TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 37-41
OVERVIEW:
Joseph’s dreams; Joseph sold into slavery; the enticement and lies of Potiphar’s wife; the imprisonment of Joseph; Joseph interprets Pharoah’s dreams; Joseph is made a ruler ofEgypt.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
The narrative in this section dealing with the life of Joseph is very interesting reading, completely self-explanatory; and the applications to the believers’ life are abundantly clear.
By “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (I Cor.2:10, 13), however, this section reveals that
Joseph is the most comprehensive type of Christ in the entire Bible! Consider these amazing “coincidences” (similarities) in the life of Joseph and Jesus.
- Both were beloved by their fathers (Gen. 37:3; Matthew3:17).
- Both regarded themselves as shepherds (Gen. 37:2; Jn.10:11-14).
- Both were sent to their brethren by their fathers (Gen. 37:13, 14; Lk.20:13; Jn.3:17; Heb. 10:7).
- Both were hated by their brethren without cause (37:4, 5; Jn.1:11; 7:5;15:25).
- Both were plotted against by their brethren (Gen. 37:20; Jn.11:53).
- Both were severely tempted (Gen. 39:7; Mt. 4:1).
- Both were taken toEgypt(Gen. 37:36; Mt.2:14, 15).
- Both were stripped of their robes (Gen. 37:23; Jn.19:23, 24).
- Both were sold for the price of a slave (Gen. 37:28; Mt. 26:15).
- Both were bound (Gen. 39:20; Mt. 27:2).
- Both remained silent and offered no defense (Gen. 39:20; Isa. 53:7).
- Both were falsely accused (Gen. 39:16-18; Mt. 26:59, 60).
- Both experienced God’s presence through everything (Gen. 39:2, 21, 23; Jn.16:32).
- Both were respected by their jailors (Gen. 39:21; Lk.23:47).
- Both were placed with two prisoners, one of which was later lost, and the other saved (Gen. 40:2, 3, 21, 22; Lk.23:32, 39-43).
- Both were around thirty when their ministry began (Gen. 41:46; Lk.3:23).
- Both were highly exalted after their sufferings (Gen. 41:41; Phil 2:9-11).
- Both took Gentile brides (Gen. 41:45; Eph.2:11-13).
- Both were lost to their brothers for awhile (Gen. 42:7,8; Rom. 10:1-3; 11:7,8)
- Both forgave and restored their repentant brothers (Gen. 45:1-15; Micah 7:18, 19; Zech. 12:10-12; Rev. 1:7).
- Both were visited and honored by all earthly nations (Gen. 41:57; Isa. 2:2,3; 49:6).
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
In JOSEPH – (see connections made under HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS)
By the WISDOM OF JOSEPH – Gen. 41:39 (Col. 2:2-3)