Life of Joseph

Hope the article edifies and encourages you in the Lord, apologies for type setting, i just copy and paste directly, without making changes.


The Life of Joseph by Uncle J.J. Stubbs

at Pekan Baru Gospel Hall

(with slight additional points)

A. Joseph & his brethren

B. Joseph & his bride

C. Joseph & his blessing

D. Joseph & his bones

A. Joseph & His brethren

Passages:

i. Gen 45.1-4,13-15,24

• Take note of the mention of ‘Spirit of God’ in connection with Joseph

i. Compare if there’s any mention with other patriarchs

• Pharaoh noticed the differences in Joseph

i. Do others see differences in me?

• How so? Good? Bad? Whom do I reflect?
• Where Joseph was given place, the blessings followed...

i. Imperative to have Christ as the centre of our lives!

ii. Is there something else that I’m preoccupied with that is hindering this centrality?

 NO place

 A place

 THE place

 Gen 42-44 – preparatory, he was testing his brethren, preparing them for the shock of his revelation, testing them to see if they were true men...

i. Are we true men & women of God?

ii. Am I real in my profession?

 Gen 45

i. Consideration for his brethren (vs 1-2)

ii. Commission for his brethren (vs13)

iii. Compassion for his brethren (vs14)

iv. Care for his brethren (vs22)

v. Counsel for his brethren (vs24)

o Is there peace amongst the brethren wherever you may be gathered? How important it is for the saints to be at peace amongst ourselves!!

i. Consideration for his brethren (vs 1-2)

a. Always consider the brethren, don’t gossip or publicly expose another’s fault! It’s indeed a shameful thing when believers take one another to court, but those are the outward manifestations that can be seen, are there hidden things that are brought up behind closed doors? May it not be so… Joseph did not want the Egyptians to know how his brethren had wrongly treated him…

ii. Commission for his brethren (vs13)

a. Joseph went from the pit-prison-palace, and there were stepping stones to the throne.

 Gen 39 (Subjection)

 Gen 40 (Sympathy –helping desire, thinking of others, not self)

 Joseph could have wallowed in self-pity – “why me” “why am I here”... did he? No, he did not... he desired to help others, he didn’t need to help, but he did 

 Gen 43 (Service)

iii. Compassion for his brethren (vs14)

a. 1 Thess 5.26 “Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss”

 Did Joseph harbour any ill feelings towards those who had wronged him? Did he show his compassion on a selected few?

 Are we selective in our compassion to the saints?

 Am I a phony i.e. fake? We may not like these questions, but there can be no doubt, they are pertinent ones, for our flesh is prone to manifest if we are not watchful!

iv. Care for his brethren (vs22)

a. Also to be taken note that they dwelt in Goshen, a separated area with nearness and nourishment.

 Are we a separated people? Do we reflect it in our walk? See John 17

v. Counsel for his brethren (vs24)

a. “see that ye fall** not out by the way” **i.e. tremble not or be not agitated, from fear, grief or anger.

 In our walk amidst the saints, how are we faring, are we a quarrelsome people, continually backbiting?

 We have responsibilities before Him, is the journey being hindered by ourselves being used as tools of the enemy?

 Taking a step back as well, there may be truths that need to be put forth, but in what manner is it done?, is it done in a manner that reflects our Lord?

B. Joseph & his bride

Passage:

Gen 41.41-52

4 brides in Genesis:

i. Eve

ii. Rebekah

iii. Rachel

iv. Asenath

 Adam lacked a bride

 Isaac longed for a bride

 Jacob laboured for a bride

 Joseph linked with a bride

 Eve is a picture of the building of the church

 Adam didn’t have to go on a journey in finding a bride

 Adam only gave a part of himself, Christ gave ALL!

 Rebekah pictures the betrothal of the church

 Rachel pictures the beauty of the church

 Asenath pictures the blessing of the church

 Asenath was a Gentile bride

o Joseph may have told her all that he had undergone, the suffering and the glory that followed, perhaps that may have drawn out the love from her heart unto Joseph, and come to know and trust the God in whom Joseph believed as well, for it would seem out of place (considering the whole narrative of Joseph’s life and character) to simply marry someone whom he did not know or loved, Joseph loved her and vice versa.

