xxxviii. 14. _Undertake for me._
+I. That man needs a surety.+ This is evident from several
considerations. Man--1. _Is an insolvent debtor;_ 2. _a captive;_
3. _a criminal;_ 4. _helpless and mortal._
+II. That a surety has been provided+ (Heb. vii. 22, viii. 6, ix. 15,
xii. 24). Christ was constituted a surety; not _for God to us,_ but
_for us to God._ He undertook to do for us, and in us, what we could
not do for ourselves. Is man a debtor? Christ has paid the debt. Is
man a captive? Christ came to set the captive free. Is man a
criminal? Christ has endured the curse (Isa. liii. 6; 2 Cor. v. 21).
Is man helpless and mortal? Christ has provided everlasting strength
(2 Cor. xii. 9).
+III. That there must be a believing application made to that
Surety.+ We must put in claim for share in the suretyship of
Christ--must say in faith, "Lord, undertake for me; be surety for me."
+IV. The effects of such application.+ These are many and most
important. In case of Hezekiah several are mentioned. God had sent
him an alarming message. He wept and called upon God. His prayer was
answered. A sign was given. During his sickness and after his
recovery he had great exercises of soul. He thought of death (ver.
10); was annoyed because he was about to be cut off from the worship
of God (ver. 11), and that by a premature death (ver. 12). But was
there not a _remedy_? Yes. _What?_ A believing application to the
Lord as surety. "O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me." And what
was the _consequence_? The whole tone of his thoughts was changed. He
now recognises God's hand in the dispensation (ver. 15); sees these
things to be good for his soul (ver. 16); believes his recovery
certain--realises the forgiveness of sin--is enabled to praise God
(ver. 19); can now resolve to teach his children about God's truth
and determine with them to bless and magnify God for ever (vers. 19,
20). Thus the realisation of God as surety, and a believing
application to Him for help, proved the _turning-point_ for good in
Hezekiah's experience.
APPLICATION.--1. _In the way of warning._ (1.) Not to depend on
ourselves for salvation. (2.) Not to neglect the means of grace.
2. _In the way of encouragement._ (1.) Jesus Christ is surety for all
who believe in Him. (2.) All who are oppressed in body or soul may
and should, by God's grace believe in Jesus as their surety.--_T.
Oliver: The Study and the Pulpit,_ New Series, 1876, pp. 419-421.