Genesis 40 and 41:
Today’s episode is all about Joseph. Joseph is one of Susan’s favorite characters in the Bible and I agree with her. He suffers many times in his life but his faith was strong. Whenever he had an opportunity, he gave glory to God and humbled himself. I think Joseph’s story has a lot of nuggets that we can remember and learn from as well.
HAYLEY’S BIBLE BENDER:
My Bible bender of Joseph’s life was just how much Joseph was foreshadowing Jesus. I knew prior to today how there were similarities between Joseph and Jesus, but never in the detail that Susan listed for us. Take a look at the table below as a fun refresher!
What was your Bible bender?
VERSES MENTIONED:
SHOW NOTES:
Joseph and Jesus
Joseph is often said to foreshadow Jesus. In other words, Joseph is a type of Jesus. Typology is described as God-orchestrated history that has real similarities between persons, or events. Here are some ways the life of Joseph parallels the life of Christ:
| Joseph | Jesus | |
| Beloved by his Father | Israel loved Joseph more (Genesis 37:3) | This is my beloved Son (Matthew 3:17) |
| Envied and hated without cause | They saw that their father loved him more…hated him (Genesis 37:4) | They hated me without a cause. (John 15:25) |
| Foretold that he would rule | Sheaves bowed down to mine. (Genesis 37:7) | Son of Man sitting at the right hand (Matthew 26:64) |
| Accused of being crazy/dreamer | Here comes the dreamer (Genesis 37:19) | He is out of his mind (Mark 3:21) |
| Rejected and condemned to die | They plotted to kill him. (Genesis 37:20) | Crucify him (Luke 23:21) |
| Stripped of clothing | Stripped him of his coat (Genesis 37:23) | Stripped him (Matthew 27:28) |
| Thrown into a pit, alone, forsaken | Thrown into a cistern (Genesis 37:24) | Three days and three nights in earth (Matthew 12:40) |
| Sold for silver | 20 pieces of silver to Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:28) | Thirty pieces of silver to the Pharisees (Matthew 26:15) |
| Became a servant | To Potiphar (Genesis 39:3) | Took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7) |
| Resisted temptation | Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-12) | Tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4) |
| Falsely accused | Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:17-18) | Many testified falsely (Mark 14:56) |
| Amazed others with wisdom | None as wise as you (Genesis 4:39) | They were amazed at his wisdom (Matthew 13:54) |
| Promoted to honor | (Genesis 41) | God has exalted (Phillipians 2:9) |
| All bow down to | (Genesis 41-43) | Every knee should bow (Phillippians 2:10) |
| Provided bread | All came to buy grain from Joseph (Genesis 41:57) | I am the bread of life (John 5:35) |
| His people did not recognize | (Genesis 42:8) | Not recognized by the Jews |
| Revelation and reconciliation | I am Joseph, whom you sold (Genesis 45:3-9) | All Israel will be saved as it is written (Romans 11:26) |
This article was written by Hayley Mowatt, producer of Bible Book Club.