 How are the relationships between husbands and wives?

• Is there a sacrificial love?

• Is there a selfless love?

• Is there a loving, leading, and labouring (nourishing and cherishing) character being shown forth?

• Is there loving submission?

• Read Eph 5 

• Also, in the marriage, whom do we love most? Yes there is love between one another, but the love for the Lord is primary!! for it’s his love that drives the love towards one another 

 For those courting?

• Is there purity?

• Is there preparation (spiritually) for lives ahead?

• Is there prayer together?

 Consideration:

o Asenath only mentioned here

o Mentioned before the 7 year famine

o After the 7 year famine, no mention

o As we read Revelation 1-3, when we come to chap 4, we notice a change, and we understand that the church has been raptured (as for the reasons on this, if you would like to know further, you can email or we can talk about it God-willing  ), the church WILL NOT GO THROUGH THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION.

o Can we see a parallel between Asenath, the church, the famine, the tribulation?

 A new name was given to Joseph i.e. Zaphnath-paaneah which means ‘revealer of secrets’ or ‘saviour of the world’.

o Apt description if when compared to our Lord, see John 4

 Satisfaction

 Salvation

 Saviour of the world

C. Joseph & his blessings

Passage:

Gen 49. 22-26

i. Joseph as the spreading one (vs22)

ii. Joseph as the suffering & strengthened one (vs23-25)

iii. Joseph as the separate one (vs26)

 What is the secret of our strength?

o Phil 4.13

 Spiritual weakness? Turn to God!!

o See vs 24-25

o Am I cast upon God??

i. Joseph as the spreading one (vs22)

a. Is there an increase in faithfulness and fruitfulness in my life before the Lord?

o What is the secret of fruitfulness? THE WORD OF GOD!!

o Read Jn 15

o Illustration: there was a young boy who was given three presents for his birthday, a cake, a watch, and a bible. The next day someone asked him about the three presents, the boy replied, “one is gone (cake), one going (clock=as in time), but one abideth forever!”

o How much more ought we to be men and women of the Word, diligently searching it out and studying it, and submitting loving unto what He has said!

ii. Joseph as the suffering and strengthened one (vs23-25)

a. There was no retaliation from him

o He didn’t use his bow, his bow abode in strength

o Read 1 Pet 1.11 “searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when It testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”

o With what prospects are we living forth?

o In assembly life, am I a ‘retaliator’?

iii. Joseph as the separate one (vs26)

a. Separate from his brethren in the sense:

o Father’s fondness

o Evil fortune that befell him

o Personal features

o Wonderful future

 In Reuben (vs3-4), we see weakness, forfeited privileges and failure.

o Compared with Joseph we see separateness in character and life

o Joseph was dependable and trustworthy – think of time with Potiphar

 Am I dependable unto the Lord?

 How is my testimony?

• At work?

• At home?

• In school/uni?

 In Simeon & Levi (vs5-7), a wall was broken down, there was anger

o There was anger and we read of division/scattering

 How we need to pray in endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace – Eph 4.3

 There is a unity already (no need to ‘manufacture’) if we’re believers, but there must be diligence and strong endeavour to keep it

 We must not take things for granted, even if things are seemingly well in the assembly, pray and pray more, there’s so many things that need prayer, aren’t there? Which leads us to another consideration, how is my prayer life?

 Judah (vs8-12)

o Refer back to Gen 38 and compare with Joseph and the situation was dealt with concerning Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39)

o Read 1 Cor 6.18, 1Tim 6.11, 2 Tim 2.22, Prov 7

o It has been oft said; Joseph left his coat but not his character. 

 Zebulun (vs13)

o We see commerce and think perhaps of Babylon

 Joseph while in Egypt, never lost his faith, the things of the world did not get a hold of him

• We may not be a ‘star’ in the world’s eyes, but may we seek rather to reflect and shine for Him and His glory in this dark world and not muddle ourselves in the things that will pass away.

• We may of course give acknowledgement to these facts, but how is my life really before the Lord; we each have to come before Him, and let His Word search us, and if anything needs removing, may we not tarry. We acknowledge as well that there are believers, and unbelievers, but am I a ‘make-believer’? Is there alignment with what I know and how I walk (at all times)?

