Scripture to Read: Genesis 44:14-34
After Joseph's silver cup was found in Benjamin's sack, the brothers returned to Joseph's house and begged him not to punish Benjamin. Judah then speaks out: "What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilty of your servants; behold, we are my lord's servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found" (Genesis 44:16). Judah doesn't deny their guilt but confesses that God has found out their guilt. Judah told Joseph that all of them were willing to bear the guilt and be his slaves. Joseph responded by letting Judah know that his concern was only for the one who had the cup, which of course, was Benjamin (Genesis 44:17). What happened next is astounding. Judah passionately pleads with Joseph to let him take the place of his brother Benjamin. This was Judah's response in Genesis 44:33, "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." For his father's sake, Judah interceded for his brother and pleaded to take his place. The Lion of Judah, our Lord Jesus Christ, has done the same for us. We, guilty of sin before God, have our Lord Jesus Christ as our Intercessor who speaks on our behalf. Christ took our place on the cross and did the will of the Father so that we could be reconciled to Him. May Judah's plea for his brother remind us of Jesus's sacrifice for us on the cross.
Challenge & Application
1. How does God point us to a picture of what Jesus has done for us on the cross?
2. Thank God for loving you enough to open your eyes to sin so you can confess those sins to Him.
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!