Joseph and the Savior

Lesson Aim

To trace key events in Joseph's life and see how God intentionally used them to foreshadow the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Opening Question (3 Minutes)

Ask:

Have you ever read a story in the Old Testament and thought, "This sounds a lot like Jesus"?

Explain:

The Old Testament contains many "types" or "shadows" that point forward to Christ. A type is a person, event, or institution that God designed to foreshadow a greater fulfillment in Jesus.

Joseph is one of the clearest examples.

Though Joseph was not perfect, the overall pattern of his life remarkably anticipates Christ's suffering, rejection, exaltation, and salvation.

Key Text: Gen 37-50.

Main Idea

God sovereignly shaped Joseph's life to foreshadow the greater Savior, Jesus Christ, who was rejected, suffered, exalted, and became the source of salvation for His people.

I. Joseph Was Beloved by His Father

Read Genesis 37:3

Genesis 37:3 ESV

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.

Joseph occupied a unique place in his father's affection.

Compare with Jesus

At Jesus' baptism:

Matthew 3:17 ESV

and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

At the Transfiguration:

Matthew 17:5 ESV

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Discussion

Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob.

Jesus is the eternally beloved Son of the Father.

Joseph's favored position stirred jealousy.

Christ's unique relationship with the Father stirred opposition among Israel's leaders.

Application

The gospel begins with the Father's love for His Son. Our salvation rests upon our union with the Beloved One.

Ephesians 1:6 ESV

to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

II. Joseph Was Rejected by His Brothers

Read Genesis 37:4-8, 18-20

Genesis 37:4–8 ESV

But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

Genesis 37:18–20 ESV

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”

Joseph's brothers hated him.

They rejected his authority and despised his message.

Compare with Jesus

John 1:11 ESV

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

Mark 15:13 ESV

And they cried out again, “Crucify him.”

Similarities

Joseph:

Rejected by his own family.

Hated without just cause.

Conspired against.

Jesus:

Rejected by His own people.

Hated without cause.

Conspired against by religious leaders.

Discussion Question

Why is rejection often part of God's plan for His chosen servants?

Application

God's purposes are not thwarted by rejection. In both Joseph's and Jesus' cases, rejection became the pathway to salvation.

III. Joseph Was Betrayed for Silver

Genesis 37:28 ESV

Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Compare with Jesus

Matthew 26:14–15 ESV

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

Similarities

Both were:

Betrayed by those close to them.

Sold for silver.

Treated as commodities rather than persons.

Important Difference

Joseph was an innocent sufferer.

Jesus was the perfectly sinless sufferer.

Application

The value assigned to Christ by sinful men was shockingly low, yet His worth is infinite.

IV. Joseph Suffered Though Innocent

Genesis 39:7–20 ESV

And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

Compare with Jesus

1 Peter 2:22–23 ESV

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Jesus was:

Falsely accused.

Condemned unjustly.

Punished despite innocence.

Observation

The righteous sufferer theme runs throughout Scripture.

Joseph points forward to the perfectly righteous sufferer.

Discussion

How does Joseph's story help believers endure unjust treatment?

Application

God is often accomplishing His greatest purposes during seasons of undeserved suffering.

V. Joseph Was Exalted After Humiliation

Genesis 41:39–43 ESV

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.

Compare with Jesus

Philippians 2:8–11 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus:

Humbled Himself unto death.

Was highly exalted by the Father.

Received the name above every name.

Pattern

Joseph: Suffering → Exaltation

Jesus: Cross → Resurrection → Exaltation

The Biblical Principle

Before glory comes suffering.

This pattern reaches its fullest expression in Christ.

Application

The resurrection and exaltation of Christ assure believers that suffering is never the final chapter.

VI. Joseph Became the Means of Salvation

Genesis 45:4–8 ESV

So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Compare with Jesus

Luke 19:10 ESV

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

John 6:35 ESV

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Similarities

Joseph:

Provided bread during famine.

Saved many physical lives.

Became a blessing to nations.

Jesus:

Provides the Bread of Life.

Saves spiritually and eternally.

Brings salvation to all nations.

Discussion

How does Joseph's provision during famine illustrate humanity's need for Christ?

Application

Every human being faces spiritual famine apart from Christ.

Only Jesus can satisfy the soul.

VII. Joseph Forgave Those Who Wronged Him

Genesis 50:19–21 ESV

But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Compare with Jesus

Luke 23:34 ESV

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Similarities

Both:

Extended grace to offenders.

Refused personal vengeance.

Became instruments of reconciliation.

Application

Those who have received Christ's forgiveness are called to extend forgiveness to others.

Conclusion: Joseph's Greatest Contribution

Joseph's life is not merely an inspiring biography.

It is a divinely designed preview of Jesus Christ.

Joseph was:

Beloved by his father.

Rejected by his brothers.

Sold for silver.

Innocent yet condemned.

Humiliated and then exalted.

The means of salvation.

A forgiver of enemies.

Yet Joseph only points to Someone greater.

Joseph saved people from temporary famine.

Jesus saves sinners from eternal judgment.

Joseph ruled Egypt.

Jesus rules heaven and earth.

Joseph preserved physical life.

Jesus grants eternal life.

Final Readings

Genesis 50:20 ESV

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Acts 2:23 ESV

this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Just as God used the evil done against Joseph to save many lives, God used the evil done against Christ to accomplish the salvation of the world.

Closing Discussion Questions

Which similarity between Joseph and Christ stands out most to you?

How does Joseph's story strengthen your confidence in God's sovereignty?

Why is Jesus infinitely greater than Joseph?

How can Joseph's example help us endure suffering with faith?