Genesis 41:14 Commentary and Bible Study

Joseph is a trusted servant of the warden, but he is still obliged to live in the unpleasant conditions of a prison. All his hopes of being released have come to nothing. For him to believe that God was still working for his good was difficult, and yet that is what he must believe, and his dreams were still an encouragement to him, just as the promises of God encourage us because they can never fail.When God’s time for Joseph’s exaltation comes, it is done in a moment, almost to show how easily God could have done this at any time. He is cleaned up and prepared to come into Pharoah’s presence. This change in Joseph’s fortunes is, like everything else in his life, so remarkable and has such a parallel with the life of Christ, that no one who considers this and believes that Genesis is the word of God can fail to see that God was providing a rich illustration of the destiny of his Son. In a day Joseph was released and brought from the lowest place to the highest place; and in a day Christ was lifted from the degradation of death, the grave and the curse, to a life in which he can never die. Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Joseph was raised to be second in the kingdom; Christ is raised to be the second person of the Trinity, in his office as Mediator. The Father says of him ‘Here is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear him.’ Pharaoh says to his people, ‘Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do’; the Father says, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him’ (Matthew 17:5). All power was given to Christ in heaven and earth, and all power is given to Joseph in Egypt. These amazing events in Joseph’s life were intended by God to be a pattern of Christ’s life.Pharoah informs Joseph that his magicians have failed him, and therefore he is looking to Joseph to provide what no one else can give. The message that Joseph hoped would be given to Pharoah two years ago, has finally reached him, but it has reached him at the ideal time – when he himself is in desperate need of an interpretation.When God’s people deny themselves what Satan would tempt them to have, God always blesses them abundantly more than ever Satan would. Joseph was tempted to take Potiphar’s wife; he is given the daughter of Potipherah. Christ was tempted to receive all the power of this world from Satan if only he would worship him. He obtains the kingdom of heaven from his Father.‘ All countries came to Egypt to Joseph to buy corn; by God’s grace he is the dispenser of salvation to all men, just as Christ is the fountain of salvation.