The answer is: Judah

Gen 44:18-33

Imagine being faced with the daunting task of confronting a powerful ruler while bearing the weight of your family's past mistakes—this is what Judah did when he stepped forward to protect his brother Benjamin! In Genesis 44:18-33, Judah doesn’t just plead for Benjamin's freedom; he delivers a heartfelt speech that reveals his character transformation.

This moment signals a pivotal shift in Judah, transitioning from a brother who was once complicit in selling Joseph into slavery to a selfless protector ready to sacrifice himself for family. Did you know that Judah’s offer to stay as a servant in Egypt echoes themes of redemption and advocacy found throughout the scriptures? Much later, with Jesus' sacrificial love for humanity, we see a reverberation of Judah’s bravery.

Judah's speech not only showcases his loyalty but reveals a deep understanding of the implications of family and repentance. He emphasizes that losing Benjamin would devastate their father Jacob, highlighting the cycle of hurt that their previous actions have caused. It's interesting to note that later, in the Book of Revelation, references to the lion of the tribe of Judah tie him to a larger redemptive arc in biblical history.

So, next time you're traversing through the Old Testament tales, remember Judah's leap of faith as a transformative moment that paves the way for future redemption narratives throughout the Bible. Wouldn’t it be thoughtful of mercy if we took a page from Judah’s book?