The brothers, buoyed by the discovery of their own surreptitiously returned silver, don’t believe he did it. Benjamin and all of Joseph’s servants know he didn’t do it; they did. And then there is the mastermind, Joseph.
The theatrics continue as the travelers return to the palace to face the furious protagonist. Here is where it gets interesting. By now, Judah is the acknowledged leader of the family, and he steps forward to address the situation. He knows they are stuck. There is no denying the problem. The cup of Pharaoh’s overseer has been found in Benjamin’s belongings. However it got there, Judah can see no way out. “We cannot prove our innocence. We are now your slaves.” Notice how Judah throws himself and his brothers into slavery alongside Benjamin.
In one final test, Joseph objects by appealing to Benjamin’s brothers’ self-interest, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” (v17)
At this pivotal moment, Judah pulls Joseph aside and pleads for his youngest brother’s freedom. He proves that his promise to Jacob was not bravado or the posturing of a coward. He foreshadows the coming Messiah and offers his life in exchange for Benjamin’s. At this, the Egyptian leader buckles. The test is over.
Genesis 44:1-5
Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.
As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’”
Genesis 44:14-18
Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?”
“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”
But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.”
Then Judah went up to him…
Genesis 44:33
Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.”
The plan is in place, and the trap is set. Joseph frames Benjamin as a thief, caught red-handed mid-getaway. Not only has each brother, once again, left Egypt with their payments of silver stashed in the grain they had purchased, but the youngest has apparently pilfered the ruler’s silver cup. This discovery comes after the brothers boldly claim their innocence, and the declaration is made, “Whoever is found to have [the cup] will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.” (v10)
Ironically, no one in the story believes Benjamin is a criminal. The brothers, buoyed by the discovery of their own surreptitiously returned silver, don’t believe he did it. Benjamin and all of Joseph’s servants know he didn’t do it; they did. And then there is the mastermind, Joseph.
The theatrics continue as the travelers return to the palace to face the furious protagonist. Here is where it gets interesting. By now, Judah is the acknowledged leader of the family, and he steps forward to address the situation. He knows they are stuck. There is no denying the problem. The cup of Pharaoh’s overseer has been found in Benjamin’s belongings. However it got there, Judah can see no way out. “We cannot prove our innocence. We are now your slaves.” Notice how Judah throws himself and his brothers into slavery alongside Benjamin.
In one final test, Joseph objects by appealing to Benjamin’s brothers’ self-interest, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” (v17)
At this pivotal moment, Judah pulls Joseph aside and pleads for his youngest brother’s freedom. He proves that his promise to Jacob was not bravado or the posturing of a coward. He foreshadows the coming Messiah and offers his life in exchange for Benjamin’s. At this, the Egyptian leader buckles. The test is over.
- Have you ever been pulled over by a police officer? How many times? Have you ever given an excuse or reason for your actions that got you out of a ticket?
- Have you ever had someone take the blame you deserved? Do you know why they did that? How did you respond?
- Knowing that Jesus traded His life for yours and invites you to live His eternal life, what would you like to say to Him?
No Comments