Genesis 44: 1 – 34
Show me you changed
44 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. 2 Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. 3 As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. 4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.’” 6 So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. 7 And they said to him, “Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing. 8 Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.” 10 And he said, “Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.” 11 Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. 12 So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city. 14 So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. 15 And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?” 16 Then Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.” 18 Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ 20 And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ 21 Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ 23 But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’ 24 “So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. 25 And our father said, ‘Go back and buy us a little food.’ 26 But we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; 28 and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen him since. 29 But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’ 30 “Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, 31 it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. 32 For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 34 For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”
If you have ever been hurt by someone than I think I can truthfully speak for you and say that the one who has caused the offense says to you, ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t good enough. In truth when you have done harm to someone else you have to show that you are genuinely aware of how much your actions hurt the other party. You also have to prove that you are making positive change so that if they can find some relief that you will not do the same thing to him or her in the future.
I think you also will agree that there isn’t a person alive who has never done something that broke trust or caused pain to someone who was close to them. It happens.
Possibly right now you are hoping for a second chance. You want to make it up to this person. You want to prove to this person that you have recognized the wrong in your prior action and have taken steps to alleviate it from your life.
Taking that first step is accepting what you did is essential. You certainly cannot make amends for something until you own up to it. If you want to repair the damage and restart your fellowship with the other person then you have to prove to him or her that you have actually changed. At the very least, you need to show that you are making strides to change –even if you are not there yet.
While showing the other person that you are changing is probably at the forefront of your mind, your first challenge is to prove it to yourself. You need to confirm in your mind that you in fact did something wrong to the other party. You need to own the wrong act or words. If you do not then the other person who is defensive will see through your attempt to bring forgiveness and peace.
Secondly you need to make sure that you are changing the thing that is really at issue. While the other person might appreciate that you are trying to change him or her wants verification that you are focusing on the area where the offense started. Just trying to be nicer without showing the other person that you are dealing with the main cause will not get you anywhere in the long run. Sure, making improvements and being more accountable does help but if you continue to undermine the other person’s trust you are not proving that you have changed.
Then if you are taking notes the number three suggestion is to create clear and conscience agreements. These need to be specific so that you both can see that the things agreed to are being kept.
A fourth part of change is as the saying goes, ‘actions speak louder than words.’ Remember this and make sure that your actions are matching up with what you say you will do. Do whatever it takes for you to keep your word and do what you said you would do. Trust and connection can be rebuilt one kept promise and one followed through action at a time.
The last point I consider the most important. Without causing you any sadness let me say that you cannot change all by yourself. You need someone Who can be there for you. In the Gospel of Luke chapter 18 we learn, ‘But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’
In today’s study we are going to see Joseph apply one last test on his brothers to see if they really have changed from the horrible past ways. Let’s see if they pass the final exam.
44 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. 2 Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
It is clear that Joseph now aims to test his brothers with the steward’s help, and it is already clear from 43.23 that the steward is aware of much of what is going on. Thus in accordance with instructions he provides full sacks of food which include their silver returned and Joseph’s cup in Benjamin’s sack.
3 As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.
With what joy the brothers went on their way. Simeon had been restored, their sacks were full and Benjamin was safe. All was well. And what a story they had to tell of their feasting in the house of the Egyptian Vizier himself. But then a change occured.
4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.’” 6 So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.
For Joseph now sends his steward after the brothers to call them to task because of the cup. It is stressed that the cup is a special one, for it not only has a use for drinking but it is also his divining cup. It is thus a sacred object and the penalty for such a theft is death.
7 And they said to him, “Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing. 8 Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”
What do you think the lesson is being taught to the brothers? They have used deceit in taking Joseph’s coat and getting their father to believe that a wild beast came and devoured him. Now they shocked to think that they were honest men and are being falsely accused.
The brothers are appalled and indignant at his accusation. They are confident that they have proved their honesty. Such an idea is inconceivable. They are not thieves. And equally confidently they declare that they are ready for the full penalty to be applied if it be true, death for the perpetrator and slavery for themselves.
With their own mouths they declare that if they are guilty of the charges they should all be cast into slavery and the main culprit should be put to death.
10 And he said, “Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.”
The servant lessens the sentence. Joseph does not want to drive his brothers too far. The guilty man will become a bondman and the rest will be seen as blameless and can go free. This was not in accordance with ancient practice which demanded collective responsibility. Those who consorted with a guilty man were themselves seen as guilty, as the brothers had themselves admitted.
11 Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. 12 So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
The search is described. They act with the speed of the innocent and each opens his sack. The silver found in each sack is passed over without comment. The servant is not interested in it, he knows exactly what he is looking for and where to find it. The brothers, watching in a daze, are mute. They have become used to finding silver in their sacks. Perhaps, as they see it, it also begins to dawn on them that the cup will also be found. So the servant proceeds with his search. It is all really a charade. He knows exactly where to find it, he put it there himself. And at length he produces it from Benjamin’s sack.
