Favoured by his father

Genesis 37:1-17 (click the link to read the passages)

The story of Joseph is unquestionably one of the most thrilling in the whole of Scripture, which records his life in more detail than is given about the lives of other great patriarchs, such as Abraham and Isaac. Most scholars believe this is because Joseph typifies, more than any other Bible personality, the life and character of our Lord Jesus Christ. The likenesses between Joseph and Christ are so compelling that we cannot help but build our outline around these parallels.

Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, was born in Haran before the family returned to Canaan. He was Jacob’s favourite child—an affection due not just to the fact that he was the sons of Jacob’s old age, but also to the innate charm and winsomeness of his personality.

For thought and contemplation:

God delights in having many sons. Adam, for example, was described as a ‘son of God’, besides all those who have entered by faith into Christ’s redemption (1 John 3:1). No one, however, has brought such delight to the Father’s heart as His ‘own beloved Son’, for only in Him has no flaw or imperfection been found.

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see his as he is.” (1 John 3:2, NIV)

Rejected by his brothers

Genesis 37:18-36

The favouritism which Jacob showed toward Joseph sparked off in the hearts of his brothers a desire to get rid of him. One day when Jacob sends Joseph to look after his brothers’ welfare, they decide to take advantage of this opportunity to plot against him. Although Reuben tried to save him, the other brothers, led by Judah, arrange to sell him to some Ishmaelites who are passing by on their way to Egypt. Joseph is taken from the pit in which they had put him, and sold for the sum of twenty pieces of silver. The brothers then take the coat of many colours which had been worn by Joseph, sprinkle it with the blood of an animal and carry it to their father with the deceptive story that Joseph, his beloved son, has been killed.

For thought and contemplation:

Jesus, too, was rejected by His kinsmen—the Jews—who were His brothers according to the flesh (Luke 20:13-14). But there is an even more dramatic parallel: Joseph was sold by Judah for twenty pieces of silver; Jesus was sold by Judas (Judah) for a similar but slightly large amount.

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11, NIV)

Tested by adversity

Genesis 39:1-20

Joseph is carried by the Ishmaelites into Egypt and is purchased in the slave market by Potiphar, a captain of the guard. If he was to be a slave, Joseph determined to be the best of slaves, and to do what he was required to do with a glad and willing heart. So well, in fact, does he do his duties that soon he becomes an overseer in his master’s house.

One day, however, Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce him and although he refuses to agree to her suggestion, he is falsely accused and brought before the master of the house for punishment.

Despite the pressures that were upon him, however, no self-pity arises in his heart and his spirit remains unbowed and unbroken.

For thought and contemplation:

Comb the record of Christ’s days with the most scrupulous care, and what do you find? Though rejected, slandered, tempted, and falsely accused, not once is His sensitive soul ever ensnared into self-pity. Only a heart occupied with love for others is secure against self-pity.

“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (Heb. 2:10, NIV)

Honoured by God

Genesis 39:21-23 & chapter 40

Joseph is unable to refute the slander of Potiphar’s wife, and is thrown into prison. Once again he refuses to give way to despondency and looks for a way to use his many talents and abilities. And just as previously his conduct as a slave had approved itself to his master, so now his conduct as a prisoner approves itself to his warder. Joseph’s integrity and godliness take a stronger hold on the prison warder’s mind than they did on Potiphar’s—so much so that he commits to Joseph the security of the prison. While in prison, Joseph is able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker, and events come about exactly as Joseph predicts.

For thought and contemplation:

Although Jesus was rejected and outlawed by the religious leaders of His day, on three separate occasions God honoured His Son by speaking from heaven in words of the highest commendation. Why not look up those three references right now? You’ll find them in Matthew 3:17, Luke 9:35 and John 12:28.

“…if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31, NIV)

Exalted by example

Genesis chapter 41

In a dramatic turn of events, Joseph is transported from prison to become prime minister of Egypt. The events that led to this change in Joseph’s destiny have to do with the restored butler who, when he hears that Pharaoh has had a dream which the wise men of his household cannot interpret, remembers how Joseph interpreted his own dream while he was in prison. He communicates this fact to Pharaoh who, in turn, invites Joseph into his palace and bids him interpret his dream. This Joseph does to the immense satisfaction of Pharaoh, whose joy is so great that he elevates Joseph to the highest position in the kingdom. Joseph is married to Asenath and has two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

For thought and contemplation:

Just as Joseph was raised from the prison house of darkness and despair to the highest place in Pharaoh’s kingdom, so, too, was Jesus raised from the grave and given the highest place in the universe. “Hallelujah! What a Saviour!”

“…he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:8-10, NIV)

Unrecognised by his family

Genesis chapters 42 & 43

The distressing effects of the famine are soon felt. Jacob, hearing that there is plenty of corn in Egypt, at once sends his sons—with the exception of Benjamin—to the favoured nation. When at last the brothers meet with Joseph, they fail to recognise him, and bow low before him. Little do they realise that in that action, they are fulfilling a dream which Joseph told them about many years before. Joseph’s treatment of his brothers from this point on seems greatly uncharacteristic—especially the pain which he brought to his favourite brother Benjamin—but doubtless he embarked upon this strategy under the guidance of God.

For thought and contemplation:

Occasionally in the Gospels, Jesus seemed to pursue a course that brought pain and consternation to those who were close to Him, but He, too, like Joseph, knew what it was to be guarded and guided by the hands of a loving God.

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him.” (John 1:10, NIV)

Identified by his forgiveness

Genesis chapters 44 & 45

One of the most moving scenes in the whole of Scripture is the moment when, in response to Judah’s appeal for Benjamin’s release, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. It is impossible to imagine the stunning effect the words, “I am Joseph”, must have had upon the assembled group. Remembering their cruelty to him, what terror and remorse would have arisen within their hearts. Joseph shares with them the secret of his own perfect peace and poise: “You sold me…but God sent me”. He saw the whole of his life as divinely guided, and had been supported by the fact that everything that had happened to him had furthered the wonderful purposes of God.

For thought and contemplation:

Ponder the parallel between the words, “I am Joseph”, and similar words spoken by the Son of God to Saul on the Damascus road: “I am Jesus” (Acts 9:5). Both were revelations that could have struck terror, but instead brought salvation.

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him…” (Luke 24:30-31, NIV)

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