World Wide Subjection

by R.A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Category: The Life Of Joseph | Dec 1995

Joseph beautifully typifies the Lord Jesus. Genesis devotes no less than thirteen chapters to his life, which underlines the importance God attaches to Old Testament foreshadowings concerning His Son. The obedience and perfection of Joseph's life, his path of suffering and exaltation to the throne of Egypt are prophetic glimpses of the glories which will follow the sufferings of the Christ.

Our final article has to do with the summing up of God's purposes in the earth during the millennial reign of Christ. The shadow gives only a hazy, incomplete picture of the magnificence of the Lord's future place in the world.

Subjection:Its Meaning:

Subjection is a word which is widely misunderstood. It is frequently considered to be equivalent to subordination which is the status of a person of lower rank, importance and power. In scriptural terms it is used in association with the three Persons of the Godhead who even though they are co-equal yet the Son and the Holy Spirit are subject to the Father. We also see subjection in relation to those of different authority and nature such as demons and men (Luke 10:17); Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:24) and Christ and all created things (Heb. 2:8). The word subjection is derived from a Greek word hupotasso where tasso means 'place' or 'arrange' and hupo means 'under'. So its rendering is 'to place under' or 'to subject'.

Subjection is used among men and in Scripture in a two-fold way. First in compulsory submission as when one nation overruns another and that nation becomes subject. And secondly the willing subjection in which case the persons voluntarily subject themselves to others. Under the rule of Joseph in Egypt subjection was compulsory.

Subjection of all things to Man:

God planned that men should be subject to Him and His Word. Also that all creatures should be subject, willingly, to man. Originally this was so (Gen. 1:27,28; 2:19,20). The entrance of sin frustrated this purpose. After the Hood, all living creatures were subject to Noah and his sons by fear (Gen. 9:2). In Psalm 8, God's divine plan for man with Adam at its centre is majestically presented by David. We suggest there are three New Testament quotations taken from Psalm 8:6 where the word 'subjection' is added in each case. We conclude from this that subjection and the sphere of subjection are the two chief topics of the psalm. Our Lord's excellent Name in all the earth and His glory above the heavens are here limited to subjection. The Spirit of God using David's pen depicts the total subjection of man and earth's creatures to the Son of Man in the Millennium as it had been in the garden of Eden with Adam. The exaltation of Joseph in Egypt gives us a glimpse of the glorious majesty of the Name of the Lord in all the earth during the millennial reign of Christ.

Subjection of all things to Joseph:

Like all Old Testament foreshadowings of the Son of Man in the Millennium, the subjection of the kingdom of Egypt to Joseph fails to reflect the full extent to which subjection will occur when the Lord Jesus sits upon the throne of His father David ruling the nations. We see in the story of Joseph how compulsory submission was achieved. The kissing of the hand in acknowledgement of his rule (Gen. 41:40: Heb. nashaq); responding to his authority (Gen. 41:55); acknowledging his ability (Gen. 41:44); recognizing his dominion over all the land of Egypt (Gen. 41:41,43,45) and acknowledging the wonderful name given to him by Pharaoh, Zaphenath-paneah (Gen. 41:45). It was what God had made Joseph to be. He said to his brothers, 'God sent me hither... He hath made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt' (Gen. 45:8).

We see therefore in these pictures what became an established fact as

stated in Ephesians 1:22 'He put all things in subjection under His feet', complete and unalterable when God, the Father of glory, raised His Son and made Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenlies. Five spheres are mentioned which Christ is far above. First is rule (Gr. arche), focussing our minds on a person who has first place whom other follow. Then authority (Gr. exousia) which embraces the rights men have received by delegation from God - human rights, whether individually or collectively. The third is power (Gr. dunatnis) - human ability from God as Paul wrote, 'In Him we live, and move, and have our being' (Acts 17:28). The fourth is dominion (Gr. kunotis) involving lordship. And finally every name (Gr. onoma) by which a person or thing is called or identified both now and in the future. Peter on the day of Pentecost asserted these claims concerning 'this Jesus whom ye crucified' when he announced, 'God hath made Him both Lord and Christ' (Acts 2:36).

Subjection of all things to Christ:

What is stated in Ephesians is an accomplished fact concerning the Lord Jesus and was foreshadowed in Joseph's exaltation (Gen. 41:39-45). However, subjection to Joseph was achieved by compulsory subjection over a period of time. If we consider Genesis chapter 47:15-20 we see how God brought all the cattle, horses, flocks, herds and asses of Egypt under the control of Joseph. Later he had the submission of their bodies and their lands. The fields of Egypt and all the

creatures in them became subject to Joseph.

In the millennial reign of Christ there will be compulsory subjection to His will of all the nations as Psalm 2:9 so clearly prophesies:

Thou shalt break them with a rod (sceptre) of iron;

Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

The rod or sceptre here is the same as that mentioned in Psalm 45:6 and Hebrews 1:8. It distinguishes the quality of rule and government of the Son of Man as 'uprightness' and 'in righteousness'. Under His control, subjection of the nations will be brought to fruition. So the compulsory subjection of all Egypt under Joseph will have been fulfilled when Jesus reigns worldwide. W.V. Fullerton wrote those thrilling words which encapsulate all the glory of Messiah's reign:

I cannot tell how He will win the nations,

How He will claim His earthly heritage,

How satisfy the needs and aspirations

Of East and West, of sinner and of sage.

But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,

And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,

And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour

When He the Saviour, Saviour of the world is known.

Subjection Complete:

In 1 Corinthians 15:28 subjection to the Son of God is seen as complete having reached finality. So when all things have been subjected unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subjected to Him that did subject all

things unto Him. This will occur when the reign of the Son of God during the Millennium is complete. All His enemies will have been put under His feet and death will have been abolished before the kingdom is delivered to God the Father. Philippians 2:10,11 will have had its fulfilment in the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is in this regard that the shadows seen in the story of Joseph fail to capture.

Wining Subjection to Christ:

For almost two thousand years the gospel has been preached. It brings men and women in willing obedience by faith to acknowledge Christ first as Saviour and then to bow in acknowledgement of Him as Lord. There is a sphere on earth today in which the mind and heart of the sinner can be subject to Christ as Lord. During this dispensation of grace, God has chosen a place on earth where men and women can be subject to His Son and do His will as revealed in His Word. Today, God has a house on earth, made up of men and women who, as living stones, are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:20-22). Willing subjection is vital to its existence. Obedience to the Son and His Word provide for the Lord an oasis in the earth where the Name of the Lord is magnified and the glory of the Lord is preeminent. David said, 'LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, the place where Thy glory dwelleth' (Ps. 26:8). Within the house of God, provision is made for the subjection of the woman to the man as

equals in nature (1 Cor. 14:34); also the subjection of saints to saints (Eph. 5:~); subjection of wives to husbands (Col. 3:18; Tit. 2:5); subjection of servants to masters (Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-25); the subjection of saints to elders and elders to each other (1 Thes. 5:12,13; 1 Pet. 5:5 RVM) and finally subjection by obedience to the authorities which are ordained of God (Rom. 13:1-7). Within the sphere of Joseph's authority, such willing subjection and obedience to his will were not seen.

We leave our consideration of this lovely story of Joseph by quoting from Cecil Belton's hymn which captures all that the Lord wishes for His disciples today:

Take, Lord, Thy rightful place within,

And there supremely reign,

That never more oppressing sin

Dominion may obtain.

Rule now midst subject hearts, 0 Lord,

That so this sterile earth

May one green spot for Thee afford

In all its scene of dearth.

R.A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Dec 1995
The Life Of Joseph