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All-In [26968]
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P&R Bible Study: Joseph
Nov 9, 2017, 10:23 AM
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I'm going to take a more high-level approach to finish Genesis. Many consider Joseph to be the most complete type (symbol, picture) of Christ found in the Old Testament. If you gave each Bible character a good:bad ratio in terms of what we are told about them, he does swing as far in the "good" direction as just about anyone. So let's see what we can learn about Christ through this great patriarch.
1. Joseph was hated and rejected by His brothers. They were jealous of the favor bestowed on Joseph, both by their father Jacob, and by God Himself. They didn't go so far as to kill him, but they did cast him into a pit, then sell him into slavery to foreigners (Genesis 37:23-28). The Bible says that Jesus "came unto his own, and his own received him not." (John 1:11) Nearly all of Christ's earthly ministry was directed toward his fellow Jews, yet it is they who rejected Him most hastily. Then God turned to "another sheepfold"...more on that in a moment.
2. Joseph was accused, but innocent. From the hands of his slavemasters, he was turned over to an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. The Bible says that Joseph flourished with Potiphar, and so did Potiphar's house. But Potiphar's wife seduced Joseph, who did the exactly correct thing and ran from her. Potiphar's wife lied and said that Joseph attempted to rape her and fled. Thus, Joseph found himself in Pharoah's dungeon, having done nothing but good. (Genesis 39:1-20) Yet, Joseph didn't fight, or sue. He accepted the punishment as part of God's plan, and just continued to do good in the dungeon. The Bible says about Jesus: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. (1 Peter 2:22-23) On the cross of Calvary, Christ willingly took a punishment he did not deserve, so that he could save others.
3. Joseph saved a Gentile world. Joseph had a God-given talent for interpreting dreams of others, and it was through that talent that Joseph went from the dungeon to second in command under Pharaoh in Egypt. God gave Joseph an interpretation of a dream of Pharaoh that the land would fall under awful famine. As a result, he convinced Pharaoh to store up extra food for seven years. When the famine came, Egypt was the only location in the land that had food. God used Joseph to save a multitude of Egyptians from starvation and death. (Genesis 41) Jesus told his Jewish disciples that he would save a different flock: And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16) It wasn't until after Jesus had gone away to Heaven that the apostles finally fully realized that the Gospel was meant for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Gentiles have been the primary recipients of God's grace ever since. (Not every individual, but as a religious and national group, Israel still rejects Christ.)
4. Joseph had mercy on those who had hated him. It "just so happened" that Joseph's brothers made their way to Egypt, because they needed the food found there. Remember, the last they saw Joseph, he was a slave to barbarians. They didn't even recognize Joseph when they met Pharaoh's right-hand man. This set up a dramatic scene in which Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. But instead of punishing them with death for what they did, Joseph forgave with a powerful statement: But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20) How many times have we rejected God and His Son, yet He still loves us, and is willing and able to save.
As the Book of Genesis closes, Jacob's posterity, the children of Israel, are still in Egypt. There they would remain for centuries, growing into a massive number, and setting up the dramatic events of the Exodus.
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All-In [26694]
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Re: P&R Bible Study: Joseph
Nov 9, 2017, 11:22 AM
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The new testament is revealed in the old testament and the old testament is revealed in the new testament. We see this, as you state, in Christ and Joesph having similar attributes.
The story of Joesph also teaches us much more about God's Providence and sovereignty. Joseph knew that what his his brothers meant for him was evil, but that God meant it for good. The reason Joseph trusted God throughout this ordeal is because Joseph knew that God is always a trusting and fair God who always triumphs over evil. And those who believe in and trust Him will always triumph.
Max Lucado portrays the story of Joseph as God being a master weaver who takes both good and bad
in our lives and weaves them into something perfect. We can not see what God can see and we cannot always see the final outcome of what God is doing in our lives. But the same God who turned evil into Good for Joseph, is the same God we have. So, he will do for us what he did for Joseph.
The Jews who rejected Christ rejected him because they did not see him as the Messiah or the Savior. The Jews had been slaves in Egypt, and when Christ arrived, they were still slaves. They were expecting the Messiah to arrive with vengeance directed towards the slave masters, and free them immediately. But all they saw from this person who claimed to be a Messiah was just a person who did not hate his enemies and was not leading any great army against the slave masters, but instead was only leading a small band of useless disciples.
Here's the link to Max Lucado's session on Joesph. It is really good and is one of the weekly sermons Max is doing on "Unshakeable Hope". The whole series is really outstanding. This series will run, in a slightly different format in 2018 on TBN.
http://media.oakhillschurch.com/default.aspx?page=3679&item=644
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All-In [26968]
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Good thoughts, thank you.***
Nov 9, 2017, 11:25 AM
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All-In [26694]
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All-In [42492]
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And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 12:05 PM
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"As the Book of Genesis closes, Jacob's posterity, the children of Israel, are still in Egypt. There they would remain for centuries, growing into a massive number, and setting up the dramatic events of the Exodus."
Unfortunately, history and archaeology simply don't support Israelite presence in Egypt or any mass enslavement there. The Biblical dates for Exodus even contradict each other throughout the book. Based on actual findings of Israelis and their history, there isn't room for a 40-year exodus of that size nor any evidence of it.
That, and Egyptian history doesn't match up either, especially for the plagues.
However, the lesson from Joseph about forgiveness is still a solid one.
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All-In [34148]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 12:07 PM
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The Biblical dates for Exodus even contradict each other throughout the book.
They do? Which ones?
