The Righteous One Who Saves

will have the obedience of the peoples. will have the obedience of the peoples. But what marks him as unique and But what marks him as unique and But what marks him as unique and distinct and glorious and praiseworthy distinct and glorious and praiseworthy distinct and glorious and praiseworthy is that he doesn't take the guilt of the is that he doesn't take the guilt of the is that he doesn't take the guilt of the peoples and TWIST IT, CRUSH them down, peoples and TWIST IT, CRUSH them down, peoples and TWIST IT, CRUSH them down, and demand obedience, and coerce it out and demand obedience, and coerce it out and demand obedience, and coerce it out of their hearts. of their hearts. of their hearts. This This lion takes the guilt of his This This lion takes the guilt of his This This lion takes the guilt of his people and bears it, people and bears it, people and bears it, dies dies dies in their place. in their place. in their place. >> I don't think we always feel how >> I don't think we always feel how >> I don't think we always feel how absolutely surprising this is absolutely surprising this is absolutely surprising this is that the lion of Judah conquers as a that the lion of Judah conquers as a that the lion of Judah conquers as a lamb. He has all authority, all power, lamb. He has all authority, all power, lamb. He has all authority, all power, every right to judge, and yet he saves every right to judge, and yet he saves every right to judge, and yet he saves his people by taking their guilt onto his people by taking their guilt onto his people by taking their guilt onto himself. himself. himself. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light and Truth, John In this episode of Light and Truth, John In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper traces the story from Joseph to Piper traces the story from Joseph to Piper traces the story from Joseph to [music] Jesus to show the glory of the [music] Jesus to show the glory of the [music] Jesus to show the glory of the righteous one who suffers righteous one who suffers righteous one who suffers >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> to save.

>> to save. >> to save. This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on [music] Bethlehem Baptist Church on [music] Bethlehem Baptist Church on [music] September 9th, 2007. >> Potiphar puts this whole household in >> Potiphar puts this whole household in his charge, and you think that his charge, and you think that his charge, and you think that righteousness is being rewarded. Potiphar's wife thinks he's quite Potiphar's wife thinks he's quite a beautiful young man a beautiful young man a beautiful young man and seduces him. In love for his master his God, he just In love for his master his God, he just does exactly what Paul says he should does exactly what Paul says he should does exactly what Paul says he should do. He flees fornication and adultery. do. He flees fornication and adultery. do. He flees fornication and adultery. If you ever get in one of those If you ever get in one of those If you ever get in one of those situations, just leave your coat and situations, just leave your coat and situations, just leave your coat and run. A woman who has been run from like that A woman who has been run from like that is not a happy camper. is not a happy camper. is not a happy camper. She is vicious.

She is vicious. She is vicious. And she lies. And she lies. And she lies. She says, "He was the one who was doing She says, "He was the one who was doing She says, "He was the one who was doing the seducing." And Potiphar, who had the seducing." And Potiphar, who had the seducing." And Potiphar, who had trusted him, throws him into jail. trusted him, throws him into jail. trusted him, throws him into jail. And that's what you get for your And that's what you get for your And that's what you get for your righteousness, Joseph. Ever been Ever been it it it Ever get the wrong thing for doing the Ever get the wrong thing for doing the Ever get the wrong thing for doing the right thing? right thing? right thing? Join the biblical club. In prison, again, totally unaware of In prison, again, totally unaware of what's going on. Doesn't know anything what's going on. Doesn't know anything what's going on. Doesn't know anything about what God's up to. It makes no about what God's up to. It makes no about what God's up to. It makes no sense, just like many of your lives sense, just like many of your lives sense, just like many of your lives right now. right now. right now. You look at the circumstances, it makes You look at the circumstances, it makes You look at the circumstances, it makes no sense. no sense. no sense. But, But, But, he trusts God. he trusts God. he trusts God. And he serves the jailer, does And he serves the jailer, does And he serves the jailer, does everything he's told, and is a righteous everything he's told, and is a righteous everything he's told, and is a righteous man. man. man. And the jailer trusts him, puts the jail And the jailer trusts him, puts the jail And the jailer trusts him, puts the jail in his charge.

