Genesis 44:16-18

You can hear the anxiousness in Judah’s voice, can’t you? For context, this is one of the last interactions Joseph had with his brothers before he revealed his identity to them. Joseph’s story starts back in Genesis 37 with his dreams.

Judah was the brother who convinced them to sell Joseph to Ishmaelaite traders into slavery. After many trials and tribulations because of that, God placed Joseph ended up second in command of Egypt. When famine hit the area, God had given Joseph the wisdom on how to survive, so Egypt had food. His brothers came to ask for help. Joseph had a couple of meetings with his brothers but he set them up with this cup thing. He told his servants to plant the cup and make it look like they were trying to steal it.

Sometimes in life we do things that cause anxiety. Some of those decisions are from our past. Judah had promised their dad that he would bring his youngest brother back home. (Joseph had made it a requirement for more food. Genesis 42:16-19) The moment Joseph mentions keeping the little brother as a slave for “stealing” a silver cup, anxiety set in for Judah. Jacob was already sad thinking Joseph was dead. Benjamin was his other son with Rachel, so he was clinging to him.

After our verses, Judah went over past agreements with Joseph because he desperately didn’t want to leave Benjamin there. He promised his dad he would bring him home. When we get stuck in situations that are either from our past or because of our decisions, PRAYER should be our first response. God hears us and He doesn’t want us to be anxious.