Not Expecting Forgiveness?

Joseph and Benjamin before their brothers

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. [Genesis 44:16 KJV]

Surely you’ve felt the same way.  I know I have.  What shall we say?  How shall we clear ourselves?  Judah had no idea who had placed the stolen items in their baggage.  Even though he knew he didn’t, he stated the obvious – they appeared guilty and had no defense.  Besides, this was the most powerful man in Egypt.  It really didn’t matter what Judah said, this man had the power of life and death over Judah and his brothers. 

Just as those brothers had held life and death over Joseph.

In the following verses Judah explains to the Egyptian ruler the obvious, expressing concern over the life of his father if he loses a second son.  Then he offers himself:

Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. [Genesis 44:33-34 KJV]

The years between Dothan and Egypt have changed Judah.  He lived with the sorrow and guilt of what was done to Joseph, the resulting pain to his father, and he cannot face that again.  That change of heart was obvious to Joseph, who could no longer control his own emotions within his act.

Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. [Genesis 45:1 KJV]

All that had happened to Joseph since that pit in Dothan provided the opportunities to be in the right place at the right time to save his entire family.  Slavery, prison – things we look upon with revulsion and see as degradation, God used to further his purpose.  Were those the hateful plans to thwart God’s purpose?  We’re not told.  In spite of the appearance of evil and lies, Joseph understood God worked in his life.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. [Genesis 45:7-8 KJV]

Joseph’s brothers were not expecting forgiveness.  Why should they?  But it was given.

And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. [Genesis 45:14-15 KJV]

For years they had lived with the consequences of their sin against their brother – and their father – but God worked in their lives and they were forgiven.  Can we, who have been told of His love and His provision for us, expect any less?