S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Joseph was the second youngest of twelve brothers born to Jacob, who was called Israel. In Genesis 37:3-4 we read, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born...

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August 30 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

The story of Joseph and his brothers is quite an instructive account. 

So often Joseph is wrongly portrayed as a spoiled, boastful child and that his father showed undue favoritism and made him a special garment. Joseph not only tattles on his brothers, but he tells dreams of them bowing down to him. They say he should not have done that. But this is not correct.

Instead, he seems to be a responsible son of Jacob. He was not afraid to tell his father about what his brothers were doing, Genesis 37:2.

His father loved him for a special reason. Jacob advancing in age, was preparing for his death. That meant lining up someone to be given the birthright to be the leader, guide, and builder of the family. Joseph was not the son of his old age in the usual sense. He was born at the end of the same 7-year period his older brothers were born. The term “son of his old age” meant the son who would be given the birthright to lead, guide, and build the family.

The favored status is because Reuben, the first son born to Leah, had failed. Jacob then designated Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel, as the son of responsibility. 1 Chronicles 5:1 says Reuben “was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph…” The coat or tunic Jacob made for Joseph was a distinctive garment indicating this special privilege or honor, Genesis 37:3.

This individual attention on Joseph infuriated his brothers, Genesis 37:4. It especially irked them to hear the dreams he shared with them, Genesis 37:5-11. These dreams came from God revealing something to happen in the future.

When Joseph was sent to check to see how his brothers and their flocks were doing, his brothers schemed against “the dreamer.” This led him to be sold as a slave in Egypt.

After trials and triumphs, he ended up in Pharaoh’s court and was promoted to prime minister of the land. Famine came and the brothers were sent to Egypt to buy grain. It was at this time Joseph (identity unknown to them) tested them and eventually revealed himself to them.

The story of Joseph and his brothers illustrates the story of Jesus and the Jewish people. 

As Jacob loved Joseph, so God the Father loved His beloved Son, Jesus, who came to His people. Jesus taught them the will of the Father and revealed truths from heaven. But Jewish leaders resented Him and conspired against Him. Mark 15:10 says that the chief priests handed Jesus over to Pilate because of envy.

Just as Joseph was promoted to high honors, so Jesus being raised from the dead, was seated at the right hand of God the Father.

Also, as Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, so Jesus shall one day reveal Himself to His brethren, the Jews. 

The story of Joseph and his brothers uniquely compares to the account of Jesus and His Jewish brethren.

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