08/13/2024 – Day 072 – Genesis – Chapters 40 – 43 – “Joseph foreshadows the Savior.”
Previous cycle posts for this Day 072: 1) 08/04/20 – 41:12 – Re: Joseph’s gift of dream interpretation; and 2) 05/10/2022 – 40: 18 – 19 Re: Joseph’s interpretation to the baker.
Today’s commentary is taken from “The Evidence Bible – NKJV”:
“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.” Genesis 41:38
“41:38. Joseph foreshadows the Savior. After a lengthy imprisonment for a crime he did not commit, Joseph was called to serve Pharaoh. Pleased with Joseph’s service, Pharaoh exalted him to a high position of authority. When Joseph’s brothers later come to him for help, Joseph forgave them for their betrayal of him and saved their lives by providing the food they needed.
In these details, Joseph continuities to foreshadow the Savior to come, who took the form of a slave, was crucified as a sacrifice for sins He did not commit, and was then raised from death. God the Father was ‘well pleased’ with Jesus (see Matthew 3:17) and exalted Him to the highest position of authority.
Compare the account of Pharaoh’s exalting Joseph in Genesis 41: 40-44 with descriptions of Jesus in Ephesisians 1: 19-22; Matthew 28:18; Philippians 2: 7-10. And compare the risen Christ in John 17:2. ‘You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” with Joseph’s statement to his brothers in Genesis 45:7, ‘And God sent me before you … to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Questions for fellowship generation, the lifelong sanctification process:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.
Soli Deo Gloria!