1. Joseph plants a cup (1-13)

Joseph gave a final test to his brothers. When he sent them back to Jacob with grain, in addition to putting their money back in their sacks again, he put his own silver cup in Benjamin’s sack, to make him look like a thief. It was to see if his brothers cared enough to protect him. When Joseph’s servant caught up to them and discovered the cup, they all returned together to the city.

2. Judah offers himself (14-34)

Joseph’s brothers all seemed willing to become his slaves, but Joseph said he would only take Benjamin, the 'guilty' one. Then Judah stepped forward and told Joseph the whole story about their father Jacob’s sorrow, and his own promise. He begged Joseph to let him be enslaved in place of Benjamin. This was his fruit of repentance. Judah was the representative of all his brothers’ repentance. He had grown in the image of Christ, who offered himself for our sins.


Application: Father, thank you for Jesus who offered himself in my place for my sins. Help me grow in the image of Christ.
One Word: Self-sacrificing love