And Joseph was the doer of it!
"And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it." Gen39vs22.
Joseph is a tremendous example of Our Savior Jesus Christ in many, many ways. It would require the whole account of his life story to show how that he points to Christ in His several offices and appointments. And how the difficulties and trials he overcame pointed to the success of the Last Adam, as He was "tempted in all point , yet without sin" And how that through the things which Joseph suffered he gained ascendance to the throne to rule second in command over all the kingdom...
Truly the elder shall serve the younger!
But the text at hand teaches us at least these two things: Grace and Substitution!
Every believer in his right mind would early confess that whatever is done by him, or in his life, to the glory of God, was accomplished by the grace of God working within him. At no time would he ever attribute the works of righteousness and obedience to God to his nature or his wisdom. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil 2vs13. We know that in us dwelleth no good thing. So that whatever good thing we do, Our Joseph, Jesus Christ was the doer of it. John 1vs16 "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace". We admit that "we are what we are by the grace of God".
But here we have even a more glorious truth when we consider the doctrine of substitution and imputation.
In the covenant of Grace, God graciously made every elect believer perfectly righteousness and flawlessly obedient. They have obeyed every precept of the law, both in heart and deed. They have satisfied the justice of God against their sin by suffering an eternal death. They Have Loved God with every fiber of their being and their neighbor the same. They are as perfect as their Father in heaven. And the reward of eternal life is theirs:
Through the vicarious and substationary work of Christ imputed to them. This is called SALVATION by GRACE! 1cor 1vs30 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:". So that whatever we did, really, Christ was the doer of it....
Pastor JesseGistand
Grace Bible Church
San Leandro, CA 94572