The Coats of Joseph Sermon Series
Part 1 - The Coat of the Son
Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Intro: One of the greatest types of the Lord Jesus Christ found in the Old Testament is found in the story of Joseph.
As you know, types are not 100% perfect, but the pictures and shadows that we find in the life of Joseph are incredible in the way that they depict the life of the Lord Jesus in the New Testament.
Everybody knows about Joseph’s coat of many colors. What many people do not realize is that Joseph had several different coats – four that we know of for sure.
As I began to look at these coats, I noticed an astounding correlation.
Each of these four coats represented the Lord Jesus Christ in an entirely different light.
In fact, the representations of the Lord in these four different passages had an uncanny resemblance to the four distinct ways that Jesus Christ is represented in the four Gospels.
We will look at these four coats in much greater detail over the next few weeks.
You are not going to want to miss a single message in this series!!
You will want to know this in advance:
In Genesis 37:3, we see the Coat of the Son – a picture of Christ as described in the Gospel of John.
In Genesis 39:12, we see the Coat of the Servant – a picture of Christ as described in the Gospel of Mark.
In Genesis 41:14, we see the Coat of the Sinner – a picture of Christ as described in the Gospel of Luke.
In Genesis 41:42, we see the Coat of the Sovereign – a picture of Christ as described in the Gospel of Matthew.
Just as the Four Gospels all depict the Lord Jesus Christ in a very unique and specific way, so do the Coats of Joseph.
In fact, the four coats are all referred to in a completely different way.
In Genesis 37:3, it is called a coat of many colours.
In Genesis 39:12, she caught him by his garment; he left his garment in her hand and fled.
In Genesis 41:14, they brought him out of the dungeon, and he changed his raiment.
In Genesis 41:42, he was arrayed in vestures of fine linen.
The significance of these four different words for his clothes and the correlation to these Four Gospels is astounding!
As I began to study, my love for the Word of God grew.
My appreciation for the Old Testament character of Joseph grew.
And my love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His life and death grew.
This morning, we will begin with Part 1 - The Coat of the Son.
In the Gospel of John, we see the Lord Jesus Christ portrayed as the Son of God.
Chapter 1 of John says this:
· John 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
The last verse of John’s Gospel says this:
· John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
I. A Type of Christ’s Relationship
The first thing that is clearly seen is that this coat was the direct result of a special relationship.
This coat was given to Joseph for a very specific reason.
A. The Coat was Deliberate in its Declaration – vs. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more…because he was the son
At least twice in the Gospels, God made a point to declare His pleasure in the Preeminence of His Son.
· At the Baptism – Matthew 3:16, 17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
· On the Mount of Transfiguration - Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Over and over again, the believers are called “the sons of God.”
· John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…
· Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
· See also Philippians 2:15; 1 John 3:1, 2
However, there is only ONE BEGOTTEN Son – and that was the Lord Jesus Christ.
Make no mistake – there was an unprecedented love relationship between Christ and His heavenly Father!
READ JOHN 17
B. The Coat was Different in its Design – vs. 3 “…and he made him a coat of many colours.”
NOTE: The diversity of the design was significant in its typology of Christ.
This coat was a “one of a kind.” It was unique; it was unprecedented.
The Lord Jesus Christ was the earthly manifestation of the Godhead.
He was “one of a kind.” There’s never been one like Him, and there never will be another like Him.
The Bible tells us that He exists in the Past, the Present and the Future.
· Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
C. It was Distinct in its Depiction
The fact that it was made of many colours is a significant typology for a number of reasons.
1. The Many Colours are a picture of His Promises
The first example of anything with “many colours” would be the rainbow after the flood.
· Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Jesus: 2 Peter 1
· 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
· 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
· 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
2. The Many Colours are a picture of His Priesthood – the many colours present in the Tabernacle
The door of the Tabernacle was of many colours – a type of Christ our only Access to God.
· Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
The curtains and hangings of the Tabernacle were of many colours – a type of Christ our Protection.
