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Joseph
Genesis 45
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Jesus
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Comparison
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45:1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
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John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
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When Christ made Himself known to His disciples as the risen Messiah, it was a private meeting.
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2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.
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Luke 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes.
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Just before His crucifixion, Christ wept over His brothers and their lack of understanding. Both Joseph and Jesus showed great love for their brothers who were greatly misguided and wanted to harm them.
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3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
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John 8:19 Then they asked him, "Where is your father ?" "You do not know me or my Father ," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.
Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Acts 9: 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. " I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.
John 18:5 " Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. " I am he," Jesus said.
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Jesus, like Joseph, is preeminently concerned with their F(f)athers. This takes the brothers by surprise and they find themselves stunned beyond a response.
The brothers' eyes were opened.
Both revealed themselves to their brothers.
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4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
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John 8:21 Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."
Luke 9:20 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am ?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.
Acts 9:5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
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The very next verse in John 8 corresponds well. Jesus and Joseph both care for a very close relationship with their brothers. Each now reveal themselves only to the brothers. In the case of Joseph as well as Jesus, the brothers tried to drive them away yet their response was to come close.
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5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
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Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them , for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
1 John 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
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Yes, God's plan is revealed. God saved many through the suffering of Joseph and, in the perfect sense, through Jesus Christ. Both compassionately forgave their brothers who did evil to them, not realizing that their sin was to be used by Almighty God to do the ultimate loving thing, save the perishing. This is a perfect analogy between Joseph and Jesus. Praise God! This is overwhelming evidence that Jesus is found in the very first book of the Bible in the form of a long, highly detailed, description of Joseph as a type of Christ. The Bible proves itself to be congruent, consistent, and true.
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6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.
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Luke 11:46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
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Both Joseph and Jesus found themselves in a famine for the people. Christ told Peter to "feed My sheep", Joseph's was literally food, not spiritual food. The Pharisees did not feed the people, instead in the name of God they abused them.
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7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
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2 Corinthians 1:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
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God sent them to deliver.
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8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
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Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
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God's purpose worked for salvation.
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9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, `This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay.
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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. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
2 Corinthians 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
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Salvation came through Joseph and comes through Jesus but ultimately is given by God. Do not delay if you do not know Jesus. He is the only mechanism that God accepts for our eternal salvation. Do not delay, there is no promise of tomorrow and the spiritual famine a non-Christian experiences may destroy without warning.
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10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me--you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'
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John 13:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
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Both men provide for their brothers.
The overwhelming love of Christ. As Joseph's brothers were undoubtedly relieved and thrilled to receive such a surprising and unwarranted gift, so should Christians be, even more so, for eternal life with God.
Goshen means "draw near"- even though we are now residing in the spiritual land of Egypt, Christ wants us to reside in close proximity with Him and sent the Holy Spirit to help us do this.
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12 "You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.
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John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Luke 24:39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
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After the resurrection, and after the brothers found out that it really was Joseph, the brothers believed.
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13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly." 14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping.
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Matthew 28:9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
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In this setting, Joseph's father was like one of his brothers in that he would be used by God to save his father. The brothers were overwhelmed with emotion as they saw their forgiveness and salvation, how much more so for our eternal forgiveness and salvation?
Joseph was given honor as Christ too gained glory.
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15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
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John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
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There was great reunion with the brothers and Joseph/Jesus following Joseph's form of resurrection (restoration in the lives of his brothers) and Jesus' resurrection from the grave.
The cross of Christ was his 'kiss' to His brothers.
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16 When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased.
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Luke 15:9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ` Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
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Pharaoh, as a type of God here, was most pleased how Joseph was reunited with his brothers. Yes, even more so with our own eternal salvation!
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17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, `Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan,
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John 16:28 I came from the Father and entered the world ; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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We can easily visualize God the Father instructing Jesus to go back to earth and to bring back His brothers, the Christians. Christ, like Isaac, was willing to go through this sacrifice deemed appropriate by His F(f)ather. Christ was with the Father when the Universe was made. He came back as a servant to pay the price of salvation. He has already paid the price for this, it is simply in the final stages of bringing in all of the brethren to Heaven (symbolized by Canaan), showing great love.
This is rich with symbolism.
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18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.' 19 "You are also directed to tell them, `Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.
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Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Luke 22:69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
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God sent Christ to earth to save us and to show us great love with a promise of eternal rewards.
We simply need to come to Him for salvation.
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20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'"
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Mark 13:14 "When you see `the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.
Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
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Prioritize nothing else and pursue God and you will have great rewards.
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21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.
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John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
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Christ equips His brothers with provisions to take care of their needs while they are on a journey to obey His commands. As Joseph would use his servants to get the carts together, etc., the Holy Spirit (Counselor) comes to help us as well.
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22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.
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Matthew 25:29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
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Christ will give as much as He wishes to give to each brother. It isn't up to us to decide how fair this seems. As with God, it is His choice. We should appreciate anything we get and end jealousy which Joseph's brothers have learned the hard way. Anything given to them is more than what they had in the past and not deserved, similar to salvation with Christ.
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23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.
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Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone ?
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Christ gives abundantly.
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24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"
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2Timothy 2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
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We must avoid quarrelling when we are going on our journey for Christ.
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25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
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John 6:42 They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, `I came down from heaven'?"
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
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The brothers left Egypt for their father in Canaan.
Christ came down from Heaven (similar to the promised land-Canaan) to go back to His Father, Almighty God. Jacob, in this setting, represents God. This follows all the trials and troubles the brothers went through in Egypt (similar to earth) as they kept returning to get the needed nourishment (similar to salvation). Christ's brothers will go to Canaan, to the Father, after we persevere on earth.
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26 They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.
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Matthew 26:64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Acts 25:19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.
Luke 24:11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
Luke 24:41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
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Of course, Jacob is an imperfect example of God but the fact that Joseph and Jesus both became ruler of all is clear. God was not surprised as His plan worked out but He must have been as pleased as Jacob was to hear the news when Christ victoriously rose from the grave.
Both were affirmed as being alive.
The fact that each was alive was unbelievable.
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27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.
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2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Isaiah 4:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles ; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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God will provide, as He did for Abraham and Isaac.
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28 And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."
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John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
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Yes, Joseph was thought to be dead by Israel (Jacob) and Jesus was known to be dead by the disciples. In each example, God miraculously chooses life when death is expected.
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