Joseph's Story

The story of Joseph in Genesis chapters 37, 39-45 has always been my favorite. As I have gained more insight into God's word, it has even greater meaning to me. Many stories in the Old Testament contain, within their text, a deeper spiritual reality hidden within the events. Many people don't read the Old Testament because they have been told it is the "Old Covenant" and done away with in Christ. They would be quite surprised to see the many shadow pictures in these stories that actually mirror the life of Christ. Joseph's story is definitely one of these. There are so many parallels in his experiences that undeniably duplicate those of Jesus Christ. I believe that the Genesis account of Joseph is a shadow picture of Christ as the Bread of life.

Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (whose name was changed by God to Israel). Most have heard the story of how Joseph's brothers sold him to a caravan of merchants on their way to Egypt. We get a glimpse of a future event in the life of Christ. The descendants of this family, the nation of Israel, in essence "sold" Christ or gave him up to be crucified. As Joseph's brothers hated him and wanted him dead, so the Jews wanted to be rid of Jesus. The story goes on to tell us that Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, where he became the servant of Potiphar, Pharoah's captain of the guard. He dwelt in Egypt many years, not only as a servant, but also as a prisoner. Throughout his trials, he proved himself an honest, humble man who had favor with God. He was obedient and faithful to God, who prospered him in all that he put his hand to. In due process of time he rose from a mere slave to the governor of Egypt, second in power only to Pharaoh himself. Gen 41:40 records Pharoah's words to Joseph, "Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."

This is a direct parallel to Christ. Phil 2:5-8 says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Following his sufferings, he was resurrected to become King of Kings and Lord of Lords, second in power only to God himself. I Cor 15:27 states, "For he (God) hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him." Phil 2:9-10 says of Christ, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things under the earth." Of Joseph, Gen 41:43 says, "And he (Pharoah) made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt."

In time, there was a great famine in the land and Joseph was in charge of Egypt’s food supply. Jacob sent his remaining sons to Egypt to buy food for their households, and through a remarkable chain of events, they were reunited with their brother. During their moving reunion, Joseph said, “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance, Gen 45:5,7. Joseph was sent to Egypt to prepare a place for his brethren.

Joseph recognized the working of God in the events of his life. He realized that, although his brothers had meant harm to him in their actions, it was really God who orchestrated the path his life followed to save the lives of his brethren. In type, he represented Christ, the Bread of life. In Acts 3:17-18, Peter delivered a sermon in which he told the assembly that they had slain the Son of God through ignorance. Yet he reminded them that God had already ordained beforehand, and prophecied through his holy prophets, that man's salvation would come through the sacrifice of Christ.

During the famine, people from all over the known world had to come to Egypt to buy food. As time went on, they ran out of money and began selling their cattle, horses and flocks to Joseph. When they had nothing else left with which to purchase food, they sold their very land, as well as themselves to feed their families. By the time the famine ended, Joseph had purchased all the land of Egypt for Pharoah, Gen 47:17-21.

The bible tells us that it is God's purpose to bring the entire world under subjection to Christ. Eph 1:10 says, "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him". As it was with Joseph, who delivered the wealth of Egypt to his master, Christ will then present all things to his Father, the God of heaven. I Cor 15:24 tells us, "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power". Verse 28 continues, "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all".

Because of his favorable relationship with Pharaoh, Joseph was eventually able to move his family to Egypt where they were given the choicest land of Goshen to reside. After enduring years of suffering, his willingness to humble himself in obedience to God resulted in him becoming the savior of his family, and symbolically the bread of life for the known world at that time. Jesus declared that he is the real Bread of Life in John 6: 35, 41, 48, and 51. Those who partake of that Bread will be gathered unto him at the end time and reside with him in the Father's kingdom forever and ever. Prior to his death, he told his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them, John 14:3. When all has been made ready, he will return for us and take us home.

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