Sovereign Grace of God - CHRIST AS SURETY TYPIFIED BY JUDAH

SOVEREIGN GRACE OF GOD Concerning 'The Gospel' LORD JESUS CHRIST Grounded In Biblical Truth
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The first occurrence of a word in Holy Scriptures will often explain or illustrate its usage. Thus it is with the Hebrew noun translated surety (pronounced gah-`rav). Its first occurrence is in Genesis 43:9. Judah said to his father Israel (also known as Jacob) concerning Benjamin, “I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever” (cp. 44:32). A surety is, in this instance, one who accepts or gives assurance of responsibility for another: a guaranty.

Judah typified Christ in being his brother Benjamin’s surety. Benjamin here is typical of God’s elect -- those whom God graciously chose to salvation before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

1. Benjamin was his father’s favorite son. He and Joseph were sons of Rachel (35:24), Israel’s favorite wife (29:30). When it was assumed Joseph was dead, Israel loved Benjamin all the more (44:20). Benjamin was therefore the one son Israel did not want to leave his presence (42:38; 44:27-31).

The elect are God’s favorite sons. God as Creator is the Father of all creatures (1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 12:9). But none except the elect have the right to confess, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

2. Benjamin was named “Son of Sorrow” at his birth because it was associated with death (margin of 35:18). Thus it is with God’s elect. Death is associated with their birth because they are born “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). They have therefore “come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow” (Jeremiah 20:18; cp. Psalm 90:10; Job 14:1).

3. Benjamin was renamed by his father with a name meaning “Son of My Right Hand” (margin of 35:18). Thus it is with God’s elect. For example, at the final judgment they shall be on His right hand, the place of blessing, thereby distinguished from the wicked on His left hand (Matthew 25:31-34ff).

1. Christ is more closely related to Judah than to any other son of Israel. “For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah” (Hebrews 7:14; cp. Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23ff).

2. Of all Israel’s sons, only Judah volunteered to be surety for his brother. Of all God’s sons, only Christ is qualified to be surety for his brethren.

Because of the universal fallen state of mankind (Romans 3:10-19,23), no mere mortal can be a surety (Psalm 49:7). God’s elect therefore pray that God Himself will “Be surety for Your servant for good” (Psalm 119:122; cp. Job 17:3; margin of Isaiah 38:14).

God has answered their prayer in the person of Jesus Christ. The only begotten Son of God assumed humanity (John 1:14) in order to “be made like His brethren” (Hebrews 2:17). Having done so, He became the “surety of a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22) -- that covenant which faultlessly and eternally obtains their forgiveness and assures them that God is their Father (Hebrews 8:6-13). As the Surety of God’s elect, Christ stood in the place and stead of His brethren as Judah did for his brother Benjamin. Christ therefore, as their penal substitute, bore their sins and suffered their penalty, thereby satisfying the justice of God against them and obtaining the blessings of God for them (Isaiah 53:4-12).

All who believe this gospel of the suretyship of Christ, and none but them, are assured of their sonship with God. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12f). “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ... And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Galatians 3:26; 4:6; cp. Romans 8:14-17).

Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205