And The Patriarchs, Becoming Envious, Sold Joseph

“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”
Act 7:9-10

In our text today, Stephen has just begun his response to the accusations made against him by the Jews.  His message is an interesting one.  In fact, for many years I struggled to see why he said what he did.  He seemed to just give a history lesson before exploding in condemnation of his accusers in v. 51, but I now I understand that all which he says before v. 51 is setting the stage for his pointed rebuke of the Jews.  They hated his word because they hated the Christ he preached,and as Stephen begins his discourse, he gets right to the heart of the matter.  This sin of rejecting the Savior is nothing new in Jewish history for their ancestors also rejected the ones God raised up to deliver them.  The first of these Old Testament types of Christ that Stephen deals with is Joseph.  Some of the most thrilling times of study in the word of God have been when the Lord has shown me Himself in events and figures of the Old Testament.  It would be worth your time to read the account of Joseph and his brothers with a consciousness of the foreshadowing of Christ.  Here are a few comparisons to jump start your study:

  1. Joseph was the most beloved of his father.  In Gen 37:3 we read, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children…”  Of whom has the heavenly Father ever spoken audibly from heaven, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”? (Mat 3:17) None but Christ!
  2. Years before he ascended to the throne, it was prophesied that Joseph would reign over his brethren. (Gen 37:5-11) The same was prophesied of Christ by the prophets and again by the angel Gabriel in Luk 1:31-33: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
  3. Joseph was hated and rejected by his own brethren as we see in our text today and also in Gen 37:4 where it says, “they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.”  Of Christ, we read: “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (Joh 1:11) By the way, they sold Joseph for silver…sound familiar? (Gen 37:28 cmp Mat 26:15)
  4. Joseph was treated unjustly when he was sold into slavery by his own brothers (Gen 37:28) and when he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:13-20), and yet neither time did he open his mouth in his own defense.  We read concerning the Lord Jesus: “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isa 53:7)
  5. Everywhere he went, Joseph was always second in command, having full authority with the exception of the one that put him in authority.  Such was the case in Potiphar’s house (Gen 39:4-6), in prison (Gen 39:21-23), and finally in Pharaoh’s court (Gen 39:39-41).   God the Father has exalted His only begotten Son in the same fashion!  “For ‘HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.” (1Co 15:27)
  6. You will not find a single accusation brought against Joseph in the Scripture.  Of other great men of faith, we find they still fell short–Abraham in weakness produced an Ishmael, Moses struck the rock in disobedience to God, and David sinned with Bathsheba.  I’m not saying Joseph was sinless but simply that the record of Scripture mentions no deficiency in him.  In this way, he reveals the Lord Jesus “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”. (1Pe 2:22)
  7. When Joseph was imprisoned for a crime he did not committ, he was “numbered with the transgressors” even as Christ was per Isa 53:12 and Luk 22:37.
  8. Joseph’s suffering and rejection by his brethren was according to the plan and purpose of God for their salvation!  As Joseph said to his brethren, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Gen 50:20) Jesus’ suffering was also according to the eternal purpose of God for the salvation of His people: “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death”. (Act 2:23)
  9. Not only was Joseph the savior of his brethren but also of the whole world, for “all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands”. (Gen 41:57) But, in a very unique and special way, he saved his brothers and their families, saying, “Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” (Gen 50:21) Likewise, Christ is said to be the “Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” (1Ti 4:10) All mankind owes thanksgiving daily to the Lord who causes His rain to fall on the just AND the unjust, but He is especially a Savior to the family of God, Who he not only preserves now but will eternally!
  10. Joseph didn’t hold a grudge but sincerely forgave his brothers, even telling them not to be upset with themselves! (Gen 45:4-5) Thank God we have a Savior Who even when on the cross prayed, “Father, forgive them!” (Luk 23:34) Because we have such a Savior, God says of His brethren, “Their sins and lawless deeds will I remember no more”!

I could go on, but I hope the thoughts above have at least whet your appetite to study Joseph further.  Remember, when we read the Old Testament, we should not be looking for a history lesson.  We should be looking for Christ!  May we not make the mistake of the Jews in Jesus’ day of whom He said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (Joh 5:39)

Love in Christ,

Jamie

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