Exalted at the Right Time

Introduction

“In Whom is the Spirit of God.”

Pharaoh’s surprising willingness to believe Joseph’s interpretation over the failed attempts by his own prophets and wise men shows Joseph that God’s presence remains with him in the presence of Pharaoh just as it did in the depths of prison.

Even more surprising is that Pharaoh becomes a witness of the divine presence with Joseph. After Joseph gave the divinely inspired advice to appoint an overseer to make sure enough grain is stored for the coming years of famine, Pharaoh comments, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” The implied answer is, no. There is no one else in the entire land of Egypt with the divine assistance and presence that Joseph has. Their inability to interpret the dreams has proven that.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to give power and success to God’s people. Despite Joseph’s sufferings, they have led to a greater success, the salvation of all Egypt and, in some capacity, the whole world. When we say that God gives his people success, Joseph’s story reminds us that the nature of that success, or the road to it, may not be what we envision. Pharaoh and all of Egypt put themselves into the hands of the one who has revealed the Word of God to them, and that is the greatest success imaginable in this story.

This success is only a result of Joseph’s relationship with God. He has the “Spirit of God” in him, and God has shown him all this. This is not the result of a ten step plan, it’s not the fruit of self-help books, and it certainly isn’t because Joseph had any kind of expertise in divination. Joseph knew God.

He knew him through covenant love.

He knew him through submissive trust.

He knew him through eager obedience.

Joseph’s Journey from Humiliation to Glory

The Christlike Road to Exaltation through Humiliation

And there is no exception when it comes to the life of Christ. In fact, in a very important way, Joseph is an image of the ministry of Christ. Jesus lowered himself willingly in the greatest act of humility possible, taking off the glorious form of divinity and taking on the lowly form of a human being. While Jesus never stopped being fully God, he humbled himself to be like us, even as one of the lowest of us. While Jesus was exalted on day he entered Jerusalem, he would exit the city a week later humiliated, naked, with a cross on his back headed to die for our sins. This happened only for him to be exalted in resurrection and then in heaven at the right hand of God. The praises that he received in heaven are represented in Revelation 5:12-13

English Standard Version Chapter 5

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!”

English Standard Version Chapter 5

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Exalted at the Right Time

Now, some may challenge the notion that God means for his people to walk through the valley of humiliation and loss before ascending to the glories of exaltation. They might say, “didn’t Christ suffer so we don’t have to? Didn’t Jesus embrace humiliation so we could have glory? Didn’t Jesus suffer hell so we don’t have to.” He absolutely did. We are never to suffer the condemnation or wrath of God for our sins. However, Christ still graciously leads us by the hand through times of suffering and hardship. This is meant to produce is us the humility, trust, and Christ-likeness needed for sanctification. Sharing in the reward of Christ’s sufferings entails sharing in the humiliation Christ endured as well. James 4 10 tells us that when we are humbled before the Lord, he will exalt us in due time. In other words, this humiliation is not an end, but a means to a more glorious exaltation.

Exalted For the Glory of God

This exaltation is from God and for the glory of God. Only through Joseph’s time of suffering and hardship, the lowest moments of his life, did his exaltation in front of the whole nation of Egypt come about. God wants to exalt his people, he wants to raise them up, but not for their own glory.

This was what happened in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were God’s image bearers, the prime of all creation, and from that high place they were tempted into seeking more glory for themselves, not realizing that all the glory they had was meant to give glory to God.

Psalm 30:12 ESV

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

the problem is, with our sinful nature, we don’t seek the glory of God, we see our own. And just as Christ’s humiliation destroyed our guilt and the power of sin, he takes us by his Spirit into humiliation in order to destroy the self-seeking power of sin and make us seek the glory of God in our own exaltation.

Exalted for the Salvation of Others

The Highest Exaltation

Joseph Remembers God

Manasseh (forget): Celebrating God’s deliverance from past hardships.

Ephraim (Twice Fruitful): Celebrating God’s blessings (and presence) in exile.

The Dreams Realized

Conclusion