Following Joseph to the Throne
(week 02/08)
Olubi Johnson
In our article last week we saw that 2008 is to be a year of refinement, ascension and new beginnings. We are to be refined by the fire of God and so ascend to operating with a kingly anointing either directly or under covering with a borrowed anointing and this will then mark a new beginning.
To experience these things we are to follow the examples of Enoch, Joseph, Ruth, Daniel, Esther, Paul and John.
Last week we looked at Enoch, this week we will look at Joseph.
The attitude of Joseph that caused him to fulfil the fullness of his destiny of reaching the throne of Egypt and saving his family and his generation is exemplified in 3 scriptures, which we will examine.
Genesis 37:2(KJV): 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Here, we see Joseph’s heart attitude of being faithful to his father: his spiritual authority and so to God even when it attracted the displeasure of his brethren.
We need to have this same attitude today: to be faithful to God and those in spiritual authority (1 Thessalonians 2.6) even when it will attract persecution: criticism and rejection from other Christian brethren.
Genesis 39:8-9(KJV): 8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Again we see Joseph being faithful firstly to God and then secondly to Potiphar when tempted by Potiphar’s wife.
Joseph, just as Moses 400 years later, was seeing Him that is invisible (Hebrews 11.27). He saw beyond Potiphar, the temporal pleasure his wife was offering and stayed faithful to God.
It is obvious that Joseph could only have done this by keeping spiritual law. He kept God’s Word in his heart and in his mouth so he was releasing sufficient spiritual power to ‘see’ God by revelation and to be a doer of God’s Word and not a hearer only.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14(KJV): 11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 but the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
You will have to do the same today to keep the law of love by the blood, the Word and the Spirit to perfect God’s love in your heart and conduct.
1 John 4:12-13(KJV): 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1 John 5:5-6(KJV): 5 Who is he that overcometh the world (i.e. the lust of flesh, of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn.2.15-16), but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
By doing this you will ‘see’ God by revelation (Ephesians 1.17-18, 2 Corintians 4.6) and stay faithful to Him even if it means suffering for a while, like Joseph did by going to jail.
Genesis 50:15-21(KJV): 15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. 16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, 17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Here, we see Joseph again ‘seeing’ God behind his brothers’ wickedness to him in selling him into slavery in Egypt . By doing this he was able to love and bless them even when though they did not deserve it, demonstrating divine love even the Old Testament.
Matthew 5:44-45(KJV): 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
So, to follow Joseph and so fulfil the fullness of your divine destiny you must develop and perfect the love of God in your life so that you genuinely pray for and bless your enemies especially when they do not deserve it!