· Exodus 26:1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
The vail was made of many colours – a type of Christ our Mediator.
Exodus 26
· 30 And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.
· 31 And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
The priest’s ephod and girdle was made of many colours – a type of Christ our Intercessor
Exodus 28
· 5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
· 6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
· Exodus 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
3. The Many Colours are a picture of His Purity – as in the story of David’s daughter, Tamar
· 2 Samuel 13:18, 19 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled…
II. A Type of Christ’s Rejection
It is crucial to remember that Joseph wasn’t rejected by outsiders and strangers; he was rejected by his own.
It was they of his own household.
Likewise, Jesus was rejected by his own people; his own household.
· Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
· John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
· Zechariah 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
· Matthew 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
The similarities in the rejection of Joseph and Jesus gets even more fascinating.
Not only were both rejected by their own people, but they were rejected for many of the same reasons.
A. They Rejected Him because of His Purity
Joseph - vs. 3 …and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Christ: - 1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
B. They Rejected Him because of His Preeminence
Joseph - Genesis 37:8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?
Christ - John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
John 19
· 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
· 21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
C. They Rejected Him because of His Prophecies
Joseph - Genesis 37:8 And they hated him yet the more for his dreams,
Christ – Matthew 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
John 2
· 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
· 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
D. They Rejected Him because of His Proclamations
Joseph - Genesis 37:8 And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
Christ –
· Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
· Luke 22:38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him…
· Luke 23:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him;
Their rejection of Joseph was despicable. The same applies to the rejection of Jesus Christ.
a. It was Evident by their Animosity – vs. 4 …and they could not speak peaceably unto him…
b. It was Evident by their Arrogance – vs. 20 …and we shall see what will become of his dreams…
Just as Joseph’s brothers mocked his words, the Jews mocked the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 22
· 63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
· 64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
· 65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
c. It was Evident by their Attacks – vs. 23 …that they stript Joseph out of his coat
This is the only time you find the word STRIPT in the Bible.
It literally means invade, strip off, make a dash, raid,
· Matthew 27:27, 28 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
III. A Type of Christ’s Redemption
A. Notice the Plotting of the Schemers – vs. 20
Joseph
· 18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
· 19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
· 20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Christ - Matthew 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
B. Notice the Price of the Silver – vs. 28
Joseph - 28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Christ - Matthew 26:14, 15 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
C. Notice the Presentation of the Substitute – vs. 31, 32
Joseph – 31 And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.
The coat of Joseph, a picture of Christ, was literally dipped in blood and presented to the Father as proof of his death.
Just as a kid of an innocent animal was killed as a substitute for Joseph, Jesus was killed as a substitute for us.
Christ - Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
NOTE: There are three distinct uses of the word “rent” in this portion of the story.
See Genesis 37:
1) vs. 29 Reuben rent his clothes
2) vs. 33 Joseph is without a doubt rent in pieces
3) vs. 34 Jacob rent his clothes
NOTE: There are three distinct uses of the word “rent” in the story of the crucifixion.
1) The priests’ garments were rent
· Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
2) The veil was rent
· Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;
3) The rocks rent
· Matthew 27:51 …and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
The parallels are astonishing!
D. Notice the Pain of the Sacrifice
Genesis 37
· 33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
· 34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
· 35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
Joseph’s father was devastated by the “death” of Joseph.
When Jesus was on the cross, the Father turned his back on His own Son and refused to look at him.
· Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
E. Notice the Plan of the Sovereign – vs. 37 the Balm of Gilead sent to Egypt to one day deliver his people
· Genesis 37:25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
Joseph’s brethren had a plan to get rid of Joseph. They sold him to a group of Ishmaelites bearing the balm of Gilead and headed to Egypt. Little did they know that God had a superior plan!
Jesus’ brethren had a plan to get rid of Jesus. They sold him and killed him, not realizing that God had a plan!
Genesis 50:20 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.
That plan involved Jesus bringing the balm of Gilead to those in spiritual Egypt so that he could one day save the whole world from their spiritual hunger and famine!!
