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Source: https://www.sermonindex.net/speakers/brody-thibodeau/joseph-and-jesus-in-genesis-41/
Let's read together please in Genesis chapter 41. The book of Genesis chapter 41. We'll begin reading at verse number 38. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, For as much as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled.
Only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.
And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had. And they cried before him, Bow the knee. And he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath, and he gave him a wife, or two wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphar, priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. And Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now verse number 49, And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much until he left numbering, for it was without number.
And then we'll go down to verse number 55, And when all the land of Egypt was famished, and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph what he said to you do.
And the famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians, and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn, because that the famine was so sore in all the lands.
Now that's all we'll read for a short message about the Lord Jesus Christ, and how he is pictured in the person of Joseph in the Old Testament. Now I find this to be entirely consistent with how the the theme of the conference has been going from the beginning.
In fact when our brother was up here speaking to us from the Gospel of John chapter 2, and he echoed those words from verse number 5, What he saith unto you, do it. My mind went right to Joseph, right to Joseph, and the commandment of Pharaoh, What he saith unto you, do.
And since then we've been hearing about the person of the Lord Jesus as we are shown him in the Old Testament. And I think Joseph is a lovely picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all of his perfectness, and his glory, and his moral uprightness.
And when you look at it you will see even dispensationally the Lord Jesus and God's purposes seen in the life of Joseph, and in the character of Joseph as it relates to the nation of Israel, to the nation of Egypt, and to all of the nations that are here through Joseph.
I'm not going to take very long as we look at Joseph, but we're not only going to look at the devotional side and the dispensational side of the life of Joseph, but I'm going to look at the reaction that is expected from every individual when we are impressed by our heavenly Joseph.
Now think about that with me just for a second. The reaction that is expected from every one of the Lord's people when we are impressed with the glories and the person of our heavenly Joseph, the Lord Jesus.
Of course we know that Joseph was the 11th son. Now I look at my brethren here, some of my brethren know the scriptures very well, we appreciate them, but I believe Joseph was the 11th son of this man Jacob.
What you find in Genesis chapter 37 is that Joseph is marked out as being unique, right? He's marked out as being special in the eyes of his father, and because he is marked out as being special in the eyes of his father, it provokes a reaction from his brethren.
Now he's marked out as being special or unique by a garment that his father Jacob gives to him, right? It is a coat of many colors, and I'm not sure what you think of this coat of many colors, but it's not simply a garment that was thrown together by leftover rags that Jacob had left in a bag somewhere.
This is a special garment that was put together especially for Joseph to mark him out as a son that is unique. You see it, don't you? When it comes to garments in the scriptures, it is a picture of character.
It speaks to us of the character of the person who is wearing said garment. So you look at the at the priest, especially the high priest in the Old Testament, you will find that the high priest had garments of glory and beauty.
They speak to us of the garments or the character of glory of the Lord Jesus, and also the high priest had linen garment. I don't know how loud this is. I keep stepping back. I don't want to tear the ears off you.
I could do that perhaps if we try. You find that he has linen garments as well, especially itemized for us in Leviticus chapter 16 on the great day of atonement. He dons the linen garments, and the linen garments don't speak to us of the official glories, perhaps, as much as they speak to us of the moral glories of the Lord Jesus.
So you see, consistent with the garment is the character of the person who is wearing them, and ultimately a picture of the character of the Lord Jesus. Here's what I've enjoyed about the garment, the coat of many colors.
To me, what you see in the coat of many colors is Jacob is marking out Joseph as firstborn. And when you come to John chapter 1, what you find is we beheld his glory, right? Do you remember that verse?
The glory as of and only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. So you have the glory and the garments of glory and beauty of the high priest. You have the moral glory in the garments of linen of the high priest.
And you have the glory as of the only begotten of a father in the coat of many colors. It's a beautiful picture for us, isn't it, when we look at Joseph. But you will remember that Joseph's brethren were offended by Joseph.
They were offended first because of this garment. They were offended because it marked him out as being special. I would say, brethren, they were offended because of his character when it comes to the picture of the Lord Jesus.
