Joseph (Christ typology)

Joseph (Genesis 14:18-20)

Joseph was a son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:24). After Joseph’s jealous brothers threw him into a pit, he was taken to Egypt and sold as a slave. In Egypt, God blessed Joseph, who became second only to the king of Egypt. God used Joseph to bless the nations by wisely storing grain in times abundance in preparation for the famine to come.

Joseph was abused, betrayed, and mistreated. Yet, he (like Christ) was a blessing even to those who hurt him.

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JOSEPH / CHRIST (Typology)

• Joseph was rejected by his own brothers (Genesis 37:19-20), stripped of his robe, and thrown into a pit (Genesis 37:22-24). Sold into slavery, he eventually landed in a dungeon in Egypt (Genesis 37:28; 39:20). / Jesus Christ was rejected by His own (John 1:11). He was stripped of His robe, condemned to death, and descended to hell (Matthew 27:27-31; John 19:23-24; 1 Peter 3:18-20).

• Joseph was an exemplary servant (Genesis 39:1-6). Though he was tempted he did not give in to temptation (Genesis 39:7-12). / Christ came as a servant (Philippians 2:7). He was tempted but did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).

• Joseph was unjustly accused and condemned (Genesis 39:13-20). In prison Joseph interpreted a dream of life to one of his fellow prisoners and death to another (Genesis 40:6-23). He was raised out of the dungeon to sit at Pharaoh’s right hand (Genesis 41:14-45). / Christ was unjustly accused and condemned (Matthew 26:57-68; 27:11-25). While on the cross, Jesus’ words promised life to one of the thieves condemned with him (Luke 23:39-43). Jesus was raised from the prison of death to sit at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2:33; 5:31).

• Joseph had a meal with his brothers before he revealed himself to them (Genesis 43:16). When he did reveal himself, Joseph saved his brothers’ lives (Genesis 45:3-15). Joseph’s actions also saved Egypt and many others (Genesis 50:20). / Jesus had a last supper with His disciples (Matthew 26:17-30). After His death and resurrection, He revealed Himself to them alive, which brought about salvation for them and the world (Luke 24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

• In Joseph, God partially fulfilled his promise to Abraham to bless all the nations of the world (Genesis 12:1-3), since Joseph’s actions helped the nations of the world survive the terrible famine (Genesis 41:57). / In Christ, God completely fulfilled His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), since Christ died for the sins of the world, and Jesus commanded “ go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).

Category: Typology