Do you realize that God devoted the last 13 chapters of Genesis to illustrate two verses in Romans? The story of Joseph covers Gen. 37-50.
- Joseph has a dream of grandeur.
- His brothers hate him and throw him away, falling headlong into the guilt of sin.
- Joseph ends up going down to Egypt and setting up a system of salvation from famine.
- The brothers eventually benefit from that, but not just them. All of Egypt (type of the world/Gentiles).
- Their father Jacob/Israel dies, and Joseph’s brothers expect that Joseph is going to finally exact revenge for their sinful behavior.
But Joseph’s most famous words speak of a merciful, loving heart that is opposite of what his brothers suppose. 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. 50:19-21)
This whole story paints the tapestry God designed from the beginning in relation to the sin of the children of Israel as it affects the salvation of the Gentiles and the ultimate restoration of Israel. Here are the summary verses in Romans:
I say then, Have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? (Rom. 11:11-12)
These 13 chapters in Genesis take the story full circle. It starts with a prophesied savior (Joseph, the Jesus type and his dream). Goes to his brothers’ rejection of him. Ends with ultimate forgiveness and salvation for the Gentiles and Israel.
Don’t miss the last-chapter, heartfelt full-surrender bowing of the brothers in fulfillment of Joseph’s dream 13 chapters ago. …and now, we 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. (Gen 50:17b-18)
Absolutely everyone is going to have their moment before Jesus. It’s best to bow now with your heart in deep contrition for your sin and your neglect of Jesus, the Savior. Mercy is still available. Regardless of whether you humble yourself now, there’s coming a day: 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. 2:10-11)
R&J Shee
Comments