The Government On His Shoulder

by David J. Webster, Liverpool, England | Category: The Life Of Joseph | Nov 1995

Government has always been a problem among nations. Human society has long recognized the need for there to be rulers, yet sin in both ruler and subject also meant frequent rebellion and uprisings. History is one long struggle between conqueror and conquered with occasional oases of peace.

The Word of God, however, assures us that God is in control of history and that though 'Many are the plans in a man's heart ... it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.'1 This principle is often obscure from our viewpoint. In the story of Joseph, however, we are given a very clear insight into what it means, firstly for ourselves seeking to follow the Lord through apparent unfairness and injustice, leaving it to our God to work for us and, secondly, as a picture of what God will do through the Lord Jesus of whom Joseph is so obviously a picture for us.

The Character Of The Man:

Pharaoh, understandably, was impressed with this man who interpreted his dream with a strong assertion that 'God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do'2 and who advised Pharaoh to look for 'a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt'3. Recognizing that before him stood a man '...in whom is the Spirit of God'4 he wisely appointed Joseph to this important role. And at the same time the Word of God reveals to us the key to Joseph's success both in his private life and in government. It was God's Spirit who enabled him to care for brothers who despised him. It was the same Spirit who enabled him to serve faithfully under Potiphar and to endure the slander and injustice of Potiphar's wife and the frustrating years of imprisonment. Instead of the bitterness and self-pity that might easily have beset him Joseph allowed the Spirit of God to prepare him for the exact moment when he could influence the whole land of Egypt and prepare to become the Saviour of the world and for 'the saving of many lives'5. The parallels with our Lord Jesus are striking and instructive.

Ruler Over All He Possessed6:

Joseph is depicted as an able administrator whose sudden elevation to the position of Vizier or Prime Minister gave him total control over the whole land of Egypt. R.K. Harrison writes about the high office of Vizier 'which made him in effect the chief administrator of the country, and supervisor of the national economy. True to Egyptian tradition, he received from Pharaoh a signet ring, robes of honour, and a golden necklace. When he travelled about in the country he was second only in dignity and authority to the king of Egypt, and had attendants preceding his chariot crying, 'Pay heed'7. This is a foreshadowing of the time to come when 'God Himself put everything under Christ' and when 'the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put everything under Him, so that God may be all in all'8. As followers of Joseph's greater Son we can rejoice that:

God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.9

Joseph's Administration:

In keeping with his father's words about him, Joseph the fruitful vine, 'whose branches climb over a wall' 10, began to husband the resources of Egypt in preparation for a period of rule which would bring benefits to the known world. He was not to be an absentee figurehead but actively 'went throughout the land of Egypt' 11 organizing, preparing and ensuring that when the time of famine came his country would be well provisioned. We get the picture of an energetic enthusiasm for the task for which God had been preparing him. With our ideas of a modern economy we may baulk at Joseph's reducing the Egyptians to servitude. However, as K.A. Kitchen points out, 'Joseph's economic policy ... simply made Egypt in fact what it always was in theory: the land became Pharaoh's property and its inhabitants his tenants'12. It was also a fair system and it worked. In submitting to Joseph as absolute lord, under Pharaoh, the people ensured that, in the years of scarcity, there was an adequate supply of food for every family in the land at an affordable price and sufficient in addition to export to neighbouring countries. The result, had the supply been left to prevailing market forces or to the might of the powerful, would have been quite different. As disciples of the Lord Jesus we can reflect that giving up our individual rights to a wise and 'discerning Lord is not a backward step, but is a powerful way to justice and equality, and remember that we are invited to do no less today.

A Kingdom For The People:

The Joseph narratives attest to the power of our God 'who works Out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will'13 and reveal in a compressed form (the years of the times of Joseph) the principles that operate over the longer timespan of human history. Since God allowed it, strong men have taken power into their own bands and political history presents us with men such as Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great and the Caesars from Bible times, and Mao, Hitler and Stalin from the twentieth century. Having taken power they found they could trust no one, and intrigue, imprisonments, banishments and murders had to be used in order to maintain their position. Even democratic power has been unable fully to deliver its ideal of rule 'for the people'. How different it will be when God sets up His kingdom. God has decreed that the Lord Jesus will be the ruler of a kingdom greater than that of Nebuchadnezzar who was given 'dominion and power and might and glory' by the God of heaven and in whose hands He placed mankind making him 'ruler over them all'14. We are assured that this will be '...an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey Him'15. But it will also be a kingdom for the people: for Daniel prophesied about the time when 'the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgement in favour of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom'16. Can we even begin to imagine it? A world at peace, united and God-honouring. No warfare - no swords or spears, no tanks and guns, no atomic bombs or chemical weapons. A kingdom in which righteousness rather than expedience will be the governing factor17 and a time during which 'the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD' 18.

A Kingdom For His Saints:

It is a clear: promise in the New Testament that those who endure will also reign with the Lord Jesus19 - a promise that goes beyond the natural life-span allotted to us and which takes us into the time spoken of by the Lord to His disciples when He said:

I confer on you a kingdom, just as My Father conferred one on Me, so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel20.

It appears that authority will be delegated, with the faithful among His followers taking charge of various units of government21 - faithfulness to stewardship being the key to these positions of honour and with no place afforded to those who despised the Lord and refused to recognize His sovereignty. It will also be a time of putting right wrongs and of reward for those who, out of love for the Master 'left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields'22. But the posts offered and the appointments made will not be purely honorary. 'Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?' Paul asked the Corinthians23. And to the Laodiceans the risen Lord raised the prospect of future glory and honour to any who chose to be overcomers '... just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne'24. Just as Joseph overcame and went on to take power it is true of our Lord Jesus in the fullest sense that: the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father; Prince of

Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this25.

Now that's something to excite us as we look forward to the coming time when that will be a reality in our world.

(1) Prov. 19:21

(2) Gen. 41:25

(3) Gen. 41:33

(4) Gen. 41:38

(5) Gen. 50:20

(6) Ps. 105:21

(7) Old Testament Times IVP 1970

(8) 1 Cor.15:27-28

(9) Phil. 2:9-11

(10) Gen. 49:22

(11) Gen. 41:45