Part 2
The Coat of the Servant
Genesis 39:12, 13
Intro: We looked last week at the first coat of Joseph; the coat of many colors.
That coat is a picture of Jesus Christ – the Son of God.
The Gospel of John depicts Jesus Christ as the darling Son of God.
It focuses on His deity. His divinity.
This coat of many colors
It was a rare, unusual coat.
It was a costly coat.
It was a controversial coat.
And his brethren stripped him of it because of their intense hatred and envy of him.
They sold him to a group of Ishmaelites that were bearing balm and myrrh.
The second coat of Joseph that we find is THE COAT OF THE SERVANT in Genesis 39.
This is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ as described in the Gospel of Mark.
The Gospel of Mark leaves off the lineage and ancestry and birth of Christ and starts with His ministry.
The portrait of Christ as a Servant that we see in Mark was written by a menial servant.
In Acts 12:25, it says that “Barnabas and Saul Paul returned from Jerusalem...bringing with them John whose other name was Mark.”
In chapter 13 verse 5, it says that “…they had also John with them to minister.”
This is the man who later wrote the Gospel of Mark.
This word minister used here is very interesting.
It is used to translate five different Greek words.
The word that is translated “minister” is the one that is used to refer to Mark.
It is the lowest of all ranks.
The word is huperates, which means an “an underrower, subordinate rower; any one who serves with hands: a servant”
The Greeks didn’t have steamships; their boats were powered by oarsmen.
The lowest rank of slave was positioned in the most difficult spot on the boat and had to do his rowing with a short, unwieldy oar.
This is the social rank ascribed to Mark - that of the common workhand, the subordinate, the menial laborer.
Interestingly enough, at one point in Mark’s life, he was an unfaithful servant.
In Acts 13:13, John Mark departed from them.
This became a source of contention between Barnabas and Paul in Acts 15:37, 38.
Acts 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
Though Mark had been an unfaithful servant, God is His providence allowed Mark to write a Gospel depicting Christ as the Faithful Servant.
INTERESTING CORRELATION:
In our text in Genesis 39, Joseph left his coat as he fled.
In Mark 14:50-52, Mark also left his coat as he fled.
50 And they all forsook him, and fled. 51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
Both were alone and vulnerable.
Both bore shame for doing what was right and following the Lord.
Both refused to be associated with the wrong crowd.
Both had their coats removed from them by others with bad intentions.
Both were left vulnerable and unprotected with a stigma of shame attached.
One was a type of Christ the Servant; the other one wrote about Christ the Servant
Let’s examine the passage in Genesis 39 and see the typologies of Joseph and Jesus as a servant.
I. His Place as a Servant
· Genesis 39:1 tells us that Joseph was brought down to Egypt.
· Geographically, Egypt is south of the land of Canaan where we find Jacob lived in 37:1.
· Genesis 37:25 tells us that it was Ishmaelites that brought Joseph down to Egypt.
· There are two interesting correlations in Genesis 39:1, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. The physical typology
When the wise men didn’t return to tell Herod where Jesus was, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to arise and go to Egypt.
It is fascinating to me that in Genesis 39, Joseph ended up in Egypt because of his dreams.
In Matthew 2:13, Jesus ended up in Egypt because of a dream by a man named Joseph.
2. The spiritual typology
Genesis 39:1 says that Joseph was “brought down” to Egypt.
Egypt is a type and a picture of the world; more specifically, the unsaved, lost world.
We see here that Joseph was subject to the will of another.
Just as Joseph was “brought down” to Egypt, Jesus was “brought down” to spiritual Egypt.
John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Jesus referred often to how “out of place” He was in this world. He repeatedly mentioned being “sent.”
John 9
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Jesus was “brought down” to Egypt (the world) to serve, just like Joseph was brought down to Egypt to serve.
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
II. His Position as a Servant
After he was sold, no doubt his Ishmaelite masters gave him a new garment.
