The Anti-Jesus


Genesis 37:26–28 (ESV) Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

 The patriarch from whom Jesus will come is infamously known here as Judah. Appropriately, his namesake in the New Testament is the one who sells Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Joseph sold for twenty. 

 Judah masks his greed with sanctimony. "he is our brother" he proclaims upon the bright idea conceived to make a little money off getting rid of Joseph. Only a truly cruel human would rather sell his brother to slavery than kill him simply for the share in a measly profit. Yet that is what Judah does. 

 The scriptures move from this very bad scene depicting the character of Judah to Genesis 38. It is no wonder the Author choses to focus on this particular brother's devious attitude and character. He is the one who will be most reformed over the narrative. Indeed, Judah will be the one offering the life for guarantee of Benjamin's safety in Genesis 44. Now how he is reformed is particularly interesting in that next chapter.

 But in this moment, Judah is everything Jesus is not. 

 Judah is the unloving unsympathetic brother. Your brother Jesus is the loving and "moved with compassion" Son from heaven who sees you and loves you and comes to save you. 

 Judah is greedy and me-centered. Your brother Jesus is selfless, giving and others-centered.

 Judah is manipulative, leading others to indulge their greed. He connives others fall into the sin of betrayal for selfish gain. Your brother Jesus is truthful and graceful. He doesn't lead us to sin, he leads us in salvation and good works (Ephesians 2:10). He never misleads you, He teaches others around you to love as well forming a family of faith that is devoted to each other's welfare, not harm.

 The good news of Judah is that as far as he is from the character of Jesus at this point in the story, God refuses to leave him there. The same goes for you. No matter how bad you've been in the past, Jesus came to save you and deliver you from yourself. He loves you, He's for you, He's come to lead you home. 

 Trust your big Brother.

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