Kneeling

Joseph

We read in God’s holy Word about the honors bestowed upon Joseph after he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph becomes vice-regent, Pharaoh’s ring is placed on his finger, he was arrayed in vestures of fine linen, and a gold chain was placed about his neck. Further in the chapter we read, “And he made him (Joseph) to ride in the second chariot (which ranked only below Pharaoh’s); and they cried before him, Bow the knee; and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:42&43). There is a difference of opinion about the Hebrew word which the translators of the Bible have explained as “kneeling.” It is thought that the servants which Pharaoh sent before Joseph have called it “take heed” or “show respect.” The marginal note in the Dutch Statenvertaling also agrees with this translation. Others translate the word abrech (which is translated as kneeling in the Bible) as “tender father”—tender because of his youth, and father because of his office, just like the founders of our countries are called “fathers of our fatherland.” No matter what the case may be, we must see this expression of honor in the light of the customs and norms of Egypt. It has all come upon Joseph and, no doubt, has completely engulfed him.

When the holy Scriptures relates this to us, it does not mean that we should take for granted that it is good or that we should imitate it. We do not have to accept all of these honors, and certainly such kneeling is not normal and acceptable practice among us. The great reformer, John Calvin (1509-1564), writes in his commentary about the bestowing of honors, “We must continually exercise moderation, for although Joseph was not able to direct the act, and he was not allowed to receive the honors without the usual trappings, he was free to take on more honors than those bestowed upon him. For when God’s servants are faced with the choice, there is nothing safer than to avoid all worldly riches. In cases where it is truly necessary, they may adapt themselves to what is customary, yet they should avoid all idle displays and expressions of vanity. The close reading of this portion of God’s Word shows us that the honoring of Joseph points to the honoring and exaltation of Christ. To Him is given all might in heaven and upon earth. This Jesus is worthy of all of the honor. Matthew Henry writes, “It is the work of His servants to proclaim before Him, ‘Kneel, kiss the Son.’”

Haman

It hardly has to be explained that the honors shown to Haman have a completely different intent. It is true that the ruler of Babylon had ordered it. We read in the book of Esther in the Bible “…for the king had so commanded concerning him, but Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence” (Esther 3:2). We will again let the marginal notes speak, “to show him an unseemly, unlawful Persian honor, which became a matter of conscience for Mordecai to not follow him. This especially as some are of the opinion that Mordecai knew that Haman was an Amalekite.” Very simply stated, Joseph was overwhelmed by the

Very simply stated, Joseph was overwhelmed by the honors, and he had no interest in arranging them. On the other hand, Haman insisted that all men bow before him, and he did not want to kill only Mordecai but also all of the chosen people of Israel. In the apocryphal books, the appendix to the Book of Esther, we can read of Mordecai’s testimony. “Lord, Thou knowest that I did not do it because of contempt, nor out of pride, nor for desire of honor or praise that I did not bow down before the proud Haman, for I would gladly have kissed his feet to thereby obtain Israel’s salvation, but I did it because I did not want to place the honor of man above the honor of God, and there is no One besides Thee that I want to honor” (Chapter 13:12-14).

When we look beyond Haman, then we see Amalek, yea, in the deepest sense, the seed of the serpent which will not bow before the living God, but that God rules, and He shall show His almighty power.

Please send your questions to Rev. H. Hofman, 112 Pratt Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, or hofman@premieronline.net.

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