His coat of many colours had been stripped from him.
If they didn’t, then he most definitely got one at the hand of Potiphar, his Egyptian master.
His role as a favored son of his father was obscured in these garments.
He no longer wore the glory of the Father’s beloved son, but the garments of a common slave.
This garment was the cheapest, most common, most ordinary of garments.
· Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
FORM OF A SERVANT: morphe mor-fay’ the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; external appearance
God in the flesh took upon him the form of a servant.
What a picture!
The Bible is clear what was expected of Joseph: Potiphar bought him (vs. 1) and became his master (vs. 2)
Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him:
Type of Christ
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
A. It was a Position of Great Fruitfulness
Genesis 39
2 …and he was a prosperous man.
3 “…the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.”
Jesus
Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
B. It was a Position of Great Fervency
Joseph was diligent and busy in his master’s business.
Genesis 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business…
NOTE: This is the first time we find the word “business” used in the Bible. It is Joseph serving his master.
This is a type of Christ:
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
NOTE: This is the first time we find the word “business” used in the New Testament. It is Jesus serving His Father.
Even as a 12-year-old boy, His day was consumed with his responsibility to serve His father.
C. It was a Position of Great Favor
Joseph found favor.
Genesis 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
This is a type of Christ.
Luke 2
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Ironically, if you look up the phrase, “God was with him.”, you will find both in Acts.
Acts 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
D. It was a Position of Great Faithfulness
Joseph was faithful to his position and to his master and to God.
Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
This is a type of Christ.
Jesus took his role as a servant very seriously.
He was faithful.
In fact, He is called “Faithful and True” in Revelation.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
He was not a slacker.
Once He began His earthly ministry, He was diligent to serve, to work, to labor.
His days were filled with preaching, teaching, healing, touching lives, performing miracles.
His nights were filled with praying and looking out for his disciples.
His prayer in John 17 was evident of his diligence and His awareness of his work.
John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
On the cross, His mind was on the completion of his work.
He uttered seven sayings while on the cross.
One of them was in reference to His work.
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
This phrase “it is finished” was a statement that signified that the order of His master had been followed.
His work; his ministry; his labor had been fulfilled.
III. His Power as a Servant
Though Joseph was a servant, he was in a position of great authority.
He came in at ground level but rose to the position of complete control and leadership.
He went from slave to steward; from a foreign servant to overseer.
His authority was complete, and it was one of confidence.
His master had placed him OVER everything he had.
Potiphar entrusted Joseph with everything.
Genesis 39
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me…
This is a type of Christ:
Though He was a servant, He had been given authority by His Father to do whatever He needed to do.
John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
Jesus Christ was entrusted with ALL THE THINGS OF GOD.
John 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Jesus Christ was entrusted with THE WORDS OF GOD.
John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Jesus Christ was entrusted with THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Jesus Christ was entrusted with ALL JUDGMENT.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Jesus Christ was entrusted with ALL POWER.
· Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
IV. His Purity as a Servant
A. The Temptation was Vigorous
Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
B. The Timing was Vulnerable
Genesis 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
C. The Tested was Victorious
Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Type of Christ:
In Matthew 4, Jesus faced extreme temptation.
Notice the similarities in this experience and Joseph’s.
1. The Temptation was Vigorous – Satan tempted him 3 times; wouldn’t take no for an answer
2. The Timing was Vulnerable – Jesus was never more vulnerable than now after 40 days of fasting
3. The Tested was Victorious – Jesus stood on truth and principle; didn’t operate by his emotions
Joseph’s response was “…he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, how can I sin against God?”
In other words, I serve Potipher – not you.
Notice Jesus’ response in Matthew 4:10 was, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
In Genesis 39, after he rejected the temptation, Joseph “…left his garment in her hand, and fled forth.”
In Matthew 4:11, after Jesus rejected Satan, “Then the devil leaveth him…”
V. His Pattern as a Servant
NOTE: His first coat – the Coat of the Son was stript from him
His second coat – the Coat of the Servant – was left; it was laid up – as an object lesson.
