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Joseph
Genesis 41
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Jesus
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Comparison
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41:1 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile,
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Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. ..19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
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There are too many specific details in these two accounts than could be simply coincidental. Both accounts involve the specific time period of 2 years, a dream, a king, and Egypt. In addition, both dreams were regarding life and death.
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2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted--thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. 8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
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Genesis 40:8 "We both had dreams," they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God ? Tell me your dreams."
Luke 5:23 Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven ,' or to say, `Get up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
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Details of the dreams may have prophetic meaning in the future as God's plan unfolds.
Interpretations belong to God and they are beyond understanding to us alone. Christ showed all authority from God when He forgave the paralytic's sins and healed him.
Perhaps this pertains to weak and strong days of the church and God is using our strong Christian heritage to sustain the weak days (perhaps now) by our stored strong church history. This is not absolutely clear, though.
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9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.
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Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise ."
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Remember that Christ was punished with 2 others and the chief cupbearer is prophetically showing what would happen to the thief on the cross who was spared eternal punishment as he recognized his sinfulness and turned to Christ for salvation.
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10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.
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Luke 23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
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Both of those imprisoned did something wrong to anger Pharaoh. Those dying on the cross were dying for their sins, sin angers God. The men hanging on the cross acknowledged their own guilt, one was spared, both occurred at the same time.
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12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.
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Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
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Christ was there with them, undergoing the same undeserved punishment, as did Joseph. Both Joseph and Jesus spoke of salvation to one of those punished with them.
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13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged."
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Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise ."
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But of course this is true. If Christ arose from the dead as we have great evidence of, then one of the criminals was restored, as was the chief cupbearer.
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14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
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John 20:17 Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, `I am returning to my Father and your Father , to my God and your God.'"
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Christ became glorified in a new, eternal body and then went to see the Father, Joseph had to prepare his appearance before going to Pharaoh.
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15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." 16 "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
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John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
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God, of course, doesn't need Jesus to interpret His 'dreams'. It is true that Christ did give the Father all the glory for His accomplishments, as did Joseph.
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17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18 when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. 19 After them, seven other cows came up--scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21 But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. 22 "In my dreams I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23 After them, seven other heads sprouted--withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none could explain it to me."
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Again, the interpretation of dreams is for God.
Details of the dreams may or may not have prophetic meaning in the future as we compare to Christ's life.
Interpretations belong to God and they are beyond understanding to us, without God's supernatural injection. This scripture most likely will have (or has had) prophetic meaning.
Perhaps this pertains to weak and strong days of the church and God will use Christ to sustain the weak days (perhaps now) by our stored strong church history. This is not absolutely clear, though.
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25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream.
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Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
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The Old Testament is not a different gospel than that seen in the New Testament. The plan of God is one and the same. The original covenant with Abraham (before Moses) was salvation by faith.
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27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine. 28 "It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
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Again, this could represent prophecy that has yet to be completely fulfilled.
(see v17-24)
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33 "And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
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Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, " All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 17:2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
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God put Christ in charge of all His kingdom, similar to Pharaoh's kingdom and Joseph.
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34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
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Matthew 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
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Again, of possible prophetic significance. Perhaps this refers to the Church over the years of history and their impact in reaping the harvest prior to increasing apostasy in the world as will occur in the end time.
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35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.
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Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest , therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
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Christ told us to get ready for a great harvest, similar to Joseph in the dream. Now is the time to accomplish this.
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36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
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2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
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Are we yet into the lean years to come? We may not be sure till it happens and we review retrospectively what has occurred. In America, it appears that we are benefiting from our founding fathers' faith although our own is like a desert today. The end of time will universally see this in the world, as appears to be rapidly approaching.
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37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.
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John 5:21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
2 Peter 1:17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased ."
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Joseph pleased Pharaoh and Jesus pleased the Father.
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38 So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"
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Matthew 11:3 to ask him, " Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
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There was no one else on the same level of pleasing God as Joseph and Jesus in their times.
