Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus Relating Everything to God The Revealing Genesis 45 Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus Relating Everything to God 1

Job 19:25-27 (NASB) 25  “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. 26  “Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; 27  “Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!”

Job 1:20-22 (NASB) 20  Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.  21  He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22  Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus The Revealing Genesis 45 Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus Joseph knew his brothers before they knew him. Joseph knew his brothers immediately, even Benjamin, whom he had never seen. Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him. Before Christ, we don’t recognize Him – John 1:10-11. 2

John 1:10-11  (NASB) 10  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  11  He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus The Revealing Genesis 45 Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus Joseph knew his brothers before they knew him. Joseph knew his brothers immediately, even Benjamin, whom he had never seen. Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him. Before Christ, we don’t recognize Him – John 1:10-11. God knows all about us – Psalm 139:15. 2

Psalm 139 (NASB) 1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3  You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4  Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. 5  You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.

6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. 7  Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8  If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10  Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,”

12  Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. 13  For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14  I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

15  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16  Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus The Revealing Genesis 45 Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus Joseph loved his brothers when they did not love him. Joseph’s brothers hated him but then regretted what they did. Finally, they repented. Joseph loved his brothers very deeply, long before they loved him. Jesus loves us in the same way. Just like the circumstances Joseph created, God uses our circumstances to draw us to Himself. 3

Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus The Revealing Genesis 45 Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus Joseph saved his brothers before they were aware of their salvation. Everything that happened in this story contributed to their repentance and faith. Factors - The pinch of want, the pain of harsh treatment, the pressure of solitude, the proof of God’s presence, the pattern of an ordained necessity, the power of affection, and finally the purge of self-confidence 4

Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus The Revealing Genesis 45 Parallels Between Joseph and Jesus Joseph called his brothers when they would have rather run from him. The brothers were terrified. Joseph said come … and then come close! Joseph called them in love, not in judgment. Jesus also calls us in love, not in judgment. Jesus is calling you to come … home to Him! Jesus is calling you as a brother. 5

Relating Everything to God The Revealing Genesis 45 Relating Everything to God The most distinguishing characteristic about Joseph was his ability to relate everything to God – Genesis 45:5-9. “It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” “God sent me ahead of you” “It was not you who sent me here but God.” “God has made me lord of all Egypt.” 6

Relating Everything to God The Revealing Genesis 45 Relating Everything to God A God-centered perspective gives profound insight into the problem of evil. Joseph attributed what was evil in the brothers’ intent to God’s providence. This does not say that God is the author of evil. But God is in charge even of the wicked designs and evil deeds of men. Nothing is accidental! 7

Relating Everything to God The Revealing Genesis 45 Relating Everything to God Joseph stated that God brought good out of evil. Besides Joseph saying that God was in charge of what happened, he also says God was bringing good out of it. Each step of the way, God had purpose in Joseph’s life. Those whom God wishes to honor or lift up He often abases – Psalm 119:67. 8

Psalm 119:67 (NASB) 67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

Relating Everything to God The Revealing Genesis 45 Relating Everything to God Forgiveness is one of the benefits of clearly seeing everything coming from God. Joseph forgave his brothers! The repetition of God’s name is not by accident. Scripture has a way of repeating itself in order for our feeble minds to grasp spiritual concepts. 9

The Revealing Genesis 45 Application Do you recognize that God knows you better than you know yourself? Do you know that God loved you long before you loved Him? Have you heard God’s calling in your life and responded in repentance and belief in the only one who can save you? 10

The Revealing Genesis 45 Application Are you relating everything in your life to God? Are you seeing and living your life through heaven’s eyes? 11