Yosef and Yeshua: Shadow and Fulfillment

Last night in our Jewish Roots Bible study, we took a look at the story of Yosef (Joseph) son of Ya'acov (Jacob), and how it foreshadows the first coming of the Messiah.

Yosef ben Ya'acov (Joseph son of Jacob) is portrayed as a suffering servant who overcomes his circumstances and rises to the top.  The parallels to the life of Yeshua (Jesus) are many. 

• Yosef was despised by his brothers.  Yeshua was despised by many of the leaders of Israel.
• Yosef was given a special robe by his father, which represented a special anointing.  Yeshua was given a kingly robe at His trial.  Both were stripped of their robes.
• Yosef's brothers sold him for twenty shekels of silver.  Judas betrayed Yeshua for thirty pieces of silver.
• Yosef's brothers threw him in a pit, from which he emerged alive.  Yeshua was killed and thrown into a grave, from which He emerged alive.
• Yeshua suffered because He was hated, just like Yosef.
• Yosef then rose to prominence in Egypt, but was convicted of a crime and punished, though innocent.  Yeshua was convicted of a crime and punished, though innocent.
• Yeshua suffered because He was righteous, just like Yosef.
• Yosef eventually becomes second in command, like Yeshua is second in command to His father.
• Yosef was 30 years old when he entered into the service of Pharaoh.  Yeshua was 30 years old when he entered into His ministry.  In Israel, thirty was the age for entering the priesthood.
• Yosef saved the world for 2 years before his brothers came to Egypt.  Yeshua has been saving the world for 2000 years, and His brothers (Israel) are now flocking to their promised land.
• Yosef's brothers did not recognize him until he revealed himself to them.  Yeshua's brothers (Israel) for the most part still don't recognize Him.  Won't it be an AWESOME day when they do?

Pharaoh offered Yosef's brothers the best of all that Egypt had to offer.  He welcomed them wholeheartedly, because they were loved by Yosef.  Pharaoh represents what the gentile response to the people of Israel should be.  Our Jewish brothers are heading to Yeshua for the bread of life.  Let us give them our very best!

Gen 12:3:  I will bless those who bless you,And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 

Matt 25:40:  ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.