I trust that as we have been considering Joseph as a “type” of Christ (Messiah), you have been encouraged and challenged. Today I want you to see Joseph as a great statesman.
Ge 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Knowing the story line we already see it’s unfolding, yet intriguingly, we need to retrace the pathway so far … and to see God’s Divine Plan falling into place. After two years more jail time, the cupbearer remembered he forgot all about mentioning Joseph to the King. Pharaoh had two dreams (chapter 40:1-8). He was a troubled man, so much so that he called for his “magicians and wise men” for interpretation. None could (v8). It was at this hour the cupbearer remembered how Joseph interpreted his dreams leading him to mention this to his king (v9-13). Needing an explanation to his dreams as he was very troubled, he calls for Joseph to be brought to him. After a cleansing ritual and dressing, he appears before the king who explains his dreams to Joseph wanting an interpretation. Right here Joseph’s godly character and integrity kicks in, saying:
Ge 41:16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Surely this is God inspired! Joseph wants the king to know that he is God’s servant and of his own he cannot fulfil the king’s desire … but that the true God of heaven and earth is able to work through His servant Joseph. All the credit and glory needed to go to God! In all our ministry, works and efforts, even when not within the church, God needs to get all the glory for He is the Enabler! The dreams are explained and the interpretation … with Joseph adding:
Ge 41:28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.”
and
Ge 41:32 “The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.”
Joseph needed Pharaoh to know that the interpretation was from God. God’s Word is given as to what will happen, then Joseph provides wisdom how to prepare, plan for and manage the famine that was to come. At Pharaoh’s own admission, none like Joseph who has the “spirit of God” (v38) is to be found throughout the nation and appoints him Prime Minister over all Egypt.
Ge 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Suddenly we see the dreams Joseph had and shared with his brothers and then his father had come true. He was now second in charge of one of the, if not the greatest nation of the then world and we will see his brothers bowing down to him for he is now a great statesman. From a greatly loved son and shepherd to a servant being sold as a suffering slave, Joseph, son of Israel, descendant of Abraham is an honoured statesman with only the king of Egypt his superior. Joseph is the “type” but Jesus is the “reality” … not only in being a statesman, but in all we have considered over the past few days. Jesus is truly the Greatest Statesman! Not just over one earthly superpower, but overall creation! In John the Baptist’s own words:
Jn 3:31 “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all”
Jn 3:35 “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.”
and
Eph 1:20 and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church
and
Rev 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Take each type of Christ Joseph is … fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who has been appointed to the highest possible office in all creation, all eternity and for all time! He is LORD over all. As Joseph was a loved son so was Jesus … loved so by God the Father. Jesus too was a shepherd over His sheep (the people of God) pictured in Joseph shepherding his father’s sheep. As Israel sent his son as a servant (messenger), so the Father sent His Son Jesus into the world as a servant … messenger! As his brothers sold Joseph into slavery, so Jesus was sold by one of His disciples into the chief priest and Pilate’s hands to be executed. Joseph pointed us to Jesus’ suffering on Calvary after which as Joseph was raised to the office of Prime Minister of Egypt, Jesus was raised to Lord of all in the heavens, earth and Heaven itself. We have one more “type” to consider tomorrow, but for right now, consider just who this Jesus is as the greatest ever Statesman! He is Lord, God Almighty, the true Ruler and the One who Reigns sovereignly over all that exists, seen and unseen. He is the One who spoke and from nothing everything exited in 6 days. He is the One who saved Noah and his family on the Ark to repopulate the planet. He is the One who raised up a pagan, Abram, through whom He would create a nation for Himself to reach the world. They failed and He, Himself came to this planet to do what neither Adam, nor the Levitical priesthood, not even king David could do … change the hearts of people, turning them back to God and to God’s purpose for their existence. This is the One who answers prayers, hold and provides, gives life and takes life, controls the weather and other forces of nature, permits disease and brings healing … all in His own time and way without the pressure or coercion of man. He is seated on the Throne of Glory and the greatest statesman … and He reign in power and for all eternity. He is the King of the ages!
Praise be to You Lord Jesus, reigning King of Glory. Amen.