Joseph as our example
Some commentators say that Joseph (Jacob’s firstborn son by Rachel) was one of the most perfect types of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Being beloved of his father, he was hated of his brethren.
Genesis 37:4 “And when his brethren saw that their father loved him (Joseph) more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.”
(Jesus was beloved of the Father….yet was “hated without a cause” [John 15:25] of His brethren after the flesh. [Matthew 21:36-40])
Joseph knew, by God, that he would reign over his brethren.
Genesis 37:6-8 “And he (Joseph) said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream…
For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us?…..And they hated him yet the more….”
( Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has reigned in heaven…and will reign over all in due time. When He was here, His call was: The kingdom of God is at hand.
Rev. 22:3 “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve HIm:”)
Even though his brethren hated him, still, when his father sent him (Joseph) on an errand to find them….he went with diligence to do his father’s will. (Genesis 37:13-17) He sought them, till he found them.
(Jesus Christ came to earth “to seek and to save that which was lost” [Luke 19:10]…..doing all His Father’s Will…”I do always those things that please Him.” [John 8:28-29])
When his brethren saw him (Joseph)….they plotted to kill him…yet there were some who tried to intervene for him. (Genesis 37:20-22)
(The majority of the nation rejected Christ, “and sought to destroy Him” [Luke 19:47] yet there were some who tried to speak out for Him [John 7:50-51]….and who loved HIm, though they could do nothing against the rest.[John 19:25])
They threw him (Joseph) in a pit….then sold him….to go down into Egypt. (Genesis 37:24-27)
( Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver [Matt. 26:14-16]…..sold and then handed over to Rome.)
Joseph was not forsaken even in Egypt….for he was blessed…and many saw that God was with him.
Yet there were problems…his master’s wife falsely accused him of trying to take advantage of her…
….and he was thrown into prison.
Yet, again, God blesses him, and he is made keeper under the jailer of the prisoners (Genesis 39:21)…which gives an opportunity to serve two of Pharaoh’s servants.
He tells them their dreams….one for the good of the man,….and one to prepare for the execution of the man.
Joseph asks the wine taster to “remember me” before Pharaoh…to be released from prison…,,.but he forgot….and Joseph is left in prison. (Genesis 40:23)
(Jesus Christ was beaten, and crucified….yet it was not for HIs own sake. He was judged, and found not guilty by Pilate….yet He was forsaken by the nation and kept in judgement….though not forgotten of God.)
Joseph was remembered by the wine taster….because of Pharaoh’s troubling dreams….and he (Joseph) was called out of prison, and exalted by Pharaoh…
……finally put in that position of authority and power….at the right hand of Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:32-40)
(Jesus Christ was raised the third day by HIs Father, from death…and given “all power in heaven and in earth.” [Matthew 28:18]
He ascended to heaven after forty days of ministering to HIs disciples. Ascended to the right hand of God with all power and authority. [Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9, 1Tim. 2:5])
Now there is one more thing to mention about Joseph….he dealt with his brethren when they came to him for food, with strictness (Genesis 42:7-8)….only to bring them to repentance (Genesis 42:21-23, 44:16.).
…then he dealt in forgiveness….(Genesis 45:4-5, 7-8, 15)
…..bringing them to a position with him of some prestige and authority before Pharaoh.
(Genesis 47:1-2, 5-6)
(The Lord Jesus Christ brings us to see our sin, and then to repentance. And then He raises us up in Him [Ephesians 2:6]….and gives us, in Him, all spiritual blessings [Eph. 1:3]….
….and makes us “complete in Him”
Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Him (Christ Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in HIm, which is the head of all principality and power:”)
Now I want to mention here about the example of Joseph for ourselves.
Though Joseph was loved of his father, yet that did not keep him from the hatred of his brethren.
Joseph went from one trial to another….yet he was never forsaken of God.
Joseph worked for the good of others, and gave God all the glory.
When he could have had “pay back” to his brethren….he still sought to do them good….first for their acknowledging of their sin…..so that the forgiveness he wanted to give, would be received aright.
We are to follow the example of Joseph……
…..and in all our circumstances, we are to look to Christ’s glory….to God’s Will….and to see to the correction and forgiveness of our brethren ( Matthew 18:15-17, Gal.6:1).
Life in Christ, leads us on from strength to strength….but that will include trials, troubles, and even persecutions and afflictions: that our faith “though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7)
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 