Genesis 44 "The Cup"

Genesis 44:1-2 "And he (Joseph) commanded the steward of his house, saying Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the words that Joseph had spoken."

Joseph is still playing a bit of a game with his brothers. At first he caused them to fear by putting their money in the sacks of corn on their first trip. Now, he put the money in the sacks and also his cup in Benjamin's sack. He then sent his men to chase after Jacob's sons and accuse them of theft of the cup. The brothers declaring their innocence said whoever has the cup will be your servant and us v9. The steward changed it to only the one who has the cup and it is found in Benjamin's sack.

The brothers follow back to Joseph's house and Judah stepped forward to plead to Joseph for Benjamin for he said it would kill his father if he lost him also. Judah went over the entire story of Jacob's condition and his resistance at sending Benjamin on this journey. Judah offers himself in Benjamin's place for his father's sake.

Genesis 44:33-34 (Judah talking) "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."

We will find the end to this part of the story in the next chapter as Joseph can refrain no longer from telling them who he is.

Proverbs 19:17 "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."