The well-known and favorite story of the life of Joseph in Genesis illustrates the worthiness of the Lord Jesus to be Ruler and Judge. Because of what Joseph went through in the first 30 years of his life, he truly deserved to be made ruler. No one could compare with Joseph or claim the place given him by Pharaoh. The story is really a picture of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us look at the three parts of Joseph’s life which qualified him to be ruler. In each part Joseph proved himself faithful at a great cost to himself. First, he was faithful to his Father as a son, in spite of the envy of his brethren. Second, in Potiphar’s house he was faithful as a servant, and third, finally, in prison, he looked after the welfare of his fellow-prisoners, though forgotten by them. Upon Joseph’s exaltation, we never read of anyone bringing a charge against him or that he was unworthy of his exaltation. None of his brethren were envious. One would wonder how Potiphar and his wife would have feared Joseph. The Butler, conscious of his fault of advocating for Joseph before Pharaoh, remembers Joseph and his ability to interpret dreams.
Faithful As a Son
The story of Joseph starts with the declaration of how his father loved him because he was the son of his old age. This was written by Moses long afterward, but illustrates how God knows the future and can choose and love His children beforehand. Joseph’s brethren had not yet learned their own hearts and envied Joseph, rather than seeking to be faithful sons. It is like the story of Cain and Abel. Even James and John together with their mother would seek a place of favor with the Lord in His exaltation, but they did not understand at what cost this would be. The Lord graciously answers them showing how it is obtained—to be baptized with the baptism that was before Him—a life of self-denial and obedience unto death.
The dreams of Joseph come next in the story and further develop the truth that God had a plan He would communicate to that family, a plan which was necessary to believe and follow. The dreams must have been a key to Joseph’s ability to carry on for so long, in spite of circumstances (Psa. 105:17-1917He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. (Psalm 105:17‑19)). But his brethren hated him more than ever because of the dreams. Every act of Joseph’s obedience was to his brethren testimony to their own failure. But Joseph honored his father and told his father when the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah wanted to do something evil in the family. He was faithful in the family relationship.
“Thou Shalt Be Over My House”
When the time came for Joseph to be exalted, Pharaoh says to him, “Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (Gen. 41:4040Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. (Genesis 41:40)). The obedience of Joseph, starting in his own father’s house, followed Joseph through each sphere of responsibility; his obedience prepared him for the place that Pharaoh gave him. Joseph proved he could be trusted to do the right thing in every circumstance. The vestures of fine linen that Pharaoh gave him were a witness of his righteous conduct. The record of his life was clean; Joseph always did what was right, even if he had to suffer for it. Faithfulness is a proof of one’s ability to rule well. A kingdom is established by doing the right thing without compromise. We may be very thankful that our Lord Jesus Christ has proven Himself to be the One who will reign in righteousness.
Faithful as a Servant
Joseph was sold as a slave, and in that role he continued to serve well. Potiphar noted that the Lord was with him and that Joseph was the means of blessing to his house. Joseph lived before the eye of God and gained favor with his master. Over a period of time, with his master’s confidence, everything was put into his hands. He gained the complete trust of Potiphar. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph, in abhorrence of moral sin, fled from her. She bitterly turned against him and blamed him for her wrong. But Joseph’s actions were totally faithful to his master and to God and kept him from committing immorality. Furthermore, he dutifully bore in silence the severe penalty put on him, though he was innocent. He was sent to prison, yet said nothing in self-defense. What an example of faithfulness! Is not this the person who is needed to stand up for God’s principles regarding right and wrong? Would not each one of us desire such a person to judge the moral circumstances around us? With reason Pharaoh could say unto his servants, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?. . . Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art” (Gen. 41:38-3938And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: (Genesis 41:38‑39)).Then “Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had” (vss. 42-43).
Faithful As a Prisoner
The story of Joseph continues with the hard years of prison, but the Lord was with him and showed him mercy. The keeper of the prison observed the qualities of Joseph and put him in charge of all the prisoners. Humble and difficult circumstances did not stop him from serving. When the chief butler and the chief baker were sad, Joseph noticed it and inquired about it. He was not looking for favor from them but was occupied with serving. He was able to tell them that the interpretation of dreams come from God. He believed in God and was still waiting for God to fulfill his own dreams. The three double series of dreams—Joseph’s, the butler’s and baker’s, and Pharaoh’s—coalesce to one final day when Joseph’s dream would be a reality and he would reign. It was of God, and Joseph’s obedience to God enabled the interpretation of the dreams. Despite Joseph’s kindness to the butler, his plea to the butler was forgotten for two whole years. True service cannot be based on the appreciation and reward from those served. But God is faithful, He rewards faithfulness of service, and the time came when God raised up Joseph to the highest place of service.
Joseph’s exaltation to the second place in the kingdom did not modify his heart of service. There he served during the seven years of plenty followed by the years of famine when he was united with his brethren and his father. Joseph, who at the request of his father, had wandered in the field saying, “I seek my brethren,” could then say to his brothers that God had sent him into Egypt to preserve life. “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 45:88So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 45:8)).
So our Lord Jesus Christ, having proved Himself as a faithful servant on earth, even unto death, is now exalted into heaven. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-119Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9‑11)).
D. C. Buchanan