Genesis 44:13

Genesis 44:13 says, Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.  Joseph's brothers were very upset, but instead of going on, they went back to the city.  They were not going to abandon Benjamin, even if it cost them.  We cannot abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ if they are in trouble, especially if they are being falsely accused.  Verse fourteen states, And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.  Joseph's brothers once again fell before him, as his dream had foretold.  Verse fifteen declares, And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?  Joseph asked his brothers what they had done that he couldn't divine, or figure out.  Of course, in this case Joseph already knew what the situation was, but he was waiting to see what his brothers would say.  We also may at times be placed in a situation where people are just waiting to see if we will be truthful with them.  Verse sixteen states, And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.  Judah asked how could they clear themselves when God had found them guilty of iniquity, even Benjamin, though Benjamin wasn't guilty of the same thing.  When we sin, we can only confess our sins to God and ask His forgiveness, because we are all guilty of sin.  Verse seventeen declares, And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.  Joseph said that Benjamin was to remain as his servant and the other brothers could go free.  How much concern do we have for those around us who are imprisoned by sin, even if it isn't the particular sin they are accused of?  We cannot be content to be set free by Christ and have no concern for other people.  Verse eighteen says, Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.  Judah begged Joseph for permission to speak, since he recognized Joseph's position.  As followers of Christ, we do not have to beg God for permission to speak to Him, and His power is much greater than any person's will ever be.  Even as lost sinners, we don't have to beg God to listen, but simply have to come to Him humbly by faith in Chest.  Verse nineteen adds, My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?  Verse twenty continues, And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.  Judah told Joseph that they had answered his question about their family, but he adds a little more about Benjamin.  Of course, Benjamin's brother, Joseph, was not dead as they thought.  Still, though Benjamin may have been treated with preference as the other brothers thought Joseph was, they were not going to abandon him.  We likewise should learn from our past sins and not commit them over and over again.  Verse twenty-one goes on, And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.  Judah reminded Joseph that he had demanded that they bring Benjamin to him, and they had done so, even if they had waited to do so.  We must likewise bring the lost to God is they are to find salvation.  Verse twenty-two concludes, And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.  I believe that this was Judah's acknowledgement that Benjamin was more important to Israel than the others were.  Fortunately for us, there are no favorites with God.