By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones (Hebrews 11:22).
Perhaps the greatest test of faith is not sacrifice but success. If so, Joseph’s faith was of the best vintage. We know from his story that he pondered deeply the things of God. His faith could see that the suffering he endured God was using for good. Even though his brothers’ intentions were evil of the worst sort, Joseph, in faith, saw that “God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
One can imagine that Joseph spent many hours wrestling with God in prayer, like his father Jacob at the Jabbok (Genesis 32:24). But it was not Joseph’s piety that the Holy Spirit calls our attention to. Rather, through his long and successful carrier as Egypt’s second in command, he maintained his faith that God had a prophetic and salvific plan for Israel. It was not powerful Egypt but little Israel that God would use to redeem the world. Not Egypt, but Israel, would display the glory, holiness, mercy and love of God.
Such faith must have seemed eccentric and bizarre to all who knew about it. In his day, Egypt was the dominant world power. Israel must have felt a little like Canada does today, with the USA as a neighbour. Abraham’s descendants were only a tiny tribe, scarcely more than an extended family. That Joseph rose to become Vice-President in this superpower was not that unusual. But for such a leader, while still in office, to believe and announce that hope for the world’s future lies not with superpowers, but with tiny Israel and with her God-given role in history – that is quite another thing.
It was not Israel’s holiness, nor her understanding of her identity that mattered. Israel’s history reveals she was neither very holy nor very able to embrace her God given identity. What mattered is what God had promised, and that God was a keeper of his word. The Holy Spirit gave us this chapter of faithful people to shore up our own faith. Not faith in our faith, that is silliness, but faith in God. Despite Israel’s weak position in the world God did use her.
Today, many people are concerned about the church. She is shrinking in North America. In some places she is coddling up to power; in other places she is losing her holiness. Her light seems to be dimming and her saltiness diminishing. These things are important. However, they are not ultimate. The church is not dependent on her size or even her holiness, she is dependent on God. Fear not, says Jesus, I am with you to the very end of the age.
Israel was no longer living in the land of promise. But Joseph believed that God’s people would return there. God’s plans would be fulfilled, and he wanted to be identified with them. Even in death he wanted to be remembered not as a famous prime minister of Egypt, but as a member of a fledgeling nation through whom God would redeem the world. Egypt was not her home – the promised land awaited.
Material success often dims our longing for the new creation. We become so comfortable and secure with our worldly possessions we neglect laying up treasures in heaven. Joseph’s eyes of faith did not waver from the future. He fixed his eyes on God as we fix are eyes on Jesus, longing for the joy that awaits us, not depending on the momentary joys of life today. He worked faithfully for Pharoah, all the while, keeping his eyes fixed on the Important prize, God’s affirmation, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.