Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, December 7, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
JOSEPH, JESUS, AND THE SECOND CHARIOT
by Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Gen. 41:38-44
Text: Gen. 41:43
Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Introduction: As a believer grows in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he discovers that the Old Testament is full of what we call “types.” These types are prophetic pictures, found in the Old Testament, of some New Testament person, place or thing. The most astounding PERSONAL type, or prophetic picture, of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Old Testament is Joseph.
In this chapter Joseph has just revealed the meaning of Pharaoh’s dream, and the king exalts him to the SECOND chariot. Not only is this pointing to the REIGN of the Lord Jesus Christ over the earth, but it is also pointing to the fact that Jesus is the SECOND Person of the Godhead, even as we find it in scripture:
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
The rejection of Joseph by his brethren, the selling of His person in betrayal, the false accusations, the imprisonment with two men, and now the exaltation to the throne ALL point us to JESUS!
Let us look for Jesus here and see if we can find Him. Remember His words:
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
and again in that chapter:
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
It could be that the Jesus talked about the exaltation of Joseph to “the second chariot” when He met with two of His disciples after the resurrection,
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
This evening I invite you to look with me in the story of
JOSEPH, JESUS, AND THE SECOND CHARIOT
as we once again look in the writings of Moses to see what was written concerning JESUS!
As we do, keep in mind the following New Testament passage about the future dominion of Christ over all mankind:
Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
First notice,
I. THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSON
Genesis 41:38-39 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
A. He was peculiar – “such a one”
B. He was pure – “so discreet”
C. He was perceptive – “and wise”
II. THE CROWN HE EARNED
Genesis 41:40-42 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
A. A prophesied crown
1. Joseph’s dreams
2. Old Testament prophecies
B. A powerful crown
1. Crushing opposition
2. The smiting stone of Daniel
C. A pure crown
1. Ruling in righteousness
III. THE CLOTHING HE WAS GIVEN
Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
Clothing of
A. Relationship
1. The ring
2. The Prodigal son story
B. Righteousness – fine linen
C. Riches – gold chain
IV. THE CRY THAT WAS MADE
Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
A. Behold the king!
B. Bow the knee!
C. Bless the name!!!