We are nearing the end of the Joseph-Judah narrative. Many thanks to those who have labored to preach in this sermon series. Given the ground we covered, it seemed like a reasonable time to try and summarize how both Joseph and Judah prefigure and anticipate Christ. Below is an attempt to draw parallels between Joseph and Judah as they relate to Jesus. This is based on the assumption that Jesus is the central character of all scripture (see John 5:46 and Luke 24:44-46) and that the narrative ultimately points to him even when he is not explicitly in the text. My attempt below is not meant to be exhaustive.

How does Joseph anticipate Jesus?

Both Joseph and Jesus are stripped of their garments, suffered hatred at the hands of their brothers, and were sold for pieces of silver.

Genesis 37:31: Joseph’s robe is dipped in blood. Revelation 19:13: Jesus is clothed in a “robe dipped in blood.”

Joseph shares his unjust prison sentence with two other prisoners (Genesis 40), one prisoner is restored and lifted up. The other is condemned and “hang[ed].. on a tree” (v. 19). Jesus shared his unjust sentence with two other prisoners, one prisoner is eternally saved and the other is condemned hanged on a tree.

Joseph goes from an unjust prison sentence to being exalted as Pharaoh’s right-hand man. Jesus goes from the cross (and grave) to being exalted at the right hand of the father.

You might even say Joseph functions as a prophet (interpreting dreams and future events), priest (reconciling his brothers and changing their hearts), and king (ruling Egypt providing during the famine). These are the three offices of Jesus (prophet, priest, and king) (Heidelberg Catechism Q31).

Both Jesus and Joseph started their ministry at age 30 (Gen 41:46; Luke 3:23).
Joseph’s true identity is veiled to his brothers (Genesis 42:8). Jesus true identity is veiled to many during his earthly ministry, including his own followers (Luke 24:16).
Through Joseph’s deliverance abundant blessing comes to his family and the world (Genesis 47:6); the same is true for the deliverance of Jesus.

How does Judah anticipate Jesus?

Genesis 43:9: Judah gives a pledge to his father, promising the safety of his brother Benjamin He does this by substituting himself. “I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.” This anticipates Christ substitutionary atonement for us. It has been argued, that this verse is the chiastic center (and therefore the central emphasis) for the entire Joseph-Judah narrative! (For a beautiful discussion of this see The Story of Joseph and Judah by Warren Austin Gage and Christopher Barber).
Judah’s blessing in Genesis 49:8-12 promises a descendant whose scepter and staff will not depart from between his feet. Who washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah (Matt 1:2; Hebrews 7:14). He is the lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5).

Psalm 78 contrasts the lineage of Joseph (via Ephraim) from that of Judah. The “Ephraimites... did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law” (v 9-10). Thus, God “rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves” (v 67-68).

In light of the new testament, hopefully you can appreciate how Joseph and Judah anticipate Christ in typology and lineage. It’s no wonder that Jesus said all scripture is about him (Luke 24 and John 5). We don’t believe in myths or fairy-tales... but the abiding word God.

Happy (or maybe just content) New Year

~Luke Yeager