True & Better: Joseph
Genesis 37
March 27, 2022
Jay Haugh
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. —Luke 24:25-27
Joseph teaches us about typology.
Jesus is the true and better Joseph.
1. Joseph faithfully waits for God’s word to be fulfilled.
2. Joseph suffers hatred and injustice.
3. Joseph perseveres in the midst of constant pain and hardships
Joseph is an obedient and righteous son.
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. —Genesis 37:2
Joseph is loved and elevated.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. —Genesis 37:3
Joseph is now the visible expression of the father’s rule.
Joseph is hated for his obedience and righteousness.
But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. —Genesis 37:4
Joseph is hated for his outlandish claims.
Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. —Genesis 37:5-8
They hate his prophetic words that he will be the coming ruler.
Joseph is faithful to the father’s call and seeks his wandering brothers.
Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. —Genesis 37:12-17
They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” —Genesis 37:18-20
But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. —Genesis 37:21-22
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. —Genesis 37:23-25a
…And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. —Genesis 37:25b
Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. —Genesis 37:26-28
Judah is a Judas.
The true son is hated, betrayed, and placed into the hands of the Gentiles.
They are bringing an individual who will bring relief and comfort and healing to this place.
this Jesus… you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. —Acts 2:23
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes. —Genesis 37:29
Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard. —Genesis 37:36
Jesus is the true and better Joseph.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” —Matthew 23:37
Big Idea:
Jesus is our true & better Joseph who was sent by the Father to call us back to Him for relief, comfort, and life.
STUDY GUIDE
• Joseph had to wait on God’s word or promise. Where have you had to wait on God? How did it go?
• Joseph had to suffer in the midst of hatred and betrayal. In what ways have you experienced something similar?
• Joseph had an uncanny way to persevere in pain and hardships. How do you think he was able to continue to persevere? How is your resolve when you face trials and tribulations?
• Where in the historical narrative do you see Jesus in Joseph’s story?
• Where did God “break in” and get your attention in the passage? What are you “hearing” from God?
• Where is God calling you to repent? Or what is He calling you do or believe?
• What question wasn’t addressed that you think your small group should discuss?