There have been many messages given on the similarities or the symbolism of Joseph being the Torah version of Jesus’/Yeshua’s story in the New Testament.
Let me begin with the first obvious facts.
Both Joseph and Jesus/Yeshua were born as Jews in Israel.
Joseph was hated by his brothers for the things he spoke.
Gen 37:5: “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.”
Jesus/Yeshua, as well, was hated by His Jewish brothers because of what He spoke.
John 15:24: “If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father”; and John 15:25: “But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: `They hated me without reason.’
Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit; then sold him to the Ishmaelites for slavery.
Gen 37:28: “So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
Judas sold out Jesus/Yeshua for money as well.
Matt 26:15: “and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.”
Joseph’s brothers were sentencing him to death with their actions but placing the task in the hands of others.(NIV) Gen 37:27: “Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.” (NIV)
Jesus’/Yeshua’s brothers put His death sentence in the hands of foreigners as well. Matt 26:59: “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death”; and Matt 27:2: “They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.” (NIV)
Joseph was placed in a prison in Egypt to die.
Gen 39:20: “Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” (NIV)
Jesus/Yeshua was hung on the tree of sacrifice to die as a commoner. Luke 23:33: “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals– one on his right, the other on his left.” (NIV)
But God had a plan for both. Both were raised to greatness.
Gen 41:40: “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you”; and John 2:22: “After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.”
Eph 4:10: “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.” (NIV)
Joseph’s brothers didn’t recognize Joseph because he looked like an Egyptian.
Gen 42:8: “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” (NIV)
It is the same with Jesus/Yeshua. The Jewish people don’t recognize Jesus/Yeshua as their Messiah. Over the years He has been portrayed as the Gentile God with blonde hair, blue eyes and pale white skin in artist’s depictions. His name has been used to persecute the Jews for 2000 years. The basis of anti-Semitism has been promulgated through the person of Jesus/Yeshua. His Hebraic qualities were hidden till only now when His earthly nature is developing to all, like a negative develops in a dark room. Very soon that picture will be fully developed and will be bill boarded to every Jewish person.
The reaction of Joseph’s brothers when they recognized him was a tearful one.
Gen 45:14: “Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping.” (NIV)
Likewise they will weep when the Jewish people recognize Jesus/Yeshua.
Zech 12:10: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (NIV)
God had a plan for the salvation of the remnant of the Jewish people through Joseph.
Gen 45:7: “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (NIV
Jesus/Yeshua was also sent for the salvation of the Jewish people.
Matt 15:24: “He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.'” (NIV)
We have a promise in His word about His return.
Matt 23:39: “For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'” (NIV)
In Hebrew it’s Baruch haba B’Shem Adonai.
Rejoice for the revival to come.
In His service,
Allan/Ilan Mann
Prayer Warrior, Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org