Hebrews 9:28 tells us that Christ will `appear the second time without sin unto salvation'. When the Lord Jesus

comes again `They shall look upon Me (Him) Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn' (Zech. 12:10) even as

Joseph's brethren did when they realized that they were in the presence of one who had been so ill-treated at their

hands. We do not desire, however, to emphasize the prophetic type so much as to draw attention to one of the

sublimer truths of the doctrine of the Atonement which is herein typified, viz. :-

Genesis 43:9 `I will be surety for Him'. What is the meaning of a surety? The Hebrew word comes from a word

meaning `to mix'. At first sight this may not appear to throw much light upon the subject, but we believe it will, as

we examine one or two passages of Scripture. The Hebrew word for `evening' is literally `the mixture', for then the

light and darkness appear to mingle together. The same word supplies us with the `woof' (Lev. 13:48 etc.) in

weaving the threads which are intermixed with the warp in the production of the cloth. It further comes to mean `to

mix or engage with others in trading', and hence in turn comes to mean `a place for such intercourse' - `a market'.

This helps us to see that the great underlying principle of Suretyship is to become so identified, or interwoven

with the cause of another, as to be treated in his room and stead, to be responsible for his debts and failures, to make

good his deficiencies; in short, to fulfil to the letter the wonderful doctrine enshrined in the theological term :

This responsibility is further emphasized by the words of Judah, `of my hand shalt thou require him' (Gen. 43:9).

For illustration read Genesis 31:39, `That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of

my hand didst thou require it'. See also 2 Samuel 4:11. Judah further amplifies this by saying that should he fail in

execution of his suretyship `Then let me bear the blame for ever' (Gen. 43:9). The word rendered `blame' is

translated `sin' 165 times in the Old Testament. Hence, looking beyond Judah to the Anti-type, we see that if Christ

our Surety failed in His work, He must be still bearing sin - a dreadful thought - but, blessed be God, this was

effectually disposed of by the resurrection, for He `Who was delivered because of (not "for") our offences, and was

raised again because of (not "for") our justification' (Rom. 4:25). `Death hath no more dominion over Him' (Rom.

6:9). The substitutionary character of the work of the Surety is further emphasized in Genesis 44:33 `Let thy servant

abide instead of the lad'. Precious word `instead'. That One `Who knew no sin' was made sin (and a sin offering)

for us, or on our behalf, with the object `that we might become the righteousness of God in Him' (2 Cor. 5:21

R.V.). Christ dying in my stead and raised from the dead is pledge of :

Genesis 44:34 gives us a word which enables us to see that the step downward from Heaven's glory to Earth's

shame, taken by the Lord Jesus when He made our cause His own is to be followed by a step upward from Earth's

shame to Heaven's glory with Him. He who identified Himself with our sorrows has identified us with His joys.

Oh, the wonder of it all! Truly `By grace are ye saved'; truly (as one has put it) `The saved are in for favour'.

Listen to Judah, but think of Christ, as he says, `How shall I go up (literally, ascend) to my father, and the lad be

not with me?' How can Christ Who suffered, died, and rose again, ever be satisfied, until those for whom He

became surety are safely by His side in the Father's home?

`With me'. When we contemplate the ruin - our fall, our sin, our doom - what grace, what love, that He, the

Spotless, Peerless, Son of God, should come down and identify Himself with us!

When we contemplate His glory, His fulness, His holiness, the wonders of the heavenly home, the light of His

glorious throne, the nearness to the Father, what transcendent grace and unspeakable mercy do we find in the

Scripture which tells us that, sinful by nature as we are, we shall, one day, reach the fruition of Redemption by

finding ourselves placed securely for all Eternity `with Him'.

Let it be repeated and emphasized unremittingly that all is of grace, that He `hath saved us, and called us with an

holy calling, not according to our works' but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in

Christ Jesus before the world began (Age times)' (2 Tim. 1:9).