Although Judah and his brothers did not know that they appeared before their brother Joseph, whom they had not seen in twenty-two years, they did stand before him as an Egyptian authority, who had power over them. Therefore, Judah knew how to approach this Egyptian in wisdom,

Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh” (Genesis 44.18).

Judah recognized the lordship of Joseph.
Judah acknowledged his servanthood.
Judah pled for a hearing, knowing that it was not a right, but a privilege.
Judah sought to pacify the anger of Joseph.
Judah confessed the high ranking of Joseph, that it was close to that of Pharaoh.

Knowing how to approach a person of authority won the day, for Judah touched the heart of Joseph, who then revealed his true identity, and that led to the salvation of the whole family.