Joseph - Harsh Words for His Brothers

 

Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.” And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.” They said to him, “No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies.” (Genesis 42:6–11 ESV).

 

As we begin this chapter in the life of Joseph we are able to see some of the resulting good God works in the life of both Joseph and the nation of Israel. It is interesting that Joseph spoke so harshly to his brothers, who didn’t recognize him (vv. 7-8). It sems like this is the response from someone who was bent on vengeance; However, this was not Joseph’s intent, as we see from the rest of the conversation. He was giving them an opportunity to show their remorse and repentance for what they had done in selling him into slavery.

 

It is also unusual to us that Joseph did not reveal himself to his brothers. However, the rest of the story will make it clear that Joseph does not have malicious intentions. The truth is that Joseph’s brothers were not exactly ready to be reconciled with Joseph and to receive forgiveness. Joseph may well have had a forgiving spirit, but that is not the same as extending or showing forgiveness, which will often happen later in the process.

 

Further, it was important that Joseph’s brothers recognize their sin and confess it. So, Joseph came up with a plan to get them thinking about their relationship as brothers and about their brother Benjamin, who had stayed home with their father. This was a first step in a long and painful but good process of reconciliation, as the brothers hear harsh words from a stranger in a richly ornamented robe.

 

It also points us to the coming of Jesus when He was born into such humble circumstances in Bethlehem. Though the King of kings, he came as a helpless infant, birthed in a stable, surrounded by only Mary and Joseph (his earthly father), and perhaps a few animals seeking shelter from the cold night. God sent His Son to call gently to His chosen people. Often, that is how He comes to us. We should take great care not to mistake that as weakness. It is the greatest expression of grace and love!

 

Joseph - a Healing for the World

 

The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. (Genesis 41:53–57 ESV).

 

Joseph’s story and influence have gradually shifted from a local setting in his family, to a national setting in the land of Egypt, to a much wider setting described as “all the world.” Indeed, because Joseph, with God’s wisdom, has stored up grain in Egypt against this major famine, Egypt has become the most powerful nation in the known world of its day. This famine has spread disaster in “all the other lands.” And “all the world” comes to Egypt to find food because the drought is “severe everywhere.”

 

Perhaps the most astonishing truth is in the Messianic Typology in this passage. It is painting a picture of the wondrous revelation that the entire world, facing death by starvation, can be fed with life-giving nourishment by one person. In this case it is Joseph; however, it unmistakably points us to Jesus. This story points us to Christ and his mission, appointed by God to save the world “when the set time had fully come” (Galatians 4:4). Jesus came to save us, the people of all nations, by feeding his very life into our starving souls.

 

This is a wonderful reminder, especially at this time of the liturgical calendar. We are thirteen days into the Lenten Calendar. Hopefully you are spending a bit extra time meditating on the incredible gift God provided for us in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It ought to inspire us to serve faithfully so that God can work in and through us just as he did Joseph. As Joseph’s life points to the mission of Jesus in many ways, our lives can reflect that of Jesus, the ultimate Savior and Sustainer of life. I wonder who will be brought into your path today that needs to hear their challenge is merely a means to a great good in their lives. Give hope in what seems to be hopeless; give grace, in what seems to be despair and loss. Give healing in a time when death seems so mighty. Jesus has conquered all of that an more!

 

Joseph - the Healing of God's Grace

 

Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:50–52 ESV).

 

I encountered a wonderful young lady at my church the week after my last heart catheterization. She greeted me warmly and said, “I heard you had another brush with heaven last week.” I smiled and politely said, “It wasn’t nearly that good.” That turn of the phrase may seem a bit surprising. After all, how can we talk about death using the word “good”? Well, first, let me say, it was not nearly as serious as all that; however, death is not the end. Death is but the beginning of eternity at my home even now prepared for me. This truth has come from a life experiencing the healing of God’s grace. Paul said it this way: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 ESV). There have been plenty of experiences that could result in bitterness and anger; however, I have learned these are merely momentary inconveniences in the grand life He has given me.

 

Joseph was seventeen when he was sold as a slave, and he was thirty when Pharaoh made him second in command over Egypt. Thirteen years of undeserved misery could have left deep rage and bitterness in Joseph’s heart. But Joseph was also tempered by God’s constant care, and in the end, we will see that all this was for the good of Jacob’s family.

 

When Joseph eventually encounters his brothers again, he will give them a taste of discipline and speak harshly, but eventually they will reconcile. Joseph might wish for revenge after the way they treated him, but his actions show that he does not treat them as their sins deserve (cf. Psalm 103:10). In other words, we can see that God also guides Joseph to act with grace, mercy, and wisdom. Although the memories of our hurts can have a long shelf-life, their power to foster a spirit of retaliation can be disarmed by God’s healing mercies showered on our wounded spirits.

 

In addition, Joseph is richly blessed! Bumper crops pour in, just as God predicted through Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph also enjoys the warmth of a loving wife and the birth of children. And his sons’ names suggest that he has been healed of the wounds he endured. Egypt, once a place of suffering for Joseph, is now a land of blessing. This land in which we live may seem like a land of suffering, however, God has something far greater in store for us!

 

Joseph - the Provision of God

 

Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured. (Genesis 41:44–49 ESV).

