Unveiling the Symbolism: How Joseph Symbolizes Jesus in Biblical Narratives
All 50 chapters of Genesis lead up to the story of Joseph, which takes up the last 14 chapters. Joseph is the climax of the entire book and represents Jesus—the climax of history. The entire book of Genesis builds up to Joseph, just like the entire Old Testament builds up to Jesus. Here’s how Joseph symbolizes Jesus.
1. Treated Unjustly
“When the Midianite traders got there, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for about 4 ounces of silver [20 shekels].”
—Genesis 37:28
Joseph’s own brothers sold him for a few coins in the same way that Jesus’s own disciple sold Him for a few coins.
Also, in Genesis 39, Joseph was falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife and then unjustly imprisoned, just like how Jesus was unjustly accused and executed even though he didn’t do anything wrong.
2. “Died” & Came Back to Life
“Jacob said, ‘A wild animal has killed my son!’ Then he tore his clothes in agony, put on ugly clothes, and spent many days mourning for his son. The rest of his children all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted, saying, ‘I’ll never stop mourning my son until the day I go down to the grave.’”
—Genesis 37:34–35
Jacob had 12 sons, but Joseph was his all-time favorite, just like how Jesus was God’s only beloved son. This verse shows how much agony the father was in because his beloved son was dead in his eyes. When Jacob later went to Egypt and found out that his son was actually alive, it would have felt like a dead man had come back to life. This foreshadows the way that Jesus would die and come back to life.
3. Saved the People who Betrayed Him
The famine affected the entire known world, but in Egypt there was bread. The famine was so severe that people came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph.
—Genesis 41:54 & 57
Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers when they sold him into slavery, yet Joseph forgave them and even saved their lives by giving them food during the famine. Similarly, Jesus was betrayed by humanity, but forgave them and saved their lives. Jesus describes himself as the “bread” of life.
Joseph’s brothers had to depend on Joseph’s forgiveness to save their lives. In the same way, we have to depend on Jesus’s forgiveness to provide us with spiritual life.
4. Exalted Above All
After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, he exalted Joseph, saying:
“I hereby give you authority over my domain. I order all my people to listen to you. Only I, seated on the throne, have higher authority than you. I give you authority over the entire kingdom of Egypt.”
—Genesis 41
The chapter also says,
“Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his own hand and put it on Joseph’s. Pharaoh clothed him in garments of fine linen and gave him a golden necklace. He had him ride in his second chariot while his servants proclaimed, ‘Bow down!’”
Pharaoh exalted Joseph, giving him authority over his entire kingdom, just like how God will do to Jesus at the end of time.
Conclusion
Jehovah is a mastermind who foretold Jesus centuries before He was even born. God established the old covenant with Israel in Genesis, while Jesus established a new covenant. Jesus really is the pinnacle of the universe.
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