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¹ And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in the sack’s mouth.
² And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
³ As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
⁴ And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
⁵ Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
⁶ And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
⁷ And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
⁸ Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?
⁹ With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.
¹⁰ And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
¹¹ Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
¹² And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
¹³ Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
¹⁴ And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
¹⁵ And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
¹⁶ And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
¹⁷ And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
¹⁸ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, O my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
²⁰ And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
²¹ And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
²² And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
²³ And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
²⁴ And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
²⁵ And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
²⁶ And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man’s face, except our youngest brother be with us.
²⁷ And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
²⁸ And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
²⁹ And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
³⁰ Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life;
³¹ It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
³² 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.
³³ 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.
³⁴ 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.
🌾 Joseph’s Final Test of His Brothers: A Story of Repentance and Forgiveness 🌾
“And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.” – Genesis 44:1
Genesis Chapter 44 is a pivotal moment in the unfolding story of Joseph and his brothers. As Joseph tests his brothers for their true repentance and character, we see themes of redemption, forgiveness, and divine sovereignty. The chapter serves as a turning point where Joseph’s desire for reconciliation with his brothers becomes clear, and God’s providence continues to guide the journey of His chosen family.
Joseph, having risen to power in Egypt, devises a plan to test the integrity of his brothers. This test is designed to uncover the changes in their hearts since their betrayal of him. The chapter emphasizes the significance of repentance and the willingness to confront past sins as a step toward true reconciliation.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 44
Verses 1-5: The Steward’s Task
Joseph commands his steward to fill his brothers’ sacks with as much food as they can carry, secretly placing his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. This marks the beginning of the final test. Joseph seeks to see if his brothers will act with integrity or repeat their past betrayal of him.
Verses 6-13: The Brothers’ Reaction
When the brothers are caught with the silver cup, they are distraught. They return to the city, filled with fear and guilt. Their past actions, especially their betrayal of Joseph, weigh heavily on their hearts. They present themselves before Joseph, acknowledging their guilt and pleading for mercy.
Verses 14-17: Judah’s Plea
Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, steps forward and makes a heartfelt plea for Benjamin’s life. He offers himself as a slave in place of his brother, demonstrating the growth of his character. This act of self-sacrifice marks a significant change from the days when he and his brothers sold Joseph into slavery.
Verses 18-34: Joseph’s Final Test
Joseph, moved by Judah’s plea, is deeply touched by the transformation of his brothers. They have demonstrated remorse for their past wrongs and shown willingness to make things right. Joseph, seeing their genuine change of heart, finally reveals himself to them. This emotional reunion marks the beginning of healing and restoration.
💡 Key Themes
✨ Repentance and Forgiveness
The chapter highlights the importance of repentance—acknowledging past wrongs and seeking to make amends. Joseph’s test of his brothers serves as a measure of their spiritual growth and their willingness to confront their sin. Similarly, forgiveness becomes a central theme, both in Joseph’s decision to forgive his brothers and in the overarching narrative of God’s grace toward His people.
✨ Divine Providence and Sovereignty
God’s hand is evident throughout the story, guiding Joseph’s actions and orchestrating events to fulfill His divine plan. Though Joseph’s brothers acted out of malice years earlier, God used their actions to bring about a greater purpose. This chapter demonstrates that God’s sovereignty can turn even our mistakes into opportunities for growth and reconciliation.
✨ The Power of Self-Sacrifice
Judah’s willingness to offer himself as a slave in place of Benjamin demonstrates the power of self-sacrifice. This act mirrors the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for humanity. Judah’s transformation from a man who once betrayed his brother to one who would lay down his life for another is a beautiful picture of the redemptive power of God.
👤 Key People
- Joseph – The protagonist, who tests his brothers’ integrity before revealing his identity. His story is a testament to God’s timing and sovereignty in fulfilling His promises.
- Judah – The fourth son of Jacob, who shows remarkable transformation by offering himself as a slave in place of Benjamin. His self-sacrificial act highlights the theme of repentance and restoration.
- Benjamin – Joseph’s younger brother, whose life is at risk in this chapter. His protection becomes the focal point of the brothers’ redemption.
- The Brothers – Jacob’s sons, who, through their actions, reveal their growth and repentance. Their willingness to protect Benjamin demonstrates their changed hearts.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis Chapter 44 reveals the incredible power of repentance and the importance of genuine transformation. It demonstrates that God’s plan for His people will not be thwarted, even when human beings make mistakes. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers is a profound demonstration of God’s grace, and the chapter teaches us the importance of embracing change and making things right with those we have wronged.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- How can you relate to Judah’s transformation from selfishness to self-sacrifice? What does this teach you about repentance and growth?
- In what ways can you seek reconciliation in your own life, especially with those you have wronged?
- How does Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers inspire you to extend grace to others, even when they’ve wronged you in the past?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
👉 Click here to begin reading Genesis Chapter 45
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