Bible Study Seattle

The story of Joseph takes up a full 14 chapters of Genesis (37-50).  It is widely recognized that Joseph’s life parallels Jesus’ in many ways, probably more ways than people realize.  The obvious part is Joseph being rejected by his brothers who then decide to kill him.  Reuben convinced his brothers to lower him into a cistern (Genesis 37:21,22). Not all the brothers want to kill Joseph. Not all the Jews wanted to kill Jesus. Some of the leaders like Nicodemus were secret followers. But Joseph is lowered into the well then rescued out. Similar to Jesus death and resurrection. He then is sold off to a far country. Like Jesus going to heaven. Genesis chapter 38 is a bit of a mystery, but it seems to show the Jews almost apostasy in between the first and second visits of the Messiah. Chapter 39 resumes with Joseph being bought into a prominent house and succeeding wildly. But then Potiphar’s wife causes trouble. Perhaps Jesus had success then trouble when he went back to heaven(??) Some will find this a heretical thought since we are told that, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19-20
This interpretation could be wrong. But it’s very interesting that Joseph apparently has trouble 2+ years. “Some time later….” Genesis 40:1 and “Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River.” Genesis 41:1 After this, Joseph is put at Pharoah’s right hand. According to Moses, “For you, a thousand years are as a passing day.” Psalm 90:4 and “I am requiring you to bear Israel’s sins for 390 days—one day for each year of their sin.” Ezekiel 4:5 So, a day=year=thousand years. 2+ years is 2000+ years. When Joseph was placed on the throne, he was given a wife, the daughter of a priest. When Jesus is placed on the throne, he will be given a wife from the line of priests, the church. Then Joseph immediately went to work during the seven years of plenty, gathering wheat into the storehouses. “He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” Luke 3:17 This represents Christians being gathered to heaven in preparation for the seven years of want. During the famine the Jews will be desperately missing the Christians. This will cause the Jews to seek out the blessing, but Joseph will not reveal himself until all brothers are present. When all the brothers are present (including the church(priests) and bride’s helpers(Levites)), then Joseph(Jesus) will dramatically reveal himself to the Jews and the Jews only. He will invite them to live in the best of the land to ride out the famine of no Christians. Then they will miraculously multiply, eventually causing the ire and envy of the surrounding peoples. This will then result in their being chased out of ‘Egypt’. They will be surrounded. “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city.” Luke 21:20-21 Jesus will miraculously come to their rescue. “Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you! I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city.

Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.” Zechariah 14:1-5 After Jesus rescues them, taking them safely through the Red Sea (while destroying evil Pharoah), they will try to enter the promised land, but some will prove unfaithful. Then there is 40 years (1000 years) of delay until they finally make it to the promised land (heaven). The story of Joseph (spanning through Moses) tells the whole story of redemption from the cross of Jesus to the great Jubilee, 4,000+ years.