We can’t wear the Prison Clothes in the King’s presence.
The account of Joseph’s release from prison provides us with important information about palace protocol.
The cupbearer told Pharaoh about Joseph interpreting the dreams and his words coming to pass.
14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. WHEN HE HAD SHAVED AND CHANGED HIS CLOTHES, HE CAME BEFORE PHARAOH. Genesis 41
Joseph had to prepare to come before Pharaoh, he didn’t just leave his work and come straight into the King’s presence! Joseph shaved and put on fresh clothes, to allow him an audience with Pharaoh. Before Jesus appeared to Israel, John the Baptiser was sent to prepare the way for Him. The people who went out to him had to repent of known sin and be cleansed in the Jordan. There is no such thing as a casual meeting with a king or ruler, we can’t just drop in, we must be invited and prepare appropriately.
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. HE DRESSED HIM IN ROBES OF FINE LINEN AND PUT A GOLD CHAIN ROUND HIS NECK. 43 He made him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, Genesis 41
Joseph had his work clothes, which he changed out of to come into Pharaoh’s presence but then HE WAS GIVEN a further change of clothes, by the ruler himself and these are the only clothes we know anything about.
Linen symbolises purity and the righteous acts of the saints, the Lord’s bride dressed in fine linen.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 FINE LINEN, BRIGHT AND CLEAN,
WAS GIVEN HER TO WEAR.’
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Revelation 19:8, 9
In order to be recognised as the King’s representative in Egypt, Joseph was given fine white linen clothes and a chain of gold for his neck. There was a large distinction between being cleaned up once to come into the King’s presence and actually representing him in his kingdom.
45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph WENT THROUGHOUT THE LAND of Egypt. Genesis 41
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew’s Gospel looks forward to the end of the Age.
8 ‘Then he said to his servants, “The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.” 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” The man was speechless.
13 ‘Then the king told the attendants, “Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
14 ‘For many are invited, but few are chosen.’ Matthew 22
We can only stand before a Holy God because of Jesus’ sacrifice, but righteous acts will be our covering.
God bless and keep you today.