Judah said to his brothers ~ Bob Coy

Character Arc

So Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? "Come and let us sell him?" -Genesis 37:26-27 (NKJV)

Character Arc: The status of a particular character as it unfolds throughout a story or story line.

The Bible abounds with compelling characters. And what often makes them so compelling is their character arc. Where they start isn't where they ultimately end up. There's a powerful progression, a meaningful migration, a joyous journey.


Judah is one such example. Scripture singles him out as the one who proposed that he and the rest of his brothers sell Joseph into slavery. This is much more than just an insight into Judah's self-centered nature. It's a detail that deserves to be tracked.


Twenty years into the future we find the tables had turned. Joseph became a mighty ruler in Egypt, and Judah and his brothers are forced to beg him for food. Judah and the others don't recognize Joseph, but Joseph instantly makes the connection. Instead of seeking revenge, Joseph seeks reconciliation. But before reconciliation can happen, there needs to be a transformation-a transformation in the self-centered character that led the brothers to sell Joseph into slavery.


Joseph tests their hearts by giving them the same opportunity to selfishly sell out another brother. Remarkably, it's Judah, the one with the greatest guilt, who rises up and offers to suffer in another brother's place (Genesis 44:33). In doing so, Judah reveals that his heart had made the journey from self-centeredness to selflessness. The arc in Judah's character was now complete, and his transformation meant the door of reconciliation was finally open.


The character arc we witness in Judah is what should happen when we become new creations in Christ. Old motives for personal profit are to be exchanged for a desire to bless and benefit others. Interestingly enough, Judah's name means praise, which is our heart's response as God continually crafts our character into Christ's.

Discuss, Dig, Decide

Discuss the faith journey of your favorite character in the Bible. Who do you identify with the most and why? How is this person’s journey like your own?

Dig into Genesis Chapter 44. What do you believe Joseph’s motive was? How do you see Judah’s heart change during this episode? What was Judah’s deepest concern? How are you seeing God change your heart, especially in the area of putting others first?

Decide to put the needs of others before your own. Plan a time for your group to skip a meal, and then go and take the food that you would be eating and offer it to those who have no food or home. Show the love of Jesus to folks who need it most.