Joseph of Egypt: Foreshadow of Christ

Jacob “loved Joseph more than all his children” (Gen. 37:3).

Christ is the “beloved son” (Matt. 3:17).

Was given the name Zaphnath-paaneah (Gen. 41:45).

Was given the name Christ.

A shepherd (Gen. 37:12–16; 46:32).

The “good shepherd” (John 10:11–15).

Was promised a future sovereignty (Gen. 37:9–11).

Was promised a future sovereignty (Isa. 9:6–7).

Granted rule over all except the Pharaoh (Gen. 41:40).

Granted ruler over all (1 Pet. 3:22).

His brothers “conspired against him to slay him” (Gen. 37:18).

The rulers conspired to slay Him (Matt. 26:3–4; John 5:16; 11:49–53).

Joseph’s brothers “stripped Joseph” of his garments (Gen. 37:23).

Soldiers took Jesus’s garments (John 19:23–24).

Joseph’s brothers betrayed him (Gen. 37:27).

Jesus was betrayed (John 18:28–40).

Imprisoned (Gen. 39:20).

Imprisoned (Matt. 26:57; John 18:13–15).

Joseph’s family eventually sought forgiveness of him.

Many seek forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Judah recommended selling him (Gen. 37:26–27).

Judas [Greek for Judah] betrayed Him for money (Matt. 26:14–16).

Garment dipped in the blood of goats (Gen. 37:31).

Garment stained with blood (Luke 22:44; Isa. 63:1; Rev. 19:13).

Sold for twenty pieces of silver (Gen. 37:26–28).

Sold for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15).

Sold to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh (Gen. 37:36; 39:1).

Delivered to Pontius Pilate, a governor of the Roman emperor (Matt. 27:2).

God was with him (Gen. 39:2; Acts 7:9).

God was with Him (Luke 2:40; John 8:29; 16:32).

Was tempted with great sin but refused (Gen. 39:7–12).

Was tempted with great sin but refused (Matt. 4:1–11).

Revealed things of future (Gen. 50:24–26).

Revealed the future (Matt. 24).

Was falsely accused (Gen. 39:13–19).

Was falsely accused (Matt. 26:59–61).

Source of great knowledge to those of his day.

Source of great knowledge to all.

The Pharaoh arrayed Joseph in a ruler’s vestments (Gen. 41:42–43).

Soldiers dressed Jesus as a king as they “mocked him” (Matt. 27:28–31).

Was thirty years old when he served in the Pharaoh’s court (Gen. 41:38–46).

Was thirty years old when He began to minister (Luke 3:23).

Joseph’s brothers bowed to him (Gen. 42:6; 43:26, 28).

All will bow to Jesus Christ: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phil. 2:10–11).

Joseph stated, “God did send me . . . to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5, 7).

God sent Jesus so that “whosoever believeth in him should . . . have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Joseph gave bread to his family (Gen. 47:12–13).

Jesus, “the true bread” (John 6:32–35), gave bread to His disciples (Matt. 14:15–21; 15:32–38).