Before his death, Joseph informed his brothers about the redemption from Egypt, saying, "God will surely remember you." Both the descent into Egypt and the redemption came through Joseph. He gave the Jewish people not only the sign of redemption but also the strength not to sink into the impurity of Egypt and ultimately be redeemed from it. This strength is related to Joseph's high spiritual level, which distinguished him from his brothers and even from his father, Jacob. Joseph's brothers were shepherds, thus withdrawing from the world around them, while Joseph was in Egypt, the center of impurity, where he became viceroy, yet still maintaining his connection to the Torah and the mitzvot.
Joseph's high spiritual level helps us understand a saying from our sages. When Joseph interpreted the dream of Pharaoh's chief cupbearer, he asked to be mentioned before the king. Our sages say that Joseph was punished for trusting the chief cupbearer, a human being, and God kept him in prison for two more years. What is difficult to understand is: what is the problem with Joseph asking for help from a human being? God Himself established in the Torah that a person must act according to natural laws, as it is written: "And God will bless you in everything you do!" From this, we learn that a person must act, and not wait for a miracle from heaven.
This was also the behavior of Jacob our father: before his encounter with Esau, he was worried, "lest he come and strike me, mothers and children," yet he prayed to God and, along with his prayer, acted in accordance with nature, preparing for war and even sending a gift to his brother. Why, then, was Joseph punished for acting according to the laws of nature?
The explanation is that God demands of a person according to their potential. Any time a person doesn't use their full strength, they are considered a sinner. This is why Joseph's action is considered a sin, given his high spiritual level. When it comes to ordinary human beings, even righteous ones, it's necessary to create a natural vessel for Divine blessing, which is why Jacob sent a gift to his brother and prepared for war. However, being at Joseph's level, trust in God should have been sufficient, and he shouldn't have relied on human beings.
Regarding Joseph's level, the verse "It is better to take refuge in God than to trust in man" was spoken. At this level, one must place all their trust in God, without needing to create a natural "vessel" through which God's blessing flows. Because Joseph did not conduct himself according to the requirements of his level and trusted in a human being, he was punished by having to wait two more years in prison.
It is because of this elevated level of Joseph that both the descent into Egypt and the redemption from there are specifically linked to him. To be able to descend to the lowest point, "to the most impure place on earth," one needs the highest potential, so as not to be affected by the difficulties and trials of the descent.
Similarly, to rise from the impurity of Egypt, a force is needed that transcends the world as it is, that is above the laws of nature, because as long as one is subject to natural laws, the rule applies: "someone imprisoned cannot free themselves from prison." That is why Joseph, whose spiritual level surpassed nature, gave the Jewish people the strength to leave Egypt.
Every Jew is called "the flock of Joseph," which teaches us that we all possess within ourselves a potential that surpasses nature. The mission is to reveal this potential and use it to make nature a place for the Divine presence.
Adapted from Shulchan Shabbat.