Day 79 – Genesis 44:32-34
Let Thy Servant Abide Instead of the Lad
Scripture Reading – Genesis 44:32-34
For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
Genesis 44:32 KJV
Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
Genesis 44:33 KJV
For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.
Genesis 44:34 KJV
Scripture Review
Judah reaches the heart of his plea: he became surety for Benjamin, so he asks to remain as a bondman instead of the lad. Benjamin may go free with his brothers. The man who once sold a brother into slavery is willing to become a slave so that a brother can return home. That is visible repentance.
Judah is a powerful picture of substitution here, but he is not the Saviour. He is a sinful man whom God has changed, offering himself for one brother in one earthly danger. The Lord Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God who willingly gave Himself for sinners, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree and rising again. Judah’s offer points my thoughts toward substitution; Christ alone accomplished redemption.
Judah meant to keep his word, save Benjamin from bondage, and spare his father by accepting the loss himself.
God meant to reveal Judah’s change, complete Joseph’s test, and place a true picture of willing substitution within the line from which Christ would come.
What this asks of me
Repentance becomes believable when I am willing to bear cost rather than shift it to someone else. I also need to look beyond Judah to Jesus Christ. I cannot redeem myself or another sinner. My hope rests in the perfect Substitute who died for our sins and rose again.
Consider
- What personal cost would demonstrate that my promise and repentance are real?
- Am I trusting the finished work of Jesus Christ rather than my own sacrifice to make me right with God?