"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." [Gen 45:5]
In Genesis, one of the main accounts given is that of Joseph, who was a son of Jacob, and is a major tribe of Israel. Joseph was the first child born of Rachel after being barren for some time; it is written regarding her, that “God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her [prayers], and opened her womb.” [Gen 30:22] Rachel being the first wife that Jacob desired, for whom he served Laban fourteen total years, and Joseph being the firstborn from her, it so happened that “Israel, [who is also Jacob], loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat without seam.” [Gen 37:3]
Joseph was the favored child, and because of this, and perhaps also that Joseph “brought unto his father [the] evil report” of his brethren, his brethren “hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” [Gen 37:2; 4] Therefore they began to plot against their brother and when the opportunity arose, they sold him into slavery and lied to their father, convincing him that Joseph was killed by wild beasts. Eventually, after some time, Joseph, who had been transported to Egypt by the slave traders, was elevated to great stature and became very powerful. Genesis tells us,
“And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” [Gen 41:42-43]
Joseph was given such a degree of authority that Pharoah said to him, “without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” [Gen 41:44]
Now it came to pass, The LORD tells us, that “seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said [to Pharoah],” [Gen 41:54] which were so severe that it is said “the famine was over all the face of the earth…and all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands,” and because that Joseph through God’s wisdom had so prepared for the famine which was predetermined and prophesied of God. [Gen 41:56-57]
Eventually, Joseph’s brethren who were with their father came to Egypt to buy food, and it came to pass that Joseph “made himself known unto his brethren.” [Gen 45:1] But rightfully so his brethren, upon seeing this, “were troubled at his presence;” [Gen 45:3] however, Joseph did not chastise nor argue with his brethren; neither did he condemn them nor treat them harshly, but said to them, “I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life…And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” [Gen 45:4-5; 7] There is much more to the account given in Genesis, but from this small portion, we are able to see a glorious picture of Christ.
Just as Joseph was delivered up by his very own brethren and suffered for sins he did not commit, so too Jesus suffered for us; for just as Joseph was betrayed, so too Jesus by Judas his friend and the Jews His brethren. Moreover not only by them but also us, those whom He has now turned His face to with love, mercy, and grace. And just as Joseph suffered, was cast into prison, and was eventually raised to great heights of power through suffering, so too Jesus. For Jesus suffered for us in great measure, taking upon Himself the fulness of our sins and punishments; and because of His valiant action, Philippians tells us,
“God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [Phil 2:9-11]
And just as Joseph’s reaction was full of mercy and forgiveness toward His brethren, not condemning them for their betrayal, so too is Jesus’ toward us, toward those who have betrayed Him, whose sins had adhered him to the cross with thick nails and whose rebellions had caused Him to be subjected to God’s vehement wrath. For we see that Just as Joseph’s word to His brethren was “be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves” so too is Jesus’ words toward us; for we are told, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit;” and, “…neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” [Rom 8:1, Neh 8:10]
We see here such a glorious picture of Christ in Joseph’s reaction. What a comforting and encouraging thing that Jesus is not bitter or angry or upset with us for our many sins, but is rather pleased that we are now in His company forever by way of salvation. And think too regarding this picture, how glorious it is to us, to whom this account is not only reality (as it was for Joseph’s brethren), but a much more severe reality. For the suffering Jesus endured on our behalf was far greater than Joseph endured, and far greater than any other man; and the sins committed toward Jesus, The King of Glory, are far more grievous than anything Joseph’s brethren did. It was because of each of our sins individually that Christ died and suffered God’s most terrible wrath and that His body was utterly broken, being mutilated beyond the appearance of a human being. [Isa 52:14] And though our sins against Christ were so much greater, and His suffering so much more intense, yet Christ speaks even more softly and mercifully to us, to those of us who have chosen to receive Him into our hearts and believe on His name. Praise God for His unspeakable gift; this is the King we shall forever serve, who unlike Joseph will never die and who is perfect in all His ways.
Click here to see other posts in Daily Meditations on The Glory of Jesus, Vol I