Joseph and Jesus Summary

Both loved by their fathers

Shepherds of their father’s sheep

Both had two names, Hebrew root names the same- Joseph was named Zaphenath-Paneah, by Pharaoh

Both born through miracles

Sent by fathers to their brothers

Hated by their brothers

Not received by their brothers

Brothers conspired to kill them

Brothers reject their claim to preeminence

Both were bowed down to in the end by their brothers, in fear

Both left their fathers’ home of comfort to go to the brothers

Brothers were not where they were supposed to be: Jesus – spiritual, Joseph- Shechem

Both had personal robes taken from them (stripped) – Jesus also gave up His glorious robe, made man, Joseph the 'coat of many colors'

Both of their F(f)athers clothed them

Both sent to Egypt in their youth (Hosea 11- talking about the Exodus!) both- a matter of survival, both had an Exodus out of Egypt- Jesus, a spiritual exodus

Both were sold for the price of a slave (Joseph- 20 shekles of silver, Jesus- 30 pieces) (Exodus 21:32) if you kill a slave adds 50% to the price!!!! (Zachariah 11:12)

Both subjected to temptation, both refused (Hebrews 4:15)

Both falsely accused

Both were delivered to the Gentiles (Gen 37:28)

Both placed with 2 other prisoners, one was saved and the other was lost, the one killed was hung on a tree as did the robber who died with Christ

Both began their life’s work at the age of 30 ( Gen 41:46, Matthew 3:23)

Both were exalted by God after suffering (Gen 41:41-43, Phil 2:9-11)

Both forgave those who wronged them

Both were sent by God to save their people

Both returned good for evil

Both men’s destiny’s were set up in a way to demonstrate the awesome sovereignty of Almighty God

Both sat at the right hand of the most powerful ruler when exalted, both came from humble beginnings

Both had their brothers come to them 3 times - Joseph, Israelites came 3 times to the promised land

Both born under miraculous circumstances, Rachel’s ‘womb was opened’, Christ hasd the virgin birth

Both cared for the fellow prisoners

Both pointed the fellow prisoners to God (Joseph- interpretations come only from God, Christ- salvation)

Both were abandoned – (Joseph- after correctly interpreting dream was still imprisoned for 2 years. Jesus- abandoned by the Father on the cross and by the disciples for a time)

Both trusted in God and not man

Both ‘brothers’ covered their sin of selling Joseph or having Christ killed by the blood of a goat. Joseph’s brothers smeared his coat with a goat’s blood to blame wild animals. A male goat is the sin offering at Passover as an atonement for their sins, occurred at the time of Christ’s death (Numbers 28:22, Romans 8:3)

Both treated their brothers harshly for a time and then save them

Both rescued by foreigners on camels with spices and myrrh (Midianites – magi?)

Cistern was dry in the desert. The Israelite leaders were not watering the sheep, dry barren message of legalism

Reuben tore his clothes and repented when he thought Joseph was killed. (Mark 15:39)- Centurion ‘surely this was the son of God!’, is this like Judas? Repented and hung himself?

Judah was the brother who didn’t want to out and out kill Joseph

Jacob and God refused to be comforted

Both were hated because of envy by the Pharisees and brothers

Sin of the Jews and the brothers hurt themselves more than anyone else. The sinner pays the greatest penalty

All of the power given to both of them was used only for good

Both were in the pit for 3 days

Jacob accepted Joseph’s Gentile sons as his own

Both did the right thing when situational ethics would have said to do otherwise

The Bible records no sin in the life of Joseph when other famous characters did great evil

When being punished, both were serving

Joseph married an Egyptian woman, the bride of Christ is the church, including many Gentiles

Joseph broke down the brothers by his graciousness, giving them the money back for the grain, etc. Christ showed love

Joseph kissed his brothers. Jesus's cross was His kiss for us. Judas kissed Him

Joseph needed to know 3 things
-they had repented
-they could live in peace
-learned to love their father who they lied to for 22 yrs

Both were conscious of God throughout their lives

Both wept over their brothers and talked to all their brothers

Through Joseph and Jesus' faith, the whole family was redeemed

Joseph bones went to Caanan- faith that the promised land would occur (similar to Abraham), Jesus left for the real promised land

Both reported to their F(f)athers when their brothers were up to their tricks

They were both sold for money and both gave them money

Both ask for all of our posessions, Joseph gave life at the cost of slavery. Christ gives everlasting life at the cost of everything (no gods before Him)

Joseph was sold into slavery (meant it for evil) but God meant it for good. Christ died on the cross but God meant it for good.

Brothers tried to drive them off, he said come close to me.

Both gave the brothers provisions, cash and counsel

Both warned them against quarreling as they head back to Egypt

many others, see pages