In today’s world, people are often falsely accused from the abundance of what is in the accuser’s heart, not as a result of anything the accused did or even thought of doing. This is a reoccurring theme in modern society where innocent people are accused of the very thing the accuser is doing. The Bible warns against this false witness many times, as in Romans 2:1 “for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” Eventually, the truth will prevail, but frequently only after much consternation. We often must stand on the truth and allow God to work it out according to his purpose and the good plans he has for you. We have an example in the story of Joseph.
Genesis 44:1-46:17 continues the story of Joseph who is in an Egyptian prison for being falsely accused of making improper advances to an officer’s wife, who was actually the one who tried to seduce Joseph. After some time, however, Pharaoh has a prophetic dream that none of his magicians can interpret. The wine steward finally remembers that Joseph had correctly interpreted his dream, and tells Pharaoh. Who immediately summons Joseph from the prison and interprets Pharaoh’s dream. Pharaoh makes Joseph governor over the whole kingdom. Joseph begins to gather grain through the seven years of plenty, in preparation for the seven years of famine. The famine also affected the land of Canaan, so Jacob, hearing that there was grain in Egypt, sent his sons (except Benjamin) to buy grain for them.
Joseph, recognizing his brothers who sold him into slavery, treats them harshly and accuses them of being spies. The brothers do not recognize him, and Joseph tests them to see what kind of men they had become. The eventual revelation of Joseph to his brothers and their reconciliation is a prophetic picture of the end of days when Yeshua (Jesus), will reveal Himself to His brethren, Israel. At that time, the veil over their eyes will be removed, and they will accept him as their Deliverer—just as Joseph’s brothers did Joseph centuries ago. It’s interesting to note that in the beginning of the story, Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers in Shechem, which is in Hebron. The text actually reads that Jacob sent Joseph to the “the depths of Hebron.” The root of the word Hebron means “union” or “friendship.”
This suggests a deeper meaning in that Joseph entered the depths to deliver his family from famine/death and restore family union and friendship. Joseph is a biblical type of the Messiah, who wasn’t recognized by his brethren, yet becomes their savior and deliverer. Even Jewish tradition interprets the story of Joseph as a type of the Messiah, calling Him Messiah ben Joseph. And that is the ultimate redemption story in which God’s salvation and reconciliation was accomplished through Messiah ben Yosef, Yeshua our Lord! Psalm 37:5,6 says, “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” In the righteousness of Christ, we are delivered from our accusers and redeemed for eternity.
