He came from a place that was despised. Rejected by his own and falsely accused, they thought they had got rid of him. Yet here he stands, holding the only bread in the world. If that sounds familiar, it should.
“The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” 56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.” (Genesis 41 v 53-57)
When the world was in crisis, desperate people went first to the highest human authority they knew: Pharaoh himself. They cried out. He pointed elsewhere. “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”
This is one of the most significant leadership moments in the entire patriarchal narrative. Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the ancient world, directed a nation to a Hebrew slave-turned-administrator because he recognised that wisdom was not in him, but in Joseph. For the Christian reader, this scene carries typological resonance that is hard to miss.
- Joseph was rejected by his own brothers – Jesus came to his own, and his own received him not.
- Joseph was condemned though innocent – the sinless one crucified
- Joseph was raised from the pit to glory – resurrection and ascension
- Pharaoh says, “Go to him”, – the earthly authority itself saying it can’t save you
- All the world came to Joseph for bread – “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry”
- Joseph opens all the storehouses – grace poured out without measure
The detail that seals it is what Pharaoh doesn’t say. He doesn’t say “go to Joseph and see what you can get.” He says, “Do what he tells you.”
Complete surrender to Joseph’s authority is the only path to life.
Which is, of course, exactly the point.
Pharaoh’s words echo down through time to every person who has ever run to the wrong place looking for what only one person can give. Those who are seeking and longing to hear will catch the sound of someone older than Egypt, more authoritative than Pharaoh, and more generous than any storehouse ever built.
Go to him. Do what he tells you. His name is Jesus.
Missions Paul 