Genesis 44

What would you sacrifice to do the right thing? This was the question that Joseph wanted answered by his brothers. He had set a trap for them. Joseph did not practice divination. Joseph’s claim that he used the cup for divination made it a religious artifact. The penalty for stealing a religious artifact was death. Joseph’s brothers agreed to put to death whoever had taken the cup. They also agreed that the rest of the brothers would become slaves. They were agreeing ahead of time to do what was right.

Joseph through his servant showed them mercy. He would not put anyone to death. He would enslave the thief. He would set the others free. He showed them mercy for a reason. They could not freely sacrifice for another what they did not have. They could not sacrifice their freedom if they were already slaves.

Joseph’s brothers were free to return to their father. Benjamin would have been a slave, but he would have been alive. His brothers could claim they had done everything they could do. Once again, the brothers did what was right. They loaded up the donkeys and returned to the city. In the city, the ten brothers offered to remain with Benjamin as slaves. They offered to sacrifice their freedom; they did not want their brother left in slavery alone.

Joseph refused to let Benjamin’s brothers enter slavery with him. The brothers were becoming desperate. Judah was the brother who had suggested selling Joseph into slavery. Now he stepped forward and told Joseph their story. Judah took responsibility. Judah pleaded for Benjamin’s freedom. He begged to take his brother’s place. The man who sold Joseph into slavery was now willing to become a slave to save Joseph’s brother. Judah’s pleads melted Joseph’s heart. God had changed Joseph and his brothers. That change had not been quick or easy however, it was miraculous. God is still working miraculous changes today.