Joseph: A Shadow of Jesus Christ

In Jewish eschatology there is a figure called Mashiach ben Yoseph. He is believed by the Jews to be a Messiah who will come and die for the people who comes from the house of Joseph and of whom Joseph is a ‘type’¹. This belief is an indicator of the high esteem with which Joseph the son of Israel is held. A figure of exemplary virtue; is it possible that Jewish tradition is onto something when they see a figure of the Messiah in Joseph? My answer is yes. Joseph is a figure of Christ insomuch as Moses was a figure of Christ. While Moses declares himself to be a figure of Christ (Deu 18:15), there is nothing directly stated, as such, regarding Joseph. However, even when looking at just the similarities between Christ and Joseph, the sheer amount of parallel stretches credulity to be simply coincidence. Let me take you on a journey of the figure of Christ in Joseph.

Please note that this is specifically a look into the figure. When we speak of the figure, we are looking for the parallels that tell the story of Christ, His life, and purpose. Whilst they can be seen as superfluous today (should not be), they were critical for the people of Jesus day to see that He was the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. There are some parallels that will not be mentioned here as they are not a fulfilment of anything in particular in the life of Christ. An example would be that Joseph was a shepherd and Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Whilst a similarity, this doesn’t point to anything about Christ’s purpose, suffering, death, and resurrection. More on the importance of typologies such as this at the end. Let’s get started.

Joseph was the firstborn, yet not the first in the family by existence.

Jesus Christ is the firstborn of every creature (Col 1:15), yet in terms of the existence of the Christ he comes later in history.

Joseph is only half-related to his brethren, yet he is related

The Christ is only half-related to his brethren, yet he is related.

Joseph is his father’s favourite***

Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of the Father – the beloved son

Had prophetic dreams regarding the future

Had many prophecies uttered about Him concerning the future

Sent by his father to check on his brethren

Sent by the Father as the only begotten Son to check on his brethren***

Finds his brethren are not where they were suppose to be

Finds Israel in a place where they were not suppose to be

The Scripture notes that Joseph was found by a man ‘wandering in the field’ (Gen 37:15). Those who fed the flocks had moved. The shepherds of the flock were not in their expected location. Jesus would look upon the crowds of people with pity, for they were as sheep without shepherds – the shepherds were not in the location they were meant to be. (Mat 9:36.)

Betrayed by brethren for jealousy’s sake (20 pieces of silver)

Betrayed by brethren for jealousy’s sake (30 pieces of silver)

Delivered into the hands of Gentiles

Delivered into the hands of the Romans (Gentiles)

In both circumstances, whilst their envy was murderous, the betrayers balked at committing the actual deed themselves. They would instead pass the deed on to unbelievers.

Tempted by Potiphar’s wife, yet did not sin

Tested in all points as we are, yet did not sin

Of all Bible characters, Joseph stands out with a particularly exemplary example of living righteously. He stands head and shoulders above his brethren and was persecuted for it. Like so Christ.

Put in the prison after being falsely accused

Put to death after being falsely accused

The similarity of prison to death can be seen in what the prison was – typically something inside the earth, much like a grave. Indeed, in 1Pe 3:19, the writer declares of Christ that when He died, He went and preached to the spirits in prison. Prison there referring to those who had died (hence the connection of death and prison) and were awaiting the day of judgement

Is liberated from prison

Rises from the dead after three days

There’s more to the story of Joseph than he being liberated from prison that ties him as a shadow of Christ. Remember the dreams that Joseph interprets? Both have three appear in them. One is a baker who dies after three days (the bread of life is ‘broken’). The other is the butler who after three days will pour wine again (it was necessary for Christ to die in order for the Holy Spirit <the wine> to be poured out, John 16:7) Simplified, in the baker and the butler we see that there would be three days in which the Bread of Life would be broken and the wine of the Spirit would flow.

Ascends directly from prison to second in the kingdom

After rising from the dead, is granted all power in heaven and earth, being second only to the Father

When speaking of being second to the Father, this statement is not indicating that the Son and Father are different persons, rather, different offices of the one God. The office of Son is subservient to that of the Father. That is why in 1Co 15:28 we read that the Son will be subject to him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. The office of mediator will be at an end.

Is not recognized by his brethren upon ascension, instead, welcomed by foreigners as their own

Is not recognized/rejected by the Jews, his brethren, welcomed by Gentiles as their own

At this point, we are entering into a very unique feature of Joseph. There are events in Joseph’s life that are yet to come in Christ. The book of Acts ends with the rejection of Christ by the Jews in Rome. We are rapidly coming to the end of age of Gentiles. God’s attention is turning back to Israel as prophesied by Scripture. The shadow of Joseph is just one of the many prophecies pointing in that direction.

After seven years, a drought arrives, which forces his brethren to go seeking, leading them to Joseph and the eventual recognition of him as their brother

After the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled, the Jews will come seeking for salvation, leading them to Christ and the recognition of him as their brother and Messiah.

Here we are looking into the future – potentially the near future. Zechariah 12-14 details much of what is coming. There will be a pouring out of the Spirit in Israel that will lead to a national revival (Zech 12:10-11). This weeping and supplication can be seen foreshadowed in the life of Joseph where after the death of Israel, the brethren of Joseph come begging him to have mercy, not having comprehended the love Joseph had for them despite their mistreatment of him. (Gen 50:15-21)

In Luke 24:26-27, Jesus speaks to his disciples on the road saying, ‘Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?’ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.

One of the great tragedies of modern Christianity is how little we consider the OT. It’s regarded as unnecessary to the NT. There are three reasons that shadows as that of Joseph and Christ are still important today.

1. Understanding how Christ is in all the Scriptures strengthens one’s faith
2. Having a depth of understanding that extends back into the OT helps proof against lies that could steal one’s faith. If it’s true in the NT, it ought to be true in the OT. If they don’t line up, something is wrong with what is being taught.
3. Some shadows are not fully completed yet. These shadows are still applicable today for they tell us what is to come and thus prepare appropriately and safeguard against deception. Consider this: the next story following Joseph will be that of Moses – plagues on a tyrannical nation defying God. It sharply echoes Revelations.

There is much to be found in the OT – the incredible shadow of Christ in Joseph is just one of them.

1. There are multiple places that I’ve read about Messiah Ben Joseph, this website has been one of my favourite https://brightmorningstar.org/messiah-son-of-joseph-25-questions-and-answers/ ↩︎