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