13 Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
The joy of freedom and success has gone. They accepted that the verdict of guilty was a foregone conclusion. ‘They tore their clothes’, an accepted way of conveying despair and sorrow. And their minds were numb. They could not understand what had happened. But they knew what it meant. Did they believe Benjamin was guilty?- Probably not. The cup had appeared in some strange way just like the silver. They simply accepted that fate was against them.
14 So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground.
As in a nightmare the brothers return to the house where they had spent the previous day in happiness and relief. And hopelessly they abase themselves before him. Any fight has gone out of them.
Judah is mentioned individually because he is the one who has taken responsibility for Benjamin and will be the key player in what follows. But Reuben has fallen into the background and it would seem that for whatever reason Judah is now seen as the leader
15 And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?”
Joseph acts like he is greatly offended, and declares that they must recognize that he is a man who sees through things. He is no ordinary man; he can see what others cannot see. He can ‘divine’. It is possible that he has a small doubt about whether the brothers might be beginning to get suspicious about all the ‘coincidences’ and is trying to counter it by explaining how he has been able to act with such accuracy, but he need not have worried. They are far too overwhelmed to even think in those terms.
16 Then Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.”
Judah speaks up for them all. On their behalf he accepts that they have no argument. The cup has been found. There is little point in arguing innocence.
From Judah we learn the significance point of this whole chapter.- ‘God has found out the iniquity of your servants.’ This is surrender to the past. It is probable that he has in mind what they had done to their long lost brother. He recognizes that they are now being punished for that. The impossible circumstance in which they now find themselves can only be due to God’s long arm which has reached out into the future to punish them. He has found them out. Whatever the circumstance as regards the cup they are not innocent, as they all know. So they accept the inevitable. All fight has gone out of them.
It is noteworthy that they do not refer back to the steward’s promise that only the guilty one should be held accountable. They accept their collective guilt and do not dream of going back without Benjamin. Besides the steward may not have been speaking for his lord and this is no time for arguing fine points before this great lord. And the fact is that they have just given up.
17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.”
Joseph is thoroughly testing them out. What will they do about Benjamin? Will they sacrifice him like they sacrificed him previously? He tells them that only the guilty man would be punished. The remainder can go free. He wants to see if they will now return home and save their own lives and inform their father that sadly he has lost another son. But these men are no longer what they once were.
The words of Joseph raise a spark in Judah’s heart. This man is clearly no harsh avenger. He is almost reasonable. Perhaps then he will listen to a plea. So he approaches closer to him, no doubt abasing himself to the ground, and prepares to put his case. But he recognizes that his approach and suggestion might well give great offence to one who has shown such mercy.
18 Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh.
Judah assures the great man that he recognizes his greatness. Indeed he is depending on it. He is surely great enough to listen to a case that a lesser man may not be able to listen to. He is above accountability for he is as Pharaoh himself with total power. He begs that he will listen patiently to what he has to say.
He probably feels he has little hope in succeeding, recognizing that his words may well bring wrath on himself, but he is determined to do what he can whatever the cost. He does not know, as we do, that this is exactly what Joseph is waiting and longing to hear from Judah. For if we go back and look at chapter 37 we are reminded that it was Judah who initiated the action to take Joseph and sell him off as a slave. “23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.25 and they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.”
19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ 20 And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’
Judah is now determined that the Man will realize the full position, for he knows it is the only hope. Perhaps there is something in this man that will move him to mercy. First then he establishes the position of the young man in his father’s affections.
21 Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’
Without realizing it Judah is showing how much he has changed. Now his concern is not for himself but for his father, and he does not mind about his father’s favoritism.
23 But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’ 24 “So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. 25 And our father said, ‘Go back and buy us a little food.’ 26 But we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; 28 and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen him since. 29 But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’ 30 “Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, 31 it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. 32 For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 34 For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”
He explains how they had failed to come to buy more corn because of their father’s unwillingness to send his beloved son. And they had known that without him their position would have been hopeless
Judah recognizes how important Benjamin is to Jacob, so important that if he loses him he will die. He pleads with the man to recognize his (Judah’s) responsibility towards an old man, something recognized by all races for if Benjamin does not return with them their father will die of a broken heart.
Now Judah comes to the nub of his argument. He has offered himself to his father as a guarantee that the young man will come back to him. If he goes back without Benjamin he will carry his own burden of guilt forever, and be forever guilty before his father. This he cannot bear. So he pleads that the man will let him take Benjamin’s punishment. But he is not just thinking of himself. He is also thinking of the effect on his father. He cannot bear to think of what it will do to his father.
Joseph sees here a different man from the one who callously sold him into slavery. And that, together with the thought of his father’s sufferings and the love he has for his family, determines him to bring the whole affair to an end.
