Ultimately Joseph was sent by God to Egypt ahead of his family to prepare the way for deliverance from the coming famine. There were an infinite number of ways that God could have got Joseph into the right place just like there were an immeasurable number of scenarios to would get him there at the right time. But, God allowed his brothers, the sons of Jacob, to envy him, to hate him, to betray him, to sell him and to lie about him in order to work his plan. This plan would create physical deliverance, but it would also allow for spiritual growth, increased insight and the development of wisdom and character.
In the Hebrew language, Joseph’s words are emphatic that it was not his brothers who were ultimately responsible when he literally says,
“Not you (plural), you (plural) sent me, but (adversative) God!”
Indeed, the brothers are guilty of a wide range of sins that include, but are not limited to, jealousy, betrayal, lying, deception, selfish ambition, faithlessness towards men and God, etc. These sins are real and are the result of the brothers’ own evil nature. These sins are not caused by God, and will be produce the harvest of sin:
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:13-14
The sons of Jacob are responsible for their sin, but Joseph is telling them that ultimately they have not thwarted God’s plan. Everything is still on track if they are willing and ready to participate and be obedient. This is good news! They have been forgiven and God is ready to receive them back into the very plan their sin helped create!
Is this a green light for sinning? The Apostle Paul answers that question in Romans:
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
God has made Joseph:
“father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”
The use of the phrase “father to Pharaoh” would indicate that Joseph is held in high esteem and honor by Pharaoh who looks to him for advice and guidance as a son would his father. The NIV word “ruler” is from the Hebrew word adon which also means “lord” and “master.” To be adon of Pharaoh’s “entire household” means Joseph has absolute control over the state of Egypt and its treasury. The NIV word “ruler” is from the Hebrew mosel which indicates that in addition to advising Pharaoh and serving as the master of the treasury and the affairs of the state of Egypt, Joseph was also in a position to rule and govern the land of Egypt. All of this power will be fully manifest during the seven years of famine.
In all of this revelation of himself to his brothers Joseph does not boast or brag about what he has accomplished, but is instead talking about what amazing things the Lord has done. Joseph does not say:
“I am father to Pharaoh. I am lord of his entire household and I have become ruler of all Egypt,”
Instead, Joseph makes those very same points but gives God the sincere credit when he says:
“He (God) made me father to Pharaoh. (God has made me) lord of Pharaoh’s entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”
Joseph wants his brothers to be amazed and impressed, but only with what God has done in Joseph’s life. |
