Joseph and His Coat: Scene Eight
Every good drama ends with closure, a clearer understanding of the previous scenes; Joseph’s story is no different. When revealing himself (Ch. 45) he didn’t place blame or guilt on the brothers, apparently he asked only one question, “How’s dad?” It could’ve gone very differently for the brothers and they knew it. Suffice to say there was forgiveness and glory given to God by this man who wore an invisible, prophetic coat. The story highlighted God’s providence, His preservation, and confirming of the Covenant even when circumstances looked dismal. There’ll always be a remnant on the earth (vs. 7) of His Covenant people; even today (Rom. 11:1-6, 28-29) because His promises never fail.
Reconciliation of families is God’s heart, therefore, they went back and got Jacob (Ch. 46-47) before he died and was given the best land of Egypt to live in during the final years of the famine. As destiny proved, they ended up living there 400 years! It wasn’t until Moses appeared that God delivered them back to their homeland.
Before Jacob died he prophesied over his sons’ futures; remember, these are the boys who tried to kill his beloved firstborn of Rachel. In Chapter 49 the prophecy didn’t go well for Reuben, Simeon and Levi, however, when he came to Judah God gave him words of the far-future coming of Messiah from his bloodline.
“Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5
Then, at Joseph’s turn, he received the same highest number of verses like Judah. Jacob reminded him of the attack of his enemy-like brothers (Gen. 49:22-26), and declared that in the midst of his trials he remained strong by the hands of God: the Mighty One of Jacob, The Shepherd, and the Rock of Israel. Seven times those prophetic words of Jacob declared blessing, even eternal blessings! It seems he’s still wearing the ‘coat of many colors’, that full-length robe, from head to foot, of authority and abundance with Jacob acknowledging that eternal truth. As Biblical history shows, Joseph was representing Christ as their provider for another hundred years! He saw three generations of his family and at his death gave this response to his brothers’ message,
“Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:19-20
In this character study of Joseph, a lower story, we can see there’s an upper story for us to remember. Jesus came to give us our coat of authority and abundance so that when we face trials it comforts us, as it did Joseph many times, that God will always be there for us: He will never fail. Be encouraged today, His Word is truth.
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