LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JACOB #83 : BENJAMIN #5
written by Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3584
LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JACOB #83
JACOB'S PROPHECIES ABOUT THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL #18
BENJAMIN #5
BENJAMIN AND JUDAH
The future of these two brothers was prophetically destined to be linked together.
It started in the time of Joseph when the youngest brother Benjamin was ordered to remain behind in Egypt as surety.
Judah's memorable intercession on behalf of Benjamin was recorded in Genesis.
“Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father”
(Gen. 44:33–34).
In today’s passage, Judah concludes his plea for Joseph to have mercy by offering to take the place of Benjamin in Egyptian servitude (vv. 30–34). As we have seen, this offer is based on Judah’s loathing to see his father mourn again like he did when Joseph was lost.
Having been humbled and put in place by Tamar, Judah now willingly puts himself last, revealing a self-sacrificing love that will give up everything so that his father, who might never love him as he does Benjamin, will not grieve.
Truly, as the famous Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote, Judah surpasses all his brothers “in boldness, wisdom, eloquence, and especially tenderness for their father and family.”
It is in being willing to lose everything that Judah achieves greatness, for he will receive Jacob’s greatest blessing — to rule over the nation of Israel (49:8–12; Matt. 19:30).
What spiritual lessons can we learn today from Judah's selfless example on behalf of Benjamin?
1. It is Judah who stands out as the godliest of all his brothers.
Still, there is One greater than Judah - One who had no sin and did not need to be convicted of His transgression to put Him in His place.
Christ Jesus, Judah’s greatest son, gave up His life for our sake, only to be raised to new life and glory (Phil. 2).
2. In giving up his life, Judah actually finds it.
Such is the way of our heavenly Father (John 12:25).
"Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25).
Even if we are not martyred for the faith, we are to give our lives over to Jesus.
Will you lay down your life for Christ this day?
