Day 8 – Genesis 44
Last month I read through the story of Joseph in the Bible (Genesis 37-50). Each day I was challenged to share what I learned. Here was my insight into Genesis 44.
Ready to die for the family
The story of Joseph includes a lot of characters – most are bit players. Judah is different. Day 2 (chapter 38), Judah receives an entire chapter for himself. Why?
As I shared in the last devotion, the narrative shows Joseph and Judah’s lives paralleled. Just as Joseph was physically enslaved and imprisoned, Judah was emotionally and spiritually enslaved and imprisoned. As Joseph is finding freedom physically, so is Judah spiritually. As Joseph is working to save his family, so is Judah. As Joseph is finding redemption, so is Judah.
Today, we see Judah complete the final step toward finding his freedom. He does the complete opposite from the beginning of the story (the definition of repentance). Where he was ready to kill Joseph early in the story; he is now ready to die for Joseph’s full brother (Judah’s half-brother), Benjamin.
So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. -Genesis 44:33
It reminds me of the final message Jesus delivers to his disciples the night of His betrayal. He’s packing everything into the final moments he has with his closest friends. Jesus says,
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” –John 15:13
I repeat what I wrote in the last devotion (day 7b).
Judah, the one who sold his brother into slavery. The one who would have happily killed Joseph. The one who slept with his daughter-in-law. The one who treated her as a prostitute. Judah finds redemption.
For you…your children…your family…your friends…There is freedom. There is hope. There is redemption.
Daily Blessing: God may you use me to bring my family, friends and loved ones to salvation.
Daily Challenge: Determine one step you need to take, so your family, friends and loved ones can find freedom, hope and redemption. Take that step today!
Miss a day? Find it here:
- Day 1: Genesis 37 – Joseph: A Story of Redemption
- Day 2: Genesis 38 – Judah: A Road to Redemption
- Day 3: Genesis 39 – Joseph: The Presence is Strong in this One
- Day 4: Genesis 40 – Joseph: Ain’t Nobody Got Time for This
- Day 5: Genesis 41 – Joseph: Skills to Pay the Bills
- Day 6: Genesis 42 – Joseph: Finding Freedom in the Truth
- Day 7: Genesis 43 – Jacob: Squeezed into Decision
- Day 7b: Genesis 43: Judah: It’s you and me
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