Musing – Was Jacob’s Son Joseph Really Like Jesus?

 Hebraic Musing – Was Jacob’s Son Joseph Really Like Jesus?

Background – Joseph was the 11^th son of Jacob and was not well accepted by his brothers.  There are many fascinating parallels between Joseph and Jesus, yet it is interesting that NT authors didn’t pick up on this.

Conclusion - Joseph’s life story provides valuable lessons and applications; yet there is a profound prophetic aspect to this account that foreshadows the Messiah himself; Joseph was a type of Christ.  The parallels are so striking and so dramatic that this is a powerful witness of Christ in the Old Testament.  Isn’t it “amazing” that Jesus Christ, our Lord, is incredibly foretold in Genesis, the very first book of the story of our Redemption?

Here are prophetic examples to ponder:   (Many! But all seem so relevant!!!)

1.      Both Joseph & Jesus were objects of their father’s special love.  Both lived with their father in honor before going down to Egypt/Earth.

2.      Joseph was a shepherd;  one of Christ’s names is “the good shepherd.”

3.      Joseph foretold of his future sovereignty;  Jesus did the same responding to Pilate (John 18:36).

4.      Joseph was hated by his brothers because of i) Jacob’s special love for him;  ii) his words;  Jesus was hated because i) Jesus claimed God His Father; ii) His Words (John 7:7)    
Joseph’s brothers did not believe his dreams;  Jesus’ brethren did not believe His words.

5.      Joseph’s brothers teased Joseph the “dreamer”;  Jews teased Jesus’ driving out demons by Beelzebub.

6.      Joseph was sent by his father to his brothers for their welfare; Jesus was sent to the ‘lost sheep of Israel,’ by His Father to save the world (John 3:16-17).

7.      Joseph was stripped of his coat (37:23); Jesus was stripped of His coat, covered with a scarlet robe.

8.      Joseph’s brothers, while eating, plotted and intended to slay him; while the Jews were eating the Passover feast they desired that Jesus be killed.

9.      Joseph was sold into Egypt at the proposal of Judah; Jesus was betrayed, handed over to the Jews by Judas.

10.  Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt for 20 pieces of silver; Jesus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver—the price of a slave.

11.  Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him when they came to Egypt to buy food; the people did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah at first.

12.  Reuben has a plan to save Joseph; Pilate has a plan to offer Barabbas instead of Jesus.

13.  Joseph was taken out of the pit alive; Jesus was resurrected from the tomb.

14.  By following God’s guidance Joseph had enough bread to save Egypt from famine by providing bread to the perishing world; Jesus Christ is “the bread of life” who alone provides the Bread of Life.

15.  Joseph’s master was well pleased with him;  our Heavenly Father was well pleased with what Jesus did.

16.  Joseph was sorely tempted by Potiphar’s wife and did not sin;  Jesus was tempted by Satan and did not sin. Joseph was falsely accused; Jesus was falsely accused.  Joseph attempted no defense;       Jesus gave no defense at His trials.

17.  Joseph was imprisoned, though innocent;  Jesus was sentenced to death though Pilate found no fault in Him.

18.  Joseph won the respect of the chief jailor;  Jesus won the respect of a Roman centurion standing at the cross.

19.  Joseph was numbered with transgressors, the cupbearer and the baker were with him in prison; it was also prophesied in Isaiah 53:12 that Jesus would be numbered with transgressor, with two thieves.   Joseph was jailed with prisoners;  Jesus was crucified with criminals.

20.  Joseph was the means of blessing to one (the cupbearer) and be the pronouncer of judgment on the other (the baker);  Jesus was a blessing to one of the thieves He was crucified between.

21.  Joseph evidenced his knowledge of the future and gave credit to God alone;  Jesus did the same on earth (John 12:49  - Father who sent Me gave Me a command,).

22.  Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and was seen as the Revealer of secrets from God;  Jesus is the Revealer of Truth from God.

23.  Joseph warned of a coming danger and urged Pharaoh to make preparations;  Jesus warned that death did not end all and urged us to be on the watch and pray (John 14:3).

24.  Joseph was portrayed as a wonderful Counselor in giving wisdom to Pharaoh;  Christ is known as the One “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

25.  Joseph’s counsel commended itself to Pharaoh and his officers;  Jesus’ teaching was commended while He walked on earth (John 7:46 - “No man ever spoke like this Man!”)

26.  Joseph desired to be remembered by the cupbearer;  Jesus said, “This do in remembrance of Me.”

27.  Joseph’s blood sprinkled coat (goat blood) was presented to his father;  Jesus is our scapegoat and His blood was presented to the Father as a sin offering.

