Joseph Sold Into Slavery

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Introduction: Joseph’s story takes up the remainder of the book of Genesis and, as such, is one of the more detailed lives in the Bible. The story is of one who does right and yet seems to be hurt all the more for it. Yet, in the end, God exalts His beloved one and he stands as second in all the land of Egypt and is the instrument for the deliverance of the people of God. The practical message of his life is to do right and God will take care of the rest. But, for now and for several chapters to come, the outlook looks gloomy. We will have to wait to see the blessings of his righteous life.

I.     THE BELOVED SON (v.1-4) 

      A.      His Birth (30:22-24) 

      B.      His Boldness (v.1-2) 

      C.      His Favor (v.3) 

      D.      His Rejection (v.4) 

II.     THE BOASTFUL DREAMER (v.5-11) 

      A.      The Dream of the Sheaves (v.5-7) 

      B.      The Dream of the Sun, Moon and Stars (v.8-11) 

III.     THE OBEDIENT MESSENGER (v.12-17) 

      A.      Sent to Shechem (v.12-14) 

      B.      Continued to Dothan (v.15-17) 

IV.    THE HATED BROTHER (v.18-24) 

      A.      The Conspiracy of the Brothers (v.18-20) 

      B.      The Stalling of Reuben (v.21-22) 

      C.      Joseph Cast into a Pit (v.23-24) 

V.     THE BARTERED SLAVE (v.25-36) 

      A.      Joseph Sold to the Ishmeelites (v.25-28) 

      B.      Reuben Disappointed in his Purpose (v.29-30) 

      C.      Jacob Deceived by Goat’s Blood (v.31-35) 

      D.      Joseph Sold to Potiphar (v.36)

Conclusion: The simple outline tells the basic story. However, the lesson of Joseph contains much more that the bare story. Joseph may be the best type of Christ in the entire Bible. Point after point of his life fits perfectly into story of Jesus Christ. Below is an outline of Joseph as a type of Christ. These points only cover his life through this chapter. There will be more to come. They are adapted from Gleanings in Genesis by Arthur W. Pink. He does excellent studies in typology though some of the doctrines he teaches must be rejected.

Joseph as a Type of Jesus Christ:

1.          In the Meaning of His Names – Joseph means adding (Genesis 30:24). Adam was the subtractor. Jesus will add what was subtracted through Adam (Luke 19:10). Joseph was later called Zaphnathpaaneah (Genesis 41:45) which means revealer of secrets. Jesus came to reveal the Father (John 1:18) and His words (John 12:49-50).

2.          By the Occupation Which He Held – Joseph was a shepherd (Genesis 37:2) and so is Jesus Christ (John 10:11).

3.          By His Opposition to Evil – Joseph revealed the “evil report” of his brothers (Genesis 37:2). Jesus was hated because He revealed the evil of his brethren (John 7:7).

4.          By His Father’s Love – Joseph was especially loved of his father (Genesis 37:3). So was Jesus (Matthew 3:17; John 10:17).

5.          By His Mark of Nobility – The coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3) was a sign of noble birth (Judges 5:30; 2Samuel 13:18). Jesus was marked as King of the Jews at the time of His birth (Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 1:31-33).

6.          By the Hatred of His Brethren – Joseph was hated of his brethren (Genesis 37:4). So was Jesus (John 15:18).

7.          By Their Hatred of His Words – Joseph’s brethren hated him even more because of his words (Genesis 37:8). Jesus was also hated because of His words (John 5:18; 6:41; 8:40; 10:30-31).

8.          By the Revelation of a Future Reign – Joseph’s dreams (Genesis 37:5-9) foretold of a remarkable future for him. Jesus was also foretold to have such a future (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33). The two dreams look to an earthly reign (the sheaves) and a heavenly reign (sun, moon, stars). This certainly points to Jesus Christ.

9.          By the Envy of His Brethren Against Him – Joseph was envied because of his special position with his father (Genesis 37:11). Jesus was envied for the same reason (Matthew 27:17-18; Mark 12:6-7; John 12:18-19).

10.        Being Sent Forth by His Father – Joseph was sent out by his father (Genesis 37:13). Jesus was too (1John 4:10).

11.        In Seeking the Welfare of His Brethren – Joseph was sent to check on the well-being of his brethren (Genesis 37:14). Jesus came to His own (John 1:11).

12.        In His Wandering in the Field – Joseph wanders in the field as he seeks his brethren (Genesis 37:15). The field is the world (Matthew 13:38). Jesus was a wanderer in this world (Matthew 8:20).

13.        In His Seeking After His Brethren – Joseph did not give up until he found his brethren (Genesis 37:17). Jesus pursued the lost sheep (Luke 16;1-7).

14.        In the Conspiracy Against Him – Joseph’s brothers conspired against him (Genesis 37:18). So did the brethren of Jesus (Matthew 12:14; John 11:47-50).

15.        In Their Rejection of His Words – Joseph’s brothers thought his words to be false (Genesis 37:20). The brethren of Jesus treated Him the same way (Matthew 27:63-64).

16.        By the Stripping of His Garments – Joseph’s brothers stripped him out of his coat of many colors (Genesis 37:23). Jesus was also stripped of His garments (Matthew 27:27-28).

17.        In Being Cast Into a Pit – Joseph was cast into a pit wherein was no water (Genesis 37:24). Jesus went into the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40) wherein is no water (Zechariah 9:11).

18.        In His Removal From the Pit – Joseph was removed out of the pit that was meant for his death alive (Genesis 37:28). Jesus came out of the pit alive.

19.        In Their Hiring of Others to do Evil to Him – Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery so that they would not kill him themselves (Genesis 37:26-27). The brethren of Jesus sent Him to the Romans so that they could actually kill Him (John 18:31).

20.        In Their Selling Of Him – Joseph was sold to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28). Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).

MEMORY VERSES:

1. Genesis 37:3
2. John 1:11
3. 1 John 4:10