Potiphar’s wife referred to him as “the Hebrew servant” in verse 17.
Joseph left his coat in the hand of Potiphar’s wife. This coat was a symbol of his role as a servant.
His coat that was left was a reminder to her husband of his Position as a Servant – Gen. 39:17
His coat that was left was a reminder to the other servants of his Power as a Servant.
His coat that was left was a reminder to us of his Purity as a Servant.
His coat that was left belonged to a Servant that was in their world, but was not of their world.
A servant that was committed to being faithful and trustworthy in spite of the temptations and trials.
A servant that was given everything by his master to do what he was left here to do.
Jesus was that kind of servant.
We should also be that kind of servant!
May we never forget the work that the Lord Jesus did during His earthly ministry.
He came at the request of the Father to serve and minister.
The ministry of the Lord Jesus could be summarized with these verses:
The Gospel of Mark closes out with the ascension of the Savior and the ministry of the people of God, following Jesus’ example of service.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them,
Part III
The Coat of the Sinner
Gen. 39:20-41:14
Intro: We have looked at the Coat of the Son, and the Coat of the Servant.
The third coat of Joseph is the coat that Joseph wore while imprisoned for crimes he did not commit.
This is a picture of Christ in the Gospel of Luke depicted as the Son of man.
This focuses on His humanity.
The Book of Luke is unique in that it:
He traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam, tells us the most about His mother, infancy, and childhood.
Luke highlights Jesus’ love of people and social outcasts.
Twenty-four times Luke refers to Jesus as the Son of man — a title which speaks of His relationship with humanity.
I. Represents His Identification
Just as Joseph was robed with the garments of the sinner in the prison, the God of Heaven came to earth and became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Flesh in the Bible is a type and a picture of sin.
Jesus literally wore the COAT OF THE SINNER for 33 ½ years.
Paul said it like this:
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
A. He Identified with the Place of the Sinner – 39:20
The Bible says in Genesis 39:20 that “Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.”
Joseph wasn’t put in prison after he had been tried and found guilty.
There was no court. There was no evidence. There was no proof. There was no testimony.
There was no ruling by a judge that he was guilty. There was no decision by a jury that he had sinned.
He was put into the prison along with the prisoners simply at the word of his master.
Jesus Christ was also NOT GUILTY.
NOTE: Though he was innocent, he was placed in the same place as the sinner; the condemned; the guilty.
Just like Joseph, though he was innocent, he was accused and sentenced to death for crimes He had not done.
Joseph left the COAT OF THE SERVANT in the hand of Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 40:12).
When he arrived in prison, he was given a new coat; the coat of the condemned prisoner; THE COAT OF THE SINNER.
These garments are what he wore for several years.
The timeline is a bit fuzzy. We have only a couple of references.
He was 17 when the story began. (37:2)
He was 30 when he was released from prison and stood before Pharaoh. (41:46)
It was 2 full years from the time Joseph interpreted the dreams of the butler and the baker, and Pharaoh’s.
So, the amount of time he was in Potiphar’s house, and the amount of time he was in prison was 13 years.
We are not sure how many of those 13 years was spent serving Potiphar, and how many was spent in prison.
The point is, we are not sure exactly how long Joseph wore this garment.
But he wore it long enough to illustrate Christ in several areas.
We do know how long Jesus wore the Coat of the Sinner.
He wore it for 33 ½ years.
He was born in a stable. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes as a newborn.
These clothes were the fabric used to wrap a dead body in preparation for burial.
Jesus was not only clothed in the flesh of sinful humanity, but he was clothed in the same material and fabric that the dead were clothed in.
His Deity was masked in a cloak of flesh, and he was clothed in the same clothes as those that had committed sin and for whom the wages of sin is death.
He was born to die, but he was also born and lived as those that were condemned to die.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Philippians 2:7 …he was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself…
B. He Identified with the Practices of the Sinner – 39:22
Genesis 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
Joseph was placed ALONGSIDE the prisoners but was also placed ABOVE the prisoners.
