|
| |
October 6
“Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to
my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.” Genesis 44:33.
Judah approaches Joseph and offers himself as a slave. He has remembered his
pledge to his father, Jacob, that he would not fail to bring back Benjamin.
Judah, out of love for his father, is willing to be a substitute for Benjamin. A
remarkable event indeed. Yet, as we look upon the life of Joseph, his life as a
slave, and then finally his ascent into the number two position in Egypt, we can
see how he worked with his brothers for the purpose of their redemption. Perhaps
there was a glimmer of hope for Judah even in the beginning, for he was the one
that had persuaded his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery rather than killing
him outright. (Genesis 37:26,27). We know that Joseph was aware that God was
working with him for good, although the brothers had been bent upon evil. (See
May 7).
God has worked His purpose into Judah. Placing his own interests last, he has
presented himself as an offering to Joseph. He does not even know that Joseph is
his brother—as far as he is concerned his life is now given totally to a hard
taskmaster. He is willing to become the true servant. Certainly this is the goal
of the Gospel—sacrifice for our fellow man—the kind where we are willing to die
for our brother. And it is all because of the Christ-life within us.
Lord Jesus, we are often like Judah. We can harbor ill will toward our fellow
man, but as we become aware of Your workings within us we can allow a change to
occur. It is because we need to get outside of ourselves, we need to see others
around us in a new light—the light that You alone can provide. Our interests can
be moved aside to make room for the interests of others. Ever before us is the
sacrifice that You made at the cross. Today we ask for the workings of Your Holy
Spirit to change our behavior into one that produces love and sacrifice for
others. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Back
|
