Joseph makes himself known to his brothers: “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!” (Genesis 45:4). Jesus makes Himself known to His disciples (Matthew 16:13-17).
In Joseph’s self-identification, there is a statement about why God had
sent him into Egypt – “it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of
you … God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth
and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Genesis 45:5,7). Jesus was sent by God to call out the “Church” by an even greater deliverance – deliverance from “the gates of hell” (Matthew 16:18). Joseph said, “God has made me lord of all Egypt” (Genesis 45:8). Concerning Jesus, Scripture declares that God has made Him Lord of all – He has “the keys of the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19).
The words, spoken by Joseph’s brothers to their father, Jacob, bring
out another connection with Jesus. “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he
is ruler of all Egypt” (Genesis 45:26).
Jesus is alive and He rules over all. He is the risen and reigning
Christ. The connection between the story of Jacob (or Israel) and the
Gospel of Jesus Christ is highlighted in Psalm 14:7. The
Old Testament longs for the coming of the Saviour – “Oh, that salvation
for Israel would come out of Zion!” It looks forward to a time of
rejoicing, a time of gladness – “When the Lord restores the fortunes of
His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”
What God did for His people, Israel, was very great. There is a striking contrast between their slavery in Egypt and their abundance in the promised land. God had multiplied His blessing upon them, just as Jesus did when He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). If the blessing is to be maintained and increased, we must honour the Lord. We must cry to Him for blessing: "Hear my prayer, O God, listen to the words of my mouth." We must call upon Him with faith: "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me" (Psalm 54:2,4).
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