It’s often easy to take our eyes off the hardships in our own lives when we see someone going through even greater hardships. “What am I complaining about?!” is often a statement we make when visiting an impoverished country or downtrodden area. In the same way, the story of Joseph brings us to this point several times, for, even though he is his father’s favorite son, he is sold into slavery, falsely accused of making sexual advances at his master’s wife, punished by one whom he faithfully served, put in prison, and forgotten when he helps those around him. And all of this happens over a great period of time.
In the story of Joseph, we find ourselves wanting just one good thing to happen to him, and it does. He interprets Pharaoh’s dream that tells of seven years of harvest followed by seven years of famine, and he is made ruler of Egypt which allows him to save many nations from death, especially that of his own family.
What do we see in this story, looking at it thousands of years removed?
Do not be deceived by the pleasant outcome of Joseph’s story into thinking that what Joseph’s brothers did was good. No, it is sin. Joseph’s brothers sinned by selling him into slavery and lying to their father, telling him that Joseph had been killed. However, neither should we make the mistake of thinking God was not providentially working in Joseph’s life in the midst of all of this. Three times in chapter 45 Joseph tells his brothers, “God sent me to Egypt” (45:5, 7-9). Then in 50:20 he tells them, “And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”
Therefore, it is clear that God is working closely in the midst of this sinful world to accomplish his purposes, and his purposes cannot be thwarted. In fact, he can take man’s sin and providentially accomplish that which brings him great glory. Thus, as Joseph is promoted to ruler over Egypt, it is the vindication of God’s promise to him, in spite of the sins of his brothers.
This should not seem strange to us as we reflect on the gospel. For the cross was the most gratuitous of sins, and yet it stands as the highlight of God’s display of his glory. In God’s seemingly weakest point he is showing his strength and wisdom most clearly. The sin of man and the glory of God come together in the cross of Christ. And we could go on and on, but let it be clear in our minds that man’s sins cannot thwart God’s decreed will.
In the midst of Genesis recounting the life of Joseph, it’s as if we get a picture into what Christ would do when he came, for Joseph gives us a glimpse of the future work of Christ. For example, Joseph is one of Jacob’s sons. He is one with his brothers, like them; yet at the same time he is quite unlike them, isn’t he? For he will be the one to whom they bow as he is head over Egypt. At the same time, great sin is not mentioned of Joseph. In fact, the one encounter that he has with temptation, he runs from Potiphar’s wife and her sexual advances. This is quite unlike the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They have sins mentioned of them throughout their story, but not Joseph. Also, Joseph suffers in his life, but his suffering is not in vain. Rather, he suffers that he might be exalted to a high place (ruler of Egypt), that he might then preserve many nations. This is indeed what he is saying in Genesis 45:1-9, as he speaks with his brothers. Finally, Joseph’s life blesses many nations. The Israelites had profited from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s blessings, but many other nations profit from the blessings of Joseph, including Egypt.
In the same way, Christ became one like us, though he was very much unlike us. Also, he suffered, but not in vain but ultimately to make propitiation for our sins, that he might be exalted and able to save his people. Hebrews 2:17-18 wraps this up nicely as the author of Hebrews writes, “Therefore, [Jesus] had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” And finally, the blessings of Christ’s death come to believers from all nations, not just the Israelites. Thus, we read in Revelation 5:9, “You ... purchased for God with You blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”
Why Judah? This is the question we are tempted to ask, isn’t it? He did good at times, advising his brothers not to kill Joseph (37:27) and interceding on behalf of Benjamin (44:18-34). However, this came in the midst of much evil. While he did not kill Joseph, he sold him into slavery and told his father that he had been killed, he also slept with his daughter-in-law after deceiving her into thinking she would marry his next son. And the mere fact that she deceived him by playing the part of a prostitute must say something of his character (38:12-30).
When viewed in light of Joseph who had been upright in strong temptation (39:1-9), had a royal position (49:26), and received double birthright (48), Judah is not the most likely choice to be in the line of the Messiah. Nonetheless he was.
Again, why?
I believe the answer is simply the grace of God. We are not blessed by God because we merited it but because of his grace. This will be seen from the line of the Messiah until his very coming, and it is clearly seen in our lives as well.
As Judah is being blessed by Jacob in Genesis 49, Jacob says in 49:10, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until the one comes to whom it belongs, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
Therefore, when great David comes along as king, there is no doubt that there were thoughts in the minds of many that this was the promised one. However, though David is king, he is far from having the obedience of the peoples. He is constantly in war and even in his own family there is no rest. And with David, there is an additional element that must be present in this one prophesied in Genesis 49:10, for in making a covenant with David, God promises him that one of his descendants will reign on the throne of an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:8-17). This means that either there will be king after king after king or that one king will come along and live forever.
It would make more sense for there to be king upon king upon king, but when the kingdom is destroyed in 587, this makes it impossible. Thus, the only way the prophecy and covenant promise could be fulfilled is in one king coming along and living forever. David in the Psalms sees this, for in Psalm 16:8-11, he writes, “I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither will Your allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.” He was speaking of this one, this king, who would live forever. Finally, Ezekiel reminds them of the promise of Genesis 49:10 in his remarks to the king in Ezekiel 21:25-27, so that Israel continues to look for this
When Jesus comes on the scene, everything seems great. He is obviously the one. He is in the line of Abraham, Judah, and David. He is this one who will live forever. But what happens? He dies; the One who was supposed to live forever dies. Thus, for many (if not all), the death of Jesus crushed their dreams that he could be this one who was prophesied. He was great in so many ways, but he had to live forever; there was no getting around it. And he had died.
This is the weight and sadness the two men felt as they said to the resurrected Jesus (not realizing that it was he), “But we had hoped that he was the one.” Their hearts were crushed.
Therefore, do we see how amazing the resurrection of Jesus is. It is truly that which seals the fact that he is the promised one, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of David, the everlasting King. So Peter preaches in Acts 2:22-36, showing that the resurrection assures them that he is the One. That is why he can end his sermon declaring, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ – this Jesus whom you crucified” (2:36).
Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah, the ever-living, everlasting King!
Ultimately we are allowed to see Christ in all his glory, fulfilling the promise made to Judah. The scene is Revelation 5, and John is weeping for there is no one worthy to take the scroll from the hand of God. John looks around and writes, “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?’ And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it. And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.’ And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came, and He took it out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne” (5:1-7).
Therefore, be sure that the seed of the woman, the son of Abraham, the temple of God, the king of Judah, and the son of David is worthy. He is our Lord and to him shall we live forever and ever.
In light of this story, let me encourage you this morning to
1. Be comforted in the midst of suffering.
I do not know what you are going through right now, but you can be comforted in light of the story of Joseph. God was at his side the whole time, and when it looked like things might not be in the hands of God, we see him vindicated as Joseph rules on the throne. And the same is true for us, for God has promised to work all things together for the good for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). God is still in love with his children and in control of this world, so be comforted in your suffering.
2. Realize what God has done in Jesus Christ.
Leave this study, knowing what has occurred in Jesus Christ. He has redeemed us. And let every command that comes to you pass through the cross, for it is meant to do so. May we constantly remember the redemption accomplish for us on Calvary.
To the Lion and the Lamb be glory and honor forever. Amen.