Genesis 43:1-15 Calamities serve up occasions for the righteous to arise and shine.
1 Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” 3 Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 5 But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’” 6 Then Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man whether you still had another brother?” 7 But they said, “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” 8 Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones. 9 I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever. 10 For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.”
11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man; 14 and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” 15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
Background
As the family negotiates to return to Egypt, Israel’s indecisiveness jeopardises the lives of all three generations. It is possible that Israel has maintained his suspicion concerning his sons since Joseph’s disappearance. Here, Judah rises to the occasion and convinces Israel to release Benjamin by putting his own life on the line. Judah’s selfless and bold act saves not only Simeon but the entire family from starvation. Today’s devotion teaches us not to shrink back from life’s challenges. Calamities serve up occasions for the righteous to arise and shine.
Observation
“Go back, buy us a little food.”
Israel has been holding off the decision to send his sons back to Egypt. For he was still adamant about subjecting Benjamin to any kind of risk. Israel was still hoping against hope that the brothers would proceed to Egypt without Benjamin. However, Judah was aware of Israel’s train of thought and reminded him that there was no seeing the man unless Benjamin came along. Israel retorted unreasoningly accusing Judah of revealing to the man that he had another brother. However, Judah warned Israel of the serious consequences should the trip be further delayed. It is evident that Israel’s intransigence had become an imminent threat to the entire household.
I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him.
Israel’s indecisiveness forced Judah to assume leadership to save the family from death by starvation. In volunteering to become surety for Benjamin, Judah surrendered his life and his family’s fortune to Jacob who will be at liberty to mete out whatever punishment he deems fit to Judah’s household should he violate the agreement. At the same breath, he chided Israel directly and firmly for his indecisiveness: For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice. Here, Judah has taken upon himself to secure a measure of confidence from Israel.
Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man
Judah’s guarantee sufficed in convincing Israel to let Benjamin go. Given the circumstances, there are no real alternatives apart from presenting Benjamin before the man. But it is possible that Israel had his suspicions all along concerning Joseph’s disappearance and wanted one of the brothers to insure Benjamin’s wellbeing. Judah’s guarantee changed Israel’s mind concerning his sons’ intentions; this he subtly puts, ”If it must be so, then do this … perhaps it was a mistake” both as a cover and a face-saver for his dotardly behaviour. Israel’s change in attitude defies logic as he instructed gifts to be brought along to appease the man. Nevertheless, he appeared resigned to fate: if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Truth
Calamities serve up occasions for the righteous to arise and shine.
While Reuben puts his sons’ lives on the line, Judah puts his own life as surety and later he will offer himself as a slave in exchange for Benjamin. It is shamefully obvious that Reuben was seizing the opportunity to be the man of the hour when he subjected his sons to the capital punishment for added effect. However, Israel’s response was blatant, ”My son shall not go down with you…” On one hand, Reuben did not have a good standing with his father, on the other, his offer was absurd to say the least.
Judah rose swiftly to the occasion and secured Israel’s trust because he spoke sensibly, coherently and soberly. Indeed, he showed that he had the entire family’s wellbeing in mind. While Reuben harped on Benjamin, Judah was concerned about the food they could have bought if only Israel had not been so indecisive: For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice. Without Judah’s wise and selfless intervention, the famine and Joseph’s placement in Egypt would have come to nothing.
A man’s true nature is revealed by his instincts in the face of calamity. Some people take a back seat while the rest scramble for a solution, and some look for opportunities to exalt themselves. But there are a few good men who will go for broke to save the whole community. Calamities also test one’s wisdom and resourcefulness in coming up with workable solutions.
Therefore, let us not shrink back from the challenges that are presented for us. For they are stepping stones to something much greater. Persist in maintaining a group mentality, to always have the group’s interest at heart. And God will raise you up to bring salvation to many. Judah, from this point on became a leader to his brothers and his tribe went on to become preeminent among the sons of Israel. Daniel was appointed as prophet to both Babylon and to the Jews in exile. He stood in the gap at a critical time and kept the Jews focused on the coming Messiah. He said,
Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
Likewise, God has appointed you at a critical time to stand in the gap for your family, community and company.
Application
Challenges and calamities in different intensities arise at different points of our life and in different settings. Engage them and do not shrink back. The below are common objections to people rising up in the face of challenges:
Are you accustomed to sitting back and letting others fill the roles? Be laid back no more for God has appointed you to a role for such a time like this.
Are you plagued by a dim view of yourself thinking that others can do a better job? Do not be concerned if others can do a better job. Once you get your mind, heart and body engaged, confidence will return. God instructed Joshua, ”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Do you have a tendency to go blank when calamity strikes? Be engaged in the process of working out a solution and the Holy Spirit will in due time provide divine wisdom. Jesus encouraged His disciples, ”When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11
Are you accustomed to thinking: What’s in it for me? Or What do I get out of it? When we put the interest of the whole above our personal interest, we will grow to become more like Jesus. This, in itself is our glory and reward.
Dear Lord, I desire to embrace the role that you have called me to. Cause me to rise up to meet the challenges so that I may succeed when the day of calamity arrives. Posture my heart towards considering the whole even at the expense of myself. Mould me in the ways of wisdom and imbue my heart with boldness and courage. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.