As Joseph came before Pharaoh his God-given ability to interpret dreams was once more displayed in a most impressive way. He again appeared as a revealer of God’s thoughts and purposes — a type of the Lord Jesus, who, coming into this world, revealed God’s mind to those who had ears to hear. Joseph’s presence at all times brought good and blessing to those around him. His was a faithful testimony of the One in whom he trusted. He was never ashamed to declare God’s name — a happy example of the exhortation: “Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.” Psa. 96:33Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. (Psalm 96:3). But it was the Lord Jesus alone of whom it could be said: “I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation: I have not concealed Thy loving-kindness and Thy truth...” Psa. 40:1010I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. (Psalm 40:10).
Joseph, with wisdom from above, told of forthcoming events with unerring accuracy. This was seen in the “Man of Galilee.” In this he is a type of Him whose wisdom was incomparably beyond Joseph’s, who told of coming judgments and future blessing. In Joseph these qualities were brought out most sharply in the three phases of his life up to this portion of his history: First, as an obedient son; next, as the faithful servant; finally, as the submissive prisoner. When we review the pathway of Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, we see these same qualities displayed in Him in a more excellent way: He was the more perfect and obedient Son; the more willing and faithful servant; and the more submissive and guileless prisoner of those who bound, scourged, humiliated and killed Him.
These aspects of Joseph’s life were the evidences of his character while enduring many years of servitude, poverty and humiliation. They rind us of Him who, “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor”; who “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and... humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2: 7,8.
Although Joseph, of course, falls short of the perfections of Christ, yet his life bears a remarkable likeness to the One whom he foreshadowed. Meditation on this portion can be of real profit to the reader’s own heart for his life presents an example of the behavior that should mark all who are Christ’s.
“Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land... And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh,.. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine.” vv. 33-36.
Having tendered to the king and his court this advice on affairs of state of the most urgent and important kind, Joseph’s position and experiences are about to be greatly changed.
ML 05/21/1967