Judah. He who proposed to sell Joseph and save his life (Genesis 37:26 , Genesis 37:27 ), now proposes to remain a bondman for Benjamin. He had already become surety for his Safety (Genesis 43:8 , Genesis 43:9 ). read more
JUDAH'S INTERCESSORY PLEA"Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh, my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh. My lord asked his servants, saying, Have yea father, or a brother? And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loveth him. And thou saidst unto thy... read more
Genesis 44:18. Then Judah came near unto him— After the terrible sentence which Joseph had passed, Genesis 44:17. Judah became more immediately interested, and was concerned to plead the cause of his brother; and every man, who reads to the close of this chapter, must confess, that Judah acts here the part both of the faithful brother and dutiful son, who, rather than behold his father's misery, in case of Benjamin's being left behind, submits to become a bondsman in his stead; and, indeed,... read more
Judah explained the whole story. He did not try to hide or excuse the brothers’ guilt. This is the longest speech in Genesis. Key words are "servant" (10 times), "my lord" (7 times), and "father" (13 times)."No orator ever pronounced a more moving oration." [Note: Bush, 2:329.] "I would give very much to be able to pray before our Lord God as well as Judah prays here before Joseph. For this is a perfect pattern of prayer, yes, of the true feeling which should be in a prayer." [Note: Martin... read more
The Final Test of Joseph’s Brethren2. Put my cup.. in the sack’s mouth of the youngest] Joseph evidently did this as an excuse for keeping Benjamin with him. Perhaps, too, it was a test of the brethren whether they would act as cruelly in deserting their youngest brother as they had dealt with himself. However, they came nobly out of the trial, and a complete reconciliation took place.5. Whereby indeed he divineth] Divination by means of bowls of water was very prevalent among the ancients.... read more
Temperament and Grace Genesis 44:3-4 A man's reputation after death is a very haphazard thing. History is full of minor characters of whom after ages have formed a very definite, but possibly wholly wrong idea, based on some single and perhaps insignificant incident in their career, or a chance remark upon them. The same thing may even happen in lifetime: sometimes a man or woman carries about through mature years a wholly false character, founded on some irrelevant thing they did or said in... read more
VISITS OF JOSEPH’S BRETHRENGenesis 42:1-38; Genesis 43:1-34; Genesis 44:1-34"Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good."- Genesis 50:19-20.THE purpose of God to bring Israel into Egypt was accomplished by the unconscious agency of Joseph’s natural affection for his kindred. Tenderness towards home is usually increased by residence in a foreign land; for absence, like a little death, sheds a halo round those separated from us.... read more
CHAPTER 44 The Feigned Dismay and the Bringing Back 1. The cup concealed and the dismay (Genesis 44:1-13 ) 2. The return to Joseph’s house (Genesis 44:14-34 ) read more
44:18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou [art] even {e} as Pharaoh.(e) Equal in authority or, next to the king. read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:1-34
Joseph and his brothers (42:1-45:28)When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him (42:1-8). Rather than make himself known to them immediately, Joseph decided to test them to see if they had experienced any change of heart over the years. Joseph was not looking for revenge. His apparently harsh treatment of them, mixed with kindness, was designed to stir their consciences. They realized they were being punished for their unjust... read more