Thursday 30Dec2021
Genesis chapters 39 to 41 in today's Old Testament readings tells of Joseph's journey from being sold to Pharaoh's officer Potiphar, to being appointed as overseer over Potiphar's household, to being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and imprisoned by Potiphar, and subsequently to his successful and impressive interpretation of Pharaoh's disturbing dream resulting in his appointment by Pharaoh as ruler over all the land of Egypt, being given Pharaoh's very own signet ring.
Indeed, Joseph has impressed and won the favour of everyone he served with his wisdom and trustworthiness, from Potiphar, to the prison captain, to Pharaoh himself.
Genesis 39:1 - 4 NWB Noah Webster Bible
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt: and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down thither.
2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man: and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
Genesis 41:41 - 44 NWB
41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 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;
43 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.
44 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
A few noteworthy verses are found in the passage above. Genesis 41:40 says that Pharaoh gave Joseph so much authority over the kingdom that "only in the throne will I be greater than thou". Pharaoh gave Joseph the name "Zaphnath-paaneah" (Gen 41:43 NWB) and verse 42 tells us that Pharaoh even took off his own signet ring and put it on Joseph's hand!
With such absolute power, it is no wonder that wherever Zaphnath-paaneah went in Pharaoh's second chariot, the people were ordered to "Bow the knee!" before him. (Gen 41:43 NWB).
This reminds us that our Lord Iesus was likewise anointed by God to rule over heaven and earth, in a manner similar to Joseph (Zaphnath-paaneah) being appointed by Pharaoh to rule over the land of Egypt. In Matthew 28:18, our Lord told the disciples after his resurrection, "All power is given to me in heaven and upon earth".
Indeed, the Lord Iesus is given such a high position that Philippians chapter 2 tells us that God has highly exalted him and has given him a name that is higher than every other name. And just as Genesis 41:43 tells us that every one was to bow the knee before Zaphnath-paaneah, Philippians 2:10 says that every knee shall bow at the name of Iesus. In fact, the name of Iesus is far higher over and above the name of Zaphnath-paaneah because those who bow the knee at the name of Iesus include all things in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth.
Philippians 2:11 goes on to state that every tongue shall confess that Iesus the Anointed is Lord, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.
Philippians 2:9 - 11 NWB
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us also bow our knees at the Name of our Lord Iesus who has been Anointed and Highly Exalted by God to rule over every thing in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Let us confess that Iesus is Lord and give glory to God our Father in Heaven.
