At first, the 10 brothers were all willing to be slaves together with whoever was the guilty person 44:16. Then Judah talked to Joseph and he was willing to take the place of Benjamin because he was liable to his promise to Jacob 44:33-34.
At that moment, Joseph broke down and told them he was Joseph 45:1-2.
That was the intention of Joseph to see if they would abandon Benjamin or not like what they did before to him. Now, they changed.
Reflection:
The 10 brothers, especially Judah, changed now. What brought the change? When Joseph first accused them as spy and they thought about their wrong against Joseph 42:21 and when they found their grain money was still with them 42:28.
I mean, the power to change is from the Holy Spirit, but some troubles in our lives help us to reflect on ourselves. Therefore, the time of troubles become good chances for us to reflect and examine ourselves. (Not all troubles were caused by sin, but we dont know).
Audrey
At that moment, Joseph broke down and told them he was Joseph 45:1-2.
That was the intention of Joseph to see if they would abandon Benjamin or not like what they did before to him. Now, they changed.
Reflection:
The 10 brothers, especially Judah, changed now. What brought the change? When Joseph first accused them as spy and they thought about their wrong against Joseph 42:21 and when they found their grain money was still with them 42:28.
I mean, the power to change is from the Holy Spirit, but some troubles in our lives help us to reflect on ourselves. Therefore, the time of troubles become good chances for us to reflect and examine ourselves. (Not all troubles were caused by sin, but we dont know).
Audrey
2026
1. Repeated theme in v.1-17
The 10 brothers: 9 If one of us has it, he will die, and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves!”
Joseph and Joseph's servant: v.10b ...The one who has it will become my slave, but the rest of you will go free
(NET) The rest of you will be free. Joseph’s purpose was to single out Benjamin to see if the brothers would abandon him as they had abandoned Joseph. He wanted to see if they had changed.
The 10 brothers: 13 They all tore their clothes! Then each man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city... (Judah replied) v.16b ...We are now my lord’s slaves, we and the one in whose possession the cup was found.”
Joseph and Joseph's servant: v.17b ...The man in whose hand the cup was found will become my slave, but the rest of you may go back to your father in peace.”
Judah: 33 “So now, please let your servant remain as my lord’s slave instead of the boy. As for the boy, let him go back with his brothers.
Summary: The 10 brothers would bear the consequences together, but Joseph's servants declined that and said only the responsible person would be the slave. Even they knew the counter-offer from Joseph/his servant, they insisted to bear the consequences together in v.13-16. However, when Joseph declined their count-offer Judah had to think another way to solve their differences.
2. Repeated word in v.18-34
(NET) Judah will make his appeal, wording his speech in such a way as to appeal to Joseph’s compassion for the father, whom he mentions no less than fourteen times in the speech.
The only way to change Joseph and accept his offer to exchange himself with Benjamin was repeatedly mentioned his aged father v.20. Again, the scheme of the brothers did not matter. They didnt have to fear in ch 43 when being invited to eat in Joseph's house. Judah did not have to repeatedly mentioned his father to move Joseph. They were all being tested. As long as they changed and not abandoning/willing to take the place of Benjamin, Joseph would be satisfied.
Reflection: Have I changed from my previous mistake/weakness/sins? If my present situation was a test from God will God be satisfied with how I reacted?
What unnecessary thing have I done now which is not crucial? God did not need me to appeal to His compassion. What else?
What is my unnecessary fear? God did not need me to explain to Him how innocent I am.
3. Questions
1) v.14 they threw themselves to the ground before him
2) God's revelation would be fulfilled
3) Judah was willing to change. From the time he sold Joseph to now he was willing to took the place of Benjamin and being a slave. From a man who did not keep his promise to his daughter-in-law 38:11 to a man who would keep promise to his father 43:9.
4) confess
5) A confessed Christian should repent and not repeated their sins any more.
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