Jesus in GenesisSample

REJECTED RULER (Genesis 37-50)

A son of Jacob, dearly loved by his father, made extravagant claims about himself that were considered arrogant by his siblings. He was a delight to his father and offensive to his brothers. They seized him, thought about killing him, relieved him of the “expensive coat” their father had given him, tossed him into a pit, ate lunch, and then sold him to a band of passing merchants. For years, they assumed he was dead, even though he was ministering to Gentiles and preparing for their deliverance.

Who is this—Joseph or Jesus? Well, the description remarkably fits both of them. There are a few distinctions in the symbolism of their lives, but the parallels are striking. The New Testament writers didn’t pick up on these parallels; we have no passages telling us that Joseph is a picture of Jesus. But in retrospect, it’s hard to miss them. Even the prophecies about Israel continue the connection. Just as Joseph’s brothers eventually bowed down to him as their deliverer and recognized who he was, the descendants of Israel will one day bow down to Jesus and recognize Him as their Messiah.

Hebrew Scripture is full of prophecies of the Messiah, but they paint seemingly contradictory portraits. In some prophetic passages, the Messiah is a suffering servant, a figure acquainted with grief. In others, He’s a conquering king, a victor who wins battles and establishes His reign. These portraits are so divergent that many ancient Hebrew sages wondered if two Messiahs were coming: a Mashiach ben Yosef (Messiah Son of Joseph) and a Mashiach ben David (Messiah Son of David)—a sufferer and a victor. As it turns out, there’s one Messiah who comes twice, first as a sufferer and then as the victor. The Joseph picture has already been fulfilled. The David picture is yet to come.

Joseph is a startling illustration of how Jesus spent years in the background on earth, and centuries in the background of history. As a rejected, mistreated servant, He didn’t look like a deliverer until God brought Him forth and put royal robes on Him, just as Pharaoh did with Joseph. Only eyes of faith can recognize that Jesus is the “rejected Ruler” and make a life-altering decision based on His true identity.