Genesis

THE character of Joseph is one of the choicest and most striking of all those in Holy Scripture. The fullness of detail which characterizes the record of his life from beginning to end clearly shows the importance attached to him by the writer, both personally and as an instrument for the fulfilment of the Divine purposes concerning Israel. Not only in Genesis, but in other books of the Old Testament, Joseph is brought before us as a man upon whom the Divine blessing signally rested, and in whom God’s grace was very definitely manifested (Deu 33:13-16; Psa 105:17-19; Act 7:9-10).

The story of his life falls quite naturally into eight periods, each of which has its special interest and its direct bearing upon his life and character. He is seen first of all at home in the days of his youth as the companion of his father, and it is evident that he was a fit and willing pupil of the aged patriarch as he was told of God’s covenant with his fathers. Then the hatred and jealousy of his brethren had no effect in spoiling the beauty of that early promise. We find him next in slavery, and now the promise of the early days begins to be fulfilled. Integrity, purity, honour, and faithfulness characterize him and make him steadfast and true to his God. In prison, too, he maintains his position, and in faithful obedience to his daily round and common task, he glorifies God and is made a blessing to those around him.

At Pharaoh’s court he next appears revealing the secrets of the monarch s dream and declaring God’s will concerning Egypt. This led at once, as we have seen, to the remarkable transformation of the prison slave to the Prime Minister. His home and work in Egypt next come before us, and in spite of the remarkable change in his circumstances he is the same simple and true-hearted man as ever. His relations with his brethren serve to reveal other aspects of his life, while the meeting with his father was the crowning point after years of trial, sorrow and discipline. The last fifty years of his life in Egypt reveal him as still the same in his nobleness of mind and heart, and in his genuine confidence in and obedience to the Lord God of his fathers. Whether then we think of him as a youth, a young man, a middle-aged man, or an old man, there is a continuity in his life, amid all circumstances, which stands out as one of the noblest and most striking features of a remarkable career.

We must however go further into detail, and seek to delineate more thoroughly the various points in his character that stand out from the narrative. He seems to have belonged to God from the very first. His father doubtless gave him his first impressions and ideas of the glories of their Covenant God, and the seed fell upon good ground, and led from the very outset to true-hearted devotion. But what in particular are the points of his character that were evidently seen and written for our learning? They can only be mentioned, but it will be well worthwhile to turn to the particular parts of his life, where these features appear, and ponder them again in the light of his history. Here are some of those qualities that make up the truest, noblest, and best types of manhood: (1) Guilelessness, (2) frankness, (3) tactfulness, (4) sensitiveness to evil, (5) purity of heart and life, (6) humility of word and deed, (7) wisdom, (8) executive ability, (9) filial affection, (10) manly energy, (11) resolute adherence to duty, (12) prudence, (13) self-control, (14) sympathy, (15) hopefulness, (16) considerateness, (17) equanimity, (18) courage, (19) patience, (20) large-hearted generosity. These are perhaps the most important features, though there are doubtless others that can be found. Joseph was good without ever being goody-goody. He was great and yet simple, true to God and yet attractive to man. He is a signal instance of the possibility of combining piety with success, manliness with true religion, intellectual force with spiritual fragrance. There are few men whose lives are more full-orbed and complete in moral beauty and glory.

What was the secret of all this power? The answer is that God was an ever-present reality. "I fear God" This was the key note of his life. The name of God was often on his lips, but still better, the presence of God and the fear of God were always in his heart. It was as natural to him to refer everything to God as it was to breathe or to speak, and whether he thought of the danger of sinning against God (Gen 39:9), or the blessing of God upon his own life (Gen 41:51-52), or the providence of God in allowing him to go into Egypt (Gen 45:5-9), or the assurance that God would not leave his brethren (Gen 50:24), God dominated Joseph’s life, and this was the secret of all that he was and did.

How did he learn this secret? We cannot but believe that it began in those early days at home with his father. His devotion to his father was, we may well believe, not merely due to the human relationship, it was based upon spiritual kinship as well. It is hard to say which is the more beautiful, Jacob’s devotion to his son or Joseph’s devotion to his father. It is a testimony to both that God was so real in their lives. It is always well if the consciousness of God can come early in life. There is no need for a period of wandering, and of sowing wild oats to be a strong, vigorous, noble, manly Christian. They are the strongest and best who find God early, who live from the very first days in His presence, surrounded by a parental life and love which breathes the atmosphere of devotion and fellowship.

How was this secret developed? By simple loyalty and obedience to every day duty. Joseph always did his best. Faithfulness characterized everything about him, and God was the source, centre, and spring of every word and action of his life. This must ever be the supreme method of deepening religious impressions, and of realizing in daily experience the lessons we have learned from our earliest days.

How was this secret proved? By its results. God justified His servant’s trust and confidence by honoring him in slavery, in prison, at court, and in his home. No life lived for God is ever without its vindication. Them that honour Me I will honour, and the man who sets out, as Joseph did, to put God first and make God real in life will always find it true that God sets His seal of favour and blessing upon him.

How was this secret continually made effectual? The answer is in the simple but significant words of the Epistle to the Hebrews, By faith, Joseph. It was simple trust in God that enabled him to be what he was and to do what he did. What is it in faith that makes it so powerful? What is there in trust which brings about such results? Faith realizes God’s presence and lives in it moment by moment. Faith relies on God’s Word and believes that what He says shall be done. Faith responds to God’s call, and obeys with readiness and loyalty. Faith receives God’s grace, and finds it all-sufficient for daily needs. Faith rests in God’s will, and believes to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Faith rejoices in God’s protection, and knows that it shall not be put to shame. Thus faith is man s complete response to God’s revelation. It links man s life to God, and provides him with the simple yet all-powerful secret of a life of power, purity and progress. Well may the Word of God lay stress upon faith. Without faith it is impossible to please him. This is the victory that overcometh, even our faith.