They were offended also because of his words. For you remember, of course, when he comes to them with his dreams and he says about all of these sheaves bowing down to his sheep and the sun and the moon and the eleven stars bowing down to him.
And because of his character, they hated him. And because of his words, they hated him. And isn't it such a picture of the Lord Jesus? For when he came to his own, his own received him not. And I believe, brethren, you are looking at the leaders of the nation who are looking at the character of the Lord Jesus and they despise him because of his character.
You were looking at the leaders of the nation and they despise him because of his words. They were offended. But all the while, he was showing forth the character of God. He was speaking the words of God.
He was representing his father among those people and they would have nothing to do with him because they hated him. But think about the lovely picture. When you see. That Joseph is now sent by his father.
I must say, I feel a little bit intimidated today as I look around and I see so many brethren who know the scripture so well, but I'm sharing with you what I enjoy. You see where Joseph is now sent by his father.
He is sent to see about the welfare of his brethren. He is sent for their own good. You see the parallel, don't you? And while he is sent for their own good, he doesn't find them where they are supposed to be, but he doesn't give up.
He continues. He doesn't quit until the father's will is completely carried out. The father sent him for a purpose and he was not going to stop until that purpose was fulfilled and our minds go now to the Lord Jesus.
And now we know that the father sent the son to be the savior of the world. We know that the father sent the son with the intention of the welfare of mankind in mind. And we know that the father sent the son for a purpose and that purpose could only be fulfilled on the cross of Calvary.
Brethren, let's not let's not forget the purposes of God in Christ could only be fulfilled at the cross. And according to Philippians chapter two, he became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
So we see it. He didn't stop until the purposes of God were fulfilled. That's why he says in John's gospel, John's gospel, I believe, by the way, this is going to be my parentheses, one of my many perhaps, but John's gospel, I believe the gospel of the father and son is the gospel where you see Joseph the most.
In John's gospel chapter four, the Lord Jesus, he comes to the well near to the ground or the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. And you find also in John chapter four that these men came from the city and when they came from the city, they heard him and they saw him themselves.
And they said, we believe that this is the Christ, the savior of the world. And it matches up perfectly with the name that Pharaoh gave to Joseph. And you find from beginning to end, that John's gospel is filled with the father and the son.
And when we see Joseph not stopping until the will of God is accomplished, and the purposes of God are accomplished, our mind goes to to where he says in John chapter four, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.
And also in John chapter four, we find I do always those things which please him. We have already heard that, haven't we? And it is in John's gospel chapter 19 and verse number 28, where it says, Jesus seeing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, he saith, I thirst.
Only now is he going to say finish, when he knows it's all accomplished. So you see Joseph and you see the Lord Jesus, our heavenly Joseph. I hope our hearts can be warmed as we see this. There is also something else that that I hope to be able to convey.
There are some young people here today who are very bright. I was never as bright as these young people were, and I never will be. I'm getting dimmer and dimmer all the time. Here's the deal. You have the potential.
You have the potential to be something for God. In order to do that, you're going to have to learn the Bible. In order to do that, you're going to have to know the Scriptures. And I encourage you, as our brother from the beginning of this afternoon's session has been encouraging you, read the Old Testament and look for the Lord Jesus.
Look for him on every page. Look for him in every paragraph. Look for him in every line. And not only will you be strengthened in your faith, but you will be warmed in your heart when you see the Lord Jesus on every page.
So where was I? He goes to his brethren. According to John chapter 1, his brethren received him not. And of course, these men, Joseph's brethren, they had no time for him, and they didn't want Joseph interfering in their affairs.
So they took him, and they got rid of him the best way that they knew how. They sent him down to Egypt with that caravan of Ishmaelites. And he gets down into Egypt, and he's in a place in Potiphar's house, where he's in a place where he blesses the house of Potiphar.
