Passing The Test (44:1-34)
Neal Pollard
Is Joseph simply a bitter, power-hungry, and vengeful man, sadistically piling cruelty upon cruelty in payback for his brother’s wickedness so many years before? Even some commentators think so. However, let us thoughtfully reflect on what has unfolded.
Subjected to the unrelenting favoritism of their father, Jacob, for Joseph, coupled with the knowledge of his dreams, they treacherously sell him into slavery and deceive their father. Years later, through the famine, he is able to see them all once again (reminding ourselves the brothers do not recognize Joseph). They have changed. The test in chapter 44 proves they are not the same men who sold him into slavery.
Joseph sets and springs the trap (1-13). Not only does he put their money in the sack with their grain, but he puts his silver cup in the mouth of his youngest. After they leave, he pursues them with his house steward and his men. The steward is told to accuse the men of treachery, and the brothers are confident in their innocence. They even pledge death to the guilty, further pledging to be slaves if the cup is found among them. Yet, when the cup in found in Benjamin’s sack, they tear their clothes and return to the city with the Egyptians.
Joseph reprimands them (14-15). First, they bow before him again (14). Joseph asks them what they have done, adding, “Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination?” How will they respond?
Judah confesses their sin, then presents an eloquent case (16-34). At the outset, Judah sees this turn of events as divine punishment (16). They are ready to be as they made Joseph to be–slaves (16)! Joseph gives them the opportunity to abandon Benjamin. They could do so with full justification, since the cup was found in his sack. But, they will not. Why? Their father. Judah mentions him 15 times in giving their defense. They know he will be devastated. In addition, their youngest brother. Judah begs to take his place (33). They are no longer the brothers who wantonly sold their brother. Even given a legitimate opportunity, they will not leave Benjamin defenseless.
This is all Joseph needed to know, as we will see when we keep reading into chapter 45. But, let us make some closing observations. First, it is wonderful that people can and do change. These men had some sinful baggage in their background. Yet, in the crucible of trials, they had been refined. They demonstrated their change with godly sorrow (13; 2 Cor. 7:10), confession (16), and an attempt to demonstrate fruits of repentance (16ff). Furthermore, we appreciate the preciousness of brotherly love. In this account, we appreciate it in its absence, but we also do when it is once again shown. The Hebrews writer urges it, saying, “let [it] continue…” (13:1). The Psalmist praises it (133:1). The church is strengthened by its presence and decimated in its absence.
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