And then these this butler and this And then these this butler and this baker come and he tells their dreams, baker come and he tells their dreams, baker come and he tells their dreams, and they come true. and they come true. and they come true. And the butler is put back in his And the butler is put back in his And the butler is put back in his cup-bearing position, and Joseph says, cup-bearing position, and Joseph says, cup-bearing position, and Joseph says, "Advocate for me. I helped you." And "Advocate for me. I helped you." And "Advocate for me. I helped you." And he's forgotten for two more years. He's he's forgotten for two more years. He's he's forgotten for two more years. He's just forgotten. just forgotten. just forgotten. That's what you get for being a faithful That's what you get for being a faithful That's what you get for being a faithful divine interpreter of dreams, you just divine interpreter of dreams, you just divine interpreter of dreams, you just get forgotten. get forgotten. get forgotten. Two years. And then And then the meanings are getting close. the meanings are getting close. the meanings are getting close. The cupbearer The cupbearer The cupbearer remembers. remembers. remembers. Joseph is called up by Pharaoh to Joseph is called up by Pharaoh to Joseph is called up by Pharaoh to interpret his dream. interpret his dream. interpret his dream. He nails the dream by God's help. He nails the dream by God's help. He nails the dream by God's help. Seven Seven Seven plentiful years, seven lean years. plentiful years, seven lean years. plentiful years, seven lean years. And here's what you should do to cope And here's what you should do to cope And here's what you should do to cope with the lean years. Pharaoh is so with the lean years. Pharaoh is so with the lean years. Pharaoh is so impressed with the interpretation and impressed with the interpretation and impressed with the interpretation and the strategy for coping with the lean the strategy for coping with the lean the strategy for coping with the lean years, he makes him years, he makes him years, he makes him his vice president.

"You shall be over my house, and all my "You shall be over my house, and all my people under them shall order themselves people under them shall order themselves people under them shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the as you command. Only as regards the as you command. Only as regards the throne, I will be greater than you." And throne, I will be greater than you." And throne, I will be greater than you." And then the seven years of plenty came. then the seven years of plenty came. then the seven years of plenty came. And Joseph wisely And Joseph wisely And Joseph wisely stored away grain. stored away grain. stored away grain. And then the seven years of famine And then the seven years of famine And then the seven years of famine came. And his And his brothers got hungry. And they hear that there's food in And they hear that there's food in Egypt. Egypt. Egypt. And so they go to Egypt. And so they go to Egypt. And so they go to Egypt. Collapsing the story that gets drawn out Collapsing the story that gets drawn out Collapsing the story that gets drawn out in the Bible in a most in the Bible in a most in the Bible in a most tantalizing way. tantalizing way. tantalizing way. After 22 After 22 After 22 years, they can't recognize him. years, they can't recognize him. years, they can't recognize him. But he recognizes them. But he recognizes them. But he recognizes them. And the point comes where he tells them And the point comes where he tells them And the point comes where he tells them "I'm Joseph."

"You sold me into slavery and here I am "You sold me into slavery and here I am the vice president of Egypt saving your the vice president of Egypt saving your the vice president of Egypt saving your life. life. life. And I do mean to save your life. They tried to get rid of the dreamer. They tried to get rid of the dreamer. And in getting rid of the dreamer And in getting rid of the dreamer And in getting rid of the dreamer fulfilled the dreams. You cannot You cannot resist resist resist God's ultimate purposes. Eventually he lets them live in Egypt to Eventually he lets them live in Egypt to save their lives. save their lives. save their lives. And the fulfillment of the distant And the fulfillment of the distant And the fulfillment of the distant prophecy of prophecy of prophecy of Abraham that his seed would spend 400 Abraham that his seed would spend 400 Abraham that his seed would spend 400 years in Egypt begins to be fulfilled years in Egypt begins to be fulfilled years in Egypt begins to be fulfilled through a spectacular through a spectacular through a spectacular sin. So we ask again, So we ask again, how did God's people wind up in Egypt?

