Joseph, Jesus, And The Bowing Of The Knee

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, January 11, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

JOSEPH, JESUS, AND THE BOWING OF THE KNEE

Scripture Reading: Genesis 43:24-28

Text: Genesis 43:26

Genesis 43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

Introduction: I invite you tonight to join me in searching the scriptures, particularly the first book of Moses, for an early testimony of Jesus Christ. I do this because Jesus said:

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

We have found that to be so. Throughout Genesis, we find that Moses wrote not only of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but also of JESUS, even as the Lord said:

John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 

It could very well be that the Lord Jesus Christ took a copy of Genesis and turned to Gen. 43, as we shall do tonight, when He met with the two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus:

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

I believe that our scripture is historically and primarily about a real man named Joseph, who was promoted by God to great authority.

I believe that our scripture reading is historically and typically about the Lord Jesus Christ, who will likewise by Lord of all the earth. Consider the similarities, or what we call “types,” between Joseph and Jesus, as we consider:

JOSEPH, JESUS, AND THE BOWING OF THE KNEE

The scene before is amazing in its historical context, the young boy, despised and betrayed by his own brothers, exalted to such a place of authority and power.

The scene is also amazing in its prophetic context, as we recall the words of the New Testament:

Philippians 2:9-11 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. 

I. THE BOWING WAS PROMISED

Genesis 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

Isaiah 45:22-23 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

A. The words of the Old Testament

B. The wise men from the East

II. THE BOWING WAS PROTESTED

Genesis 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 

John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 

A. Because of relationship
1. Familiarity breeds contempt

B. Because of rebellion

III. THE BOWING WAS POSTPONED

Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 

A. He went to the pit

B. He went to Potiphar’s house

C. He went to the prison

IV. THE BOWING WAS EVENTUALLY PERFORMED

Genesis 43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

and one of these days the scripture will be fulfilled that says:

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

A. There will be a bowing of the world at the Advent

B. There will be a bowing of the wicked at the Great White Throne Judgment