Careful Approach

Careful Approach

Genesis 44: ¹⁸ Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. ¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ ²⁰ And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ ²¹ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ ²² And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ ²³ But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’

 

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Reluctantly, Israel allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt with his brothers to fulfil the terms of Joseph. Judah said he would be responsible for Benjamin and would return with him. But Joseph had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. Judah had to respond to the difficult situation.

 

My Observations:

• Judah recognized Joseph’s position and acknowledged his role.
• Judah chose his words carefully when recapping Joseph’s request of them to bring Benjamin to Egypt.
• Judah mentioned that he and his brothers are servants so Joseph would not get placed on guard.

 

Tense situations need a careful approach that may include humbling yourself. Judah saw a situation that could not be won by blaming Joseph or by not admitting to what happened. Even though the situation was manufactured, Judah recapped the situation in a way that would possibly help Joseph hear his plea.

 

Judah was humble, thoughtful and very cautious with his words. This was a dire situation that required him to grow tremendously. He had to speak up for his brother and show respect to Joseph. GOD saw this exchange of words and was changing everyone.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Judah’s careful approach?
• What things are you trying to get that you are possibly blaming others versus adjusting your approach?
• Are there some ways to your approach that could use some humble adjustments that need courage from GOD?