“This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also, he made him a tunic of many colors.”
Genesis 37:2-3

Like Isaac, David, and Solomon, Joseph is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Isaac, we see the sufferings of our Lord and His affection as He gains a bride. In David, we see a picture of the sufferings of our Lord and His victory as He gains a kingdom. In Joseph, we see a beautiful picture of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus and His supremacy as He administers His kingdom. In Solomon, we see a picture of our Lord in all the glories of His kingdom and His reign.

Joseph was born in Paddan-Aram while Jacob was away from his place and country. The Lord Jesus came into this world when Israel was not really in possession or enjoyment of the land. Joseph means “adding” (Genesis 30:24). Christ adds to man’s knowledge of and access to God. He adds to heaven (John 12:24; Hebrews 2:11-13), and He adds to the Assembly (Acts 2:47). Joseph was a shepherd; our Savior is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life. He is the Great Shepherd who provides for the daily needs of His sheep, and He is the Chief Shepherd to whom all undershepherds will give an account when He returns.

Joseph is seen as a servant, feeding the flock, then serving Potiphar and those in the prison. The Lord Jesus is the perfect Servant! Joseph was separated to the Lord, not wanting to sin against God with Potiphar’s wife. He was tempted but did not sin. The Lord Jesus was “undefiled, separate from sinners.” Joseph suffered unjustly at the hands of his brethren and ended up saving the very ones who originally intended to do him harm. He was accused and condemned on false charges, yet raised to the right hand of Pharaoh. As predicted, his brothers would “bow the knee” to him as he became the savior of “all the earth” (Genesis 41:37-56). He forgave and restored his sinful brothers, making them citizens of his kingdom (Genesis 46-50).

Joseph was the instrument God used to dispense bread to the world in times of famine. Likewise, Jesus is the “Bread of Life,” who dispenses the true bread for the life of people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (John 6:35; Rev. 5:9).

Anchor For Today:
Just as Joseph was rejected by his brethren yet became the means of their salvation, the Lord Jesus was rejected and suffered, but now stands exalted as the One who gives life and provides for all who come to Him.