And he goes from there, because of his moral uprightness, he is despised in the house of Potiphar, and he is sent into the prison. So now he goes from his father's house to his brethren, into Egypt, into the prison, and in the lowest place in Egypt, that this is a thought I had that I enjoyed, maybe you will too, in the lowest place in Egypt, he's associated with those two wrongdoers, those two malefactors, if you will, the butler and the baker.
I think I said that right, the butler and the baker. And here he is, and he's in the prison, and one of those men is going to suffer an awful death, and the other one of those men is going to be taken from that low place and put into a high place.
And you can't help but think of Calvary, right? And you almost smile, even people who hate to smile are going to smile when they think about Calvary. And you think about what happened there, for when they had come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and two others with him, one on the right hand and another on the left.
And the destiny of those two men couldn't have been more different, as there was one man who went to eternal burnings, and there's another man who goes to be with the Lord Jesus in paradise. But still, Joseph is left, until, until that butler remembers him.
I think there's two statements, two statements in the life of Joseph that should encourage us, encourage our behavior, actually. I want you to think of these two statements. One of the statements is, when Joseph said to that butler, think on me when it is well with thee.
Brethren, we do well to think on him, don't we? We do well to think on him at all times, but now tomorrow morning there's going to be a special time set aside for us to consider and remember the Lord Jesus Christ.
Can I encourage you, every brother and every sister, don't come empty to the breaking of bread. Appreciate your Savior, and come and remember him. The other statement in the life of Joseph that I think is good for us, is that when he tells his brethren to go back and to get Jacob, he says, tell my father of all my glories which I have in the land of Egypt.
That's what we're going to do tomorrow morning, both brethren and sisters, sisters inaudibly. The brethren should rise to their feet, and with reverence and respect and a heart that is warmed to the glories of the Lord Jesus, rehearse in the ears of a father who loves to hear it, all his glories, all his glories that he has had in Egypt.
You think about it. The butler reminds Pharaoh of Joseph. Now Joseph is taken. Here's where we get to. How's 20 minutes sound for preparing to start your message? They bring Joseph. Joseph interprets the dreams for Pharaoh.
Joseph actually is a messenger from God to that man, Pharaoh. And here he is, giving to Pharaoh the interpretation of the dream, and then he tells Pharaoh, he says, look out, a wise man, or search for a wise man who will be able to administer the affairs of what has to happen in Egypt during this time of plenty, in this time of famine.
And here's the statement, brethren, from the lips of Pharaoh. Can we find such a one as this? Can we find such a one as this? Now I have rehearsed in your ears all of the different attributes and the way this man behaved under adverse circumstances, and the way this man behaved in a heart of love for his brethren, and the way this man behaved out of obedience to his father, and the wisdom of this man in the presence of Pharaoh.
And I say to you, can we find a man such as this? Is there any other man in the land of Egypt that is like this man, Joseph? And I say, no, no other man like him. What Pharaoh was really saying is, I'm done looking.
I'm done looking, because I have found a unique, special man, and there's none like him. That's what my wife said when we got married. No, it's not. I'll tell you this, we've been hearing about the assembly.
I've been in the assembly for almost, well, for over 14 years, let's say. There's people who have been in the assembly for over 60 years, and some over 70 years, perhaps, in here today. Can I tell you this?
With the man who is in our midst being so glorious and unique, can we find such a man as him? Why would you go anywhere else if he is here? Why would you look for any other when the Savior of the world is in the very midst of his people in assembly capacity?
Brother and sister, you might be discouraged today. Perhaps you are. You might be cold at heart today. Perhaps you are. But can I tell you this? The unique one is in our midst. Don't look anywhere else.
Stay right here. So what is the reaction that should be expected? The Lord's people, when they realize that there's no other man like this. I want you to look with me. I hope you still have your Bible open to verse number 40.
Pharaoh says, thou shalt be over my house. I'm not going to spend much time on it, but I am convinced that a proper reaction to the glorious man of Calvary is that he is Lord of our house. I believe the man is the head of the home, according to the Scriptures, but I believe the entire household should move in subjection to the Lordship of Christ.
