# 409 The Softening of the Heart Begins

The Book of Genesis

Day 409

Ge 43:8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones.  9 "I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.  10 "For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time."  11 And their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man-a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.  12 "Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.  13 "Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man.  14 "And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!"

Judah steps up to the plate and offers himself as surety for his younger brother Benjamin. Reminds me of similar words spoken from an offspring of Judah years later. Jesus, praying in Joh 17:12 said,  "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Judah volunteered to bring his little brother home even if it cost him his life, likewise Jesus volunteered to bring all of us home knowing it was going to cost Him His life! Oh what a friend we have in Jesus!

Jacob finally relents. He finally faces reality. He finally is able to release Benjamin. “If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

When our children or loved ones are gravely ill or in serious sin trouble, we may need to get to this place where Jacob is. We need to release them into the hands of a God who loves them even more than we do! Notice though, that Jacob doesn’t let him go without taking some sound steps for his son’s protection. Using what he has at his disposal, he sends along some delicacies of the land that would please the Egyptians. He also sends along twice the money to cover any doubt about not paying for that first shipment of grain. Last but not least he calls upon God to grant him mercy for the sake of Benjamin AND Simeon. Yes AND Simeon, and now we begin to see the grace of God work in Jacob’s heart as this is the first time we have heard of concern for Simeon!

Is anyone in your family physically or spiritually ill? By all means, use the resources God has placed at your disposal to deal with the problem, but also be willing to let go and let God. Invite His might and mercy into your situation through prayer and fasting. In so doing, grace will be released into your life as it was in Jacob’s.