#1. The Suretyship of Christ (Gen. xliii. 1-10 and xliv. 18-34).


The historic incident contained in these verses is full of teaching, both regarding Christ, the Christian, and the final restoration of Israel. The special thought to be impressed, however, is: The Suretyship of Christ.

“I will be surety” (Gen. xliii. 9).—The word surety, in Hebrew, comes from a word which means “to mix”, and is once translated “woof”, i.e., the threads which run across the “warp” in weaving. Thus the idea of a surety is one who so identifies himself with the one at fault as to be treated in his stead. Substitution is hereby emphasized (See Heb. ii. 14-18, iv. 15, 16; II Cor. v. 21).

“Of my hand shalt thou require him” (Gen. xliii. 9).—Compare Gen. xxxi. 36; II Sam. iv. 11. The word involves payment exacted in full, and vengeance falling if unsettled.

“. . . . . let me bear the blame for ever” (Gen. xliii. 9).—The word “blame” is rendered “sin” 165 times in O.T. Hence Judah’s words may be rendered “let me bear sin for ever”. Herein we see the responsibilities of Suretyship. If our Beloved Lord had failed, He would be still bearing sin, but He was raised from the dead “because of our justification” (Rom. iv. 25); hence every claim is met, all liability discharged, and the penalty endured.

This is still more forcibly brought out in Gen. xliv. 32-34. The erring sinful man Judah understood the solemnity of Suretyship. In verse 33 the precious word “instead” occurs. Christ dying “instead” of “me” means irreversible salvation. Poor Judah contemplated remaining a bondman, but Christ could not be holden by the grave, seeing that He had a personal righteousness which the imputation of sin could not obliterate; consequently He was raised from the dead and became the first-fruits of His people

“How shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?” (Gen. xliv. 34).—Let us spend a few moments in meditation upon this verse. What unfathomable depths of Divine consolation are here for every redeemed child of God. This is a question which, in essence, our Beloved Lord might also have asked. Praise His name for the words spoken immediately after His resurrection in John xx. 17: “Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father.” Hence all was accomplished; the great atonement was made, and He ascended to present it once and for ever in the Heavenly Holiest of All.

“With me” said Judah: And so also the Saviour, and because He lives, we shall live also. If we died with Him, we shall also live together with Him—and even now we have been raised together with Him, and made to sit together with Him in heavenly places.

May we here apply the truth to those who may be unsaved. The law of God is holy; it demands perfect obedience, failing which, it can pronounce nothing but the penalty. You, like all men, have failed to obey that law, for it extends to the thoughts of the heart—from the cradle to the grave—and needs a perfect man to obey its precepts. Your condition is truly terrible, for you are under the curse! Your only hope is, not that you may evade the claims or penalty of the law, but that the Lord Jesus had said in the presence of His Father: “I will be Surety for him—of My hand shalt thou require him.” If you feel your helplessness; if you see yourself as a condemned rebel, yet see that God is righteous Who taketh vengeance—then turn to the Lord Jesus Who came to save His people from their sins. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.

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(From The Berean Expositor Volume 28, page 122.)

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