Genesis
chapter 44 reveals the complete repentance of the sons of Jacob. The
chapter begins with Joseph instructing his steward to “Fill
the men’s sacks with all they can carry, and put each man’s silver
back into the mouth of their sack“.
But Joseph adds, “Then
put my cup… in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack“.
The next morning the brothers are sent on their way. They did not
get far from the city when Joseph sent His steward after them. He
asks one burning question; “Why
have you returned good with evil?“.
When the steward explains the master’s cup has been stolen, they are
so confident of their innocence, they declare, “If
any of your servants is found to have it, he will die, and the rest
of us will become my lord’s slaves“.
The steward changes the terms in his reply, “Whoever
is found to have the cup will become my slave, the rest of you will
be free from blame“.
When the cup is found in Benjamin’s sack, they tore their clothes
and returned to the city to face certain judgment. This is how most
of us were before we received the gift of salvation. We were smug in
our knowledge that we were good, at least more good than bad. We
said the truly sinful should be punished severely, until we
recognized God’s standard for righteousness. Compared to God, “All
our righteous deeds are as filthy rags”
(Isaiah 64:6). It is only with this realization that we recognize
our need for a Savior.
When
the brothers are brought before Joseph, “they
threw themselves on the ground before him“.
Certainly remembering their sin from 20 years before, they cry, “God
has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves“.
When Joseph tells them only Benjamin will remain as his slave, Judah
pleads for an opportunity to speak. Judah recounts how Jacob was
crushed at hearing of Joseph’s death, “So
now, if the boy is not with us when I return…he will die“.
Finally Judah asks, “now
let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy,
and let the boy return with his brothers“.
What a contrast to the callous way they treated Jacob 20 years
earlier. Judah demonstrates sacrificial love for both Benjamin and
Jacob by offering to take the punishment for his brother. We see the
change in Judah in the final words of the chapter; “Do
not let me see the misery that would come upon my father“.
He is finally putting others first.
Judah
understands in his desire for mercy that the punishment is deserved
and the penalty must be paid. He does not ask for the penalty to be
removed and the transgression to be forgotten. What a vivid example
of how God grants us mercy. Romans 3:10 tells us, “There
is none righteous, not even one”
and Romans 3:23 adds “All
have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God“.
God does not just forget our sins, but the debt we owe, our penalty,
was paid on the cross through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Our
rebellion comes with a terrible cost. Romans 5:11 reveals God’s love
for the lost, “While
we were still sinners, Christ died for us“.
All that is required to be completely restored is to believe that
Jesus Christ is God, and by his sacrifice, your sins may be forgiven.
Ephesians 3:8-9 affirms, “For
by grace you have been saved through faith; and this not of
yourselves, it is a gift from God; not a result of works, that any
man should boast“.
God is both totally righteous and totally merciful. Will you choose
to stand before God based on your own righteousness, or accept the
perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?