Joseph And His Brethren

by J.K.D. Johnston, Musselburgh | Category: Studies In Genesis | Oct 1973

There are some men who tower above their fellows in spiritual and moral stature - Joseph was such a man. Jacob, who had a God-given insight into the characters of his sons, described Joseph as one who was separate from his brethren (Gen. 49:26). In his youthful days he was grieved by their conduct and he brought an evil report of them to his father. There was a close affinity between Joseph and his father, and they enjoyed sweet fellowship together in Hebron, the place of fellowship. He became the object of his brothers' hatred because he was the special object of his father's love, and marked out as such by the coat he wore. Jacob may have been disposed to favour Joseph because he saw 'in him a strong likeness to the woman whose beauty had captivated him at first sight (Gen. 29:17; 39:6).

Joseph, however, was not only comely in appearance, he displayed a beauty of character also; he was a worthy object for his father's love. Early in his life he learned to fear God and to depart from evil; these two things are complementary. The fear of God is a powerful restraining influence. It keeps from many a sin - it kept Joseph not only when he was in Hebron but also when he was in Egypt and subjected to many temptations.

In his youthful days in Hebron Joseph received, by means of his God-given dreams, some indication of the greatness that would one day be his. The telling of these dreams to his brothers, however, only served to increase their hatred of him. One day his father sent him out of the vale of Hebron to visit his brothers. He never returned to Hebron from that mission, and twenty-two eventful years ran their course before he saw his father again. Joseph is a type of the Lord Jesus as the sent One. He went out willingly to visit his brothers. He did not know what the future held for him, he only knew that he could expect little kindness from them, but still he went.

The Lord Jesus knew exactly the pathway He would tread when He came to earth, every detail of the agonizing experiences of Gethsemane, Gabbatha and Golgotha were known to Him before He came, yet He came willingly to do His Father's will knowing it was to triumph at His cost.

Joseph arrived at Shechem and found that his brothers had left that place, but he did not turn back, he went on to Dothan and found them there. Like the One he typifies he was prepared to go the second mile. The hatred of his brothers was unmasked when he appeared. They were even prepared to kill him; Reuben's weak intervention prevented this in the first instance, then, indifferent to his tears and his pleadings, they sold him into slavery. Not only were they ruthless in dealing with Joseph; they were also heartless in their deception of their father, and hypocritical in seeking to comfort him (Gen. 37:35).

Joseph's brothers were responsible for their actions. They acted with evil intent, but in His overruling sovereignty God was working out His purposes. It is God's prerogative to bring good out of evil. Calvary is the supreme example of the wonderful way in which He does this. In such events we see divine sovereignty and human responsibility in simultaneou8 operation (Gen. 50:20; Acts 2:23).

Joseph was thus brought down to Egypt to become a lowly slave in a foreign land. Although alone in Egypt he was not completely forsaken, for God was with him. It is comforting to know that we cannot drift beyond God's love and care (Heb. 13:5). Who can assess the solace that the consciousness of the divine presence brought to Joseph in that difficult phase of his life? The late teens are years of difficulty and conflict in most lives and they can be specially difficult if the young person is removed from the home influence and subjected to many pressures in a strange environment. Such considerations are pertinent to present-day conditions when young persons frequently leave home at this period in their lives to find employment or to pursue a course of study at college or university.

It was the effect of his early training that gave Joseph the stability to resist the influences of the things around him. This once again underlines the value of early training. There were many lessons to be learned during this period of trial, but the fear of God kept him from falling a victim to temptation, and the consciousness of the divine presence sustained him. We do not take time to follow his promotion in Potiphar's house and the valuable administrative experience he gained there. God was preparing him for the high office he was destined to fill. God never thrusts great responsibility upon untried men. This principle holds good today in service in the house of God. There are qualities that can only be produced by adversity. This is borne out in the lives of all God's great men. They all felt the heat of the crucible in which they were proved in order to emerge approved for service.

Joseph might have been reasonably content with the place he had in Potiphar's house, but God had greater things in store for him. It was only the training ground for higher service, but first he had to know further trial and suffering before he reached the acme of his glory. Suffering, then glory was the pathway for Joseph and for his great Antitype (1 Pet. 1:11). Perhaps there were times when he felt that all things were against him, but in retrospect he saw the perfection of the divine plan. The Lord chastens those whom He loves, but it is important to have the right attitude when we feel the pressure of God's hand upon us; then will the outcome be to our profit (Heb. 12:6-11). Bitter experiences can be the gateway to blessing, and may open up avenues of greater usefulness in the service of God.

