These are they that testify of Me
Introduction
Joseph is an extremely encouraging character
Sold as a slave
Yet Joseph did not seem to complain, but worked with such integrity he was entrusted will all Potiphar’s affairs
This was remarkable – Potiphar knew the Lord was with Joseph
Joseph must have testified of His Lord
Potiphar is blessed because of Joseph
Yet he preferred to believe the lies of his wife
Chapter 40 – the captain of the Guard was Potiphar
There seems to be a change in Joseph’s heart
He entrusts the two officials to Joseph – the chief butler and baker
God was blessing Joseph in prosperity and affliction
The keeper of the prison trusted Joseph – Gen 39:23
We need to follow Joseph’s example
We know it is still bleak for Joseph and he will be forgotten for another 2 years
A Communion Service – to find Christ in the Scriptures
We must be careful about spiritualising the Old Testament
This passage is not related to a Communion event
But some parallels
Overview:
Joseph as a type of Christ
Joseph in the prison
A few brief applications
Joseph as a type of Christ
We are introduced to him as a 17 year old man with dreams and revelations
We see a power to interpret dreams
He has access to the mind of God (at times) – that God’s people will be saved
He resembles the Lord Jesus
Jesus passed on the message of the Father
Jesus is the wisdom of God
Jesus is the word of God made flesh
If we are a Christian – we have the mind of Christ
We can walk in His ways
Joseph’s dreams showed he would be a king – that his family would bow before him
This reminds us of Jesus – to whom every knee will bow
Many in confession of sin at the feet of the Lord Jesus [when He was alive]
Though ill-treated, yet God hand was upon him – destined to be a ruler over the people
His path to reign and power was wrought with humiliation
Joseph sent by his father – the beloved son
He was stripped of his robe
He was left for dead
He was betrayed for silver
This reminds us of Jesus
Jesus was not stripped of His robe but lays aside His majesty
Jesus was betrayed
God was with Joseph
God was with Jesus
He prospered and people were blessed because of Him
He was falsely accused
Yet victorious over temptation
He is thrown into prison with no fair trial or witnesses
This reminds us of Jesus
False charges and unjustly condemned to death
Joseph is pointing us towards Jesus
Do we reflect Jesus Christ?
Example
Does our life point to Jesus Christ?
Joseph in the prison
The keeper of the prison saw that Joseph was innocent / Potiphar seems to have a change of mind (v4)
Joseph is always caring and thinking of others – he knows that he has done nothing wrong (v15)
Pilate recognised that Jesus had done nothing wrong but would not do anything about it
Potiphar was the same
The butler and baker
Two criminals – one restored and one condemned
Like Christ between the two thieves (on the cross)
We do not know the details – but God had put these two men there
Two important men – just like the captain of the guard
God was placing these connections – though Joseph did not know it
God gives Joseph the interpretation of the dreams
Joseph was a graceful and truthful man
The messenger of God
This again reminds us of Christ
A few brief applications
Exhortation only happens after humiliation
Jesus said the first will be last, the humbled exalted
Jesus came to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many
We are not to make comparisons with others
Joseph forgotten by his family, but God is prospering him
The need to sympathise with others
Are we sensitive to the needs of others?
Joseph was concerned for the prisoners (v7)
Jesus has such concern and compassion
God’s blessing was upon Joseph
It was all of grace
The Communion table is for sinners – those who have found the grace of God
We come because of what Christ has done for us
We come in gratitude and confession of sin
We come praising God that all is well because of what Christ has done
Just as God’s grace was upon Joseph