Jesus Christ in the Old Testament

1. Jesus Christ in the Old Testament Joseph Old Testament people who foreshadowed Jesus Christ through the Actions and Events of their lives

2. Introduction • In many ways Joseph’ life and experiences parallel the life and experiences of Jesus Christ. • Ultimately, both Joseph and Jesus had very similar life’s mission: “to save many people alive.” • For Joseph that saving was merely physical; for Jesus that saving was spiritual.

3. Joseph ws rejected by his own brothers Jesus was rejected by His own people. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 37:18-19But they [his brothers] saw him [Joseph] in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 19 "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. John 1:11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

4. Joseph was stripped of his robe and thrown into a pit. Jesus was stripped of His robe and placed into a pit (dungeon). Joseph----------Christ Matthew 27:28-29They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. Genesis 37:23-24So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe--the richly ornamented robe he was wearing 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern (empty pit).

5. Joseph was sold into slavery for 20 pieces of silver. Jesus was sold for the price of a slave, 30 pieces of silver. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 37:27-28Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites... his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. Matthew 26:14-15Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.

6. Joseph was a good and faithful servant in all that he did. Jesus was a perfect servant in all that He said and did. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 39:3-4When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. Philippians 2:7-8He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

7. Though he was temped, Joseph did not give into temptation. Jesus was tempted but He did not give into temptation. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 39:6-12Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" 8 But he refused. ...12 She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.

8. Joseph was unjustly accused and condemned. Jesus was unjustly accused and condemned. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 39:17-20Then she told [her husband] this story: "That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house."... 20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. Luke 23:23-24But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

9. While in prison, Joseph interpreted a dream of life to one of his fellow prisoners and death to another. While on the cross, Jesus promised life to one of His fellow prisoners and the other died. Joseph----------Christ Luke 23:39-43One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him... But the other criminal rebuked him...42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Genesis 40:5, 13, 19The cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt had a dream....13 Pharaoh will restore you [the Cupbearer] to your position...19 Pharaoh will hang you [the Baker] on a tree."

10. Joseph was raised from the dungeon to sit at Pharaoh’s right hand. Jesus was raised from the dungeon of death to sit at the Father’s right hand. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 41:14, 29-30, 39-40So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon....39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "You shall be in charge of my palace... Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." Acts 5:30-31The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

11. Joseph ate with his brother before he revealed himself to them. Jesus ate with His brothers, before He fully revealed Himself after His resurrection. Joseph----------Christ Matthew 26:20...Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. John 16:1, 33"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray...33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace." Genesis 43:16When Joseph saw Benjamin with [his brothers], he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon."

12. Only after the meal did Joseph reveal himself and promised to save his brothers from death. Only after His resurrection did Jesus reveal Himself and promised to save believers from death. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 45:7-8 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. Luke 24:45-47Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached...to all nations...

13. Joseph’s salvation was for his family and all the families of the world. Jesus’ salvation was for His disciples and all the world. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 45:11I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute. Matthew 28:19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...

14. In Joseph, God partially fulfilled His promise to Abraham to bless all nations. In Jesus, God completely fulfilled His promise to Abraham to bless all nations. Joseph----------Christ Genesis 12:2-3"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; ...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 2 Corinthians 5:19God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.

15. Joseph had two sons while in Egypt: Manasseh and Ephraim which turned suffering into joy. Jesus had many sons and daughters who believed and turned His suffering into joy. Joseph----------Christ Hebrews 12:2-3Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Genesis 41:50-52...two sons were born to Joseph...Manasseh, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble." 52 [and] ...Ephraim, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

16. Forgiving Attitude Joseph was abused, betrayed and mistreated, yet he, like Jesus Christ, blessed those who hurt him. Both Joseph and Jesus were willing to forgive those who caused them pain and suffering. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

17. Our Forgiving Attitude Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”