(22) Joseph from captivating to royales
Joseph
How Joseph changed from a slave to a man authorized in the whole land of Egypt? what are the great lessons we should get out of that? what are the different symbols for the Christ in this story?
The Beginning
(Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children. Also, he made him a tunic of many colors.) (Genesis37:2,3)
So, Joseph was a symbol for the Christ as a beloved son for his father, therefore, each true believer might be so, when he enters a real relationship with God.
(But his brothers hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.) (Genesis37:4)
The hard feelings of his brothers could not close his heart toward them or even lose him his peace.
After so happening, he dreamt two dreams. The first is that his sheaf arose upright and surrounded his brothers’ and that those of his brothers bowed down to his.
The second, is that he dreamt that the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowed down to him. so, his brothers even hated him more instead of listening to the voice of heavens.
Dear reader was Joseph the young man true in telling such dreams? so, how could God prepare him for such dreams to come true?
Firstly, mission of love
(Then he said to him, “Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and bring back word to me.”) (Genesis37:14)
(So, Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan. Now when they saw him afar off, they conspired against him to kill him.) (Genesis37:17,18)
Instead of thanking him for his good doing, his brothers agreed to get rid of him and his dreams. So, is every true believer, cause, I guess sometimes our good actions towards others might be faced with bad actions.
Father Caesarius of Arles says: (Joseph found his brothers in Dothan; meaning revolution that they were in. So, when they saw him, they discussed how to kill him? As the Jews did with the real Joseph; the Christ, when they agreed to crucify him.)
Secondly, a slave in Egypt
(Then Midianite traders passed by, so the brothers pulled Joseph and lifted him out the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty Shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.) (Genesis37:28)
(Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.) (Genesis37:36)
(And his master saw that the Lord and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So, Joseph found favor in his sight and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house.) (Genesis39:3-4)
(Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me”) (Genesis39:6-7)
(How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”) (Genesis39:9)
I guess this answer from Joseph resulting from the knowledge he had from his father, whom he was listening to before the law of MosesÂ
(So, it was as she spoke to Joseph Day to day that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.) (Genesis39:10)Â
(And none of the men of the house was inside. That she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” but he left his garment in her hand and fled and ran outside.) (Genesis39:11-12)
Dear reader, observe, Joseph was a slave, the woman of his master urged him a day after day to do the sin with her, there were no laws of God yet, and the house was empty. He also was sure that he might lose his life for this, but he could do the right action.
(“The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came into me to mock me.”) (Genesis39:17)
Father Caesarius of Arles says: ” I guess she was not loving him or even loving herself. If she loved him, why destroying him? if she loved herself why destroying her soul? so, she was not loving him, but burning with the poison of lust… Not lumining with the fire of the righteousness.”
(Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison.) (Genesis39:20)
Dear reader the price of walking with God is surely costly but it is the only way to live forever!
Saint John Chrysostom says: “Joseph was more glorious than a king crowned with victory while still in restrictions, while Potiphar’s wife was more desperate than any prisoner while still living in royal houses.”
(And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers the chief butler and the chief baker. So, he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison.) (Genesis40:2-3)
(Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, had a dream.) (Genesis40:5)
(Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharoah’s birthday, that he made a feast for all of his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the head of the chief baker among his servants.) (Genesis40:20)
(Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.) (Genesis40:21-22)
The two servants might denote to, the two thieves around the crucified Christ, one announced his repentance, while the other stayed in his wrongdoing. Â
(But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; mention of me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house.) (Genesis40:14)
(Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph but forgot him.) (Genesis40:23)
Dear, reader under such circumstances, was Joseph right in asking for a recommendation from the chief butler? the answer might be no, for that he forgot him. I know that it might be so hard but the dependence upon God might be the shorter way in the long run.
(Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream.) (Genesis41:1)
(And he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men bur there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.) (Genesis41:8)
Thirdly, becoming second in Egypt
(Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph and he shaved, changing his clothing and came to Pharaoh.) (Genesis41:14)
(Then Joseph said to Pharaoh “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one.) (Genesis41:25-26)
(Indeed, seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten, and the famine will deplete the land.) (Genesis41:29-30)
(Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there’s no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word, only in regard to the throne I will be greater than you.”) (Genesis41:39-40)
Oh heavens! who was fired from his brothers deserving for killing, honored by a pagan king, as well as the Christ refused from his nation but accepted by all nations as a king for hearts, procuring their lives and appearing in their depths.
Tawfik, S. (2022). Joseph from captivating to royales. www.orthodox-beliefs.com
No comment