how did God's people wind up in Egypt? how did God's people wind up in Egypt? In fulfillment of God's plan. What does God want to teach us here What does God want to teach us here about his ways in the world and about his ways in the world and about his ways in the world and the strange sojourn in Egypt and what the strange sojourn in Egypt and what the strange sojourn in Egypt and what about Jesus? What's he got to do with about Jesus? What's he got to do with about Jesus? What's he got to do with all this? Well, Well, the first answer to the question how did the first answer to the question how did the first answer to the question how did they wind up in Egypt is through they wind up in Egypt is through they wind up in Egypt is through attempted murder, attempted murder, attempted murder, greedy slave dealing and heartless greedy slave dealing and heartless greedy slave dealing and heartless deceit of a broken-hearted old man. deceit of a broken-hearted old man. deceit of a broken-hearted old man. That's how the prophecy got fulfilled. That's how the prophecy got fulfilled. That's how the prophecy got fulfilled. It was a spectacular It was a spectacular It was a spectacular wickedness. Chapter 45:5 Chapter 45:5 and chapter 50:20. They should be and chapter 50:20. They should be and chapter 50:20. They should be circled in red in your Bible. circled in red in your Bible. circled in red in your Bible. So, you go back to them again and again. So, you go back to them again and again. So, you go back to them again and again. These are the two verses that interpret These are the two verses that interpret These are the two verses that interpret the whole story. 45:5, 50:20. Take a the whole story. 45:5, 50:20. Take a the whole story. 45:5, 50:20. Take a pencil and circle these two verses. They pencil and circle these two verses. They pencil and circle these two verses. They are the most important verses almost in the story.

in the story. I'll tell you the most important ones I'll tell you the most important ones I'll tell you the most important ones shortly. shortly. shortly. So, let's take each of them. Genesis So, let's take each of them. Genesis So, let's take each of them. Genesis 45:5, Joseph has told his brothers Joseph has told his brothers who he is and they are very afraid. who he is and they are very afraid. who he is and they are very afraid. And he says to them, And he says to them, And he says to them, "Now, "Now, "Now, do not be distressed or angry with do not be distressed or angry with do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me yourselves because you sold me yourselves because you sold me here, here, here, for God sent me before you for God sent me before you for God sent me before you to preserve life." to preserve life." to preserve life." So, the first way the Bible describes So, the first way the Bible describes So, the first way the Bible describes this this this spectacular sin is that it is God's spectacular sin is that it is God's spectacular sin is that it is God's sending sending sending of Joseph to Egypt. The attempted murder, The attempted murder, the greedy slave dealing, the greedy slave dealing, the greedy slave dealing, the heartless deceit of the old man are the heartless deceit of the old man are the heartless deceit of the old man are the sending of God the sending of God the sending of God of a savior to prepare hope to prepare hope for the murderers.

Now, lest you think Now, lest you think that verse 45:5 is kind of a that verse 45:5 is kind of a that verse 45:5 is kind of a marginal, it's the one It's the one that the it's the one It's the one that the psalmist psalmist psalmist in someone of five picks up on and he in someone of five picks up on and he in someone of five picks up on and he doesn't just say what the verse says. He doesn't just say what the verse says. He doesn't just say what the verse says. He ups the ante twice fold. ups the ante twice fold. ups the ante twice fold. I'll read you someone of five verses 16 I'll read you someone of five verses 16 I'll read you someone of five verses 16 and 17. and 17. and 17. It says, It says, It says, telling the history of Israel, telling the history of Israel, telling the history of Israel, when he, God, when God summoned a famine when he, God, when God summoned a famine when he, God, when God summoned a famine on the land and broke all the supply of on the land and broke all the supply of on the land and broke all the supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. Joseph, who was sold as a slave. Joseph, who was sold as a slave. So, not only does the Psalm say that in So, not only does the Psalm say that in So, not only does the Psalm say that in and through all that spectacular and through all that spectacular and through all that spectacular wickedness, God himself was sending a wickedness, God himself was sending a wickedness, God himself was sending a savior. savior. savior. He says, get the thought out of your He says, get the thought out of your He says, get the thought out of your mind forever that this famine happened mind forever that this famine happened mind forever that this famine happened by accident by accident by accident or by the devil or by the devil or by the devil or by the laws of nature.

God didn't look into the future and say, God didn't look into the future and say, "Oh my, "Oh my, "Oh my, Satan is going to bring a famine on the Satan is going to bring a famine on the Satan is going to bring a famine on the land and land and land and my people will be endangered. I will now my people will be endangered. I will now my people will be endangered. I will now devise a plan to rescue them from devise a plan to rescue them from devise a plan to rescue them from Satan's devices." Wrong. Satan's devices." Wrong. Satan's devices." Wrong. So, let's just read the verse again. So, let's just read the verse again. So, let's just read the verse again. This is Psalm 105 verse 16. This is Psalm 105 verse 16. This is Psalm 105 verse 16. When he summoned a famine on the land When he summoned a famine on the land When he summoned a famine on the land and when he broke the supply of bread, and when he broke the supply of bread, and when he broke the supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them. God he had sent a man ahead of them. God he had sent a man ahead of them. God brought the famine. God planned to bring his people to Egypt God planned to bring his people to Egypt this way. That's the first way the Bible talks That's the first way the Bible talks about it. God sent God sent Joseph. about it. God sent God sent Joseph. about it. God sent God sent Joseph. Here's the second way that the Bible Here's the second way that the Bible Here's the second way that the Bible talks about what happened to get his talks about what happened to get his talks about what happened to get his people to Egypt. It's in 50, chapter 50, people to Egypt. It's in 50, chapter 50, people to Egypt. It's in 50, chapter 50, verses 19 and 20.

and they're really afraid because now it and they're really afraid because now it may be that without may be that without may be that without hurting his father, he'll kill them. hurting his father, he'll kill them. hurting his father, he'll kill them. That's what a normal human being would That's what a normal human being would That's what a normal human being would do. They would take vengeance. do. They would take vengeance. do. They would take vengeance. Joseph doesn't seem to be a normal human Joseph doesn't seem to be a normal human Joseph doesn't seem to be a normal human being. being. being. He seems to be He seems to be He seems to be signaling something. signaling something. signaling something. The kind of person he is. The kind of person he is. The kind of person he is. Chapter 50. Chapter 50. Chapter 50. Joseph says, verse 19 and 20, Joseph says, verse 19 and 20, Joseph says, verse 19 and 20, "Do not fear, "Do not fear, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? for am I in the place of God? for am I in the place of God? As for you, As for you, As for you, you meant evil against me, you meant evil against me, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good but God meant it for good but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people would to bring it about that many people would to bring it about that many people would be kept alive as they are today." The prophecy The prophecy that 400 years would be spent in Egypt that 400 years would be spent in Egypt that 400 years would be spent in Egypt is being fulfilled is being fulfilled is being fulfilled through a spectacular sin. You meant it through a spectacular sin. You meant it through a spectacular sin. You meant it for evil for evil for evil and the sovereignty of God, and the sovereignty of God, and the sovereignty of God, God meant it for good.

Do not Do not smudge this verse as though it sent as smudge this verse as though it sent as smudge this verse as though it sent as though it said, though it said, though it said, "You meant it for evil, God used it for "You meant it for evil, God used it for "You meant it for evil, God used it for good." That is emphatically not what the good." That is emphatically not what the good." That is emphatically not what the verse says. The verse says clearly, The verse says clearly, no big fancy exegetical footwork here. footwork here. You had a meaning You had a meaning You had a meaning in this sin in this sin in this sin and God had a meaning in this sin. And and God had a meaning in this sin. And and God had a meaning in this sin. And your meaning in this sin was kill this your meaning in this sin was kill this your meaning in this sin was kill this guy and get rid of him and end this guy and get rid of him and end this guy and get rid of him and end this dreaming and God had a meaning in this dreaming and God had a meaning in this dreaming and God had a meaning in this sin and it was save the killers Don't rob God of his precious Don't rob God of his precious intentionality. intentionality. intentionality. It's called l o v It's called l o v It's called l o v e.

Now, Now, here's the key big question that's going here's the key big question that's going here's the key big question that's going to draw out the main important verse in to draw out the main important verse in to draw out the main important verse in the story. the story. the story. What about Jesus? What about the Christ? What about the Christ? What about the Messiah, the long hoped What about the Messiah, the long hoped What about the Messiah, the long hoped for one? See anywhere here is is is this for one? See anywhere here is is is this for one? See anywhere here is is is this pointing anywhere? pointing anywhere? pointing anywhere? Are there any analogies here? Are there Are there any analogies here? Are there Are there any analogies here? Are there patterns here that would illuminate patterns here that would illuminate patterns here that would illuminate Christ for us, make us love Jesus more, Christ for us, make us love Jesus more, Christ for us, make us love Jesus more, see him more? see him more? see him more? There are, and I'll show you three. There are, and I'll show you three. There are, and I'll show you three. Number one. Number one. Number one. First, there is a general pattern that First, there is a general pattern that First, there is a general pattern that turns up in the Bible over and over turns up in the Bible over and over turns up in the Bible over and over again. again. again. Namely, the pattern that God's saving Namely, the pattern that God's saving Namely, the pattern that God's saving victory happens through sin and suffering.

happens through sin and suffering. God's saving victory for his people God's saving victory for his people God's saving victory for his people happens through sin and suffering. That happens through sin and suffering. That happens through sin and suffering. That is all over the Bible. It's a pattern. is all over the Bible. It's a pattern. is all over the Bible. It's a pattern. And there's a reason why the pattern is And there's a reason why the pattern is And there's a reason why the pattern is there. So that when the the pattern there. So that when the the pattern there. So that when the the pattern came to the planet and did it this way, came to the planet and did it this way, came to the planet and did it this way, we wouldn't be so surprised like so many we wouldn't be so surprised like so many we wouldn't be so surprised like so many people were when he came. They They people were when he came. They They people were when he came. They They couldn't make any sense of how much sin couldn't make any sense of how much sin couldn't make any sense of how much sin was being exerted against him and how was being exerted against him and how was being exerted against him and how much suffering he seemed to undergo and much suffering he seemed to undergo and much suffering he seemed to undergo and just didn't fit their conceptions of just didn't fit their conceptions of just didn't fit their conceptions of Messiah, but it should have Messiah, but it should have Messiah, but it should have because of stories like Joseph, because of stories like Joseph, because of stories like Joseph, Job, Esther, Job, Esther, Job, Esther, Isaiah 53, Isaiah 53, Isaiah 53, and on and on. It should have. and on and on. It should have. and on and on. It should have. Jesus did Joseph. Jesus did did Joseph. Jesus did Joseph. Jesus did did Joseph. Jesus did Joseph. Jesus did did Joseph. HE WAS JUST JOSEPH.

BETRAYED, BETRAYED, SOLD, SO, SO, for those of us who've read the whole for those of us who've read the whole for those of us who've read the whole Bible, Bible, Bible, we can't help but see a pattern here we can't help but see a pattern here we can't help but see a pattern here that is the pattern which when Jesus that is the pattern which when Jesus that is the pattern which when Jesus comes, it just explodes comes, it just explodes comes, it just explodes with significance because he is the with significance because he is the with significance because he is the final fulfillment of this pattern. He final fulfillment of this pattern. He final fulfillment of this pattern. He did it this way. He saved his killers. did it this way. He saved his killers. did it this way. He saved his killers. He prayed for them from the cross. He prayed for them from the cross. He prayed for them from the cross. Died he for me who caused his pain, for Died he for me who caused his pain, for Died he for me who caused his pain, for me who him to death pursued. Amazing me who him to death pursued. Amazing me who him to death pursued. Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God love, how can it be that thou my God love, how can it be that thou my God should die for me? should die for me? should die for me? It's all over Joseph's story. It's all over Joseph's story. It's all over Joseph's story. That's number one. That's number one. That's number one. Number two, Number two, Number two, digging a little more precisely on this digging a little more precisely on this digging a little more precisely on this pattern.

Not only is there a general pattern here Not only is there a general pattern here that suffering and that suffering and that suffering and sin leads to triumph whereby the very sin leads to triumph whereby the very sin leads to triumph whereby the very sinners and killers are saved. That sinners and killers are saved. That sinners and killers are saved. That that's the pattern. that's the pattern. that's the pattern. But notice that Joseph is But notice that Joseph is But notice that Joseph is extraordinarily Just extraordinarily Just extraordinarily steadfast, steadfast, steadfast, covenant-keeping, covenant-keeping, covenant-keeping, non-murmuring, non-murmuring, non-murmuring, quietly taking his suffering, doing quietly taking his suffering, doing quietly taking his suffering, doing everything you would expect a good and everything you would expect a good and everything you would expect a good and righteous man to do. He just stands out righteous man to do. He just stands out righteous man to do. He just stands out as a as a as a stunning star stunning star stunning star in the story. I'm not sure I'm not sure This is just speculation and who knows This is just speculation and who knows This is just speculation and who knows that the first verses of verse 37 are that the first verses of verse 37 are that the first verses of verse 37 are intended to show a priggish, proud, intended to show a priggish, proud, intended to show a priggish, proud, snooty young man boasting about his snooty young man boasting about his snooty young man boasting about his dreams. I don't hear that.

