Conference Notes

Joseph is a type of Christ, and he also is an example for us of obedience to God.

Joseph's brothers behaved badly and had an evil report (v. 2). But Joseph didn't complain to his brothers about their behavior. Instead, he talked to his father about them--not as a "tattle-tale," but as one who had his father's interests at heart. We should likewise have our Father's interests in mind, and we can bring concerns to Him.

Joseph wasn't ashamed to wear the coat (cp. v. 23). Similarly, Jesus wasn't embarrassed about His intimate and joyous relationship with His Father. We can also enjoy a relationship with God as our Father and be willing to speak about it.

When Joseph's father sent him to find his brothers in Shechem, Joseph could have allowed his brothers' anger towards him to deter him from obeying his father. He didn't, however. Sensitivity to others' feelings should never keep us from continuing on for the Lord.

Those dreams revealed that God had a reigning man in mind (v. 8). Genesis 36 gives the generations of Esau in terms of their dukes, family heads, and so on. But the idea of a king only comes in with God's plans, and it's connected with Joseph, just as God's Man for the throne is the Lord Jesus Himself.

Jacob's family was evidently a dysfunctional one. But family problems are not excuses for individuals in a family. God can help each one to be faithful. Also, notice how the family is scattered when we leave the father's love--God's love.

Joseph always firmly did what was right. Reuben couldn't do it--he suggested not killing him but could only give the pit as an alternative. Judah was looking to make a profit (vv. 22, 26). They didn't take God's thoughts into consideration, but Joseph always did.

Joseph was first being prepared by God through his experiences at home. In this chapter, he now has to remain faithful even though he has been detached from the spiritual influence of his father. Consider:

-he didn't have the Law that came years later through Moses, but God's ways already had a place in his heart to do what was right;

-Joseph may have anticipated the fulfillment of his dreams when things began going well (v. 5), but he learned that God's timing is perfect.

Potiphar's wife cast her eyes on Joseph, but he kept his eyes on the Lord.

In general, the world is characterized by violence and corruption (cp. Genesis 6:5, 13). Violence didn't work against Joseph in chapter 37, so now the enemy tries to use corruption to sway his steps. Obedience is hard, because we are by nature "children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). But Joseph had to learn obedience by experience before he would be elevated to a place of authority himself.

Notice also Joseph's active response in rebuking her evil suggestion (v. 8). Then, after that rebuke, her suggestion remained a day-by-day temptation--it wasn't one time and then over with. But Joseph avoided even being with her, which in itself might not have seemed wrong. Although sorely tried, the Lord Jesus, too, did not and could not respond to temptation, for God is not tempted with evil (James 1:13).

We can't expect the world to value righteous behavior. Joseph's actions were completely twisted around when Potiphar's wife described them.

Potiphar's wife called him "the Hebrew servant." Consider the illustration of the Hebrew servant in Exodus 21, who remained in service because he loved his master. The greatest example of such a servant is the Lord Jesus Himself. Would you rather be accepted by the world or be given a title which is shared with the Lord Jesus?

God changes things in His own way and His own time. Joseph was in prison with no prospect of leaving. Then God sent a dream to Pharaoh, and in just the time it took to shave and change clothes, God completely turned around Joseph's situation.

Joseph recognized God's hand at work in this turnaround, as demonstrated by the names he gave to his sons (vv. 41:51-52).

His new name placed him above every other name and every other authority except Pharaoh. Compare the Lord Jesus in Philippians 2:5-11. Joseph is the administrator over the whole land. Similarly, the Lord Jesus will reign in his coming Millenial glory (compare, for example, Isaiah 11 and 12), after which comes the Eternal State, when God will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28, Revelation 21:3).

Joseph was not content just to rule. He initiated the restoration of his brothers, culminating in a very personal and intimate reunion (45:1). Joseph wept in front of his brethren; we have a God who weeps, too. And notice it was Joseph who wept for joy at the time of restoration, although it does not appear that his brethren who in fact had done the wrongs wept themselves.

Joseph made a point to declare God's hand in all of the events of the past 13 years.

He asked, "Am I in the place of God?" (50:19). We have to be careful not to act as if we are in God's place if a matter has to be settled.

Joseph did not want to be buried in Egypt. He appreciated the land of promise and knew God would bring the descendants of Jacob back there, so that's where he wanted his burial place to be, too.