 Issachar (vs14-15)

o Wanted an easy time (couching)

o Joseph was busy, but his simplicity and behaviour did not alter

 Bilhah’s & Zilpah’s sons (vs16-21)

o Look back at Gen 37; Joseph brought unto their father their evil report. The word for report is used as slander, infamy, defaming, etc., there are 9 occurrences of the word in the OT, and one may want to look them up.

o They were gossiping.

 What did Joseph do?

• He told his father.

• And so should we, may we not partake of gossip, and be mindful of what we speak, continually.

• Also, Joseph was only 17 then, but he did what was right, and how important it is do what is right from an early age!! 

 

D. Joseph & his bones

Passages:

Gen 50.24-26

Exo 13.19

Josh 24.32

Heb 11.22

 Bones in a way speak of the faithfulness of God

o Ezek 37 – restoration of the nation of Israel

o Jn 19 – no bone shall be broken cp Exo 12.46

o God is faithful to His Word!

 Genesis begins with life and ends with a coffin

 We need to remember that we’re strangers and pilgrims

 Genesis

o Bones are in Egypt

 Exodus

o Bones are in the wilderness

 Joshua

o Bones are in Shechem

 The bones were carried for about 200 years

o God did not want the people to forget the sufferings of Joseph and what was done

o They would see an object lesson as Moses carried the bones along

 If all they carried were as recorded in Numbers 3-4 and the above, which would indeed have been good, but sadly they did not, see Amos 5.26, there was idolatry!

 The carrying of the bones ought to have reminded them of their destiny and where they were headed ultimately, and thus it would prompt a life that would be lived out differently

 In the bones we can see:

• A strange treasure

• A silent teacher

• A solemn testimony

 There can also be seen a parallel between the bones and the Lord’s Supper:

Origin Observation Order

Gospels Acts 2, 20 1 Cor 11

Gen 50 Exo 13.19 Josh 24.32

*Joseph gave commandment concerning his bones

 Moses was VERY BUSY, but yet he kept the command!!

o He had so many things to do, so many things to attend to, did he neglect the command?

 No, he did not

• What about us? How do we treat the Lord’s Supper?

• Once a year, month? As and when I feel like it?

• Is there such a thing as occasional fellowship?

o No, there is not.

• Think about Acts 20.6ff and Paul’s abiding there 7 days, he wanted to break bread with them.

 1 Cor 11.26 “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.”

o Simple observation

o Specific proclamation – look up the word ‘shew’, its used as proclaiming or preaching, occurs 19x in NT

 Many have come to know our Lord by merely observing the simplicity and sanctity of how the meeting is done and the thoughts uttered.

 There is absolutely no need for theatrics, may our hearts seek to ever maintain the simplicity of the meeting and lovingly obey His commands

o Sweet anticipation

1 Cor 11.23 1 Cor 11.26a 1 Cor 11.26b 1 Cor 11.28-29

The look up The look back The look ahead The look in

Our Authority Our Appreciation Our Anticipation Our Attitude

*worship is neither workshop nor wash-up - 2 Sam 24.24

 Moses could not bring the bones in, though he probably expected to go into Canaan.

o We all desire to be with the Lord, we hope that we may caught up before death passes, but that may not be so, but nevertheless we look and hope with eagerness and with a heart seeking to have that firmer step and resoluteness in Him, that His name may be glorified while we sojourn! 

 Does the breaking of bread speak to us?

o Am I partaking worthily?

o What does worthily encompass?

 Do I want to know?

 Have I heeded 1 Cor 11.28?

• Was it just a quick examination to clear ‘accounts’ 5 mins before the meeting begins on Sunday morning?

o Food for thought as well, where was I 5 mins (yes, it’s understandable that those with families and children may be late, but may we pray that they too may be able to come early (and if they’re indeed late, may we not give them the evil eye!), before the meeting began, and what are my thoughts?

• May we seek to walk moment by moment with our Lord, we have constant communion with our Lord, but how often we neglect our blessed privilege. When we walk in the world, there’s bound to be defilement contracted somewhere, and we need the action of the laver.

• The standard with which we measure is the very Word of God, may it truly show us for what we are, and the closer we cleave unto the Word and our Lord, may we be more like Him!

o 2 Cor 3.18

END