Last week we saw how Judah the son of patriarch Jacob put himself under this oath to his father regarding his brother Benjamin. Israel (Jacob) cherished Benjamin, and feared to see him perish as he believed Joseph had perished. Jesus would later affirm to His disciples (John 16:27), "The Father Himself loves you." The eternal Father loved His children, even while they were yet sinners, and did not want them to perish forever.
Judah loved his father. So he declared, "If I do not bring Benjamin back to you, my father, put the blame upon me forever." In other words, I am going to accomplish this for you, father, come what may or you can hold me accountable for the loss of your loved one. I'll do whatever it takes to get Benjamin back home safely to you.
Therein is a glimpse of the eternal Son's love for His Father. "Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.' Then I said, 'Behold, I have come – In the volume of the book it is written of Me –to do Your will, O God.' " (Hebrews 10:5-7).
From all eternity the Son of God Who became also the great Offspring of Judah through King David covenanted that He would be the Surety for the eternal deliverance of His Father's beloved children. And in His once for all perfect act of sacrificial obedience, He indeed was made accountable for all the misdeeds of many. Hallelujah, He settled that account!
The love of God the Father for that great family the apostle Paul mentioned in his Ephesians 3 prayer is declared through Jacob's love for all his sons.
Jesus sent Paul to the Gentiles, "...to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." The zeal of God the Son our Savior is declared through Judah the one willing to be surety for his brother whose presence was demanded by a ruler of dark countenance in a foreign kingdom.
Mercy's triumph over judgment is declared through Joseph. He represents a severe alien power (sin and its consequences) poised to bereave the Father. Joseph also represents God's gracious provision for the very undeserving wretches who had transgressed against their Provider.
God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, quickens us with power by the truth displayed here and which the apostle Paul inscribes indelibly in another place: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33). Truly, "the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7)
"For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren," (Hebrews 2:11). By the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, Christ Jesus the Savior successfully brings home safely to the Father those He is not ashamed to call brothers.
No wonder that as by faith we gaze upon the everlasting glories of redemption displayed in Revelation 5 we read, "Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals!"