He’ll Never Change

Read Genesis 42:1–45:28

14. Joseph was still in his palace when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him.
15. “What have you done?” Joseph demanded. . . .
16. Judah answered, “Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we explain this? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves—all of us, not just our brother who had your cup in his sack.”
17. “No,” Joseph said. “I would never do such a thing! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back to your father in peace.”
18. Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. . . .
33. Please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.” Genesis 44:14-18, 33

High school reunions can be eye-opening experiences. The guy who was voted “most likely to succeed”—did he make it? The girl who was homecoming queen—what became of her? What about others? Have any of them turned out as expected? People change dramatically, and the changes catch us by surprise.

In this part of Joseph’s story, his dreams come true, literally. Joseph discovers that his brothers (especially Judah) have changed—and so has he.

Don’t miss the implications in this story for family relationships: mistakes don’t have to be permanent. There’s peace in this once-volatile family, and it’s all in spite of, and because of, mistakes and tragic events.

Joseph wanted to see if his brothers’ attitudes had changed for the better, so he tested the way they treated each other (Genesis 44:16-34). When Judah was younger, he had shown no regard for his brother Joseph or for his father, Jacob. First, Judah convinced his brothers to sell Joseph as a slave (Genesis 37:27); then he joined his brothers in lying to his father about Joseph’s fate (Genesis 37:32). But what a change had taken place in this man! Having promised Jacob that he would guarantee young Benjamin’s safety (Genesis 43:9), Judah now had a chance to keep that promise. Becoming a slave was a terrible fate, but Judah was determined to keep his word to his father. The man who had sold one favored little brother into slavery now offered to become a slave to save another favored little brother.

When you are ready to give up hope on yourself or others, remember that God can work a complete change in even the most selfish personality. Think of the self-centered people in your life. Pray for them to understand and experience God’s love and power. Think also about your own self-centeredness, and ask God to forgive and change you as well. God changes lives!