Gen. 41:45,46
“And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-paaneah (a revealer of dreams); and he gave him to wife Asenath... And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.” Joseph, in taking a bride in Egypt, is another beautiful type of Christ, who now is claiming His bride from among the Gentiles as a companion to share His glory and acclaim.
Asenath was not joined to Joseph while he was in the dungeon, but after he was lifted up and honored. So Christ, in all the merits of His resurrection from death, is again prefigured in Joseph. “Now we see Jesus... crowned with glory and honor.” He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high; all power given Him in heaven and earth and dispensing mercy and goodness to mankind throughout all the earth. But more than this, His special affections are centered in His bride, the Church, now being formed and soon to come to Him where His glory exceeds all earthly glory. Furthermore, this bride is not taken from His earthly people Israel, but from the Gentiles, to whom the gospel has been committed, (although, those Jews who acknowledge Him as Saviour now are included). This bride will soon enter into heaven and be associated with Christ in His eternal glories, just as Asenath took her place at Joseph’s side, to share in his exaltation.
“And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.” v. 46. Is it not interesting to have our attention called to Joseph’s age? Thirteen years had passed since we first heard of him caring for his father’s flock back in Canaan, and eventful years they had indeed been. It seems fitting that Joseph’s public work and service should commence at thirty years, for this corresponds with our Saviour’s service as a man, as recounted in Luke’s Gospel, and was considered the age of responsibility according to the Levitical law.
Joseph not only went out throughout all the land (even as Christ exalted in heaven is sending out the gospel reaping a harvest of souls in this day of grace). Joseph immediately put into action every means at his disposal to fill barns and warehouses with foodstuffs and grain, for he did not forget the famine that was to overtake the land at the end of seven years.
The Lord spoke of the urgency of gathering in the harvest, too, telling His disciples: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2; again: “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” There was an urgency in Joseph’s gathering the harvest that speaks solemnly of the urgent character of the gospel of salvation in our day, for soon indeed the night will come when no man can work. Has the reader prepared for that time when the gospel will cease to go forth?
Memory Verse: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7.
ML 06/11/1967