Genesis 44: Joseph’s Final Test

Joseph orchestrates one last test. He has his silver cup planted in Benjamin's sack and sends his servant to “discover” it as the brothers depart. They rend their garments when the cup is discovered, and they are hauled back to Egypt. Would they abandon Benjamin as they once abandoned him? That’s part of the test. But something has changed. Judah, the same brother who suggested selling Joseph—now offers himself as a slave in Benjamin's place. His impassioned plea reveals a transformed heart, as he speaks of their father's grief and his own guarantee of Benjamin's safety. This substitutionary offer echoes through history, pointing to Judah's descendant who would offer Himself for the sins of the world. Joseph's testing has revealed what he needed to know: his brothers are no longer the men who betrayed him, and the heart of Christ is seen in both Joseph and Judah.

The Rev. Dan Torkelson, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Madison, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Genesis 44.

To learn more about Mount Olive Lutheran, visit www.molc.us.

Genesis isn’t just the start of the Bible; it’s the foundation of everything. Creation, sin, judgment, grace, covenant, and promise all take root in this remarkable book. The stories are ancient, but their truths are eternal.

In this new series from Thy Strong Word, Pastor Phil Booe and his guests walk verse by verse through Genesis, exploring how God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. From the grandeur of the cosmos to the struggles of ordinary families, Genesis introduces us to a God who speaks, acts, and keeps His promises. So, whether you’ve read it a hundred times or are just now cracking it open for a serious look, this series will help you see Genesis with fresh eyes—and a deeper faith.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.