Last week we saw Judah’s selfish example as he freely did whatever pleased him, even selling his brother Joseph into slavery. But in today’s passage we see a distinct change in Judah’s character:

• From hatred to love – Judah hated Joseph enough to sell him into slavery. This action also showed a hatred for his father who would be cruelly hurt by his loss of Joseph. But now Judah shows love for his father as he intercedes for Benjamin. Have you moved from hatred to love? This is a serious question, for John makes clear that if we don’t love, we don’t know God (I John 4:7-8). Is your life characterized by love or hatred?
• Self-sacrifice – True love means sacrifice. Judah offers to become a servant in Benjamin’s place. In what ways are you sacrificing yourself for others?
• Christ’s sacrifice – As Judah offered to become a servant for Benjamin, so Judah’s descendant Jesus became a servant for us. He offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Have you accepted his gift of love to you?