What should we learn from the tribe of Joseph?

Interestingly enough, the first occurrence of this word – which occurs 16 times altogether in the Old Testament – relates to Joseph, ‘him that was separated from his brethren’ (Gen. 49:26; Deut. 33:16). Joseph was, of course, not a Nazarite in its proper meaning, for the law had not yet been given. However, this example provides a very fitting illustration of what separation is actually about: it is not separation as an end in itself, nor even a pharisaical, carnal separation (Isa. 65:5; Jude 19; Prov. 18:1). It was rather a matter of separating from his brothers who spoke evil of their father (Gen. 37:2). Joseph stood clearly on his father’s side. The untroubled relationship that he had with his father made it impossible for him to make common cause with his brothers in this matter.

Personally the fear of God was in Joseph from beginning to end: a mighty principle, and the true basis of power. Whatever his glory, he does not forget Canaan or the earthly promise — he sends his bones there: nor has Christ. So Joseph, when Israel is gone, forgives his brethren their wrong, and nourishes them with his riches. So is it with Christ: He is above the wrong and the just fears of them that rejected Him; He will bless Israel from His own stores of heavenly glory. The Lord hasten it in its day!

Joseph is the picture, as we have said, of what is essentially the martyr-spirit, whose courage is shown in endurance, in unflinching facing of consequences. In him, patience has her perfect work, and thus, in result, he rises to mastery over all around, because he is master of himself first, and receives from God's hand, does not take things into his own. In the blessing of Jacob at the close, he is divinely pictured, as contemplated here, as the one separated from his brethren, whom the archers have galled and shot at and hated; but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob. Here, indeed, we find Joseph to be Jacob's son, and Jacob's lesson to be fully learned. How fruitful an one! and how the branches run over the wall, yielding their fruit up within no narrow enclosure, but to be gathered freely! For who may not gather such fruit? Not in the exercise of much wisdom, the bringing out of internal resources, but simply "man's weakness waiting upon God;" and who may not wait on Him?

Besides being a type of the Messiah, he was the providential means of bringing the family into Egypt, God overruling and shaping the effect of his brethren's hatred to bring it to pass. As to his personal faith, the Spirit of God singles out his latest act as its bright evidence. (Heb. 11:22.) The splendour of the king's court did not blind him to the promise made to his fathers. Egypt was no resting-place for him. By faith he foretold the departure of the children of Israel, "and gave commandment concerning his bones." But, like his fathers, he must be tried. In each case, that for which the trial came was made prominent. Abraham's trial brought out the triumph of faith over death. Isaac's testing showed the absolute certainty of the counsels of God, which neither Isaac's carnal appetite, nor Esau's tears, could set aside. Jacob's testing extended over the greater part of his life, and because so long, admirably proves the patient waiting of God, the grace which is so prominent a feature in His dealings with Jacob, the faithfulness to His word, "I will never leave thee." This blessed promise is the motto, in large characters, impressed upon the title-page of the history of his life. In Joseph rectitude and moral purity are exemplified; it is the answer of faithfulness on man's part to grace on God's part.

After the statement of the manner of their march, mention is made of the bones of Joseph. This is most beautiful. Turning back to the deathbed of Joseph, we read that he "took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence." (Gen. 50:25.) In the epistle to the Hebrews God's estimate of this action is recorded. "By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones." (Heb. 11:22.) In our chapter we find God's response to His servant's faith. There was surely enough to occupy the mind of Moses on this passover night — in arranging for the departure of so large a multitude. What leisure could he have had to care for the bones of Joseph? But Joseph had taken an oath of the children of Israel in dependence upon God. He believed, and therefore he spoke; and putting his trust in God it was impossible that he could be ashamed. To the natural eye there was little probability indeed — when Joseph was dying — of his people leaving Egypt. But this dying saint rested upon the sure word and promise of God, and therefore with confidence "gave commandment concerning his bones." Years had passed away — nearly four hundred (for the Israelites were in Egypt altogether four hundred and thirty years; (Ex. 12:41) — and God did visit His people, and the oath was remembered, so that the bones of the patriarch accompanied them in their exodus. It is surely a noteworthy example of the faithfulness of God, as well as the preciousness in His sight of the faith of His servant.

As Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons is put immediately with Isaac's blessing, so Joseph's faith follows immediately Jacob's worship (compare Gen. 47:29-31). "By faith Joseph when ending life made mention of the departure of the sons of Israel and gave charge concerning his bones." Only it seemed good to the inspiring Spirit to record it here of Joseph; who also impressively charged his sons not to bury him with his fathers, as Jacob sought and had, but to embalm him as the pledge of their quitting Egypt in God's time for the land of promise. No splendour in Egypt dimmed the light of promise to his faith: the nearest to the throne of the world, he is a stranger, looks for resurrection, and anticipates Israel's restoration to the land according to the divine oath to their fathers.

But more. Joseph’s name shines in the gallery of faith-worthies unfolded to us in Hebrews 11, “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones” (v. 22). His was a true and simple faith. His interests were not in Egypt with its glory and splendour, but with the people of God. When they should leave Egypt, an event of which he was assured, he gave commandment that his bones should leave too.

The coffin was not to rest in Egypt till it and its occupant should crumble into dust. Joseph had faith. He knew of God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He believed them. So he said to his brethren, “I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land which He sware to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence” (Gen. 50:25)

Joseph was a man of faith, a man of vision. His bones remained in Egypt for something like three hundred years. Had God forgotten? Generations came and went. A Pharaoh arose who knew not Joseph. Evidently Joseph’s brethren had the care of the coffin, and the trust was handed down from generation to generation.

"And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that couches beneath, and for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, and for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, and for the precious things of the earth and fullness thereof, and for the goodwill of him that dwelt in the bush; let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns; with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh."

Joseph is a very remarkable type of Christ. We have dwelt upon his history in our studies on the book of Genesis. The reader will notice the emphatic way in which Moses speaks of the fact of his having been separated from his brethren. He was rejected and cast into the pit. He passed, in figure, through the deep waters of death, and thus reached the place of dignity and glory. He was raised from the dungeon to be ruler over the land of Egypt, and the preserver and sustainer of his brethren. The iron entered into his soul, and he was made to taste the bitterness of the place of death ere he entered the sphere of glory. Striking type of Him who hung upon the cross, lay in the grave, and is now on the throne of the majesty of heaven.

And this brings us to Joseph, type of Him who shall dispense all blessings, from His supreme position in glory, to His restored people. The branches run over the wall, for the Gentiles shall receive of the riches of the exalted Christ. If Joseph had been shot at by the archers and sorely grieved (compare Psalm 105:17-18), yet his bow abode in strength, and he was made strong by the mighty One of Jacob (from thence is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel). The power and might are not those of unstable Reuben, or cruel Simeon and Levi, but the strength of Jehovah Himself, the excellent force of God manifested in the Man of His counsels.