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Joseph's enemies
The Archers His Brothers Potiphar's wife
Your Enemies
The World - 1 John 2:15-17, 4: 1, 4-5
The Flesh - Gal 5:19-21
The Devil. Eph 6:10-18
They grieve you, they shot at you, so does the Devil Eph 6:16
They hate Me they will hate you You therefore struggle, but there is a higher reason Because only through struggles will you enter His kingdom You will have tribulation in the World - John 16:33
But only through tribulation will you enter the Kingdom of God - Acts 14:22 (See Calvin's excellent remarks on this verse in his commentary)
You have strength to fight -the World -the flesh & the Devil v24a
God gives you the strength to fight the above - by being strengthened with all might -Col 1:11
The Lord strengthens you -He puts His hands over your hands! 2 Tim 4:17 Rom 14:4 2.2 By the means He uses v24a-c Through the prayers of others - Col 1:10 By the one He has given - His Son the Lord Jesus Christ v24d Applies lastly to Joseph Applies 2ndly to Christ (Joseph was a type of Christ)- Christ is the Shepherd & the chief corner stone Matt 21:42, Mk 12:10, Lu 20:17, Ac 4:11, Eph 2:20, 1 Pet 2:4-8 Applies thirdly to you who are Pastors-Shepherds -You suffer tribulation & need strengthening - Heb 13:17 Applies finally to you who are Fathers - your to shepherd your children by nurture & admonition & you who are Husbands - your to be as Christ to your wives. Eph 6:4, Eph 5: 22-33 Vs. 23-24: The blessing of Joseph is very full. What Jacob says of him, is history as well as prophecy. Jacob reminds him of the difficulties and fiery darts of temptations he had formerly struggled through. His faith did not fail, but through his trials he bore all his burdens with firmness, and did not do anything unbecoming. All our strength for resisting temptations, and bearing afflictions, comes from God; his grace is sufficient. Joseph became the shepherd of Israel, to take care of his father and family; also the stone of Israel, their foundation and strong support. In this, as in many other things, Joseph was a remarkable type of the Good Shepherd, and tried Corner Stone of the whole church of God. Blessings are promised to Joseph’s posterity, typical of the vast and everlasting blessings, which come upon the spiritual seed of Christ. Jacob blessed all his sons, but especially Joseph, "who was separated from his brethren." Not only separated in Egypt, but also, possessing eminent dignity and more devoted to God.
Matthew Henry