Old Testament Genesis 44:1-45:28
New Testament Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13
Intercession for the Youngest
From Genesis 42-45 we read about Joseph’s interaction with his brothers. They have come to Egypt to find food because of a severe famine throughout the Mediterranean region. Joseph seems to be play cruel tricks on his brothers, but he is actually testing the character and integrity of their hearts. Have they recognized what they did to him years ago was evil? Have they taken responsibility? During this famine will they sell out another brother so they can obtain the food that is necessary for their survival?
Joseph sets them up by having his personal silver cup placed in Benjamin’s backpack just prior to their return to the land of Canaan. Benjamin is the youngest brother. Not long after they leave Joseph orders his property manager to go and get them and expose their crime. The silver cup is found in Benjamin’s possession and his brothers are stunned. They do the right thing and do not sell him out. They all return to Joseph’s and Judah intercedes on the behalf of Benjamin.
Part of the reason Judah does this is because he made a pledge to his father that Benjamin would return safely (Gen 43:8-9). The other reason is Judah is a changed man. In Genesis 38 he behaved wickedly and he was humbled by what he did. He now acts and thinks differently. He has his youngest brother and his father’s interest in mind rather than his own desires. Judah pleads with Joseph to allow Benjamin to return. He is willing to suffer the consequences in Benjamin’s place (Gen 44:33).
At this point Joseph’s emotions overwhelm him and he knows the character of his brothers has changed. They are not the same brothers who wanted to kill him, but then sold him as a slave. He then reveals to them his true identity and his brothers are dismayed. Wouldn’t you have loved to seen their faces? What a partial family reunion that was. Notice the end of verse 15 where it says, “After that his brothers talked with him.” Can you imagine their questions?
There is something very important this passage can teach us today. Perhaps God is testing us to see if our hearts have changed. You see we have younger brothers and sisters who we are selling out every day. They are the youngest of the young. They are the ones in the womb. Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in our nation.
We have behaved wickedly. Make no mistake abortion is the intentional killing of innocent human beings. At least Joseph’s brothers sold him instead of killed him. Who has more guilt? We have thought of ourselves more than we have thought of the youngest and neediest. We have wanted our sexual pleasures minus responsibility and consequences. We want our family planning to be a convenience and not an interruption.
Friend, you may think, “Well, I have not contributed to this evil.” There are times when a collective group of people must recognize their guilt and take responsibility. Did you not notice in today’s passage how the brothers took responsibility and collectively shared in the guilt because of their brother Benjamin?
Genesis 44:16 16
And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found.”
Where are the Judahs in America on this issue? Who is willing to earnestly intercede on the behalf of the unborn? Who is willing to plead with God that our fellow countrymen, who support abortion would be humbled and transformed in regards to their belief and practice?
Will you regularly intercede throughout the year on the behalf of the unborn? Will you regularly pray for the Lord to intervene and put an end to legalized abortion? The question remains; “Will we pass the test?”
Further Resources
Join the Prayer Movement for Life! AN INVITATION TO PRAY AND ENGAGE
Many people wish the abortion debate would just go away. They’re tired of the controversy and name-calling played out almost daily on social media. They’re turned off by harsh rhetoric and careless labels, not to mention constant political bickering.
Perhaps you feel this way. You have a heart for the unborn, but have yet to act on your pro-life sentiments. You want to do something, but see only two options — pick a fight or avoid the issue in polite company!
But there’s a third option—pray and engage. And get others to join in!
DOWNLOAD THE 21 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR LIFE–AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS >