CHRIST JESUS knew us before we knew Him

"Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him." -Genesis 42:8 [KJV]

How affecting is the history of Joseph! Who can read it without emotion of soul? What amazing scenes of Providence open to our view! Spiritual minds may see many things in it typical of our beloved Saviour. Here, Joseph’s brethren are introduced to him, as governor of Egypt. He knew them: they knew not him. How does he deal with them? Does he instantly make himself known to them? 

No: though he had the most tender affections of heart to them, and wept tears of joy at the sight of them; yet he speaks roughly, and sends them to prison. Why this? to bring their sin to their mind, and to affect them for their cruelty towards him, with a deep sense of their guilt. See we not somewhat typical of the conduct of Christ, our brother in the flesh, in all this? 

(1st.) Christ knew us before we knew Him: He knew us from eternity, when we were chosen in Him, and given to Him. 

(2d.) We never seek after Him, or come to Him, unless we find a famine in our hearts, and are ready to perish for want of the bread of life (Christ JESUS alone).

(3d.) When we do come to Him, does He instantly make Himself known to us, and assure us that He is our Saviour? No: for a season He speaks with the authority of a Governor, causes His law to treat us roughly, threatening us with the prison of hell. Why? deeply to affect our souls with a sense of our sins and deserts. 

(4th.) It was some time, and many trying and afflicting scenes Joseph’s brethren passed through, before he said, “I am your brother.” Did Joseph do them any real harm by all this? so our Jesus, though He proves us and tries us, and shews us what is in us, before He gives us full assurance of His love and salvation; yet herein He intends nothing but real good to us. By all this, He teaches us humility. 

(5th.) Joseph’s brethren did not at first come to him as their brother, but as the governor of Egypt: so we come perishing sinners to Christ; not as knowing that He is our brother, but believing Him to be a Saviour, and praying Him to save us. We have faith in Him, before we have the assurance of His love to us, and know that we are His brethren. 

Lastly; All the blessings and comforts of Joseph’s brethren flowed from his knowledge of them: so does all our safety and comfort, in time and eternity, spring from Christ’s first knowing and loving us, as His brethren. Though true faith may be without special assurance of interest in Christ, yet Christ assures us, “I will manifest Myself unto you” (John 14:21.) 

 

‘Tis all my comfort here below, 

To know my Saviour’s love: 

This world, with all its pompous shew, 

I leave for joys above.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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