by that the sun goeth down: for that is his covering only, it is his raiment

for his skin: wherein shall he sleep?'

While some features of suretyship enter practically into every typical

sacrifice of the law, and while it is set forth by the laying of the

offerer's hand upon the head of the offering, the fullest type of the surety

is found before the law was given in the story of Judah and Benjamin (Gen. 42

to 44).  It is necessary that these three chapters in Genesis be read so that

the Scriptural setting of this type may be seen, and we trust that every

reader who has any appreciation of the Berean spirit, will not proceed

further until these chapters have been read as before the Lord.  We will now

point out the steps in the narrative that illuminate the type.

The Cause.  This is found in the famine that was in all lands, against

which Joseph had been divinely guided to provide (Gen. 41:54).

'Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his

sons, Why do you look one upon another?  And he said, Behold, I have

heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us

from thence: that we may live, and not die' (Gen. 42:1,2).

Joseph's ten brethren, therefore, proceed to Egypt, leaving Benjamin

behind, for Jacob feared lest his youngest son might be lost to him, even as

was Joseph.  Upon arrival in Egypt, Joseph's brethren bow before him, and

although Joseph recognizes them, they know him not.  In order to bring them

to repentance for their sin, and to make them to confess concerning Benjamin

and his father, Joseph accuses them of being spies, to which they reply: 'We

are all one man's sons ... thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one

man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our

father, and one is not' (Gen. 42:11-13).  Joseph then says to them: 'Ye are

spies ... by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your

youngest brother come hither' (14,15).

The brethren were then put into ward for three days, during which time

the sin against Joseph their brother came to the surface: 'We are verily

guilty concerning our brother' (21).  The result was that Simeon was taken

and put into prison as a hostage, the remaining brethren being sent back home

with corn.  To their surprise, each man found his money with which he had

paid for the corn, in the sack's mouth, and realized that this portended

further trouble for them: 'And when both they and their father saw the

bundles of money, they were afraid; and Jacob their father said unto them, Me

have ye bereaved of my children.  Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye

will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me' (Gen. 42:35,36).

The Remedy.

There are three remedies suggested in this narrative:

The Hostage of Simeon: 'And took from them Simeon, and bound

The Sacrifice Suggested by Reuben: 'Slay my two sons, if I bring

him not to thee'.

The Suretyship of Judah: 'Send the lad with me, I will be surety

for him; of my hand shalt thou require him, if I bring him not

unto thee ... then let me bear the blame for ever'.