Jesus and Joseph: Interesting Parallels

Fathers are wonderful, and are examples for their children!  My father and my Husband, both great fathers, have taken great care through the years to show no favoritism among their children.  One of the patriarchs from the Old Testament did not use that child rearing approach.  Joseph was the “favored” son of Jacob.  It was obvious to all of his siblings that Joseph, one of the youngest, was set apart by Jacob’s gift of the “robe of many colors”, (Genesis 37:3). This Bible story provides examples to help fathers avoid similar heartache created by the jealousy caused by favoritism. Let us compare Jacob’s son and God’s son.

There are several parallels between Joseph from the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament:

Joseph interpreted dreams that were predictions of the future

           Jesus was the fulfillment of several Old Testament prophecies

Jospeh was the favored Son of Jacob

           Jesus was the favored Son of God

Joseph was highly respected by scholars for his dream interpretations

           Jesus impressed the leaders of the Temple with his knowledge while a young boy

Joseph received a gift robe of many colors

           Herod put a royal colored robe on Jesus and called him a King

Joseph was beaten and sold as a slave

           Jesus was beaten and crucified on a cross

Joseph felt superior to other people

            Jesus was humble, but knew he had a superior purpose

Joseph moved to Egypt as a result of persecution by his brothers

            Jesus moved to Egypt to escape persecution by Herod the Great

Joseph received a signet ring from the King of Egypt

            Jesus told a parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:22-23) who received a ring from his father

Joseph was treated like a King

            Jesus was and is the King of Mankind

Joseph was exalted by Egyptians

            Jesus was exalted by Angels

Joseph used a cup to entrap his brothers

            Jesus shared a cup with his Disciples

Jacob was told by Joseph’s brothers that his son had been killed by a wild animal.  Jacob was devastated and mourned his son for 30 days.  He was inconsolable.  God also mourned the loss of his own son, Jesus. When Jesus died, the temple curtain split from top to bottom, there was an earthquake and the sun became dark. Jesus rose in 3 days to redeem all mankind who accept his gift.

Dear Lord: Thank you for your humble son who lived on Earth so we may live in Heaven with him.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX

Jehovah God

Did you follow the recent story of the destruction of a luxury home perched on a cliff at Lake Whitney? If not, check out http://m.ksat.com/Luxury-home-teetering-75-feet-above-Texas-lake/26435084. This home was built because of the wonderful view of the lake. The homeowners recently purchased the house with faith that the rock cliff would be a firm foundation indefinitely. This was not the case and, sadly, they watched their home crumble as the cliff fell away.  The house was condemned and had to be destroyed to avoid additional safety and environmental problems. Many spectators watched as the mansion fell into Lake Whitney.

I was sitting in my backyard contemplating what had happened and it made me think of America. Many in our country are building their faith on unreliable foundations. Those foundations are developing some deep cracks and lives are crumbling as a result. Many are experiencing the unsettling feeling of insecurity. As each day passes, we are the spectators watching American lives teetering on the brink of destruction.

The word of God is the only reliable, solid foundation to restore a feeling of security. Read first Chronicles, chapter 16. Focus your attention on a few words selected from several of the verses. Jehovah God is calling us to remember!

Vs 8 “Give thanks to Jehovah”

Vs 9 “Sing praises; talk of His works”

Vs 10 “Glory in His name”

Vs 11 “Seek His face”

Vs 12 “Remember his marvelous works”

Vs 14 “He is Jehovah our God, his judgments are in all the earth”

Vs 15 “Remember His covenant is forever”

Vs 23 “Show forth his salvation from day to day”

Vs 29 “Ascribe the glory due Him”

Vs 30 “Tremble before Him, all the earth”

Vs 32 “Let the sea roar, let the field exult”

Vs 33 “Trees sing for joy”

Vs 34 “His loving kindness endures forever”

Vs 35 “Save us oh God and deliver us”

Vs 36 “Blessed be Jehovah, from everlasting to everlasting”       

Don’t be deceived by the many opportunities to build your life on a shifting foundation. Jehovah God is the only solid, reliable foundation.  He is our center, our core, our stability, our guide and our salvation. We are called to live in the world but not of the world.  Take courage from Isaiah 44:8, “Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” Also, I Samuel 2:2, “There is none holy like the Lord; for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”

Dear Father, It gives me joy that you are my God.  It would be so sad to live in this world without you. I need you as my center and my foundation for life. Thank you for your promises. Thank you for being my Rock. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that lives within my core to stabilize me.

Terry Smith
Stephenville, TX