Learning from OT Greats: Joseph - From the Pit to the PalaceSýnishorn

Day 8:  Judah intervenes for Benjamin 

Thoughts on the Passage

Judah steps forward.

Judah is willing to pay the price for Benjamin’s freedom.
Judah is willing to pay the price for his father’s special love for Benjamin.
Judah is willing to pay the price that Joseph requires.
Judah has changed.

None of the other brothers step forward to pay the price – just Judah. This is what reconciliation costs. People willing to step forward and pay the price so other people can be set free. People willing to sacrifice their freedoms and rights so that others will be restored. Joseph is willing to do it – he is finding one brother who also is willing to do it. That is all that is required. 

This was a long journey for Judah. He was the one who encouraged the brothers to sell Joseph into slavery. He was the one who walked away from his family for a time. He was the one whose life was a mess – and whose children were killed by God for their evil. He was the one who had a judgmental heart toward Tamar when his sin was every bit as evil as hers. Now, he is allowing himself to go into slavery so his brother can be free and his father not grief stricken. This is a changed man. 

Sometimes, the cost of change is very high. Sometimes, God puts us through deep water and dark nights because the destiny of a nation and family are at risk. The sons of Israel need to be released into their destiny. Two sons paid a heavy price – Joseph and Judah. 

Application to our Life

What price is God asking you and I to pay for our world? Like Joseph and Judah we likely do not see it except in hindsight. Am I willing to pay this price?

Time to Pray
Father, today is a day that I need to just reflect again on You and Your ways. I see so many people who pay a huge price – and mine seems so small compared to theirs. I still complain and whine about the difficulties. Forgive me I pray. Give me a thankful heart for every situation, every challenge, every broken and shattered hope. Your promise is that all things work together for my good. You said, there is victory despite this world’s advantage and attack. You said that You would never leave us or forsake us. So I release this day into Your hands – with a thankful heart. In Jesus name, Amen.