JOSEPH - AGENT OF REVELATION

(Genesis 40)

"Do not in terpretations belong to God?" (v8)

Joseph is at an all-time low: a foreign slave in an alien land detained indefinitely in a dungeon for a sex crime he didn't commit. But in blow two VIPs one day. Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and baker (important and influential household positions) have offended Pharaoh and been cast into jail - where they are assigned to Joseph's care. One morning Joseph asks them why they look so sad. The answer is that they've each had different dreams which they cannot understand. They know that their dreams are direct messages from God. But they need an interpreter to tell them what the messages are saying.

And Joseph is the man they need. Having explained that only God can interpret his revelation (v8), Joseph goes on to say: "Tell me your dreams." In effect, Joseph is saying; 'I am the man God has appointed to interpret his revelation.' This forgotten foreign slave reveals himself as the unique, inspired, Spirit-filled mouthpiece of God!

And he's not ashamed to tell them the truth. Both gentlemen will face the judgement of Pharaoh in 3 days time. The cupbearer's head is going to be lifted "up" and the baker's head is going to be lifted "off". Joseph reveals himself here as a true prophet, speaking faithfully for God without fear or favour to man. And subsequent events prove his interpretation right in every detail.

But why did God require an interpretation to be necessary in the first place? Why didn't God send a plain understandable message direct to the cupbearer and baker? Why did his revelation have to be processed through a third party to become intelligible? The answer is illuminating. God is focusing attention on the man he has appointed to become saviour of the world (41:57). God's revelation puts the spotlight on Joseph, certifying him as the deliverer God has sent.

The wider parallel is not hard to see. Jesus repeatedly claimed to fulfil the Old Testament ( eg John 5:39, Luke 24:27, 44-47). He is not only its interpreter, but also its interpretation. All God's revelation finds its meaning in Jesus. And, as foreshadowed by Joseph, Jesus is God's appointed Saviour of the World.

In our day (the "end times" that await the return of Jesus in judgement), God's message of salvation has been entrusted to the church in an interpreted revelation. God's Word provides itself its own meaning, for interpretations truly belong to God. And God's explained revelation sets before humankind the 2 distinct destinies vouchsafed to Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker. God's preachers and teachers in his church today proclaim this explained message. And those who will receive it are led to Jesus Christ and the salvation he offers.

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