Growng Character
I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. (Genesis 43:9 NIV)
Judah was finally growing some character. After instigating the sale of Joseph into slavery... after marrying a pagan woman... after going back on his word to Tamar... after sleeping with Tamar when he thought she was a shrine prostitute... after being a royal jerk most of his life... Judah finally accepted some responsibility. He was finally willing to do something right. He said to his father, "I myself will guarantee his (Benjamin's) safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life."
As far as Judah knew, he was taking a big chance. He didn't know who Joseph was. He didn't know why Joseph was demanding to see Benjamin. He didn't have any way of knowing whether he would be able to carry through with his promise to his father or not. But, nonetheless, he was willing to take the responsibility and do his best to keep his word.
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This is one of the ways a person develops character... by accepting responsibility and carrying a task through to completion, even if there is no way of knowing whether the task is possible or not. It's that commitment to the responsibility, that commitment to carry through, that commitment to do what is required, no matter what, that makes a person grow in character and integrity.
When you're given a task, accept the responsibility, whether it's taking out the garbage, raising a family, teaching a class, increasing your load at work - whatever - accept the responsibility and learn from it. Grow from it. Stick to it to completion. Let your commitment to responsibility create character in you.
From Newsong Ministries
Newsong6@bellsouth.net
Used with Permission.
