Ⅵ
In order to reign in life, we also need to be under the rulership of the Spirit; the record of Joseph’s life is a revelation of the rulership of the Spirit, for the rulership of the Spirit is the reigning aspect of a mature saint; it is a life of reigning in life, being under the restriction and limitation of the divine life in the reality of God’s kingdom, and it is higher than any other aspect of the Spirit—Rom. 5:17, 21; 14:17-18; 1 Cor. 2:15-16; 2 Cor. 2:13-14; 3:17-18; 2 Tim. 4:22; Rev. 4:1-3:
A
Joseph, a “master of dreams” (Gen. 37:19), dreamed that according to God’s view, His people are sheaves of wheat full of life and heavenly bodies full of light (vv. 5-11); Joseph’s two dreams (vv. 7, 9), both from God, unveiled to him God’s divine view concerning the nature, position, function, and goal of God’s people on earth.
B
Joseph’s dreams controlled his life and directed his behavior; he behaved so excellently and marvelously because he was directed by the vision that he saw in his dreams (cf. Acts 26:19); his brothers vented their anger (Gen. 37:18-31) and indulged in their lust (38:15-18), but Joseph subdued his anger and conquered his lust (39:7-23), behaving as a sheaf full of life and conducting himself like a heavenly star shining in the darkness.
C
Joseph’s life under the heavenly vision was the life of the kingdom of the heavens described in Matthew 5—7; by living such a life, he was fully prepared to reign as a king; according to the constitution of the heavenly kingdom revealed in these chapters in Matthew, our anger must be subdued, and our lust must be conquered (5:21-32).
D
As the representative of the reigning aspect of the mature life, Joseph enjoyed the presence of the Lord and with it the Lord’s authority, prosperity, and blessing—Gen. 39:2-5, 21, 23; Acts 7:9.
E
Although Joseph was full of human feelings and sentiments toward his brothers, he kept himself with all his feelings under the rulership of the Spirit; he denied himself and placed himself absolutely under God’s sovereign leading, conducting himself wholly for the interest of God and His people—Gen. 42:9, 24; 43:30-31; 45:1-2, 24.
F
Joseph is a living illustration of what is revealed in the New Testament; he was a self-denying person who had no self-interest, self-enjoyment, self-feeling, self-ambition, or self-goal; everything was for God and for God’s people; Joseph’s self-denial, his restriction under God’s sovereign hand, was the key to the practice of the kingdom life—Gen. 45:24; Matt. 16:24; 2 Chron. 1:10; Isa. 30:15a; Phil. 1:9; 1 Tim. 5:1-2; 1 Thes. 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thes. 1:3; Rom. 12:10; 1 John 4:9; Heb. 13:1.
G
Joseph’s realization was that it was God who sent him to Egypt; in Genesis 50:20 he said to his brothers, “Even though you intended evil against me, God intended it for good” (45:5, 7; 50:19-21; cf. 41:51-52); this is the reality of Paul’s word in Romans 8:28-29; Joseph received as from God all that his brothers had done to him, and he comforted those who had offended him (Gen. 45:5-8; 50:15-21); what grace, and what an excellent spirit, he had!
H
We have to use the “divine telescope” to see through time and behold the New Jerusalem, where there is nothing but sheaves full of life and stars full of light; the more mature in life we become, the less we will speak negatively concerning the saints or the church—cf. 38:27-30; Matt. 7:1-5; 1 Pet. 3:8-9.
Morning Nourishment
Gen. 45:5 And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.50:20 Even though you intended evil against me, God intended it for good...
Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
The rulership of the Spirit is the topstone, the capstone, of the structure of the teaching of the Spirit. The record of Joseph’s life is a revelation of the rulership of the Spirit, for the rulership of the Spirit is the reigning aspect of a matured saint. (Life-study of Genesis, pp. 1469-1470)
Joseph did not need to forgive his brothers, because he did not blame them (cf. Gen. 45:28, footnote 1). He received as from God all that his brothers had done to him, and he comforted those who had offended him (vv. 5-8; 50:15-21). What grace, and what an excellent spirit, he had! (Gen. 45:5, footnote 1)
Today’s Reading
Joseph’s two dreams (Gen. 37:7-9), both from God, unveiled to him God’s divine view concerning the nature, position, function, and goal of God’s people on earth. According to their fallen nature, God’s people are evil and unclean, but in God’s eternal view, His people are sheaves of wheat full of life and heavenly bodies full of light (cf. Num. 23:21; 1 Kings 19:18; Rev. 12:1 and footnote). The reigning aspect of the mature life never condemns God’s people. Rather, it shepherds and appreciates them. Joseph’s dreams controlled and directed his behavior (cf. Acts 26:19). (Gen. 37:5, footnote 1)The life manifested in the story of Joseph... is the resurrection life, the life of God. Although Joseph was in an exciting situation, he did not display any looseness. This is life. With Joseph we see not only life but also the way of life, which is to keep ourselves under control. Never think that Joseph was not human. He was full of human feelings and sentiments, but he kept himself with all his feelings under the rulership of the Spirit. Therefore, in Joseph we see not only the mature life but a reigning life and the way of this reigning life. We all, especially the young people, need such a life and such a way that is the reigning aspect of a mature person. This life is not easily excited, and it does not reveal its glory. Instead, in the midst of excitement it remains calm, controls itself, and conceals its glory. Joseph was a person who denied himself... I do not know of any other person who was offended to the degree Joseph was, yet who had not the slightest desire for revenge.
Often when Christians forgive someone, they say, “Yes, I forgive you, but I also want to remind you of the seriousness of what you have done.” This kind of forgiveness does not mean anything, for actually it is not forgiveness at all. When Joseph forgave his brothers, he comforted them and told them not to be angry with themselves, but to forget what they had done to him. He said that their selling him into slavery was God’s doing to preserve life. Joseph did not blame his brothers for what they had done; rather, he regarded them as God’s helpers. They had helped God to get him to Egypt.
How sweet is the record of Joseph’s life! Because Joseph was fully under God’s guidance, there was no need for him to regret anything he did. Joseph is a living illustration of what is revealed in the New Testament. He was a self-denying person who had no self-interest, self-enjoyment, self-feeling, self-ambition, or self-goal. Everything was for God and for God’s people. Joseph’s self-denial, his restriction under God’s sovereign hand, was the key to the practice of the kingdom life. Thank God for Joseph’s self-denying life. Through such a life God’s purpose was fulfilled, and the kingdom was brought in, realized, and practiced. Through this fulfillment, the children of Israel shared in the enjoyment of the kingdom. (Life-study of Genesis, pp. 1479, 1514, 1518, 1520)
Further Reading: Life-study of Genesis, msgs. 112-116, 118-120