Scripture Reading: Gen. 37:5-11; 41:38-46; 45:5-9; 49:22-26; Psa. 105:17-21
Ⅰ
Joseph represents the reigning aspect of a mature life—Gen. 45:8, 26a:
A
Spiritually speaking, Joseph is not separate from Jacob; rather, he represents the reigning aspect of a mature saint, the mature Israel.
B
In reality and in actuality, the reigning aspect typified by Joseph is Christ constituted into our being—Eph. 3:17a; Gal. 4:19:
１
The process of being constituted with Christ will continue until it reaches its climax when the reigning aspect comes forth in us—Rom. 5:10, 17, 21.
２
The constitution of Christ in our regenerated being is what gives us the burden to take care of others; this is shepherding—Gen. 37:12-17:
ａ
The part of our being that is constituted with Christ is the part that shepherds others—1 Pet. 5:2-3.
ｂ
The reigning aspect is first the shepherding aspect; reigning authority comes from the shepherding life—Matt. 2:6.
Ⅱ
Joseph's life was controlled and directed by his dreams—Gen. 37:5-11:
A
Joseph's dreams reveal the situation of God's people in His sight—Rev. 12:1:
１
We need the view of the heavenly dream, the eternal view, not the view from the earth—Num. 23:21; 24:4-8.
２
We need to see God's people from the heavenly viewpoint; the more we have this vision and the more we mature in life, the less we will speak negatively concerning the saints or the church.
B
The vision of Joseph's dreams controlled his life and directed his behavior; he behaved excellently and marvelously because he was directed by the vision he saw in his dreams—Gen. 37:7, 9:
１
In his conduct he was a sheaf standing up and full of life, and he was a star shining in the darkness—39:1-23.
２
Joseph's life under the heavenly vision was the life of the kingdom of the heavens described in Matthew 5—7.
Ⅲ
Before Joseph was enthroned, he passed through a long period of testing, trial, and suffering—Gen. 37:18-28; 39:1—40:23:
A
Enthronement did not immediately follow his dreams; instead, there was betrayal leading to imprisonment—37:11a, 18-28; 39:19-20a.
B
No one can be enthroned without being tried and tested—2 Tim. 2:12a.
C
The years of Joseph's imprisonment were a training, an exercise, and a time of learning as a preparation for his enthronement:
１
If Joseph had not been in prison for twelve years, he would not have been qualified to rule over the land of Egypt—Gen. 40:12-15, 20-23.
２
The years in prison accomplished a great deal for him, not through objective education but through subjective suffering and discipline.
D
The visions Joseph saw sustained his faith during the years of testing; the stronger our faith is, the longer the period of testing will be—Psa. 105:17-21; 26:2; 1 Pet. 1:6-8; James 1:3, 12.
E
Joseph's speaking released him from prison and ushered him to the throne; he was given authority directly through his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams—Gen. 41:1-46.
Ⅳ
The record of Joseph's life is a revelation of the rulership of the Spirit—45:9, 26a; 41:42:
A
A gold chain was put around Joseph's neck; this signifies the Spirit for obedience—v. 42; Acts 5:32:
１
Our neck (will) must be conquered, subdued, and chained by the Holy Spirit.
２
After our stiff neck has been softened and subdued, others will see on our neck the beauty of the Holy Spirit for obedience expressed in our submission—S. S. 1:10; 4:9; 2 Cor. 10:6; Phil. 2:12.
B
Joseph was a man who had been thoroughly dealt with and who lived under the rulership of the Spirit; therefore, he was qualified to rule over the land of Egypt, carrying out such a vast administration—Gen. 45:9; 41:55-57; 47:11-27:
１
He was full of human feelings and sentiments, but he kept himself with all his feelings under the rulership of the Spirit—43:26-34; 45:1-5, 9; 46:29.
２
Joseph was a sober, disciplined person, and his personal temperament and sentiment were under the control of resurrection life—42:6, 8-9a.
３
As a leader Joseph did not act according to his need, desire, feelings, disposition, sentiment, or enjoyment; rather, he did everything according to the need of others and for their good—42:6-28; 43:15—45:24.
４
Joseph was a self-denying person; although he had been enthroned to be the ruler of the earth, he did nothing for himself or for his own enjoyment.
Ⅴ
Joseph fully understood that it was the sovereign God, not his brothers, who had brought him to Egypt—45:5-9; 50:15-21:
A
Joseph was able to comfort his brothers because he realized that God had sent him to Egypt—vv. 20-21.
B
Joseph's life is an illustration of how "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"—Rom. 8:28.
Ⅵ
Joseph was blessed by God wherever he was; thus, Joseph is a sign of God's universal blessing—Gen. 39:2-5, 20-23; 49:22-26; Deut. 33:13-17.