Joseph's promotion to the place of rule in Egypt was dramatically sudden but he was ready for it. Absolute authority was virtually his but having suffered so much himself through injustice we can be sure that he would use his authority wisely (Psa. 105: 21-22). It has been said that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". If complete authority is placed in the hands of one man that man must be fitted to rule. In this, too, Joseph foreshadows Christ. We rejoice that ultimate authority in the universe is in the hands of the Man of Calvary. It could not be in better hands. Joseph was one of the greatest administrators this world has seen. He not only handled the famine crisis with consummate skill, meeting the need of a hungry world, but he also dealt with the emergency in such a way that a new relationship was established between Pharaoh and his subjects. In this also he prefigures Christ.

We pause to note that before Joseph was able to take up dealings with his brothers again we find him exalted, given a new name, and married to a Gentile bride - foreshadowings for the present time.

The revelation given to Joseph through the dreams of Pharaoh gave him an insight into the pattern of things for the, future. Seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. He could also, perhaps, see a fulfilment of his dreams through his brothers coming down to Egypt for food, and bowing down to him, unaware of who he really was. How would he treat them if they came? It was not according to his nature to reward evil with evil, but he also understood the divine principle that repentance is a necessary pre-requisite for forgiveness. Joseph's dealings with his brothers, therefore, had the objective of bringing them to repentance. The retention of Simeon at his brothers' first visit, and his incrimination of Benjamin at their second visit were all part of a plan to secure this objective. The powerful pleading of Judah touched Joseph deeply. It was a tremendous change from the callous indifference he displayed

when Joseph had been sold into slavery. Probably Judah had been the prime instigator then, now he was the prime pleader who was offering himself as a hostage to assuage his father's grief. A dramatic climax had been reached, the tender-hearted Joseph could restrain himself no longer, the time to make himself known had come. Joseph's brothers received the revelation with mixed feelings; they were troubled by his presence.

The revelation of Joseph to his brothers prefigures in a wonderful way the future dramatic revelation that will be made to Israel. Great will be their sorrow when they discover that the once despised Man of Calvary 'is their long-promised Messiah (Zech. 12:10-14). The words of Isaiah 53 will then fittingly express their feelings in that day of national mourning.

The migration of Jacob and his family to Egypt, although ostensibly for the purpose of placing them where Joseph could readily provide for their needs, was in accordance with the divine purpose revealed to Abraham in Gen. 15:13-15. In the land of Goshen, under Joseph's care and protection, Jacob found peace and serenity in the last 17 years of his turbulent life, and Joseph's brothers found employment suitable for them and also 'beneficial to the state.

Troubled consciences are not easily stilled, and after Jacob's death Joseph's brothers sought audience with him. They were afraid that Joseph's attitude to them might change. It was unworthy of them to entertain such thoughts. Their anxiety reveals how little they appreciated the nobility of their brother's character. In a greater and more wonderful way the One Joseph typifies is unchanging and unchangeable in His goodness (Heb. 13:8).

The high-water mark of Joseph's faith was reached at the end of his life for the Holy Spirit selects the closing scene of his life to illustrate his faith (Heb. 11:22). The glory of Egypt had not dimmed his spiritual vision nor diminished his faith. The promises of God meant more to the aged Joseph than the treasures of Egypt. He did not wish his body to be laid in the tombs of the Pharaohs amid the scenes of his earthly glory. He wanted rather to identify himself with the purpose of God concerning Israel (Gen. 50:25; Heb. 11:22). Like his father he died in faith.

The full realization of Joseph's longings and desires is yet future. He shall yet see a greater glory than Egypt, and experience the joyous fulfilment of those promises so precious to him (Heb.11).

We need to be vigilant lest the little material prosperity we may enjoy saps our spiritual vigour. Let us therefore, like Joseph, lay hold on the promises of God and have our vision filled with the eternal glories that are gleaming afar to nerve our faint endeavour.

J.K.D. Johnston, Musselburgh | Oct 1973
Studies In Genesis