- Scripture: Genesis 44:18–34
- The Anchor: “Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers.” – Genesis 44:33 (ESV)
In today’s passage, Judah intercedes for Benjamin with Joseph. This happens after Joseph tells all the brothers to go away to their father except for Benjamin. Judah steps up and pleads for Joseph to hear the story. Judah talks about how his father didn’t want to let go of Benjamin because he already lost his other precious son, and that if he doesn’t return with Benjamin as well, his father would surely die. He mentions his pledge to bring Benjamin back safely, and that he fears his father’s wrath and evil. He offers himself as a servant instead of Benjamin to take his place.
I find it really interesting that Judah particularly DOESN’T say that Joseph is “dead” when he talks to Joseph again. He mentions that they said it last time they visited, but Judah says that Joseph was “surely torn to pieces” and that Judah has “never seen him since.” I wonder what Joseph thought of this because he was literally right in front of them.
This version of Judah is so different from Judah 20 years ago. 20 years ago, Judah was the one who proposed to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelite caravan. He didn’t care about his father’s grief, and he just wanted to get rid of Joseph for a profit. Now, Judah is standing up for his youngest brother because he loves Benjamin and he genuinely cares about his father’s grief now. He basically sacrifices the future of his own life for his brother and his father. That is a huge transformation, and Joseph definitely sees this.
Finally, I want to talk about how Judah’s intercession is kind of like Jesus’ intercession for us. I haven’t quoted the Westminster Shorter Catechism in a while, but I think I can today: “Q. 25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.” In my opinion, Judah’s sacrifice of himself is the same kind of loving sacrifice that Jesus did for us. Judah offered himself to be a slave in Egypt to satisfy the justice of Joseph. I believe this act reconciled Judah to Joseph and also to his father because he showed love and care. When I think of intercession, I think of the double imputation. Not saying that Judah was perfect or that Benjamin was guilty, but it kind of reminds me. In this analogy, Judah switched his own “righteousness” for Benjamin’s “guilt” in order to save Benjamin. In the same way, Jesus imputes his righteousness onto us in exchange for our sins. This is the book cover swapping analogy that P. Abe always talks about haha.
I think recently, I’ve been a little bogged down by my sins and the new ones that I’m now realizing. Although I am a sinner, that doesn’t change the fact that Jesus died for me and that through His intercessions, I have the righteousness of Christ instead of the sins that I once carried. Thanks be to God for this.
Reflection
- You reflected on the “double imputation” and the profound comfort of knowing that even when you are bogged down by the weight of your own sins, you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. How does this truth—that your standing before God is based on His performance, not yours—change the way you approach your daily walk with Him?
- Judah’s growth from a self-serving brother into a sacrificial intercessor is a clear sign of his transformation. As you look toward the end of your own “marathon” of these reflections, how have you seen your own heart change in the way you prioritize others over your own comfort?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the beauty of the Gospel seen even in these old stories. Thank You that Jesus, my true and greater Judah, offered Himself to take my place so that I might go free. When I feel weighed down by my sins, remind me of the “book cover swap”—that my sin was placed on Him and His perfect righteousness is now mine. Help me to live in that grace today. Amen.