Genesis 37

As we continue our reading through the Book of Genesis, we encounter one of the most popular, exciting and profitable sections of the Bible as we begin to look at the life of Joseph. There is so much of God’s faithfulness revealed within the story of Joseph’s life as well as many practical lessons and applications to be gleaned from this life of faith.

Perhaps one of the reasons why Joseph is such a beloved character of the Bible is because we are encouraged as we watch him persevere through many of the trials and injustices that we ourselves often face. In the weeks to come, I hope that we will all be strengthened in the faith as we learn how to keep our eyes on the promises and sovereignty of God even in the midst of pain and adversity and, especially, when it seems that God’s promises to us have gone awry.

As we begin to look at this extraordinary life, perhaps it is a good time for a gentle reminder.

Although Joseph, as a personage, looms large throughout this section of scripture it might do us well to remind ourselves of one important truth - that no matter what character or chronicle we are currently reading in the Bible, the main character is God himself. The only reason that the spotlight is cast upon any person or narrative is because it highlights something of God’s character and shows the unbroken and perfect march of His redemptive plan for mankind throughout history and through individual lives. Before we ever begin to search the scripture to find out “what it means to me”, we must first discover what it says about God.  Our studies of scripture should always begin with Him; pass through historical and cultural contexts, next considering the passage in view of the audience to whom it was intended and then look for the application to, first, the universal Church of the ages, and then finally discovering a personal application for my life and circumstance. To study (not just read) the word in this manner is to truly be a disciplined learner of (and from) the Word of God.

In pre-incarnate scripture, God has included many foreshadows, allegories, types, anthropomorphisms (examples from natural phenomena and physical anatomy  to describe attributes of an invisible God)  and symbols to represent His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ (Remember Melchizedek from Genesis 14?).  Joseph is one of the most important of these. There been exhaustive studies (sometimes too speculative, in my humble opinion) and comparisons made between the life of Joseph and that of Jesus. In detailing the events that God sovereignly used to place Joseph in a position to deliver his family, I picture the hand of God, ever so slightly, pulling back the curtain of redemptive history and prophecy to give mankind a glimpse of the mission and character of the Redeemer that is to come.

Here are just a few examples of Joseph as a Christ-type:

• Both were falsely accused (Genesis 39:14-19; Mark 14:57-58)
• Both resisted temptation and sin (Genesis 39:7-12; Matthew 4:1-11)
• Both were separated from their fathers (Genesis 39:31-25; John 20:21)
• Both were sold for the price of a slave (Genesis 37:28; Matthew 26:15)
• Both overcame the enemy’s plan (Genesis 50:20; Colossians 2:15)
• Both offered pardon (Genesis 45:15; Luke 3:34)
• Both redeemed their brethren (45:7; Galatians 4:4-5)

I hope that as we continue to search the scriptures together, we would prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the people, places and events that God has used to reveal Himself, Christ and His redemptive plan of salvation for mankind.