JOSEPH, JESUS, AND THE BOWING OF THE KNEE
Scripture Reading: Genesis 43:24-28 & Philippians 2:5 -11
Text: Genesis 43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
I. THE BOWING WAS PROMISED
Genesis 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Isaiah 45:22-23 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Acts 1 v 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
II. THE BOWING WAS PROTESTED
Genesis 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
A. Because of their relationship (Familiarity breeds contempt)
B. Because of their rebellion
III. THE BOWING WAS POSTPONED
Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
A. He went to the pit
B. He went to Potiphar's house
C. He went to the prison house
IV. THE BOWING WAS EVENTUALLY PERFORMED
Genesis 43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
A. There will be a bowing of the world at the Advent Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
B. There will be a bowing of the wicked at the Great White Throne Judgment Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
The Unavoidable Christ Phil 2:5-11 I. He Is Unavoidable In Salvation Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
A. No salvation in any other name
B. No salvation in any other order: (We are saved when we belong to Jesus.)
· Salvation is a gift - God freely gave Jesus to take the sinners place · Salvation cannon be obtained through other sources
II. He Is Unavoidable In Judgment: Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
A. Unsaved will not be excluded: - Rev 20:11-25
1. Place of Judgment - v.11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
2. Period of Judgment - "heaven and earth fled away"
3. Persons of the Judgment - v.12a - small and great
4. Proofs of Judgment - "written in the books"
B. Saved will not be excluded - I Cor 3:10-15 - NOTE v.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
( Ill: Judgments will differ in time, place and persons, but the same judge)
III. He Is Unavoidable In His Second Coming: Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
A. Attitudes toward His coming:
1. Carelessness, coldness, Indifference - 10 Virgins - Matthew 25
2. Hatred - 2 Peter 3:3-10 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
3. Anticipation - Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
B. Evidences of looking for His coming:
1. Preparation for His Coming:
a. Cleansing - I John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
b. Certainty - II Cor 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? C. Manner of living in light of His coming:
2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
