His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:18-21)
The Prince of Egypt! What a great story. But Joseph isn’t the real prince of Egypt because behind him stands the Real Prince of Egypt, the Ruler of the whole world. Joseph’s life story is a tiny outline of the story of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Joseph was the favourite of his father. His brothers became bitter through envy and gave him into the hand of foreigners hoping that they would kill him. They betrayed their own brother for pieces of silver. Joseph was left in a pit. He ended up in the deepest dungeons in a strange land. But God raised him up. God raised him all the way up to the right hand of the majesty, Pharaoh. From there Joseph ruled the known world. Through his rulership he saved many lives and especially the lives of his own people. They came to him and instead of remembering their sins against them, he freely forgave them. He spoke kindly to them and provided for them. The man they rejected became their saviour. Meet Jesus in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ was the Beloved of the Father. He left His Father’s glory and gave up everything. His own people did not receive Him. His brothers rejected Him. He was betrayed and sold for pieces of silver into the hands of foreigners. He was locked up in the worst prison: death. But God raised Him up and seated Him at the right hand of Majesty. From there He rules the Universe and from that position of power He saves all His people. He forgives all who come to Him. He feeds them with grace and mercy and speaks kindly to them. As Joseph said, everything that his brothers did was done with evil intent but God meant it for good, for the saving of many lives. Just so, whereas we meant it for evil, the rejection of Jesus and His crucifixion was meant by God for the saving of many lives. There is one difference. Joseph says, “Am I in the place of God?”, a rhetorical question that expects the answer ‘no’. But Jesus really was in the place of God. He was Immanuel, God with us. Jesus is the greater and better Joseph. PRAY and thank Jesus for what He willingly went through to save many countless lives. Ask Him to assure you that you really are one of His people who He feeds and provides for.