28.  Joseph was delivered from prison by the hand of God;  God raised Jesus from the tomb.

29.  Both Joseph and Jesus were not recognized by their brothers, when they first saw him;  in the same way, Jesus was not recognized by many of His people the first time he came, but he will be recognized in his second coming.   Joseph was unknown and unrecognized by his brethren;  Jesus’ deity is still not recognized or acknowledged by most Jews. 

30.  Joseph revealed himself to his brothers when they came to speak with him a second time;  Christ will be revealed to us and to Israel at His Second Coming.

31.  God foreordained Joseph’s rejection so that he could save all people in the end and he said “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance” (Gen. 45:7);  in Jesus’ case, God’s plan worked through both the Jews and the Gentiles “so that He may show mercy to all” (Rom. 11:32).

32.  Joseph is exalted, and set over all Egypt;  Jesus is highly exalted by God and all people will bowed to Him.

33.  Joseph was invested with insignia (Pharaoh’s signet ring and gold chain around his neck) (41:42);  our Lord Jesus Christ is also highly honored (Acts 5:31).

34.  Joseph had authority and glory so all paid homage and every “knee will bow” (41:43);  Peter publicly declared the Lordship of Jesus Christ on Pentecost, and “every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10).

35.  Joseph received from Pharaoh a new name – the “Saviour of the World” (41:45);  God gave Jesus  the name “Christ”, the anointed one.

36.  Joseph was thirty years old when he began his ministry (41:46);  Jesus was thirty when He began His public ministry.

37.  Joseph’s exaltation was followed by a season of plenty;  there is a season of harvest after Jesus’ exaltation as LORD, the time of the Gentiles.    Joseph’s exaltation was also followed by a period of famine;  ‘The time of Gentiles’ will come to an end and ‘the time of Jacob’s trouble’ will begin.

38.  Joseph became a Saviour to all people;  Jesus is the Saviour to all people.

39.  Joseph was a prosperous servant; Jesus was also a prosperous Servant.  

40.  Joseph was given unlimited resources to meet the needs of all people;  Jesus has infinite power and riches.

41.  Joseph’s ten brothers were condemned to prison and released after 3 days;  Jesus was condemned and rose from dead after three days. 

42.  Joseph’s ten brothers felt remorse;  Judas and some Jews felt remorse.

43.  Joseph exercised righteous judgment by sparing innocent Reuben (the oldest) but took Simeon (the next oldest) into custody until the brothers returned;   Jesus will excise righteous judgment also as our perfect judge who can separate the sheep from the goats.

44.  Joseph made provision for his brethren while they were in a strange land;  Jesus feeds us hungry masses while still in this World.

45.  We read seven times of Joseph weeping as a man of compassion;  Jesus wept.

46.  Joseph forgave and became a Saviour to his brothers;  Jesus forgave and saved all sinners.

47.  Joseph suffered according to a predetermined plan of God;  Jesus suffered according to the plan of God.

48.  First news that Joseph were alive was not believed;  the male disciples did not believe Mary when she reported that Jesus was alive.

49.  Joseph’s sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) came through his gentile wife and were given full tribe status;  gentiles who believe are considered full members of God’s people through Jesus.

50.  Joseph comforted those who betrayed him;  at the cross Jesus comforted the disciples who abandoned him.

Points to ponder

Was Jesus learning what He would face by watching what Joseph had to do in Egypt?

BTW – Any similarities between me and this Joseph are purely coincidental.  (>:

I hope and trust that you gleaned at least half as much from reading all this as I did!

The Torah is referred to as “The Law” but it is better called “Teachings”!

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     November 15, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com

Notes: One of many sources - www.onepagebiblesummary.com/pad/pad_17.php
            Supporting Bible references are available on request.

BTW – Any similarities between me and this Joseph are purely coincidental.  (>:

If you want a much shorter list:

1. He had promises of divine exaltation.
2. He was stripped of his robe.
3. He was delivered up to the Gentiles.
4. He was falsely accused.
5. He was faithful amid temptation.
6. He was thrown into prison.
7. He stood before rulers.
8. His power was acknowledged by those in authority.
9. He saves his rebellious brothers from death when they realize who he is.
10. He is exalted after and through humiliation.
11. He embraces God’s purpose even though it brings him intense physical harm.
12. He is the instrument God uses at the hands of the Gentiles to bless his people.
13. He welcomes Gentiles to be part of his family.

People must bow their knee before him