Joseph was raised from the dungeon to the palace, from humiliation to exaltation to rule over the entire nation of Egypt to provide food for those that were perishing. As such he is a wonderful illustration of Jesus Christ, our Sovereign Lord, who rules from heaven to grant salvation for perishing sinners.
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Christ – Our Exalted Lord
Genesis 41:14-57
Last Sunday morning we looked at Genesis chapters 37, 39, and 40, and in those three chapters we saw Joseph in three different settings – his Parent’s House, Potiphar’s House, and the Prison House. In his parent’s house, we saw Jacob’s attitude toward him. Jacob loved him, honored, him, and sent him on a mission of mercy to his brothers. But, we also see Joseph’s brothers’ attitude toward him. They hated him, envied him, plotted against him, stripped him, and sold him into the hands of the Ishmaelites as a slave. In Potiphar’s house we see Joseph resisting strong temptations, and enduring false accusations. And then, in the Prison House we see Joseph being punished, Joseph pronouncing salvation to the butler, and Joseph pronouncing judgment to the baker. In all of these things, it is easy to see Joseph as a type, a picture, an illustration of the Lord Jesus Christ who was hated, envied, rejected, stripped, sold, and crucified by His brothers, the Jews. At the same time He was loved, honored, and sent on a mission to the Jews who hated Him by His Father. While undergoing His mission, He successfully resisted strong temptations from Satan, and willingly endured false accusations from His brethren. Finally, He was punished for our sins on the cross. One day He will be the Judge who will pronounce either eternal glory or eternal judgment for every person who has ever lived.
Well, in our last study the focus was on Christ the Innocent Sufferer. He was the righteous one who suffered for the unrighteous. Today, we are going to focus on something altogether different. Last week we saw Christ in His humiliation. Today we are going to see Him in His exaltation. Last week we saw Him in His sufferings. Today we are going to view Him in His glory. 1 Peter 1:10-11 says, “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.” The prophets saw both – the sufferings of Christ AND the glories to follow. Having seen the sufferings of Christ last week, now let’s take a good long look at the glories to follow.
As we work our way through Genesis 41, first we will look at Joseph – The Ruler of Egypt, and then The People of Egypt
1. Joseph
Joseph Is Brought Out Of The Dungeon
Genesis 41:14 says, “Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon.”
What was going on? Why was Joseph hurriedly brought out of the dungeon? According to our story, it was because of some troubling dreams Pharaoh had. In the same night Pharaoh had two dreams. In the first dream he was standing by the Nile River when he saw seven sleek and fat cows grazing in the lush marsh grass. Then, all of a sudden seven other ugly, gaunt cows came up from the Nile and ate up the sleek fat cows. This dream was so startling and vivid that the Pharaoh woke up. Well, he finally got back to sleep and had another dream. This time he dreamed and saw seven ears of grain on a single stalk which were plump and good. Then all of a sudden, he saw seven thin ears which were scorched by the east wind eat up the seven plump ears. Again, this dream woke Pharaoh up. In the morning he was really troubled, and so he called all his magicians and wise men together and asked them what these dreams meant. None of them could answer the Pharaoh. However, there was a cupbearer who spoke up. He told the Pharaoh that he had been thrown in prison where Joseph was, and had a dream which Joseph was able to rightly interpret. The cupbearer suggested that Pharaoh call for Joseph to interpret his dream.
Although Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh when he was released from prison, the cupbearer had forgot all about him. Joseph had languished away for two more full years in prison. But now, his punishment was suddenly brought to an end, and he was released from prison.
This reminds us that there came a time when Jesus’ sufferings suddenly came to an end, and He was released from the awful prison of punishment. Jesus hung on that cross for six total hours. During the last three hours, the sky turned black, as even nature testified to the unimaginable sufferings the Son of God was enduring on behalf of sinful men. At the very end of those last three dark hours, Jesus lifted up His voice and cried, “It is finished!” He meant that He had drank the cup of the wrath of God to the last drop. There was no more suffering needed to redeem sinners. The price had been paid. Redemption was accomplished. Atonement was made. And now His sufferings were over. He was released from the prison of His awful punishment.
