Genesis 44:32

A BROTHER’S HEART

‘Thy servant became surety for the lad.’

Genesis 44:32

The brothers are once more before Joseph. He speaks ambiguously, on purpose to try them. But the brethren do not give up, or desert, their young brother Benjamin. Judah makes a speech which is very natural, simple, and pathetic.

I. It is conciliatory towards Joseph. Joseph’s greatness, power, and high rank are fully recognised (‘Thou art as Pharaoh’). It is considerate in reference to the statements about Jacob’s peculiar reasons for sorrow. It is courageous in its announcement of Judah’s own responsibility, and of his readiness to be a substitute for his brother. And all through the speech tenderness and sympathy are exhibited in a very simple but touching manner.

How wonderful it is to discover the strong and noble emotions that slumber in the hearts of the most ordinary of men! None who had known Judah familiarly would have given him credit for this depth of human feeling or genuine eloquence. It rushes up as the hot-springs do in certain spots of the earth, which are wrapt in almost perpetual winter. But sorrow is a marvellous magician. It touches those secret springs that lie in the souls of men, and calls them forth in their native simplicity.

II. So we are brought to the moment before the mutual recognition and reconciliation take place.

Joseph’s brethren are now thoroughly humbled. There is no boastfulness, no spite, no envy in their bosoms now. Judah has acted nobly, and they have not deserted either him or Benjamin. Joseph is therefore convinced of their sincerity, and of the softening of their hearts, for clear proof of which he had waited.

He himself is full of pitifulness, and rejoices to perceive that they are very different from what they had been when they sold him as a slave, years before.

The whole story teaches us how good a thing it is to be kindly, and pitiful, and considerate—and how much of a family’s happiness and safety depends upon the mutual affection of its members. And a friend in need is a friend indeed.

III. And does not this pleading of Judah for his brethren recall Christ’s for us all, though there are vast differences? Remember how Jesus said, ‘I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter.’ It was in response to the intercessions which the Mediator made for us all, that the Holy Spirit was shed on the Church. But, the parallel is even more complete, when in Joseph who had risen from the low dungeon to the throne, and who used his exaltation to bless his brethren, we see a type of Him who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill things, that He might receive gifts, yea for the rebellious also; and especially the gift of the Holy Spirit.

—Abp. Saumarez Smith.

Illustration

‘Trouble brought Judah near to Joseph, as it has often enough brought men to that Elder Brother, whom they have so greatly wronged. The whole of this story casts a strong light on God’s ways with us. The cup is often found in Benjamin’s sack, where we should least expect to discover it; and the soul finds itself interwoven in an inextricable maze of trouble, which has fallen on it as though from heaven, that it may awake from its slumbers, and seek God. Then we come near to Him.’