An Unspoken Providence

AN UNSPOKEN PROVIDENCE.

Genesis 37:1-4, Genesis 37:12-28.

What are we to make of Joseph? A tell-tale teenager (Genesis 37:2)? A favourite son (Genesis 37:3)? A dreamer (Genesis 37:19)? Or perhaps a boaster (cf. Genesis 37:5-10)? Or even a prophet (cf. Genesis 37:11)?

What is the Joseph history without a doting father (Genesis 37:3) and jealous half-brothers (Genesis 37:4)? Yet the bookends of this section inform us that this is the history not of Joseph but of Jacob, aka Israel, (Genesis 37:1-2a), and the beginning of the history of how Israel came from Canaan to Egypt (Genesis 37:28; cf. Psalm 105:23). And, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear, there is an unspoken hidden providence behind all the changes and challenges of Joseph’s life!

There is also another thread in this narrative: that of Joseph as a Type foreshadowing Jesus Christ. Joseph was a shepherd (Genesis 37:2). Jesus is the ultimate Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (cf. John 10:11). Joseph had to die to his own life of privilege and favouritism in order to go before his brethren - albeit unwittingly - and save them from starvation (cf. Psalm 105:17).

Joseph exposed evil (Genesis 37:2). So does Jesus (e.g. Matthew 12:34).

However unwise and tainted by sin Jacob’s favouritism may have been, the fact remains that Joseph was loved by his father (Genesis 37:3). As we know, Jesus is the beloved of His Father (cf. Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5).

Joseph was hated by his brethren (Genesis 37:4). Jesus ‘came unto His own, and His own received Him not’ (cf. John 1:11). He is the King in his own parable, whose citizens said, ‘we will not have this man to reign over us’ (cf. Luke 19:14).

Jacob sent Joseph to find his brethren (Genesis 37:13-17). The Father sent the Son to seek and to find ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’ (cf. Matthew 15:24).

Joseph’s brethren conspired against him (Genesis 37:18). The religious leaders held a council against Jesus, to determine how they might destroy Him (cf. Matthew 12:14).

Joseph was stripped of his distinctive coat (Genesis 37:23). Jesus lay down the regalia of His divinity at His incarnation (cf. Philippians 2:6-7). The soldiers gambled for His seamless coat at the time of His crucifixion (cf. John 19:23-24).

Joseph was thrown into a pit (Genesis 37:24). Jesus went down into death, and His body was laid in a tomb (cf. Matthew 27:60). Likewise, Joseph was raised out of the pit (Genesis 37:28), and Jesus was raised from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Joseph was sold for the going price of a slave (Genesis 37:28). Jesus was betrayed for the going price of a slave (cf. Matthew 26:15).

We could go on and on with this Typology, but I wish to return at this point to the whole question of God’s providence in the life of Joseph.

Young Joseph made the mistake of sharing his dreams with his brothers, and ended up in a pit, then sold into slavery, then falsely accused and thrown into prison, then forgotten by someone for whom he had done a favour. Yet God did not make a full end there: Joseph was remembered, released, promoted and, when he finally met his brothers again was able to say that what THEY had meant for evil, God had meant for good – not only for him, but for others as well (cf. Genesis 50:20).

We know that all things work together for good, for the good of God’s people (cf. Romans 8:28). Truly, God is good to Israel (cf. Psalm 73:1). What an encouragement to remain steadfast in the face of adversity!