dreams. I don't hear that. dreams. I don't hear that. I don't hear that. I don't hear that. I don't hear that. Maybe, I doubt it. Maybe, I doubt it. Maybe, I doubt it. Doesn't really affect my point. I just Doesn't really affect my point. I just Doesn't really affect my point. I just think he's presented as an incredibly think he's presented as an incredibly think he's presented as an incredibly good man. I mean, Potiphar served him, good man. I mean, Potiphar served him, good man. I mean, Potiphar served him, jailer served him. He just was there jailer served him. He just was there jailer served him. He just was there doing the right thing doing the right thing doing the right thing when there was no apparent reward. when there was no apparent reward. when there was no apparent reward. Getting Getting Getting mistreated. Here's the verse about the jailer. Here's the verse about the jailer. The keeper of the prison, this is The keeper of the prison, this is The keeper of the prison, this is Genesis 39:22. Genesis 39:22. Genesis 39:22. The keeper of the prison put Joseph in The keeper of the prison put Joseph in The keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in charge of all the prisoners who were in charge of all the prisoners who were in prison. prison. prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one Whatever was done there, he was the one Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. Amazing. His reward? Be forgotten Amazing. His reward? Be forgotten another 2 years another 2 years another 2 years by the cupbearer. Now, Now, when Jesus came into the world to when Jesus came into the world to when Jesus came into the world to suffer, suffer, suffer, to be sold, to be so badly sinned against and to be so badly sinned against and ultimately to die.

ultimately to die. ultimately to die. He was perfectly He was perfectly He was perfectly righteous. righteous. righteous. And just like Joseph's righteousness And just like Joseph's righteousness And just like Joseph's righteousness in the short run was totally not in the short run was totally not in the short run was totally not rewarded. rewarded. rewarded. And Jesus And Jesus And Jesus in the short run totally not rewarded. in the short run totally not rewarded. in the short run totally not rewarded. Spit, beaten, lacerated, crowned, Spit, beaten, lacerated, crowned, Spit, beaten, lacerated, crowned, stabbed. There's your righteousness for stabbed. There's your righteousness for stabbed. There's your righteousness for you. you. you. Just like Joseph. Just like Joseph. Just like Joseph. But in the end But in the end But in the end vice president vice president vice president of Egypt and in the end of Egypt and in the end of Egypt and in the end every tongue every tongue every tongue will bow. Now, what's the most important verse in Now, what's the most important verse in the story? portrayal of Christ portrayal of Christ is not a parallel with Joseph is not a parallel with Joseph is not a parallel with Joseph at all.

It's a prophecy It's a prophecy by by by Jacob over his son Jacob over his son Jacob over his son Judah. Near the end of the Near the end of the story story story Jacob is dying Jacob is dying Jacob is dying and Jacob begins to bless each of his and Jacob begins to bless each of his and Jacob begins to bless each of his sons sons sons with prophetic blessings. And he And he blesses his son Judah in Genesis 49 blesses his son Judah in Genesis 49 blesses his son Judah in Genesis 49 verses 8 through 10. These are the most verses 8 through 10. These are the most verses 8 through 10. These are the most important verses in the story. important verses in the story. important verses in the story. Genesis 49 verses 8 through 10. Genesis 49 verses 8 through 10. Genesis 49 verses 8 through 10. Jacob is about to die and he blesses Jacob is about to die and he blesses Jacob is about to die and he blesses Judah with these words. Judah with these words. Judah with these words. Judah, Judah, Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the neck of your Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies.

enemies. enemies. Your father's sons shall bow down before Your father's sons shall bow down before Your father's sons shall bow down before you. you. you. In other words, Joseph isn't the point In other words, Joseph isn't the point In other words, Joseph isn't the point of this story. There was another one There was another one who will have the brothers bow down. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion. And as a lioness, who dares rouse him? And as a lioness, who dares rouse him? And as a lioness, who dares rouse him? The scepter The scepter The scepter shall not depart from Judah, shall not depart from Judah, shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his nor the ruler's staff from between his nor the ruler's staff from between his feet feet feet until until until tribute comes to him and tribute comes to him and tribute comes to him and to him shall be to him shall be to him shall be the obedience the obedience the obedience of the peoples. of the peoples. of the peoples. Now, here's a prophecy Now, here's a prophecy Now, here's a prophecy of a final coming king of Israel, a lion of a final coming king of Israel, a lion of a final coming king of Israel, a lion of Judah, a Messiah. Look at verse 10 of Judah, a Messiah. Look at verse 10 of Judah, a Messiah. Look at verse 10 very carefully.