Joseph Is Brought Before Pharaoh
Verse 14 goes on to say, “and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh.”
The Pharaoh’s were clean-shaven, and expected all who came into their presence to be the same. Try to imagine Joseph in prison. He’s been there for about twelve years. His clothes are dirty and tattered rags. He has a full, long beard, since he has had no razor to shave with. All of a sudden, a messenger from Pharaoh himself bursts into his prison cell and announces, “The King wishes to see you in His presence immediately! Quickly shave and put these new clothes on, and follow me into His presence.” Thus, Joseph who was one moment a humble, dirty, unshaven, unkempt, degraded prisoner, was now clean, shaven, dressed in new clothes, and being brought into the presence of the King of Egypt himself!
Likewise, once Jesus’ sufferings had finally been brought to an end, He too, was brought into the presence of God Almighty Himself. He laid aside His rags of humiliation, and was clothed with the garments of glory.
Hebrews 9:24-26 says, “For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Just as Joseph suffered, and then appeared in the presence of the Pharaoh in his garments of glory, so too, Jesus Christ suffered once for all, and then has appeared in the presence of God for us, in the outer display of His glory. Jesus proved once for all, that He has power over death, by rising from the dead and ascending into the presence of His Father to take His seat at the right hand of God Almighty!
Joseph Is Appointed Ruler Over Egypt
Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh’s dreams and told him that there would be seven good and prosperous years, and then seven horrible years of famine. And not only that, Joseph told him exactly what he must do to prepare for these years of famine. The Pharaoh must look for a wise and discerning man whom he could put over all the land of Egypt. This individual would make sure that the people of Egypt gave 20% of all their produce for the next seven years, from which they could survive during the years of famine which would surely follow. Pharaoh liked Joseph’s idea and decided on the spot that Joseph was the man he needed to implement this plan throughout his kingdom.
Notice verse 40-41, “You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you. Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Instantly, Joseph’s residence had changed from the dungeon to the palace. He had gone from a condemned prisoner to 2nd in command over all the land.
- Joseph Was Set Over All The Land Of Egypt: Notice how often this is repeated in the story (vs. 40, 41, 43, 44, 46). There was no one in the Pharaoh’s kingdom that Joseph was not set over. So too, once Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, God the Father granted Him supreme authority and rule over everyone and everything within His creation. Ephesians 1:20-23 says, “which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Jesus possesses Universal Dominion over all creation – good angels, evil angels, righteous men and wicked men.
- Joseph Was Given The Pharaoh’s Signet Ring: Genesis 41:42 says, “Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand.” What is the significance of this signet ring. Well in ancient days, the signet ring was a ring with a seal used for signing documents. When the seal was impressed on a soft clay document which then hardened, it left an indelible impression of the ruler’s seal and so carried his authority. When the Pharaoh gave Joseph his own signet ring, he was giving Joseph the very authority of the king. Joseph was given carte blanch authority to carry out the will of the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh had unquestioned and supreme authority, and this was the authority given to Joseph! No one could resist Joseph, stop Joseph, or question Joseph. As long as he had the Pharaoh’s signet ring, he had the authority he needed to do anything within the kingdom. So too, Jesus Christ has been invested with unlimited and supreme authority! “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth” (Mt. 28:18). “even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life” (Jn.17:2). “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father” (Jn. 5:22-23). In fact, Genesis 41:44 says, “Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” What that means, is that no one could make any important decisions in the land without getting Joseph’s permission first. In other words, the buck stops with Joseph. Unless Joseph wills it, it doesn’t happen. It’s no accident that in Ephesians 1:11 the Bible says, “we have been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” There is a very real sense in which nothing in all the universe can take place apart from the sovereign will of Jesus Christ!
