Studies in the Life of Joseph
The author of the book of Genesis is Moses, this was
confirmed by the Lord Jesus(Luke 5:14; 20:37; 24:44).
The book of Genesis is the book of beginnings, the title of
the book intimates this. In the Hebrew text the name of
the book was “In the beginning,” taken from the first
words of the book. The name “Genesis” is a
transliteration of the Greek title which has come to us via
the Latin Vulgate.
Genesis has often been described as the seed-plot of the
Bible. One valuable way to consider the book is to note
where it is referenced in other parts of Scripture;
examples of this are creation(Mt 19:4), the flood(Lk
17:26) and the destruction of Sodom(Lk 17:29).
We note also “the law of first mention,” this means that
the manner in which a subject is introduced for the first
time, generally defines all subsequent references in
divine revelation.
The book of Genesis divides into two main sections;
Chapters 1-11, primeval history and 12-50, patriarchal
history. While these are distinct and separate, they are
not completely isolated from each other in material.
One way to divide the book is to consider the phrase
“These are the generations of” or “these are the
family histories (origins) of.” The occurrence of this
phrase divides the book into twelve sections.
The generations of the heaven and earth (2:4)
The generations of Adam (5:1)
The generations of Noah (6:9)
The generations of the sons of Noah (10:1-11:9)
The generations of Shem (11:10)
The generations of Terah (11:27)
The generations of Ishmael (25:12)
The generations of Isaac (25:19)
The generations of Esau (36:1)
The generations of the sons of Esau (36:9-43)
The generations of Jacob (37:2)
It is an interesting study to contrast and compare themes
in the first book of Scripture with themes in the last book,
(this is not an exhaustive list).
Genesis
Revelation
Creation of the heavens
and earth
Creation of the new
heaven and earth
Gods sanctuary(Eden),
the river and the tree of
life
God’s sanctuary
(heaven), the river and
the tree of life
The bride and
bridegroom(Adam and
Eve)
The bride and
bridegroom (Christ and
the church)
The curse enters
The curse is abolished
Death enters
Death is abolished
Babylon is built
Babylon is destroyed
Joseph
Joseph was the eleventh son of the patriarch Jacob, he
was the first son by Jacobs wife Rachel. He left the land
of Canaan when he was 17 and spent the remainder of
his life (93 years) in Egypt. His life is a beautiful picture of
the Lord Jesus, we see him presented as:
Studies in the Life of Joseph
The pre-eminent son - John’s Gospel
The prosperous servant - Mark’s Gospel
The patient sufferer - Luke’s Gospel
The powerful sovereign - Matthew’s Gospel
Leading themes in the story of Joseph
Joseph associated with houses
Parent’s house, Potiphar’s house, Prison house,
Pharaoh’s house, his Personal house.
Joseph’s Garments
The garment of the son, servant, slave....etc
Joseph’s Tears
We read of Joseph weeping 7 times, these all occur after
he came to the throne.
Joseph’s Dreams
There are six dreams recorded in Joseph’s life, they are
linked as couplets. We have his personal dreams(chapter
37), the dreams of the butler and baker(chapter 40) and
Pharaoh’s dreams(chapter 41).
There are at least 5 ways in which the life of Joseph
can be analyzed. We will consider his life historically,
typically, prophetically, nationally and practically.
Chapter 37 - Discord
Joseph & his father - Hebron (v1-14)
Joseph & his brothers - Dothan (v15-27)
Joseph & the Midianites - the traveling caravan (v28-35)
Joseph & Potiphar - Egypt (v36)
Chapter 39 - Disappointments
Joseph’s activity (v1-6)
Joseph’s accusation (v7-12)
Joseph’s attitude (v13-20)
Joseph’s approval (v21-23)
Chapter 41 - Discovery
Pharaoh’s consternation (v1-8)
Pharaoh counseled (v9-13)
Pharaoh’s call (v14-24)
Pharaoh’s communication (v25-36)
Pharaoh’s conferral (v37-45)
Pharaoh’s commendation (v46-57)
Chapter 42 - Dispatch
The brothers in Jacob’s presence - in Canaan (v1-5)
The brothers in Joseph’s presence - in Egypt (v6-28)
The brothers in Jacob’s presence - in Canaan (v29-38)
Chapter 43 - Discourse
The discourse in Canaan, between Israel and Judah (v114)
The discourse in Egypt, between Joseph and his steward
(v15-18)
The discourse in the house, between the brothers and the
steward (v19-25)
The discourse in the house, between Joseph and his
brothers (v26-34)
Chapter 44:32 - 46:1-4 - Disclosure
The responsibility of Judah (44:32-34)
The revelation of Joseph (45:1-15)
The report to Pharaoh (45:16-20)
The resources for the brothers (45:21-24)
The reaction of Israel (45:25-46:4)
Chapter 47 - Destination
Presented to Pharaoh (v1-10)
Placed in the land of Goshen (v11-13)
Program of Nationalization (v14-26)
Possessions and Israel’s request (v27-31)