very carefully. very carefully. The scepter, The scepter, The scepter, the ruler's staff, sign of a king, will the ruler's staff, sign of a king, will the ruler's staff, sign of a king, will be in the line of Judah until someone be in the line of Judah until someone be in the line of Judah until someone comes. comes. comes. And what will mark this person? And what will mark this person? And what will mark this person? All the peoples will obey. All the peoples will obey. All the peoples will obey. Not all the people will obey him. This Not all the people will obey him. This Not all the people will obey him. This is not a king of Israel is not a king of Israel is not a king of Israel alone. alone. alone. This is the king This is the king This is the king of the universe. All the peoples All the peoples will obey him. So, now listen to John in will obey him. So, now listen to John in will obey him. So, now listen to John in the book of Revelation the book of Revelation the book of Revelation take up this language take up this language take up this language for Jesus. for Jesus. for Jesus. This is Revelation 5:5 and 9 and 10. This is Revelation 5:5 and 9 and 10. This is Revelation 5:5 and 9 and 10. "Weep no more. Behold, the lion of the "Weep no more. Behold, the lion of the "Weep no more. Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has tribe of Judah, the root of David has tribe of Judah, the root of David has conquered so that he can open the conquered so that he can open the conquered so that he can open the scrolls and its seven seals." And they scrolls and its seven seals." And they scrolls and its seven seals." And they sang a new song saying, "Worthy are you sang a new song saying, "Worthy are you sang a new song saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its to take the scroll and to open its to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain and by your seals, for you were slain and by your seals, for you were slain and by your blood you ransomed people for God from blood you ransomed people for God from blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and every tribe and language and people and every tribe and language and people and nation and have made them a kingdom and nation and have made them a kingdom and nation and have made them a kingdom and priests to our God and they will reign priests to our God and they will reign priests to our God and they will reign on earth.

on earth. on earth. And here's the the beautiful thing about And here's the the beautiful thing about And here's the the beautiful thing about this lion this lion this lion that just that just that just catapults him beyond Joseph, beyond catapults him beyond Joseph, beyond catapults him beyond Joseph, beyond Judah, beyond all human beings and all Judah, beyond all human beings and all Judah, beyond all human beings and all kings. kings. kings. This lion of Judah will have the obedience of the peoples. will have the obedience of the peoples. But what marks him as unique and But what marks him as unique and But what marks him as unique and distinct and glorious and praiseworthy distinct and glorious and praiseworthy distinct and glorious and praiseworthy is that he doesn't take the guilt of the is that he doesn't take the guilt of the is that he doesn't take the guilt of the peoples and twist it, crush them down, peoples and twist it, crush them down, peoples and twist it, crush them down, and demand obedience and coerce it out and demand obedience and coerce it out and demand obedience and coerce it out of their hearts. of their hearts. of their hearts. This this lion takes the guilt of his This this lion takes the guilt of his This this lion takes the guilt of his people and bears it. people and bears it. people and bears it. And dies And dies And dies in their place. And thus wipes clean all of the bondage And thus wipes clean all of the bondage and all of the unrighteousness and all and all of the unrighteousness and all and all of the unrighteousness and all the failures and all the guilt so that the failures and all the guilt so that the failures and all the guilt so that now in his perfect righteousness and his now in his perfect righteousness and his now in his perfect righteousness and his perfect sacrifice, we, the peoples, have perfect sacrifice, we, the peoples, have perfect sacrifice, we, the peoples, have a security around us from which we can a security around us from which we can a security around us from which we can now give free obedience.

now give free obedience. now give free obedience. Why would you not obey Why would you not obey Why would you not obey such a lion such a lion such a lion and a lamb and a lamb and a lamb who died for you? So, Christ is the lion of Judah. So, Christ is the lion of Judah. The point of the story of Joseph is that The point of the story of Joseph is that The point of the story of Joseph is that God in his sovereignty through a God in his sovereignty through a God in his sovereignty through a spectacular sin saved the killers spectacular sin saved the killers spectacular sin saved the killers and in doing so preserved the and in doing so preserved the and in doing so preserved the household of Judah from which there household of Judah from which there household of Judah from which there could then come the lion of Judah who could then come the lion of Judah who could then come the lion of Judah who would do the full salvation of all the would do the full salvation of all the would do the full salvation of all the Christ killers, namely me and you. Christ killers, namely me and you. Christ killers, namely me and you. That's the point of the story That's the point of the story That's the point of the story of Joseph. He wins the obedience of the peoples not He wins the obedience of the peoples not coercively, coercively, coercively, but by dying for the peoples, rising but by dying for the peoples, rising but by dying for the peoples, rising again, freeing them from their guilt, again, freeing them from their guilt, again, freeing them from their guilt, triumphing over all their fears, making triumphing over all their fears, making triumphing over all their fears, making them perfectly secure on the basis of them perfectly secure on the basis of them perfectly secure on the basis of his obedience, not theirs, so that in his obedience, not theirs, so that in his obedience, not theirs, so that in the circle of Christ they are totally the circle of Christ they are totally the circle of Christ they are totally secure, totally safe, totally happy, out secure, totally safe, totally happy, out secure, totally safe, totally happy, out of which they enter the world in of which they enter the world in of which they enter the world in obedience to their king.