Both were in the Spirit of God.
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39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
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Matthew 13:54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.
John 5:20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.
Colossians 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
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Christ showed God's wisdom with the adulteress and other times, especially when the Pharisees were trying to trap Him.
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40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." 41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."
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Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, " All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me .
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
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Perfect match here. Joseph became second only to Pharaoh and Christ is second only to the Father. Perfect prophecy. Their houses are placed under their authority. The throne is maintained by Pharaoh and God, Joseph and Jesus are both on the right hand of leadership but all authority had been designated to them by Pharaoh and God. Signs of complete trust.
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42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
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John 8:54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me .
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Christ returned to the Father after His resurrection. He is now being glorified and will be forevermore.
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43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
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Matthew 3:3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"
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Here we see the man shouting before him, John the Baptist, similar to the men who told people to "make way" for Joseph. Both were set up by the ruler, Pharaoh and God.
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44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt."
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Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, " All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me .
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
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Emphasized truth. All of our abilities to produce fruit comes from Christ, as Joseph was in charge of the people in Egypt.
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45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
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Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus , because he will save his people from their sins."
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God cares deeply about names. This is incredible. Joseph's name given by the ruler means God speaks, he lives (Standorff) or, the giver of the nourishment of life (Lieblein). By the sound, Jews believe that it meant revealer of secrets.
Parallels- The rulers both gave the names of the second in command. Both of the names refer to salvation, first for physical nourishment (Joseph) and then Christ for spiritual nourishment. It is interesting (but not as prophetic) that God told Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus the name to use and previously Pharaoh told Joseph his new name. Both were named Joseph. Neat but of little importance, probably.
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46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh's presence and traveled throughout Egypt.
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Luke 3:23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,
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Both began their ministries, as such, at the age of thirty.
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47 During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it.
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Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
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Christ is and has been collecting Christians as His bride. Again, it isn't clear if we are in the abundant years (probably a figurative 7 years- a number signifying completeness, perfection). The fields are full, ready to be harvested according to Christ. In the end times, there will be a 'falling away' with apostasy. Could Joseph's experience be prophetic as to how we should harvest as quickly and as much as possible to get ready for the time when there is a drought of apostasy?
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49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
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John 4:35 Do you not say, `Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields ! They are ripe for harvest.
Ephesians 3:8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
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As with Abraham's seed, Christ implies an incredible harvest coming. The riches and harvest is overwhelming.
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50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
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Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: `Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God."
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The wife of Joseph was a Gentile. Many of us who are considered the bride of Christ (Christians) are also Gentiles.
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51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."
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Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Isaiah 53:11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
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When the entire church (the bride of Christ) is gathered together, there will be great celebration. As Joseph endured hardship set up by God, Jesus did the same. Joseph celebrated, as will Christ for each of us saved.
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52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."
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John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit ; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
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Again, fruitful implies the harvest which is the symbol of our acceptance of Christ. God used Christ's work through the Holy Spirit to make Christ's efforts fruitful.
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53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end,
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2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
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The number "7", again, signifies completeness. This speaks of the end of the church age, sometime around the tribulation period. This will happen, perhaps soon.
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54 and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food.
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Revelation 7:13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.
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Christ warned us of the tribulation, as did Joseph of the famine. The only nourishment at that time will be Christ. Great death will occur at this time as God judges the earth.
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55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you."
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John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
John 6:48 I am the bread of life.
John 6: 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
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Pharaoh (God) again gives all authority to Joseph (Jesus). Christ is the 'bread of life'.
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56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.
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John 4:9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman . How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
Luke 15:14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
Amos 8:11 "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land-- not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
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Joseph offered sustenance to the non-Jews, as Christ did to the Samaritan woman.
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57 And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.
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Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Isaiah 49:6 he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
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Christ's nourishment to allow eternal life saves us from our famine. It nourishes all the countries of the world. Yes, the famine is severe.
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