JOSEPH’S RULE & REIGN – Genesis 43:26-34

In Genesis 37:8 Moses records the incredulous reaction of Joseph's brothers when they hear of his dream of sheaves bowing before his own. “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” They exclaim. The record continues: “So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” Unbeknownst to his brothers, in our text today, the rule and reign of Joseph is firmly established and they acknowledge as much once again as they bow low before the 2nd in command of Egypt. All 11 of his brothers are present at Joseph's house and table. Joseph's plan as he interacts with his family once again after 22 years of estrangement serves as an analogy for the providential sovereignty of God. Though, for the moment, the brothers remain ignorant of the big picture – they are moved through these events to honor their father and bow in humble submission before their brother. Though the brothers were subject in part to the will of Joseph, this proved to be in their best interest as he provides for them trials leading unto repentance and salvation from famine. The brothers were graciously captive to the favor and intentions of 'the lord of the land'. In days such as our own, where radical autonomy (self-will) is valued above most everything else and where the notion of submission is universally rejected in our culture's attitudes, the account of Joseph teaches us important lessons. The narrative sets up a great question in the biography of the covenant family: which is more preferable? When the brothers lived according to their own whims inflicting resentment fueled abuse upon Joseph -or- when they submitted to the authority and mercy of Joseph now serving as grand steward of all Egypt?