“Thy servant became surety I for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame... forever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father?” vv. 32-34.
Judah’s words fell on ears quick to hear and a heart anxious to respond. There were three important indications of a true change of heart in these men. Most welcome, perhaps, to Joseph was the evidence that they would not forsake Benjamin for Judah offered to take his place as a bondsman, so that his brother might go free. There were also repeated expressions of compassion toward the father who they feared would die if the lad did not return. Their envy and selfish cruelty had given way to tender love to their father and his affection for the younger son of Rachel. Remembering the father’s grief when years before they had returned from Dothan without Joseph, their concern for him now was seeking to spare him additional sorrow. Furthermore, they confessed their place in connection with it all: “Thy servants shall bring down... our father with sorrow to the grave.”
In these things Joseph discerned in his brothers that which he sought after. How great the change now so evident in them! To them a humbling and tearful experience, but to Joseph immeasurable joy as he saw their self-condemnation and repentance. The door now stood open for him to reveal himself to them.
Judah’s confession to Joseph was made on behalf of the ten who had been guilty of so much evil. Benjamin, present with them, had had no part in their past evil deeds and in this respect was in all innocence. Again this presents a picture of Christ, associating Himself with His people Israel; “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” Isa. 53:44Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4). On Calvary’s cross He presented Himself as a Saviour to all the world, but yet in a special way as an atonement for the sins of His earthly people Israel. This will not be fully manifested until the tribulation when the faithful remnant of that day will look upon Him whom they pierced (Zech. 12: 10) and display their deep sorrow that He should suffer in their stead.
In the present story Benjamin actually escaped punishment, but the true Redeemer of Israel “endured the cross, despising the shame” and will deliver the faithful ones out of tribulation, unite them with Himself, and they shall share with Him the millennial glory and blessing.
After his revolting course in chapter 38, Judah might not have seemed to be the natural one to take up the case. But the truth according to God is that Judah was the one whom grace had now fitted for the work. Later on in the disposition of the land Benjamin and Judah had a special nearness in their respective lots. Later still, overcoming their natural resentment of the anointed king of Judah, David, who superseded Saul’s line and their tribe, they became attached to Judah and the house of David beyond and unlike all the others. Benjamin, “son of My right hand,” typifies Christ in His tearing to pieces the enemies of the Jew in the day of retribution that is coming.
ML 10/08/1967