- Joseph Was Given Fine Linen, a Gold Necklace, and rode in the 2nd Chariot: Verse 42-43 says that the Pharaoh “clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot.” The Pharaoh gave Joseph these outward displays of prominence, honor, and glory, in order to demonstrate visibly to his people that Joseph was the new ruler over the land of Egypt. The fine linen garments and the gold necklace were worn only by the people of highest authority. Further, when the Pharaoh had Joseph ride in his second chariot, this was proof positive that Joseph was now the new ruler, second in command only to the Pharaoh himself. Likewise, God has given the outward displays of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit to validate to us, His people, that Jesus Christ really is risen from the dead, ascended to heaven, and the King of the universe. When we see the Spirit of God, subduing hardened hearts, transforming haters of God into lovers of God, or healing broken marriages and families, or bringing physical healing to the sick, you have outward proof that God has made Him Lord of all! Before Jesus died and rose again, He told His followers that He was if He went away He would send the Holy Spirit. Well, now when we see the Spirit working mightily, it is an outward display and proof that Jesus is ruling over all and has poured out His Spirit.
Joseph Is Given A Gentile Bride
- The Bride Was Given to Joseph: Pharaoh gave Joseph this woman, Asenath, to be his bride. Joseph didn’t pursue her, and she didn’t pursue him. Rather, Pharaoh arranged this marriage, and brought the bride to Joseph. Likewise, God the Father has given a bride to His Son. The bride is the church! Jesus said, “”All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” In John 10 Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” We, as the bride of Christ, are part of an arranged marriage. The Father chose us as a love gift for His Son from all eternity. Now, He is in the process of drawing us and bringing us to Christ as His bride. We have been given to the Son.
- The Bride Was The Daughter Of A Pagan Priest: We are told in verse 45 that Joseph’s new bride was the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. No doubt, this woman had been indoctrinated in the pagan religious views of Egypt for her entire life, having been raised by a pagan priest. She was a pagan idolater herself. So too, the church which is Christ’s bride has a sordid past. Paul speaks of our vile past in Ephesians 4:17-19, “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.” All of us come from an ungodly, idolatrous past, but by grace have become the bride of Jesus Christ Himself!
- The Bride Knew Joseph as “The Revealer Of Secrets”: Pharaoh gave Joseph the name “Zaphenath-paneah.” We don’t know for sure what this name means, but the majority of scholars believe the name means “revealer of secrets.” Asenath knew Joseph as the revealer of secrets. Indeed, he needed to reveal secrets to her, because she had no knowledge of the true and living God. Joseph became her teacher to lead her into all the truth. “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him” (John 1:18). When Christ saves a person, He also begins to reveal to him the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
- The Bride Shared Joseph’s Glory: Previously Asenath was known only as the daughter of an obscure priest in Egypt. Now, all of a sudden, she was joined to the ruler of the world! She now shares his throne, his fame, his glory, His wealth, and lives with him in his palace! So too, we once were nobodies, the castoffs of the world. But now, in Christ, we share Christ’s throne for we are seated with Him in the heavenly places. We share His glory, for He said, “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them” (Jn. 17:22). We also share His wealth. God has appointed Jesus Christ heir of all things (Heb. 1:2). Paul tell us that if we are children, we are heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Now, if Christ has inherited all things, and we are fellow heirs with Christ, what have we inherited? All things! That’s why Paul says in 1 Cor. 3:22 “all things belong to you.” Oh church, realize who you are! In yourself, you are just an obscure, poor, nobody. But in Christ, you are joined to the King of the universe! You are infinitely rich, famous, and glorious. It’s all because of Christ!
2. The People Of Egypt
Now that we have looked at Joseph, let’s take a look at the People of Egypt in order to find out how we might apply God’s Word to our lives today.
