Judah The Engineer, Part 4

Over a millennium later, Judah became an ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It seems fitting, therefore, that Judah represents a type of Christ.

After Jacob’s refusal to part with Benjamin, the famine continued to rage. Eventually, the grain ran out (Genesis 43:2). They had to return to Egypt or else starve. Judah reminded his father of the governor’s request: This time, they must bring Benjamin (vv. 3–5).

But Jacob only lamented all the more.

Undeterred, Judah made the most important decision of his life: He decided to take full responsibility for Benjamin’s safety (v. 9). He was not willing that they all—his children, his brothers’ children, his father—should die that slow and painful death as well as leave Simeon to rot in an Egyptian dungeon.

Jacob, faced with Judah’s plain common sense, finally gave his consent.

So the brothers set out again for Egypt and its mysterious governor, careful to bring enough money for their previous sacks of grain as well as the new grain they were to buy. How far had they come from the greed and deceit of their youth. Upon their arrival, they solicitously inquired after their returned money and, being assured it was no mistake, were, along with a liberated Simeon, treated to a magnificent feast with the governor himself.

Again, their sacks were filled with grain and, felicitous, they began their journey home. But before long came the governor’s steward after them, accusing them of stealing the governor’s precious silver cup. Though the brothers protested their innocence, the cup was discovered in none other than Benjamin’s sack of grain. Benjamin’s punishment was to remain in Egypt—a slave for the rest of his life.

When confronted by the irate governor, it was Judah who answered. He did not make excuses. Even though in truth all the brothers were innocent, he took the blame upon them all (44:16). Humbly did he petition the governor for Benjamin’s freedom, eloquently expressing his father’s love for his youngest son and his own love for his aging father. Lastly, he willingly offered himself in place of Benjamin (vv. 33, 34), as Jesus offered Himself as our Passover Lamb.

This loving act of sacrifice was all the proof the governor needed. By this he knew that his brothers had truly changed, for the governor was none other than their lost brother Joseph.

Reflect: Have you ever given sacrificially for someone else? What did that act do for your faith?

Key Bible Texts

I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: (Genesis 43:9 KJV)