 

As we begin to close into the last part of Joseph’s story we can see it is not just a story about smart economics, creating an enormous “rainy day” fund for the time when rains would be scarce for seven years. Nor is it simply a story of a king’s trust in a prisoner’s interpretation of a dream. At its core this is a story about the abundant love of God, immense and free. This account is a picture that points to the infinite love at the very core of God’s heart, revealed to us ultimately in Jesus. It is aqt the core of God’s greatest provision for His children.

 

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians gives us a wonderful prayer from the apostle. He asks that these believers would have the power “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19 ). Joseph’s immeasurable stockpiles of grain picture for us a tiny part of God’s amazing, infinite love and care.

 

A measureless supply, prepared in advance for the benefit of many people who would be affected by famine, including Joseph’s family, and among them his enemy brothers—this is also a picture of God’s boundless love stored up in advance for us while we were still his enemies (cf. Romans 5:10). In the meantime, also reflecting God’s goodness, Joseph’s heart will be a warehouse of overflowing love, waiting to be reconciled with his brothers and united with his family again. God will work that miracle in your life as well. Trust Him for His provision, no matter how dark it may be now!

 

Joseph - Vindicated and Empowered

 

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:41–45 ESV).

 

Our reading today is a part of the larger story of Joseph’s release from prison, interpreting Pharoah’s dream, and rise to power. It certainly was an incredible turn of events from what we have seen thus far in his story. Within hours, he was transfigured from living in a dungeon, forgotten and seemingly without a future, to becoming a ruler in Egypt, second only to the Pharoah. He wears fine robes, a golden chain, and Pharaoh’s own signet ring. This is nothing less than a totally amazing transformation, showing what God can do. Indeed, this picture points us again to Christ, who, after suffering the depths of hell on a cross for our sake, died and was buried, and then was resurrected to life and ascended to the heights of heaven—all by the Father’s command.

 

Joseph journeyed from powerlessness in prison to virtual omnipotence as second in command over Egypt, the superpower of its day. Now an entire kingdom awaited his command. That power would be essential in the plan and purpose of God for the nation of Israel. However, it is important for our understanding the work of God in our lives also.

 

Without power, a redeemer cannot bring redemption. And God has chosen Joseph to be a powerful redeemer—for the sake of his people and as a glimpse into the work of Christ, the ultimate Redeemer from our sin. With power, Joseph would be able to save many lives—and that is the truest and best purpose of power, with God’s blessing. In Jesus, it was the ultimate redemption of all those who would come to faith in Him. Today, when we cannot understand our own trial and difficulty, rest in the truth of God using it for good toward us and those we encounter along our journey.

 

Joseph - the Third Test of Darkness

 

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” (Genesis 40:9–15 ESV).

 

Look at Joseph’s life now. The once-favorite son became a slave and was honored for a while but is now in prison. Even though the warden has put him in charge of other prisoners, it’s still prison. We get a sense of the despair Joseph is fighting when we hear that he calls his “home” a “dungeon.” Dungeons are murky and miserable, with little light and even less hope. But Joseph knows that God is with him even in prison.

 

One day two of the king’s officials become prisoners, and they later tell Joseph they have had dreams they do not understand. Joseph explains that God can interpret any dream, so he urges them to tell him about their dreams. With God’s help he explains the dreams, giving the cupbearer an interpretation full of hope. With that, Joseph asks the man to plead his case to Pharaoh. This gives Joseph a ray of hope. Though the interpretations are fulfilled precisely, the cupbearer forgets all about Joseph. So, Joseph remains in prison, waiting in darkness.

 

Joseph continues waiting for a long time. But although the cupbearer has forgotten him, the Lord has not. In the next few chapters of this story we will see that God has an important role in store for Joseph. One of the principles we may learn in this portion of Joseph’s story is that God does not count time quantitatively; God’s timing is always qualitative. That is near impossible for us to understand, especially when our circumstances are so difficult and painful. However, we must look to God as the God of our eternity. What may seem to be unbearable now, is a mere blink of the eye in comparison to what He has in store for us. His plans for us are must bigger than our trials. The Apostle Paul says it this way:

 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:16–17 ESV).

 

Trust in that promise!

Joseph - the Second Test of Submission

 

As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed. (Genesis 39:19–23 ESV).

 

Joseph had not done anything wrong. Yet he found himself in prison. We learn some more about his suffering in the description provided in Psalm 105:

 

When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. (Psalm 105:16–19 ESV).

 

It is one thing to become a prisoner for committing a crime; it’s quite another to be put in chains while completely innocent. Joseph was more than innocent; his behavior had been honorable. All of this pointed to the suffering that Jesus came to endure for our sake, to save us from sin. After a ministry of doing good everywhere, Jesus was subjected to unthinkable brutality and excruciating death on a cross.

 

Submission can be a most difficult, harrowing test, especially if a person is innocent. It may well be the ultimate test for humility. If any of us think we are humble, can we pass the test of having to submit to injustice even though we may be innocent? That would be a hard test indeed.

 

Amazingly, Joseph sustained this hard test. God was with him and even favored him. The prison warden trusted and promoted him. Many years later, a seasoned leader in the early church summed up situations like this as follows: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).