A Type of Christ, Part 2: Joseph
Joseph's Story Summary
oseph’s story begins in Genesis 37, as a seventeen-year-old adolescent. Jacob, also known as Israel, clearly favoured his son Joseph, because he had been born to him in his old age. His older brothers are aware of this and already jealous of him. Joseph and his brothers carried many duties for his father, including looking after the flock.
Dreamer
Joseph tells everyone a dream where his brothers bow down to him. Out of pride, they did not take him seriously. When Joseph tells everyone about a second dream where his whole family bows to him, his father rebukes him and this of-course makes his brothers even more jealous.
Sold into Slavery
The brothers made a plot to kill their younger brother. But instead of killing him, they agreed to sell him instead, so they threw him into a pit. When merchants passed by, the brothers sold Joseph for 20 shekels. The brothers stripped off Joseph’s beautiful coat, covered it in blood and used it as false proof to their father that Joseph had been devoured by a ferocious animal.
Joseph ended up becoming a slave in Egypt in the house of Potiphar, an officer for Pharaoh and captain of his guard. Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household activities. With time, Potiphar’s wife became attracted to Joseph and attempted several times to sleep with him. On one occasion, Joseph refuses and runs away, leaving behind his cloak. She, however, accuses him of sexual assault and used his cloak as proof.
Prisoner
Wrongly accused, Joseph is sent to prison. Joseph continued to honor and was always faithful to God all this time regardless of the situation he was in. Apparently, a cupbearer and a baker who were working for Pharaoh also ended up in the same prison. Joseph was able to interpret their troubling dreams accurately. The cupbearer was soon released promising
to help Joseph get out of prison. Unfortunately, the cupbearer completely forgot to keep his promise.
Meeting Pharoah
When Pharaoh himself got a troubling dream that no one could interpret, the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph! Again, Joseph was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream accurately. Pharaoh was pleased with this and made Joseph second in command of the whole of Egypt. Pharaoh also gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and Asenath, daughter of Potiphera to be his wife.
Joseph as Ruler
Joseph is finally freed from prison thirteen years after being sold as a slave. The brothers appear again in the story when their father sends them to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognizes them immediately, but they do not recognize him. It had been several years since they sold him away as a slave. Although Joseph was upset, he found a way to forgive them and was able to provide for his entire family and other people as well during the seven-year famine.
Lets take a look at foreshadowing with Christ in the New Testament:
Joseph
1) Loved and Favored by His Father
Clearly Joseph was his Jacobs favorite child. Unfortunately, this made his brothers extremely jealous.
2) A Shepherd
Used to heard sheep along with brothers
3) Hated by His Brothers
Hated by his brothers because of his father’s love and favoritism towards him including his own dreams. Genesis 37
4) Thrown in a Pit
Thrown in a pit, but then comes out of it.
5) Sold away
Joseph is sold by his own brothers for 20 shekels of silver.
6) His Garment Taken
His beautiful garment (jacket) is left behind and used as proof through lies.
7) Deeply concerned brother
His worried brother Reuben desperately looks for him.
8) Put in Charge
Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned (Genesis 39:4)
9) Avoids Temptation
Potiphar’s wife meets Joseph alone and tries to seduce him. After a failed attempt, he escapes and she remains with his top (jacket) again.
10) Falsely Accused
Joseph is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, then taken to trial.
11) Accusation Accepted
Potiphar liked Joseph's work ethic but gives in to his wife’s demands, sends Joseph to prison.
12) The Cupbearer and Baker
In prison, he met Pharaohs’ Prisoners : The Cupbearer and the Baker but one released.
13) Joseph is Promoted
God was always with Joseph because he kept getting his position elevated.
After spending time in prison, Joseph then helps Pharaoh who in turn promotes him to second in command of Egypt.
14) Forgives His Brothers
Even though he was teated badly, Joseph finds a way to forgive his brothers
15) Saves His People
“I am Joseph, your brother!” he said. “You sold me into Egypt, but I know God sent me here to save a small part of your family"
Jesus
01) God's Beloved Son
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17).
02) The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
03) Treated Badly
Both the Pharisees and Sadducee's hated Jesus Christ because they felt threatened.
04) Buried in a Tomb
Buried in a tomb. Rose from the dead: ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:1-18).
05) Sold by Judas
Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver by Judas (Zechariah 11:12–13).
06) Jesus Linen Left
Peter ran to the tomb where Jesus was buried to find “strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head”
(John 20:1-18)
07) Concerned Mary
Mary was completely worried that Jesus was no longer in the tomb.
“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
(John 20:1-18)
08) In Charge - Head
Jesus rises from the dead.
Colossians 1:18 -
09) Not Tempted
Temptation of Jesus in the desert: Satan uses the scripture (Similarly to Joseph's Garment) to tell lies so that Jesus goes against God.
Jesus cannot be tempted because He is sinless (1 Peter 2:22)
10) Jesus is Falsely Accused
Jesus was tried for treason and falsely accused by Sanhedrin is a Jewish Judicial body led by Caiaphas, a high priest and his assembly of 71 person panel.
The Sanhedrin concocted evidence (Mark 14:58).
11) Crucifixion Approved
Pontius Pilate tries to advocate for Christ, however, the Sanhedrin pushed forward their desire to have Jesus executed.
12) Two Thieves Crucified
Jesus was crucified along with two thieves but one was saved “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
Similarly, Joseph encounter with the two convicts (Cup-bearer and Baker) shows that one was saved.
13) Ressuration of Jesus
After the crucifixion, Jesus resurrected from the dead.
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9)
14) Jesus Teaches Forgiveness
Even while Jesus Christ was dying on the cross, he said "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
Forgiveness was an important message throughout in Jesus' teaching.
15) Jesus' Resurrection
Christ died for our sins so we may be saved.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.“
Key Takeaways
oseph story is quite inspiring. It teaches us to remain faithful to God, to be patient, to show love and to forgive others. These are the things Jesus taught us right? Regardless of the dire situation Joseph ended up in, God was always there with him. God elevated Joseph when he was in a pit, a slave, in prison to become a ruler that many bowed to according to his dreams.
The Garment
Represents the Word of God – It is clean, pure, true, perfect, and flawless. It has an owner. Notice how it can be twisted, tainted or manipulated.
– Using the Word (jacket) against Jesus Christ did not work and will not work because it belongs to Him. But How? Because Christ is sinless, as we can see Satan’s attempt to tempt Jesus using scripture in the desert did not work. False prophets, however, twist and hide the truth all the time and get away with it because of ignorance. The key is to know what you are being taught is actually the truth! We will cover this, hang in upcoming sessions so hang in there.
Super Humble
– Joseph was elevated to higher positions regardless of the situation he was put in. Jesus was always humble ways but yet is the greatest among all.
“I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.”Psalm 89:27
From birth, Jesus was always elevated even when he was humiliated and crucified.
Absolute Faith
– Joseph has absolute faith in God just like Jesus Christ. Both were never tempted but remained absolutely loyal to God.
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