Kingdom Order

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” [Genesis 37.5-7]

In light of my post yesterday, I am finding more supportive material about why perhaps there was a reason God kept Israel from having a king even though it had become popular.

As it was noted yesterday, Esau's descendants began to have kings early on while the descendants of Jacob (Israel) did not.

Then today, I see that Joseph had dreams about himself being exalted as a king (his brothers bowing before him). Was it wrong for Joseph to have those dreams? I hardly think so - for who can control their dreams? However, it might have been premature for Joseph to share those dreams with others. Why?

In the course of events that followed Joseph sharing his dreams with his family, we see Joseph end up in dire circumstances. It is not ironic that these circumstances involved Joseph in the position of servitude instead of royalty. But check this out:

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. [Genesis 39.2]

In his humility, Joseph "served" and, I might add, served well!

What is the significance of Joseph serving? It is significant in that serving is more of the role of a priest than a king.

My thoughts are that, even though Christ-followers are indeed destined to be a kingdom (ie. royalty) of priests (ie. servants) (reference Revelation 1.6; 5.10), there is an order for this to take place. The servant part must precede the royalty part!

We see that even the Lord Jesus Himself both taught and demonstrated this model of servitude-before-royalty all through His earthly ministry!

So, our role in the Kingdom of God begins with service. This priestly service is primarily that of an advocate - an intercessor. Our first service to the Kingdom we embrace is revealed as we first humble ourselves and intercede for others. This is Kingdom "work." This is the work Jesus demonstrated in His life of dedicated prayer. This is what Jesus taught when He commanded us to "Seek first the Kingdom of God..." This gives further meaning to Jesus' words that "Greater love has no man than this, to lay one's life down for his friends..."

Sure, there is the privilege of royalty that believers all share because of Jesus. There is authority and power associated with it. However, again, Jesus clearly and repeatedly taught that life in the Kingdom begins with humility and putting the needs of others first. This is Kingdom order and it cannot be changed.

Father, I am amazed at the Kingdom pictures painted even in the life of Joseph. I am amazed that Jesus is seen in the humility of Joseph and his service! Thank You for revealing Your Kingdom as we truly seek it!