Genesis 44
Joseph’s steward knew that the cup had been placed in Benjamin’s sack – I wonder what he thought of that command or of the one to accuse Benjamin of stealing. Did he believe or know that Joseph had a purpose? or did he distrust this thing he was asked to do? or did he figure Joseph could do as he liked? I find it interesting that the brothers should suggest that not only should the culprit die (that may have been the common punishment at the time) but that the rest should be servants to Joseph – surely Judah should have said that all but Benjamin should be servants (assuming Benjamin were not the culprit). Either way Judah must have felt safe as soon as the steward said that the guilty one would simply be the servant to Joseph and not die or have others be held in service.
I love the way that Judah recounts all the facts to Joseph in pleading his case in this version of the story.
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