Read Genesis 44:18-34 at Bible Gateway.
Hebrew paragraph division
Gen 44:18-46:7 {s} Joseph revealed to his brothers and father
Gen 44:18-34 chiastic structure
The B pair highlights Jacob’s love for Benjamin, and that Jacob’s life is bound up in Benjamin’s life. Judah does not bemoan the fact that his father will die if something happens to Benjamin but not if something happens to him; he has accepted it. And Judah makes his request to Joseph to remain in Benjamin’s place, not really because of the love Judah bears for Benjamin, but because of the love Judah bears for his father!
Now considering that Judah is acting as a prophetic type for Messiah (he is sacrificing his life to deliver his brother from slavery, a prophetic type for death, and restore him to his father who loves him) what is the prophecy concerning Benjamin in this scenario? The father is God; Judah is Messiah, also the Son who is surety for the his brother; and Benjamin is us – the rest of mankind. We are the ones who sinned; we are the ones who deserve to be detained because the silver cup was found in our sack. But our brother Judah, Messiah Yeshua of the house of Judah, steps in, because He loves His Father, to substitute Himself on our behalf and take upon Himself the punishment that should rightly have fallen on us, so that we can be restored to the Father, who loves us and who cannot bear to be separated from us.
The structure shines a spotlight on the favoritism shown to Benjamin, but its purpose is to highlight how deep and intense the Father’s love is for us, who cannot bear to be separated from us! And as a parent with an empty nest, I can verify how deep and intense the longing is for beloved children who are separated from their parents!
Cynthia says
Thank-you very much for this beautiful and enlightening Bible study!! I am very thankful for this very beautiful Bible study!!
christine says
You are so very welcome Cynthia. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comment! Please do come back again.