obedience to their king. obedience to their king. And the only question left for you is, And the only question left for you is, And the only question left for you is, does he have yours? does he have yours? does he have yours? Does he have yours? Have you received the lion and the lamb Have you received the lion and the lamb into your life so that his righteousness into your life so that his righteousness into your life so that his righteousness counts for you and his sacrifice counts counts for you and his sacrifice counts counts for you and his sacrifice counts for you and his wrath removal and guilt for you and his wrath removal and guilt for you and his wrath removal and guilt bearing counts for you. bearing counts for you. bearing counts for you. Or are you stiff-arming him? We were Or are you stiff-arming him? We were Or are you stiff-arming him? We were talking downstairs just a few minutes talking downstairs just a few minutes talking downstairs just a few minutes ago about a work situation where a ago about a work situation where a ago about a work situation where a brother is witnessing and the unbeliever brother is witnessing and the unbeliever brother is witnessing and the unbeliever simply said, "I don't want God in my simply said, "I don't want God in my simply said, "I don't want God in my life. I like my life the way it is. I'm life. I like my life the way it is. I'm life. I like my life the way it is. I'm having a good time. I don't want him to having a good time. I don't want him to having a good time. I don't want him to mess with it." Is that you? If it is, mess with it." Is that you? If it is, mess with it." Is that you? If it is, you are walking on a precipice that is you are walking on a precipice that is you are walking on a precipice that is so dangerous. so dangerous. so dangerous. I plead with you. I plead with you. I plead with you. Don't stay there. Don't stay there. Don't stay there. Let the lion and the lamb have you. It Let the lion and the lamb have you. It Let the lion and the lamb have you. It will mean your salvation.

will mean your salvation. will mean your salvation. Your present joy in affliction Your present joy in affliction Your present joy in affliction and everlasting and everlasting and everlasting peace. Let's pray. Father in heaven, Father in heaven, you are very you are very you are very amazing amazing amazing in the way in the Old Testament you did in the way in the Old Testament you did in the way in the Old Testament you did deliverances deliverances deliverances and in the New Testament you did the and in the New Testament you did the and in the New Testament you did the deliverance. deliverance. deliverance. And we stand amazed at Joseph And we stand amazed at Joseph And we stand amazed at Joseph and 10,000 times more amazed and 10,000 times more amazed and 10,000 times more amazed at Jesus because he suffered so much at Jesus because he suffered so much at Jesus because he suffered so much more more more and he deserved it so much less and he deserved it so much less and he deserved it so much less and he was righteous so perfectly. and he was righteous so perfectly. and he was righteous so perfectly. And he prayed for his enemies, And he prayed for his enemies, And he prayed for his enemies, namely us. namely us. namely us. So, we welcome him. We We receive him. So, we welcome him. We We receive him. So, we welcome him. We We receive him. May everyone in the hearing of my voice May everyone in the hearing of my voice May everyone in the hearing of my voice receive Jesus and then sing with all receive Jesus and then sing with all receive Jesus and then sing with all their heart, "And can it be their heart, "And can it be their heart, "And can it be that thou, my God, that thou, my God, that thou, my God, shouldst die for me.

>> I want to thank you for listening to >> I want to thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, this episode of Light and Truth, this episode of Light and Truth, where we are committed to providing where we are committed to providing where we are committed to providing God-centered preaching to help you see God-centered preaching to help you see God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper continues our 13-part series, The God continues our 13-part series, The God continues our 13-part series, The God Who Orders Evil, [music] Who Orders Evil, [music] Who Orders Evil, [music] with a message titled God's Plan for a with a message titled God's Plan for a with a message titled God's Plan for a Better King. I hope you'll join us. Better King. I hope you'll join us. Better King. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, visit For more resources, visit For more resources, visit desiringgod.org.