Let Thy Servant Abide Instead

2021-08-06

Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, began as a miserable person. It was Judah’s idea to sell Joseph to merchants (Genesis 37:26-27). His first two sons were so wicked that the LORD slew them (Genesis 38:7, 10), and surely, they learned some pointers from Dad. The kingly tribe patriarch also hired his daughter-in-law disguised as a prostitute (Genesis 38:16).

However, years later, during the famine, Judah promised to protect his younger and more favored brother Benjamin on their trek to Egypt to buy food (Genesis 43:9). When Joseph threatened to arrest Benjamin, Judah made good on his word, asking to be arrested in his brother’s place (Genesis 44:33-34).

Being the forebear of our Lord according to the flesh, we see a changed man. Much like how Jesus changes the lowliest sinner into a son, we see this change in Judah. We also see how he seeks to take Benjamin’s place in his punishment because of his love for his father. This story is no coincidence and should sound very familiar to us all.

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. (34) 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 (Genesis 44:33-34).