I myself will take responsibility for him! You may demand him back from me. If I do not bring him back to you and present him to you, then you can let me take the blame forever.
Genesis 43:9 (NASB)
A mother took her son to the amusement park, when she arrived, she found the park crowded with children playing, running around. There were all kinds of activities to entertain the children. As she was about to leave, she did not see her child, so she began to have a panic attack, screaming and yelling. Moved with compassion for this mother in crisis, a young man promised her that he would do anything to bring her child back safe and sound. He understood the pain of this mother and was moved with compassion for her.
It took courage for Judah to take the responsibility of bringing Benjamin back to Jacob and be willing to pay with his life if anything were to happen to him, the second son that his father loved very much after Joseph. The reason for such responsibility is that Judah knew what these two sons meant to Jacob. He knew that after losing Joseph, his father would never let Benjamin go unless he had a firm guarantee that he would return safely.
Judah knew that his father did not love him and his brothers as much as he loved Joseph and Benjamin. It was this disdain on the part of their father that led them to sell Joseph. But in this case, he understood his father’s pain after losing Joseph. Sometimes, to understand the pain of others, we must put ourselves in their shoes. The Gospels tell us that on several occasions, Jesus was moved with compassion for his listeners. This is because he understood their pain and put himself in their shoes. Put yourself in the shoes of others to better understand them and show them compassion. This is the only way you will know how to truly help them with all your heart.
May the grace and peace of God be with you all.
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