Joseph Pictured Christ – Part 5

Throughout the live of Joseph you can see Christ in the Scriptures.  God used the life of Joseph in many ways to foreshadow the life and work of Jesus Christ.  Here are some more ways that we see Christ in the Scriptures thru Joseph.

Joseph was sold into the hands of the Gentiles.

Genesis 37:25-28  And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.  And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?  Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.  

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Jesus was also sold into the hands of the gentiles.

Matthew 26:14-15  Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 27:9  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

The betrayers of Joseph had a ready false explanation for his disappearance.

Genesis 37:31-33  And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.  And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

Matthew 28:11-15  Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.  And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Joseph was brought down into Egypt.

Genesis 39:1  And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

Hosea 11:1  When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Jesus also was brought down to Egypt.

Matthew 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.  

Joseph became a servant away from home.

Genesis 39:4  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Mark 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Philippians 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Joseph was a profitable servant.

Genesis 39:5  And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Isaiah 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Joseph’s position did not affect the graciousness of his person.

Genesis 39:6  And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Psalm 45:2  Psa 45:2  Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Christ left the glories of Heaven and humbled Himself and became a servant.  And it was not in vain.  He severed those around Him, healed the sick, and preached truth that we still have today.  His service was more profitable than anyone else in history.  Without a doubt Christ’s greatest service was going to the cross and paying for our sins.

And along the way He was abused in almost every way imaginable.  He was slandered, He was hated, He was betrayed, He was beaten, He was spit upon, and He was killed without a just reason.  He was the just dying for the unjust.  And even though He was reviled, He did not revile back.

And after all they did to Him grace still poured from His lips on the cross as He prayed Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  All the suffering never affected the grace of His person.

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