How To Find Jesus In The Story Of Joseph
Today, I will show you how to find Jesus in the story of Joseph, which is documented in the book of Genesis.
Joseph was one of the 12 sons of Jacob, who would become the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob was the son of Issac, who was the son of Abraham.
God chose Abraham and made a covenant with him to establish a nation with which he could bring the Messiah into the world. This covenant was God’s redemption plan.
There are many details in Genesis about the story of Joseph. God invites a faithful man whose allegiance to him never wavers to participate in his plan of redemption (find out how Joseph remained faithful even through the face of temptation).
In the end, God saves a family and creates a nation that will eventually bring the Savior of the world into the world.
Understanding Joseph’s story will help you see Jesus more clearly and grow as a follower of him.
“The story of Joseph,” Warren Weirsbe said. “Is one of the richest illustrations of Jesus Christ found in the Old Testament.”
As you read it, you will begin to see Joseph’s life as a shadow pointing to Jesus. Here are a few examples:
Like Jesus, Joseph was beloved by his father and obedient to his will, but he was hated, rejected, and sold as a slave.
Like Jesus, Joseph was falsely accused and unjustly punished.
Like Jesus, Joseph was eventually elevated from the place of suffering to a powerful throne, saving his people from death.
As you read his story, two prompts can help you find Jesus:
- How is Joseph an example of remaining faithful to God when falsely accused?
- How do different moments in Joseph’s life point to Jesus?
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or theologian, but you need to know what you’re looking for. I will share how I walk through each step of my Bible-reading habit to find Jesus in Scripture.
Here is my simple three-step Bible reading routine:
Step 1) Read one chapter.
Step 2) Write to remember.
Step 3) Put it into practice.
Click here to learn more about this simple three-step Bible reading plan.
Each morning, I grab my coffee, Bible, and journal and sit on my favorite chair for my Bible reading time. I choose a book of the Bible and read one chapter per day.
No matter how long or how short it is, reading one chapter is the task. It allows me to read the chapter slowly rather than to check it off my task list.
After reading the chapter, I copywork one or two verses that jump out at me and write my thoughts in my journal. (Copywork is handwriting a portion of text word for word.)
The practice of writing leads to meditating, and meditating is time spent asking the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to see how I can apply it to my life.
Let’s dig into Genesis 39.
This chapter highlights Joseph being sold as a slave to serve Potiphar, the captain of the guard of Pharaoh. The Lord was with Joseph, and he excelled in everything he did.
After some time, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he resisted and was eventually thrown in prison because of false accusations.
One of the verses that jumps out at me is Genesis 39:19-21 which says,
“Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So, he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.”
Writing this verse out helps me see how the phrase “The Lord was with Joseph” appears multiple times throughout his life. The Lord was with Joseph as he was being promoted in Potiphar’s house, and the Lord was with Joseph in prison.
Joseph remained faithful to God no matter what situation he was in.
How does this illustrate Jesus?
Jesus was also falsely accused yet remained faithful to God. The Apostle Paul writes,
“Jesus gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).
Dying a criminal’s death on a cross was a form of punishment for a wrong. Yet Jesus was innocent.
Like Joseph, Jesus remained faithful in obedience to God amid false accusations that would lead him to death on the cross.
Yet, God was faithful in raising Christ from the dead, which is the foundation for our faith in Jesus.
How can you put this into practice?
Remain faithful to Jesus no matter what you face. Whether you’re being promoted to a position of influence or experiencing false accusations.
The Lord is your defender; he is strong and mighty and will always be with you.