Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father. (Genesis 44:33-34)
It’s one thing making a commitment, it’s another thing sticking to the commitment when the going gets tough.
The character traits of Judah up to this point have not been commendable. He was party to the slaughter that took place in Shechem because of the rape of his sister. He was party to the mistreatment of Joseph even being the one to suggest they make money from selling his young brother into slavery. He was unfair in how he dealt with his daughter in law that lead to him having to be tricked for justice to be done.
Yet at this stage of his life he displays a character of compassion and consistency. He had pledged his life for Benjamin’s if anything was to happen. He had said he would do it in a bid to encourage Israel to allow his youngest son to take the journey to Egypt for food. Now the opportunity has been given to put his words into action when Benjamin is discovered to be the one who has ‘stolen’ the silver cup.
The lament from the brothers on the discovery is a long way away from their plotting to get rid of Joseph. There is none of the bitterness and rancour that surrounded their mistreatment of Joseph. Now they are one in their sense of woe that having rashly pledged to allow the culprit to be sold into slavery such a one turns out to be their father’s treasured son.
Judah’s humbling of himself and pleading for the life of his brother is evidence that events in life can affect people and allow them to mature. Mature to a state where they no longer consider self-gratification or self-preservation, it can actually start to think of others and sacrifices that might be needed for the best for others.
It does not have to take the mistakes and misdeeds of Judah to reach that stage of maturity. These episodes of life are as much for us to learn from to do right now and not have to pay later.
It is a comfort, also, however, to know that God can change the character of even the worst among us. Their lives can be changed for good and for God, when their heart goes beyond the self and to others.
Even if that might take a journey.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 