Genesis 44

          As his brothers finish their meal, Joseph orders the steward of his house to fill his brothers’ sacks with as much as grain as they will hold. (v.1) He also orders him to put each man’s money on top of the grain before closing the sack, same as with their previous visit. But this time there is an additional instruction: inside Benjamin’s sack is to be hidden Joseph’s silver cup. (v.2) The brothers return to their lodging in the city and depart the next morning at first light.
         Joseph waits until they are not far outside the city to send his chief steward after them. He tells the steward exactly what to say when he confronts the brothers. (v.4-5) When the steward accuses the men of stealing Joseph’s silver cup, after all the kindness and hospitality that his master had just shown them, the sons of Israel are naturally bewildered and afraid, having no knowledge of a divining cup. (v.5)
         (Note: Joseph did not actually use his silver goblet in any of the superstitious or religious rituals that the other Egyptians engaged in as part of their daily worship of Ra and the other false gods. The steward’s description of the cup was only a continuing aspect of the ruse to make the brothers believe that Joseph was a typical Egyptian ruler.)
       The brothers continue to protest their innocence, once again explaining that they had returned the money that was initially returned to them on the first trip. (v.8) Why then would they steal a silver cup? So sure are they of their innocence that they tell the steward that the man in whose sack is found the cup should be sentenced to death and that the rest of them will willingly submit to be slaves of Joseph. (v.9) The chief steward agrees to this, but with one amendment: the one in whose sack is found the cup will be the one to remain in Egypt as a slave. The others will be allowed to go free. (v.10)
         The brothers quickly agree and every man opens his sack. The steward searches each one, starting with the eldest. As planned, the silver goblet is found in Benjamin’s sack. (v.12) His brothers are dismayed and horrified by this, as indicated by the phrase “…they rent their clothes…”. (v.13) But instead of putting up a fight or attempting any more protests they willingly surrender and return to the city with the chief steward. He brings them back to Joseph’s house where the brothers once again fall prostrate on the ground before him. (v.14)
        Joseph, continuing the disguise of an Egyptian, accuses his brothers of the theft, saying, “Wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?” (v.15) In other words, “Didn’t you know that I could learn the truth with my skill of divination?” It’s at this point that Judah steps forward and speaks for all his brothers. He throws himself on Joseph’s mercy, acknowledging that there is no other way for them to prove their innocence. He also acknowledges that God is punishing them for their sin (selling their brother into slavery twenty-two years earlier), and that all they can do now is offer themselves as slaves to Joseph for the rest of their lives. (v.16) Joseph’s response to this plea reveals the true reason for this whole, elaborate test. He agrees to Judah’s statement, except for the same correction that his chief steward stated to the brothers earlier: only Benjamin will remain in Egypt as a slave. The others are free to go.
        Joseph had to know for certain that his brothers were truly changed men. He has just given them the perfect opportunity to sacrifice their youngest brother for the sake of their own freedom. Twenty-two years ago, these same men, jealous and bitter because of the favoritism their father displayed to Joseph, sought revenge by selling Joseph into slavery and lying to their father about his death. Now they have a chance to save themselves at the expense of their youngest brother, also a son of Rachel, whom Israel had always favored above their own mothers, and Joseph is waiting to see whether or not his brothers are truly sorrowful and repentant for their past sins, or if their contrition is all merely an outward show in order to obtain the much needed grain.
         Judah’s response to Joseph’s ultimatum proves the former. In a humble and genuinely contrite manner, he summarizes all that has transpired thus far since their first appearance before Joseph. (v.18-29) He explains that, when Jacob asked his sons to return a second time to buy more grain, he would only allow Benjamin to go if Judah pledged his own life as a surety for Benjamin’s safe return. (v.32) Judah pleads with Joseph to let him remain as a slave in Benjamin’s stead and let Benjamin return to Jacob with the other brothers. (v.33) He shows true compassion and sympathy for the aged Israel, more concerned what the loss of Benjamin will do to his father than whatever might become of his own life. (v.31, 34) Just as Christ, born of the tribe of Judah, of the lineage of David, would one day offer himself as a sacrifice upon the cross to God the Father for the transgressions of all mankind, so Judah now offers himself as a sacrifice to Joseph to save the lives of his brothers, especially the one whom his father loves most.