AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR JANUARY 19
READ GENESIS 44-46
Jacob risks Benjamin’s life and sends him with Judah and the brothers.
Before the Proverb is even written, ‘A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.’ (Proverbs 18:16), he sends pistachios, honey, almonds and more to aid the success of the endeavor.
Gifts given with hope for a return of all of his sons and the grain needed to survive.
Joseph tests the character of his brothers.
Judah will wax poetic in his plea for Benjamin’s life. Sir Walter Scott Scottish Historical Novel author and poet called Judah’s speech, “the most complete pattern of genuine natural eloquence extant in any language” (Joseph Hertz, The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, P. 169)
Judah demonstrates a complete and utter change of heart. Benjamin would be safely protected at all costs. In Gen 37:27 Judah had suggested the selling of Joseph into slavery and now he offers himself as Joseph’s slave for the life of Benjamin. Judah foreshadow’s a future son to be born, Jesus Christ who will offer himself in place of another out of a same desire to not break the heart of the father, but to fulfill the father’s love. His love so great our Father is not willing to have us die as we read in John 3:16.
Hail hail LION OF JUDAH, the gift of God to us.
