THERE is a picture drawn in Genesis 45:1-15 and where God draws a picture that picture is perfect—and how perfect is the image in the type before us, each heart that has tasted anything of We the sweetness of the Antitype can testify. will not look at the previous dealings of Joseph with the consciences of his brethren, nor at the results following, for I want now just to consider for a moment this scene—the revelation of Joseph himself—to these guilty, hateful, and self-condemned me, his brethren, and to consider it in the glorious Person of Him of whom the patriarch arch was but a shadow.
To start with, then, all these beauties emanated directly from the heart of Joseph. Pent up there his deep affection for those who had simply returned hatred for his love had been working and waiting—waiting till the moment when, self-condemned, they stood before him with nothing to plead but their own utter helplessness. Then it was he “could not refrain himself”—the pent up tides no longer could be restrained; out the billows love must roll in its deathless ocean fullness. A faint likeness indeed of those eternal depths that now are overflowing from the heart of the blessed God to the vilest; the torrents of divine love which, unchecked, are pouring themselves on the thirsty ground, since every barrier has been removed by the cross. The moment divine righteousness was satisfied the heart of God removed all hindrances to His presence, the veil was rent by His hand, and the Saviour God came out in the plenitude of His grace to meet the long loved, long lost sinner. And—to meet him alone! So here, no Egyptian official, however dignified, is allowed to intrude into the solitude of that meeting place; no inquisitive eyes may rest on that scene! “There stood no man there” to mar or distract that meeting. Instinctively we feel how out of place another’s presence would have been. No priest needed, no intercessor—no, indeed! Shall we allow any to force their presence into the sacred recesses of the audience chamber of “the great God our Saviour” when called to be alone with Him? He commands them to go out; the secrets of His heart are only for those who are the objects of its affection.
In the verses of our chapter let us notice five things in connection with the Lord Jesus: (1) The person of the Son (ver. 3); (2) He is our kinsman (ver. 4); (3) the guilt of His people; (4) God’s purpose in it; and (5) the glory of Him whom they sold, but whom God sent.
No wonder that the declaration, “I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?” terrified them! Joseph, the father’s son, his delight and beloved one, the one whom they had hated, and now on the throne! But grace has deeper depths to manifest other secrets to unfold; secrets that no “house of Pharaoh” may overhear; and he who “wept aloud” now beckons closer to whisper only to their ears. the remembrance of their guilt. Yet in unfolding it the son reveals their kinsman, it is as one “not making afraid” that he presents himself, “Joseph your brother”! “Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he himself also took part of the same.” “The Word was made flesh.”
The truth must come out, however unpalatable; grace might hide it from others, but to them the solemn words must be uttered, “Whom ye sold”— yet blessed, thrice-repeated truth, “whom God sent” (vers. 4-8)! Man’s guilt, your guilt, my guilt, is told out in deepest blackness at Calvary, though at the same moment the provision to meet it is presented also. God’s side—He sent, sent the Saviour—to “save” not Egypt merely, but “your lives”—yours who sold Him, yours, who would not have Him!
Oh, gaze and adore! Be not wrapped up of in your guilt, terrible though it be. Behold the Lamb of God. See God’s purposes in Calvary, and know that our very sins that nailed Him to the cross are atoned for by the blood there shed for us who believe! What matchless grace! But more—the God who sent His only begotten Son is the God who, “has made” this same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ! “It is the exalted One who speaks, with added glories on His brow, God’s answer to Golgotha’s shame and scorning. Wherefore also God hath highly exalted Him.” Not as the Son, which He ever was and ever is, but as the “sent One,” the sold One, the humbled Son of man, these honors deck His brow. We see Him crowned with glory and honor. Many diadems shall crown His head (Rev. 19:12).
In Joseph we read of his threefold honors:(1) “A father to Pharaoh,” words figuratively foretelling the intimacy of relationship with Him who fills the throne. “Therefore doth my Father love me.” (2) “And Lord of all his house.” “Whose house are we.” Are you of it? Is He “thy Lord”?—then “worship thou Him!” (3) “And governor over all Egypt.” Yea! The “Governor among the nations.” However many gods amongst the nations, “to us there is one God the Father... and one Lord Jesus Christ.”
Blessed unfoldings! Are they yours, my reader? Knowest thou this One, the true Joseph? Then “haste ye and go.” Carry His message to thy home, to thy kindred, to those over whom His heart yearns. Bear His invitation, “Come down” —to be near Him—to be nourished by Him—and “tell of all my glory”! Yea, go! Go with His tears on thy neck, His kiss on thy cheek. Go in the sense of His love lavished thus upon thee; but ere thou goest, open out thy heart to Him who has revealed His as thine—and commune, yea, “talk with Him.”
H. C. T.