Every Knee Shall Bow

Today's Verse

Genesis 37:7 (NKJV)

There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”

Thoughts

Here is Joseph, 17 years old, very young, careless, and carefree. We do not know if he was just insensitive to his surroundings, unaware of the envious eyes of his brothers planting evil in their hearts day by day. Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob through Rachel, who died giving birth to her second son Benjamin – Jacob’s 12th son. Remember that Jacob had four wives, whom Rachel was his favorite wife and her son Joseph was Jacob’s favorite too! Jacob made Joseph a tunic of many colors - or we may call today a Gucci designer coat! Jesus later emphasized about man and wife, not man and wives, meaning a man should only have one wife (Matt. 19:5).

Joseph had dreams and was interpreted by his brothers and parents as them bowing down to him one day, and Joseph reigning over them. This made his brothers even more furious about Joseph. We will know later that Joseph became the one who interpret dreams, for God had given him the ability. Many Bible teachers believe that Joseph is a type of Christ in the Old Testament, meaning there were instances in the life of Joseph and Jesus Christ that were similar. Joseph is one of the early representations of Jesus Christ. They were both hated by their brothers, they were put to death categorically and rose back up to life, Jesus was sinless and no fault was mentioned about Joseph, they saved their brothers who hated them, they were both loved by their fathers.

Joseph went through many trials and testings through the years, and then God elevated him to the highest position before the Pharaoh, and was given all authority over the land. His brothers and father eventually paid respect and bowed to him when the great famine came. Even all people who came bowed down to him, so they can get food supply.

Someday, Jesus who was tested, tempted, crucified, died for our sins, then rose again from the dead – will be reigning over all people and creation. God elevated Him and given Him all the authority and “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11).

No matter who we are, whether we believe in Jesus Christ or not, we will all bow down before Jesus and there is no exception – only the final destination will make the difference, whether heaven or hell. If the demons trembled and submitted to Jesus’ authority, and paid respect (Matt. 8:31), could we be more stubborn and powerful not to submit to Jesus?

Prayer

You, Oh Lord, are the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Who could stand in pride before You? We are just like wax melting and bowing before Your holy presence. We worship and lift up Your holy Name. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.