Joseph and Jesus
There was famine in all the known world in the days of Jacob (~1700 BC). He said to 10 of his sons that they should go to Egypt and buy grain. Jacob believed that one of his sons, Joseph, was dead. He did not want his youngest son, Benjamin, to make the long and dangerous trip. The 10 brothers set out for Egypt. Though a remarkable series of events, their brother Joseph was now the Prime Minister of Egypt, in charge of selling grain to the starving people of Egypt and of other lands.
In this first encounter with Joseph, the brothers did not recognize him. They had not seen him for more than 13 years. He was the highest official in Egypt and, no doubt, looked like it. He also spoke to the brothers from Canaan though an interpreter. After an extreme amount of trouble, 9 of the brothers returned home with food for their families.
The difficult times because of the famine forced the brothers to go to Egypt a second time to buy food. On this second encounter with Joseph, he was made known to them. Joseph told them that he was their brother, whom they had sold into slavery years earlier (Gen 37:28). The brothers almost wanted to be glad to see their lost brother again but they were dismayed. Joseph was now an important man and they were fearful and ashamed that they had treated him so badly 13 years earlier. The brothers could not say anything, they were so bewildered. Joseph convinced them that he really was Joseph, their brother. The Bible does not say exactly how but it does give us some clues.
Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. (Gen 45:1)
He screamed at the Egyptian attendants and soldiers, “Everybody get out!”
No doubt, the bodyguards were reluctant to leave the Prime Minister alone with 10 strange men. However, Joseph's insistence and shouted commands made them yield to his orders.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold to Egypt. (Gen 45:4 NASB)
I imagine Joseph said, No, that's not close enough. I said closer. Now boys we are only going to do this once!
It is likely that he showed them the sign of the Abrahamic covenant, the circumcision that every descendant of his great grandfather Abraham had. That did it. Any doubt they may have had was instantly dissolved. What followed was a dramatic salvation for the entire family of Jacob (Israel).
The story of Joseph in Egypt has some remarkable parallels to Jesus. When He came to His people the first time, they did not or would not recognize Him. The leaders of the nation, speaking for the whole, refused to recognize Jesus for Who He really was.
He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him. (John 1:11 AMP)
A few people did receive Him and Jesus experienced some popularity for a short time. However, the leadership of the nation refused to recognize Jesus' rightful place as King. This all will change when, like Joseph, Jesus has His second encounter with Israel. The very unpleasant fact is that this second time will be characterized by a season of unprecedented trouble, much worse than a famine. It is called Biblically, The Time of Jacob's Trouble.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jer 30:7)
The prophet Jeremiah says that there has been nothing like it in human history. It is so bad that even Jews might consider if Jesus really might have any significance to their personal and national life. But how can they recognize Him? Anyone can say that they are the solution to a nation's problems – and they will. Joseph was revealed to his family by the sign of the Abrahamic covenant. Jesus will be recognized by the marks of the New Covenant.
...: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zech 12:10)
Jesus' visible marks in His hands and feet will demonstrate to His family according to the flesh (the Jewish nation), that He is the real Messiah. What will be the outcome of this great revealing?
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (from Isa 59:20) (Rom 11:26)
In Joseph's case, his being recognized by his family resulted in rescue from famine. In Jesus' case, His being acknowledged by His family will result in salvation. All Israel that is alive at the time will be saved. Unfortunately, few will be alive at that time. The good news is that no one needs to wait until the last minute. Today, the promise of Life is available to whoever will.
...And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)
Sept 7, 2025