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There are a great many parallels between Joseph of the Old Testament and Jesus of the New. The complete story of Joseph can be read in Genesis 37-50. Of course the life of Christ is told in what we call the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Today’s message will elaborate on some of the parallels between these two great biblical characters.

· They were both servants

· They both returned good for evil

· Both resisted the strongest of temptations

· They were both loved dearly by their father

· They were both sold for the common price of a slave

· Both were subject to tremendous ridicule and disbelief

· They were both rejected by their brothers at some point in time

· They were both unrecognized by their friends and family at times

· They were both carried into Egypt to avoid physical harm and/or death

· Both of them saved their brethren without regards to the hurt they caused them

There are several other similarities that could be named. Just for the fun of it, why not see how many others you can discover. I take no credit for originality since many internet sites contain these and other parallels. In addition, I noticed one site which noted that Jesus’ earthly father was named Joseph, His chief accuser was surnamed Joseph (Caiaphas, son-in-law to Annas), and He was buried in Joseph’s tomb.

It keeping with the theme of these messages on comfort and mercy, it is interesting that no one outside of Jesus Christ had more reason to despise his brothers than did Joseph. Yet, in the final analysis, it was pure mercy that caused him to forgive them rather than retaliating in kind. Even though his brothers had been moved by envy, Joseph responded with pure love just as Jesus would later do. Also, note the focus text for today: “‘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. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” (Genesis 50.20-21).

As seen in previous messages, comfort accompanies those who live righteously. God is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1.3), and He imparts that same characteristic to those who follow Him. Comfort, mercy, and forgiveness seem to be part and parcel of the same godly spirit. The chain of comfort which began to be forged in Eden continued through the lives of those who loved God and who were loved by Him for their heart of obedience. Abraham’s seed continued through Joseph and his brothers; without mercy and comfort on Joseph’s part, that chain would have ended abruptly and so would man’s opportunity for eternal comfort through the Seed of Woman and the Seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ.

Questions:

1. Who was Joseph’s father? Grandfather? Great grandfather?

2. How did envy play a part in Joseph’s being sold into slavery?

3. How did envy play a part in Jesus’ suffering and death?

4. What part does envy have with comfort? When envy is present, how much mercy and comfort is typically shown?

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Origin Of Nations