WEEK 3, DAY 3; 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 Pharaoh’s dreams; Joseph is made a ruler of Egypt.

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 believer’s life are abundantly clear. By “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1st Corinthians 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.

  1. Both were the beloved of their fathers. (Genesis 37:3; Matthew 3:17)
  2. Both regarded themselves as shepherds. (Genesis 37:2; John 10:11-14)
  3. Both were sent to their brethren by their fathers. (Genesis 37:13-14; Luke 20:13; John 3:17; Hebrews 10:7)
  4. Both were hated by their brethren without cause. (37:4-5; John 1:11; 7:5; 15:25)
  5. Both were plotted against by their brethren. (Genesis 37:20; John 11:53)
  6. Both were severely tempted. (Genesis 39:7; Matthew 4:1)
  7. Both were taken to Egypt. (Genesis 37:36; Matthew 2:14-15)
  8. Both were stripped of their robes. (Genesis 37:23; John 19:23-24)
  9. Both were sold for the price of a slave. (Genesis 37:28; Matthew 26:15)
  10. Both were bound. (Genesis 39:20; Matthew 27:2)
  11. Both remained silent and offered no defense. (Genesis 39:20; Isaiah 53:7)
  12. Both were falsely accused. (Genesis 39:16-18; Matthew 26:59-60)
  13. Both experienced God’s presence through everything. (Genesis 39:2, 21-23; John 16:32)
  14. Both were respected by their jailors. (Genesis 39:21; Luke 23:47)
  15. Both were placed with two prisoners, one of which was later lost, and the other saved. (Genesis 40:2-3, 21-22; Luke 23:32, 39-43)
  16. Both were around thirty when their ministry began. (Genesis 41:46; Luke 3:23)
  17. Both were highly exalted after their sufferings. (Genesis 41:41; Philippians 2:9-11)
  18. Both took Gentile brides. (Genesis 41:45; Ephesians 2:11-13)
  19. Both were lost to their brothers for a while. (Genesis 42:7-8; Romans 10:1-3; 11:7-8)
  20. Both forgave and restored their repentant brothers. (Genesis 45:1-15; Micah 7:18- 19; Zechariah 12:10-12; Revelation 1:7)
  21. Both were visited and honored by all earthly nations. (Genesis 41:57; Isaiah 2:2-3; 49:6)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In JOSEPH – (see connections made under HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS)

By the WISDOM OF JOSEPH – Genesis 41:39 (Colossians 2:2-3)