Joseph had two intriguing dreams that meant the same thing in Gen. 37:5-10. The interpretation was that his family would bow down before him and make obeisance to him someday.
But what Joseph didn’t know was that his wicked brothers, who threw him in a pit from where he was snatched and sold as a slave into Egypt, would actually bow down to him three times.
I wonder which of those three times Joseph dreamed about. The first time? All three times? Let’s see if we can decide.
First, remember that Joseph is a type of Jesus as savior. His brothers are “his own” who received him not. (John 1:11) That’s the “hologram” picture we are working with. Let’s see what kind of bowing went on in these three instances.
First time: Gen. 42:6-7. Joseph is the governor of the land (Egypt, the world) where the brothers go to find food during the famine. Joseph is in control of the food supply. When they see him, the brothers bow down to him and tell him they need food. OK. That’s good. Thing is, there are only 10 of the brothers. Benjamin stays back with Jacob. Also, they don’t know it’s Joseph. They don’t recognize him. So essentially, they are bowing before a stranger because they want food. Is this the kind of bowing Joseph dreamed of back there in Genesis 37? Likely not.
Second time: Gen. 43:26. The brothers had to go back and get Benjamin per Joseph’s request. So, this time all 11 brothers return to him and bow down. They have brought him a present of a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds (43:11). This is looking better. But they still don’t recognize him. This is still all about doing what they have to in order to get food. He’s not committing his identity to them. Is this bowing session the one in Joseph’s dreams? The next bowing is just two verses later.
Third time: Gen 43:28. Joseph asks if their father is well. Yes, he is. And they bow again. But they still don’t know who he is. Joseph loves them for sure. They are family. He’s crying. But he’s still not revealing his identity to his brothers.
Perhaps an instance from Christ’s life will shed some light on this. Now when he (Jesus) was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many (of the Jews) believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)
The motives of Joseph’s brothers’ bowing to him weren’t quite right. Something was missing.
I think I know which instance of his brothers’ bowing fulfilled Joseph’s dreams. I’ve been holding back. There was a fourth time they bowed, and it reads entirely differently than the three previous times.
Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers. He calls for his father Jacob to join them. He comes, and in time Jacob passes away, and the brothers are now terrified thinking Joseph is going to finally take revenge on them for what they did to him. Here’s the final passage in the last chapter of Genesis: And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we (his brothers) pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. Gen. 50:16-21
Finally! This bowing was not just lip service. Doctrinally, when Christ returns, Israel will humbly and sincerely bow before Him. They will finally recognize the one whom they pierced. They will grieve for their wickedness and will confess and repent. (See Zech. 12:10, Psa. 22:16-17, Rev. 1:7)
Inspirationally, check yourself. Make sure you are not one of the ones who doesn’t really know Jesus. Don’t be one who just looks for miracles, bowing to him because He’s the one in charge of meeting physical and emotional needs. Your bigger need is for forgiveness for your offences toward Him. Fall down before Him in repentance, confessing He is everything, and you just want to be His servant in exchange for forgiveness. If you do that today, write the date in the front of your Bible. It’s the day of your salvation.
R&J Shee
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