He RELATED with them, but he also RULED over them.
The same can be said of Jesus Christ.
He was clothed in the flesh of the sinful man, but he was called MASTER many times.
He RELATED to sinful man, but he ROSE above them.
Just as Joseph knew everything going on in the prison, Jesus knew everything while he was robed in flesh.
Jesus was the perfect God-man – though He was man, He knew everything about everybody.
John 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Though Jesus walked among sinful man, He was over them in every way.
C. He Identified with the Problems of the Sinner – 40:6-8
Even though he himself was a prisoner, Joseph was concerned about the state of the other prisoners.
He noticed that the prisoners were sad.
He inquired into the reason for their sadness, and then offered to do something about it.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus was living on this earth, dealing with the shame of being the Creator of the Universe yet wearing the robe of flesh. He had to deal with the separation from the Father, the voluntary limitation of being a man, yet He had a heart for those around him that were suffering from their limitations and separation from God.
He didn’t focus on His situation, but He saw the needs of others and was moved with compassion on them.
The Bible tells us in verse 6 that Joseph “looked upon them.”
The Bible tells us in Matthew 9:
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Joseph encouraged the troubled men to trust him with their problem, and then offered to listen to their dream.
Jesus did the same thing.
Hebrews 4:14, 15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
II. Represents His Interpretations
A. The Relevance of His Interpretations – 40:21, 22
1. They were Relevant because they were Personal
2. They were Relevant because they were Plain
3. They were Relevant because they were Perfect – vs. 21, 22
B. The Reward of His Interpretations – 40:23
His reward was sad.
His reward was that he was forgotten; forsaken.
It is amazing at the similarities in Joseph’s interpretations, and the words of Christ.
When He spoke, he was forsaken by the multitudes.
They were able to simply walk away from the most powerful preaching ever heard.
People were hearing the Word of God from the living, literal Word of God, and could just walk away.
C. The Reputation of His Interpretations – 41:15
The reputation of Joseph’s ability to speak the words of life reached the ears of the king.
Those within the palace were aware of his words and their accuracy.
Genesis 41
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:
11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
Jesus’ reputation preceded him to the palaces of Jerusalem.
Luke 9:7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
D. The Reliability of His Interpretations
They didn’t take credit for their ABILITY.
When Pharaoh told Joseph that I have heard say of thee that thou canst interpret a dream, Joseph quickly deflected that praise and refused to take the credit.
Jesus also attributed what He could do to the Father.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
They didn’t take credit for their ANSWER.
Joseph quickly attributed what he knew to come from God.
Genesis 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Jesus acknowledged that what He knew also came from God.
John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Joseph promised to give them “an answer of peace.” vs. 26
Jesus spoke in Luke 20:26 and the Bible says …they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
III. Represents His Inspiration
How did a servant, sentenced to live with a bunch of condemned men have so much influence?
How was it that a condemned man could come out of prison and completely dominate the situation?
A. By the Soberness of His Words – 41:25, 28, 32
Joseph didn’t mess around; even though he was talking to the most powerful man in the world.
He didn’t soft-soap it; he didn’t water it down; he didn’t play politics.
He emphasized at least 3 times the URGENCY of the situation and the need to act NOW.
In verse 33 and 34, Joseph dogmatically told Pharaoh what he needed to do.
It wasn’t a suggestion, or an idea, but a clear and concise solution to a matter of life and death.
Jesus didn’t mince words when He preached and when he taught.
His words were a two-edged sword.
When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, he told him that he needed to be born again. – John 3
When Jesus was talking to the rich man, he told him to sell everything and give the money to the poor. – Luke 18:22
Joseph reminded Pharaoh how good God was to have taken the time to show him what was going to happen.
Jesus told his disciples that he would tell them of things to come.
John 16
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.
Joseph referred no less than three times to what “God is about to do.” – 25, 28, 32
In verse 32, he said “God will shortly bring it to pass.”
