Old Testament Survey

Today's Focus:  Judah becomes the surety for Benjamin (Gen 43:1-10; Heb 7:22)

Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 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. For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

As the surety (sponsor, or, one who personally answers for another with their life or property).  As the surety, he is the personal guarantee of the terms set by Zaphnath-Paaneah (Joseph). Judah put his own life on the line as a surety for Benjamin. This is the first good thing we see that Judah did (see his dealings with Joseph and Tamar).

Satan directed his attack against Joseph because he believed (Joseph) was the one who would ultimately bring the Messiah (he had the Spirit of God). To this point, God had not yet revealed which of the sons of Jacob the Messiah would come from.