Page 34 - Christ in You - The Hope of Glory

There is a period of perplexity for all who are so trained by God. As they observe the
freedom of their brethren, they cannot understand why they are being subjected to
experiences much harsher, lonelier and restrictive. The firstborn candidates are living as
slaves while their brothers are walking in great liberty, doing as they please. Then an even
further narrowing of their lives manifests, pictured in Joseph being cast into prison. All this
serves to teach the sons of God to not do anything of their own initiative. They are to live
for the will and pleasure of God. They are not free to do anything arising from their soul’s
desires. They are not free to pursue any worldly possession, any personal goal. They are to
come into strict confinement to the will of the Father. They are to move only at His
command. They are to be so perfect in this that they speak only what the Father commands
them to speak.

John 12:49
"For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has
given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak.”

We see that Joseph has come to this same state of complete surrender of his being to
the will of God when he is brought to stand before Pharaoh. Joseph has learned to not speak
anything arising from self. He makes no petition to Pharaoh to deliver him from his
bondage. He does not take advantage of the situation to seek anything for self. He is
surrendered to the will and pleasure of God for that moment.

Genesis 41:15-16
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and
I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a
favorable answer."

With these words, Joseph revealed that he had come to a place of complete surrender
to the will of God. His lips would be given to God that God might speak through him, and
this God did.
Joseph’s life was much harsher than his brothers. Joseph knew more sorrow, more
loneliness, more trials, more injustice than his brethren. Yet the glory and honor that
commenced at the hour of his promotion far excelled that of his brothers. When Joseph’s
brothers came to Egypt they dwelt as despised shepherds.

Genesis 46:33-34
And it shall come about when Pharaoh calls you and says, 'What is your occupation?'
that you shall say,' Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even
until now, both we and our fathers,' that you may live in the land of Goshen; for
every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.

Joseph’s brothers partook of their good things in their youth, and were therefore
without honor in their maturity. Joseph, in contrast, knew evil things in his youth, and he
was given surpassing glory while his brothers were loathed.