Judah's Portrait of Jesus' Passion

"Judah said unto Israel his father... I will be surety... let me bear the blame for ever" (Genesis 43:8,9).  "Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did He" (Psalm 135:6).  "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; he hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand" (Isaiah 53:10). 

There is a portrait we may see

In Judah's passionate endeavor

When he became a surety

And vowed to bear the blame forever. 

His vow foreshadowed Jesus Christ,

Who bore upon His cross our blame,

Who for our sake was sacrificed,

And thus our Surety became. 

It pleased the Father thus to send

His Son to give His life for us

With love we'll never comprehend

And passion that is marvelous! 

O Lord, this portrait of Your passion

Which we have traced in Judah's vow

Astounds us as we see its fashion

In fullest measure in You now!