Signet Ring of Authority
“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck, and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without you shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”” (Genesis 41:39-44 WEB)
Before Pharaoh put on the signet ring on Joseph’s hand, he spoke, giving Joseph authority over the nation of Egypt. The ring therefore represents the authority of the King. Whoever wears the ring has been authorized to act on the King’s behalf, and the Kingdom’s resources are at this person’s disposal.
In the story of Joseph, Joseph is a picture of Jesus, who was accused of committing a crime that He did not commit, and then subsequently raised to the right hand of God, having all authority and power, as well as the name above every other name.
Jesus endured the greatest humiliation in order to purchase the greatest salvation for mankind. That is why Abba God gave Jesus the “signet ring”—all authority, glory, honor, and power.
We don’t really find any significant thing about rings until Jesus mentions it in His parable of the prodigal son. I believe He was drawing a reference to the story of Joseph because the “best robe” also parallels with the “robes of fine linen” that Pharaoh gave to Joseph.
““But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:22-24 WEB)
In the parable, we find that the ring is given to the prodigal son who is a picture of us who are saved by Grace through faith. We did not do anything to deserve forgiveness, but God forgave and restored us to sonship because of His love and Grace.
So Jesus was the original recipient of the ring, and then Jesus said that Abba God gave the ring to us.
In the context of the parable, a family ring like that would have an insignia of the rich family, and when buying things, the prodigal son could just show the signet, meaning to say, “Charge the bill to my father’s tab.”
The ring being given to us tells us that we have received authority from God to act in His name, and to receive good things because of being in His family. We enjoy all these benefits at God’s expense, and He is most willing to provide what we need.
“The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.” (John 17:22-23 WEB)
Before Jesus was arrested and eventually crucified, He prayed to the Father that the glory which belonged to Him (Jesus) should be given to us as well. This is like giving the signet ring which was His, to us.
See yourself as one with God, and make no distinction between what is His and what is yours. We have been joined to Christ through the new birth and the New Covenant of Grace.
““He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” (Luke 15:31 WEB)
Do you believe this, that everything that belongs to God also belongs to you? You are so wealthy because God gave you every spiritual blessing so that you lack nothing.
Whenever you feel like you have nothing, use the signet ring as a visual aid. Imagine Abba God placing it on your finger and reminding you that all authority that belongs to Jesus has also been given to you. In Christ, you have everything that you need!
The four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John contain many powerful truths that will help you in life. Understand them through the lens of Grace: https://bit.ly/understandeveryparable
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