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All-In [42492]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 2:45 PM
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1 Kings puts it in the mid 1400s BCE, but Exodus itself hints at later. Adding up years described in several Old Testament books would put the date of Exodus in the 1500s BCE.
The origins of Judah and Israel point a lot more to nearby Canaanite origins, not Egyptian. They're almost identical.
The story itself was created nearly 500 years after the latest supposed Exodus date would have occurred. And if we're claiming that they would have created an accurate, historically factual story then, well...
Archaeologists have found nomadic evidence in the Sinai desert from other cultures, but they can't seem to find anything to indicate 600,000 Israelis plus their livestock wandered around for 40 years.
It's a great legend for storytelling and parables, but it's on the same level as Greek mythology.
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Orange Blooded [4995]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 3:38 PM
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What hack's website did you C&P this from?
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All-In [42492]
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Just some...
Nov 10, 2017, 1:53 PM
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Historians and archaeologists who are experts in this field and spend their lives studying it. Even Christian archaeologists have set out to discover/prove it and failed.
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All-In [26694]
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Orange Blooded [4995]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 5:16 PM
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Can you copy and paste the article? You can only read the first little bit.
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All-In [26694]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 8:45 PM
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I would not want to cut and paste because the article is 10 pages. It is an extensive in depth article.
I clicked on the link url, and had no problem reading all 10 pages. I also clicked on bottom word and had no problem. I did not click on any of the pics., so that may be the problem. Here's link again.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1998/september7/8ta044.html?start=1
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Orange Blooded [4995]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 9:55 PM
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It’s only giving me a preview and asking me to subscribe to read the rest.
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All-In [42492]
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All-In [26694]
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Re: Not exactly surprising that You would say that.
Nov 13, 2017, 10:29 AM
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Oh, the horror. My bad for not using an atheist source to support the bible.
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Orange Blooded [4995]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 12:44 PM
[ in reply to And, of course, here is where we run into the problem ] |
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There's actually a really good documentary on this called Patterns of Evidence:The Exodus in which the historical and archaeological evidence is examined and contrary to whatever you were told there is plenty of supporting evidence for the Biblical account.
Check it out unless you're skeered....
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Standout [338]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 9, 2017, 3:37 PM
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I saw that documentary as well. Archaeologists even discovered a statue portrayed wearing a multicolored coat. Pretty convincing arguments unless one has already made ones mind up.
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Orange Blooded [4978]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 12, 2017, 1:36 AM
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Does that statue with the multi colored coat happen to have the face chiseled off? I saw a doc many years ago that showed a statue in Goshen with many of the same titles Joseph held inscripted on it. One that stuck out was "Father of Pharoah."
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Orange Blooded [4978]
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Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem
Nov 12, 2017, 1:38 AM
[ in reply to Re: And, of course, here is where we run into the problem ] |
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Does that statue with the multi colored coat happen to have the face chiseled off? I saw a doc many years ago that showed a statue in Goshen with many of the same titles Joseph held inscripted on it. One that stuck out was "Father of Pharoah."
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All-In [49212]
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Thank you for posting this...
Nov 9, 2017, 3:18 PM
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Seriously. It came at the perfect time for me. I shared it with my wife as well and it was helpful to her too.
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All-In [26968]
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:-)***
Nov 9, 2017, 6:43 PM
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All-In [34148]
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Some questions
Nov 10, 2017, 8:42 AM
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1. Did you ever explain where Joseph came from? Last time we were on Jacob and Israel. What happened in between them and Joseph? Is Israel his father? Any stories there?
2. You said: I'm going to take a more high-level approach to finish Genesis.
What is a "high-level approach," how is it different from your earlier approach, and why are you taking it?
3. You said: Gentiles have been the primary recipients of God's grace ever since. (Not every individual, but as a religious and national group, Israel still rejects Christ.)
"Gentiles" are just non-Jews. So are you saying that everyone aside from Jews receive God's grace? I can't imagine you'd mean that. Also, what do you mean by "grace" in this context? Assistance? Forgiveness? Favor?
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All-In [26968]
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Re: Some questions
Nov 10, 2017, 9:08 AM
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Yes, Joseph was one of twelve sons of Jacob/Israel. His mother was Rachel (the pretty one).
High-level in that I covered the contents of a bunch of chapters in one post, to present a theme, as opposed to zeroing in on one passage.
No, I'm saying the vast majority of Christians have been, and are, Gentiles. By "recipients of God's grace," I mean people who have been saved.
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All-In [34148]
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Thanks!***
Nov 10, 2017, 9:29 AM
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110%er [6754]
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Potiphar's wife
Nov 10, 2017, 9:36 AM
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pigs?
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All-In [26968]
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Re: Potiphar's wife
Nov 10, 2017, 9:49 AM
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Lot o points [156336]
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What's a potiphar?
Nov 10, 2017, 10:25 AM
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duh, it's fer pewpin.
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Orange Blooded [4978]
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Re: P&R Bible Study: Joseph
Nov 12, 2017, 1:31 AM
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I have an issue or two with your lesson.
First, Jesus did not come to save the "Jews". He came to save the lost sheep of Israel. Those were the descendents of all twelve tribes scattered throughout the world, not just those from Judah, Levi, and Benjamin who had returned from Babylon. The "Jews" who turned Jesus over to the Romans were those of the synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2) They consisted of prodigy from intermarriage with Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, Babylonians, Syrians, Philistines and others GOD had commanded they should not mingle with and converts from the same.
Secondly, modern day Israel is Israelite in name only. They are of the same peoples cited above and others who converted to Judaism later and are not of the lost sheep of Israel. This is why they did not accept Christ and cannot. They are a burdensome stone for all the world. Happy studying.
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