So everything that happens in my house, brother, should be in accordance with his word. And if he wasn't who he is, I could see why you might not do it. But because of his greatness, he's over my house.
Well, you see here, the next statement is marvelous. According unto thy word shall all my people be ruled. According unto my word shall all my people be ruled. According unto thy word, the order and the administration of the people shall take character after the commandments and the wisdom of Joseph.
Now, I don't have to stretch your imagination when I apply that to the assembly, right? So the order in the assembly comes from the word and wisdom of the Lord Jesus. And the activities of the assembly should be in accordance with the words and wisdom of the Lord Jesus.
And every decision that is made to direct and lead and teach and feed the Lord's people should be in accordance with the word and the wisdom of the man of Calvary. The man like no other. Our heavenly Joseph.
I hope we're convinced of that today. I hope we are convinced of two things. Number one, he is in the midst of his people. Number two, this is a doctrinal fellowship based on the truth of the Word of God.
I should smile when I say that. I said that kind of hurt. This is a doctrinal fellowship based on the truth of the Word of God. It's a marvelous thing and I am very, very honored to be a part of an assembly that puts the Lord first and his word as its authority.
So over the home and his word in the assembly. Then we find in verse number 43, Pharaoh says, bow the knee. Bow the knee. I appreciate what our brother Frank was bringing out in John chapter 2. It's the idea of obedience.
And you find the idea of obedience here, and I'll say that part first, from verse number 55. What he saith unto you, do. That is also obedience. But we have to understand also that obedience is not the idea of assessing the command, rationalizing the logic, and performing the action.
See, that's what I do when I get instructions for my little shelf or whatever I want to build. If you were down here, it would be from Ikea. Up home, it's Canadian Tire or Walmart. And I bring it home and I get the instructions out and I start to say, uh, I think I have a better way putting this together, right?
Of course, my way is great because you always have parts left over in case you need them. When it comes to bowing the knee in lordship, what I am saying is, I am not going to filter the commandments that come from my Lord and assess them and decide whether or not I will perform them.
I take them as being authoritative from his word that without hesitation, having bowed the knee to his person, I carry out his word. It's an obedience that stems from a submission. And those are two slightly different things.
I'm probably a true story, or maybe a preacher made it up. Either way, it's good. The man has the dog and the dog wants to stay around the table. Now, when the guests were over, the man decides the dog has to go and sit in the corner.
So the man says, go to the corner. The dog lays there for a second. The man, I can totally relate to this man, the man has to say go again with a firmer voice and with a harsher tone and the dog gets up.
Now the dog begins to move from that place over into the corner, but the whole time he's moving, he's growling under his breath. You know that growl the dog gives and his lip is curling up? He was obedient, but he was not submissive.
And brethren, the acknowledging of the lordship of our heavenly Joseph demands that we are submissive to his person and obedient to his word. Hope that makes sense. So then you go down a little further and you find that Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-phaneah and he gave to him to wife Asenath.
You find he gave him a new name. Your mind's going to Philippians, I know it is. My brethren and sisters here in Wisconsin know the scriptures better than anyone else. And your mind is going there and you find that down stooping, the trajectory passage I call it, where he comes from heaven, he humbles himself, he goes all the way to the cross of Calvary and that obedience to God and going all the way to the death of the cross results wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him a name that is above every other name that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.
Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Aren't you glad dear Christian that your knee has bowed to this one that God has exalted? At the name of Jesus, I simply think that means that at the name that men despised, God exalts him.
At the name that men would have nothing to do with on this earth, God has taken that name and he has highly exalted him. And while Christians have bowed the knee in this life, let's make no mistake and maybe there are people here today who have never bowed the knee in submission to the claims of Christ, there will come a day when you will bow because every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Of course the the bride, Asenath, who gives unto him the two children, Manasseh, remembering or forgetting, sorry, and Ephraim, fruitfulness. So many things. Brethren, let's get in the book. So many things from the Old Testament that thrill our hearts as a picture of the Lord Jesus and let's be sure that this is the one who is in our midst.
This is the one to whom we bow and by his word shall all his people be ruled.