Judah's Promise Part III

Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him, when they came to Egypt to buy grain. Speaking through an interpreter, Joseph accused them of being spies, and questioned them about their family. They told him they were the sons of one man, one brother was no more, and the youngest brother was with their father.
After hearing their story, Joseph held them in prison for three days. He told his brothers that he would refuse to see them again, if they returned to Egypt without their youngest brother Benjamin. To ensure their return, Joseph held Simeon as a prisoner.

On the way home, they discovered that their money was inside the sacks of grain. Jacob was also angry with them for telling the governor about Benjamin. As the famine continued, Jacob’s family was in need of more grain. But he refused to let Benjamin go.

Rueben, the oldest son, offered his son as a ransom for Benjamin’s safety. Jacob still refused. But when Judah came forth, and promise to protect his youngest brother. Jacob permitted Benjamin to with them to Egypt.

On the return to Egypt, Simeon was released, and Joseph held a feast. Benjamin was the only one of Jacob’s sons that was his full brother. All the others were half-brothers. To see if they had changed, Joseph made sure Benjamin was given a bigger portions of food. To his delight , they showed no signs of jealousy.

As the brothers were leaving for Canaan, Joseph had his personal silver cup placed in Benjamin’s bag of grain. Outside the city, the soldiers stopped them, and inspected the bags. When the silver cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, he was arrested.

Appearing before Joseph, Judah pleaded for Benjamin’s life. He told him that their father was old and that he would die if anything happen to his youngest son. Judah agreed to take the punishment for the crime so Benjamin could be set free. Joseph then realized that his brothers had truly changed. After all it had been Judah’s idea, years earlier, to have Joseph sold into slavery.

Years later a descendent of Judah would follow in his ancestor’s footsteps. He would come forward , and be willingly punished for a crime that he never committed. But his punishment would allow many to walk away with freedom, they did not deserve. This descendent of Judah was Jesus Christ.