GOD SPEAKS AND ACTS THROUGH JOSEPH IN EGYPT <GEN.40-41>
As the sequence of events continues, we see Joseph in the dungeon in charge of all the prisoners, two of which are Pharaoh’s Cupbearer and Baker. After interpreting their dreams he makes a statement to them which is a parallel to a statement made of our Lord Jesus by both Pilate and Herod at Christ’s trial. “For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” . Two full years pass while Joseph is still in the dungeon; it may have seemed that everyone, including God, had forgotten Joseph; but not so. God had not forgotten, His time had not yet come.
Thousands of years had gone by and to many Israelites it seemed that God had forgotten His promise of a deliverer, but God’s time is not the same as ours. “But when the time had fully was come, God sent his Son…”
Finally God moves to free Joseph by none other than Pharaoh himself, and all that God had been preparing Joseph for was now going to take place. “…the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.”
What God has determined for this world, and what He has determined for His Son, has surely (in the case of His Son) and will surely (also in reference to His Son) be fulfilled. “For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”
As Pharaoh is introduced to Joseph through Joseph’s interpretation of his dream, Pharaoh sees an important aspect in regards to Joseph’s character; and we today as believers should also display this in our lives. “So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”” <Gen.41:38 KJV; Num.27:18; Eph.4:1; 5:1; 1John 2:6; Matt 7:16, 20>
As we think of the many instances in which the people were astonished at the various things that the Lord Jesus did as he moved from place to place, performing miracles and healings, teaching the people; we must recognize, as did they, that it was so because of the Spirit of God, yes God Himself, who was present in their midst.
Finally this section closes with a statement from Pharaoh in reference to Joseph, which was also said of our Lord Jesus. “Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”