JUDAH STEPS UP

Today is Monday.  I will be out of town Tuesday and Wednesday.  I may be able to write a blog on Tuesday if I have some time, but I know on Wednesday I will be busy traveling back from Washington and will not have time.  We had a great day yesterday as I shared the vision with our people for 2012.  They responded tremendously and I'm just so pleased to pastor such wonderful people.  I'm expecting great things this week and year for the cause of Christ.  What a great start for a new year.  Today, I'm in Genesis again and I want to share the actions of Judah.  When it called for it, he stepped up.

JUDAH STEPS UP- Genesis 43:8-9  "And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.  9  I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:"  When Jacob would not let Benjamin go up to Egypt with his older brothers to get corn from Egypt, Judah steps us and takes responsibility.  He says that he will be "surety for him".  Jacob believes his son Judah and allows Benjamin to go.  Then in Egypt, Joseph laid a plot for his brothers to test them.  But Judah passes the test.  When Joseph says that he will keep Benjamin and let the other brothers go, here is what Judah says:  Genesis 44:32-33  "For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.  33  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."  When Judah steps up and says to Joseph that he will be "surety" for his brother Benjamin, then Joseph knew for sure.... they had changed!  Judah was the one who sold Joseph into slavery, but now Judah is the one who steps up to protect Joseph's younger brother, Benjamin.  Times have changed.  Judah is different.  Now, when Joseph hears that, he can no longer refrain himself.  He urges all to leave, but his brothers, he weeps out loud and reveals himself to his brethren.  The rest is in the book.  Judah stepped up!  There are times when we too must step up.  Seldom pleasant, often troubling, but always needed.  We must step up for Christ, for our families, for our mate, and for who we are as a human being.  Let us learn from Judah that when it is time to step up.... let us be found.... stepping up!  Hope this will help you someday.

Have a great day.  Pastor Mike Mutchler