Joseph is an excellent foreshadowing of Christ. There are hardly any weaknesses to be found in his life of faith. However, the two situations that show a certain weakness are very instructive. Once he sought help from Pharaoh’s cupbearer when his endurance in prison was severely tested (Genesis 40:14). But his help ultimately came not from the “mountains” (the powerful), but “from the LORD” (Psalm 121:1-2), who gave Pharaoh dreams. Another time, he wrongly corrected his father when he wanted to bless his two sons in what he thought was the wrong order. But his father had not acted wrongly, but insightfully: “I know, my son, I know” (Genesis 48:17-19).
Do these two situations in the life of an otherwise strong man of faith not teach us that dealing with difficulties in the life of a believer is not one of the easiest lessons to learn? How often have we wanted to rely on people instead of seeking refuge in the LORD (Psalm 118:8)?
And how quickly are we inclined, even unconsciously, to find fault with the actions of our heavenly Father? Jacob had crossed his arms so that his right hand rested on Ephraim, the younger son. Don’t some things in life seem “crossed” to us as well? We see no sense in the difficulties and would like to say, as Joseph did, “Not so, my father!” But God’s actions are always wise and insightful. We cannot correct Him. He also says to us, as it were, “I know, my son, I know.” “Your heavenly Father knows” (Matthew 6:32) – this awareness can give us new courage. He makes no mistakes. But He also knows how we feel. No movement of our hearts escapes Him, no tear falls unnoticed to the ground. He will surely bring us through the difficulty. In the end, looking back, we will say with Moses: “His work is perfect, for all his ways are just” (Deut. 32:4). These hardships were also part of God’s wise plan.
We do not find such weaknesses in the Lord Jesus. He did not seek help from Peter, who wanted to strike with his sword, nor from Pilate, who wanted to convince Him that it was in his power to release Him. He always placed the LORD before Him; because He was at His right hand, He did not waver (Psalm 16:8).
And precisely when, humanly speaking, everything seemed to be going wrong, when John was in prison and the people He wanted to save out of love rejected Him across the board, we hear not “Not so, my Father!” but “Yes, Father” (Matthew 11:26).
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