Jesus often referred to what God was “about to do.” –
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
When Joseph was speaking, he referenced the authority of the Word of God in 41:32.
Jesus leaned heavily upon the authority of God’s Word.
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
B. By the Spirituality of His Walk – 41:38
Pharaoh had never read a book on the Spirit-filled life.
He had never heard a message on it.
He had never even met a Spirit-filled person in his entire life.
He had never even HEARD of the Holy Spirit.
Yet – he perceived that Joseph was a man in whom the Spirit of God was in.
AMAZING!
Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
Jesus Christ
Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
C. By the Superiority of His Wisdom – 41:39
Joseph’s wisdom and discretion was unprecedented.
The king had never met anyone that could match his wisdom.
Genesis 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
In fact, the wise men in his palace were total failures.
Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
Jesus Christ was unprecedented in his words and his teachings.
John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
The similarities and typologies of Jesus Christ and Joseph are incredible.
Conclusion: Just as Joseph was brought out of prison to stand before Pharaoh, they brought Jesus Christ out of prison and led him to the Roman governor.
Matthew 27
1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Just as Joseph was innocent of the crimes he had been sentenced for, Jesus was also innocent.
In fact, Pilate confessed in Luke 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
They led Jesus away and crucified him. Not for his crimes, but for ours.
I remind you - 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Part 4
The Coat of the Sovereign
Genesis 41:42
Intro: We have seen the first three coats of Joseph. They each represent Christ in three of the Gospels.
The Coat of the Son – Christ depicted as the Son of God in the Gospel of John
The Coat of the Servant – Christ depicted as the Servant in the Gospel of Mark
The Coat of the Sinner – Christ depicted as the Son of Man in the Gospel of Luke
This last coat is the Coat of the Sovereign – Christ portrayed as the King in the Gospel of Matthew.
Each of the four Gospels portray a unique quality of Christ.
Matthew – his royalty
Mark – his suffering
Luke – his humanity
John – his divinity
I. Joseph’s Promotion – vs. 41-43
A. Signified by his Ring – a symbol of his authority as the GOVERNOR.
With the ring, he could make laws that could not be revoked or changed.
That signet ring was the stamp of authority that was used to seal official documents and decrees.
Esther 8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
JESUS CHRIST
The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus Christ as the promised Messianic King of Israel.
The phrase “kingdom of heaven” appears 32 times in the gospel of Matthew, but nowhere in the New Testament.
Matthew uses almost 130 different Old Testament references to the Jesus being the Messianic King of Israel.
In fact, the phrase, “that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled” is used nine times in Matthew, and not once mentioned in the other gospels.
The wise men came to worship the King of the Jews in Matthew 2.
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Herod was troubled by their presence.
Matthew 2:6 reminds us of the prophecy:
Matthew 2
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
The prophet Isaiah had prophesied concerning the coming Messiah:
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
In Matthew 21, we find the triumphant entry of Jesus riding in on a donkey with reference to Him being King.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
B. Signified by his Gold Chain – a symbol of his office as a JUDGE
One of the first manifestations of Joseph’s ability to judge was found immediately after being released from prison to stand before Joseph.
Pharaoh told Joseph his dreams and Joseph not only judged the meaning of them, but the solution to the problem.
Joseph was promoted to be a judge because he had the ability to judge.
He made judgments about the Premonitions of Pharaoh – vs. 32
He made judgments about the Progression of the Famine - vs. 30, 31
He made judgments about the Preparation of the Food – vs. 35, 36
That gold chain was a picture of discretion and discernment and wisdom.
It had a similar use in Persia and Babylonia. (Daniel 5:7)
Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Joseph was adamant that a man “discreet and wise” be appointed over the land of Egypt to solve the famine problem.
But he not only told the kind what kind of man must be appointed, but exactly what that man needed to do.
Pharaoh’s impression of Joseph in verse 39 was, “there is none so discreet and wise as thou art.”