All Must Come To Joseph
The People Could Obtain No Bread Apart From Joseph: Notice verse 55, “So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph!” You and I have seen the news clips of African countries in the midst of famine. We see the little child with the distended bellies and stick arms and legs and skeletal frames. We see the mothers weeping because they have no food to give their babies. A famine will make people desperate. And this was the situation in Egypt. Things had become desperate. The people did not have enough food to survive, and knew that unless they got food they would die of starvation, so they cried out to Pharaoh to give them bread. The Pharaoh didn’t give them bread Himself, but instead said, “Go to Joseph.” So too, sinners are perishing today. They are in a desperate condition. Unless they find the Bread of Life, they will perish eternally. When anyone is finally brought to their senses and cries out to God, “What must I do to be saved?”, what does God reply? Go to Jesus! Only He can save you! Your good works can’t save you. Your religion can’t save you. Your prayers can’t save you. Your church-going can’t save you. Your Mom and Dad can’t save you. You must go to Jesus. He alone can save you! “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Oh, my friend, if you realize you are starving and will perish soon, go to Jesus. He is the only One who has the words of eternal life (Jn. 6:68).
If you are not saved, God is saying to you, “Go to Jesus!” That’s where life is to be found. That’s where forgiveness, wholeness, fellowship, and satisfaction is to be found. If anyone ever comes to me and asks how they might find life, I only have one word for them – Jesus! Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). Again Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” If you are lost, and want God and life, come to Jesus. Trust Him! Cast yourself on His mercy! Look to Him for grace, and He will save you. If you are perishing for lack of Bread, go to Jesus! I can’t help you. Your parents can’t help you. Your friends can’t help you. But Jesus can help you! Go to Him in repentance and faith and find life.
All Must Bow To Joseph
Verse 43 says, “they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!” In other words, all men everywhere were commanded to surrender their will to Joseph’s. They must acknowledge and confess him as lord. So too, you and I must bow our knee to Jesus Christ. We must worship Him as God and Savior! Phil. 2:9-11 says, “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, every knee in the universe will bow to Christ, but then it will be because they are forced to. If you wish to be saved from sin, you must bow your knee to Him now voluntarily. Ps. 2:10-12 says “Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Oh my friend, kiss the Son! Do homage to the Son! Bow your knee to the Son! That is the only safe posture to take. He is a great king who will not be trifled with. His wrath may soon be kindled, and believe me you don’t want His wrath to be kindled toward you!
All Must Obey Joseph
In verse 55 the Pharaoh said, “go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, you shall do.” His word is law. His command is supreme. His will must be obeyed. Likewise, true salvation means that a person must repent of making himself his own god, and instead acknowledge Christ as his Lord and God. “God now commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). We must repent. We must confess Jesus as Lord. That’s what it means to bow the knee. We must worship Jesus as Lord and God. This means that we must give up the right to rule our own life, and allow Christ to call the shots from now on. That’s what happens when a person becomes a Christian. 1 John 2:4 says, “The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” If you will not submit your life to Christ as Lord, you are just lying about your Christianity. You may say you are a Christian, but you really aren’t. There is no such thing as a Christian who will not have Christ to rule over them. It is certainly true that none of us submits perfectly, and there is much at fault in our lives. However, it is also true that every true Christian freely confesses that Jesus is his Lord, and he strives to obey Christ in all that he does.
Maybe you have gone to Jesus for life, but now find yourself resisting Him. God’s Word to you is “Bow the knee! Do whatever He says!” What is the issue between you and Christ this morning? What has He told you to do, that you are unwilling to do? Is it to begin to share your faith with others? Is it to turn off the TV and begin to spend time with Him in prayer? Is it to submit your money and possessions to Him and allow Him to do with it what He wants? Is it to give up drugs and alcohol? Is it to give up a relationship with someone because it is not glorifying to God? Oh, whatever it is, I urge you to bow the knee, and do whatever He says. In the end, that is the only place of peace.
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