JESUS CHRIST
One of the names of the Lord Jesus Christ as given by the Prophet Isaiah was “counsellor.”
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The word COUNSELLOR in the Hebrew literally means: to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan
Paul referred to the Lord Jesus Christ in 2 Timothy 4:
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
John on the Isle of Patmos saw Jesus coming to earth on a white horse.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
C. Signified by his Vestures of Fine Linen – the raiment of the PRIEST
The Bible uses the word “arrayed” in a way that signifies honor and prestige.
Esther 6:11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
JESUS CHRIST
The fine linen is a type and a picture of righteousness.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The priests were forbidden to enter the temple wearing anything but fine linen robes.
As a priest, Christ can atone for the broken laws of mankind.
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Jesus Christ was a priest after the order of Melchisedec in Hebrews 7:17.
He was referred to in Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
D. Signified by his Name
Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphnath-paaneah = "treasury of the glorious rest"
Pharaoh gave Joseph that name; not his parents.
Jesus was given his name by God Almighty.
His name was not picked by Mary and Joseph.
Matthew 1
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The name of Jesus is exalted in numerous places in the Scripture
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
E. Signified by his Preeminence – and they cried before him “Bow the knee”
The Bible tells us that Pharaoh promoted Joseph and made him ruler over all the land. – vs. 43
Joseph went from being a betrayed slave to the governor of the land.
JESUS CHRIST
What a picture of the Lord Jesus – who was born in a stable, laid in a manger, betrayed of man and crucified on a cross who will one day be worshipped by every human being.
Philippians 2
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
II. Joseph’s Power – vs. 40
A. The Power of his Words – vs. 40
Genesis 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
According to thy word…
What a statement!
Joseph – the slave purchased from the Ishmaelite caravan, now has the power to rule with just his word!!
JESUS CHRIST
In the Garden of Gethsemene, notice the effect of His Words in John 18:
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
The soldiers observed the sayings of Jesus and had this verdict:
John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
The disciples on the sea of Galilee had this observation:
Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
In Mark 10:24, the Bible says, “And the disciples were astonished at his words.”
After Jesus had preached, the people marvelled.
Matthew 7
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
One day, Jesus Christ will destroy His enemies with His Word.
Revelation 19
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations:
Oh the power of His words!!
B. The Power of his Will – vs. 44
Genesis 41:44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
Nobody could do anything without Joseph’s approval.
Joseph had complete authority and control.
God’s plan NOW is for the saint of God to operate solely within the will of God.
This is accomplished by submitting to the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit-filled life is Jesus Christ having complete control of our lives as Christians.
God’s plan is for Jesus Christ to have complete preeminence in the local church.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
One day, the Lord Jesus Christ will rule and reign on this earth with a ROD OF IRON. (Revelation 19:15)
The whole world will be forced to submit to His will.
C. The Power of his Work – vs. 48, 49
Genesis 41:47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
NOTE: The seven years that brought forth handfuls is a picture of the “handfuls of grace” that Ruth discovered.
His work is more than enough to meet the needs of those that come to him.
His storehouse of grace is without limit!!!
III. Joseph’s Provision – vs. 54-57
A. He Provided Sustenance
Genesis 41:54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Just as Joseph had storehouses of food for the people, the Lord Jesus Christ has everything we need.
There is nothing we cannot come to Him for, that He cannot provide.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Peter 1
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
B. He Provided Salvation
Genesis 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Once Joseph was revealed to his brethren, we find even greater typologies of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was now in a position to literally save those that had hated him, betrayed him, sold him and plotted to kill him.
They were forced to come to the very one they had tried to kill for salvation.
JESUS CHRIST
Just as Joseph was the great “deliverer”, Jesus came to deliver.
Jesus is called the DELIVERER in Romans 11:26.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Paul mentioned this great deliverance in Galatians 1.
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Paul said that we had been delivered from the power of darkness.
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Genesis 50:20 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.
Conclusion: Have you been delivered from the wrath and judgement to come? Have you been saved?