Typology of Joseph in the Old Testament

[Kirtip]

I know that Joseph is a Christ figure due to many similarities such as being the beloved son, saving those who betrayed him, etc etc.

Now when interpreting the Bible we are supposed to look at the four senses: literal (what it is actually saying), alegorical (metaphorical), tropological (what it is saying about our individual lives), and anagogical (what it says regarding endtimes).

In my theology class I am working on a project regarding the foreshadowing of Jesus by Joseph, and I was wondering what you all thought the foreshadowing said through each of the 4 senses. I am particularly struggling with how the foreshadowing of Jesus talks about endtimes.

Any thoughts on these 4 senses in the typology of Josepg would be Greatly Appreciated!!!

Thanks!

 

[Kirtip]

Anyone have any ideas at what these things could be?

 

[Catholic_Johnny]

Kirtip:
You have asked a question on a subject near and dear to my heart! Bless you!

Joseph is an eschatalogical sign of Jesus’ return, especially in regard to Israel. I would direct you to the Prophet Zechariah, particularly chapters 12-14.

1. Joseph is rejected by his brethren which results in the salvation of the gentiles (Egypt being the Mediterranean Empire of its day). Jesus is rejected by Israel which results in the salvation of the gentiles.
2. Joseph rises to prominence in the world while being obscured from the sight of his own brethren. Jesus is proclaimed all over the world as the Son of David while most Jews are “blinded” (St Paul, Romans 9 & 11) from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.
3. Joseph has the power to crush his brethren, and yet is flooded with compassion for them in their hour of greatest need. Jesus likewise ought to be angry with Israel, and yet His sacred heart is inflamed with pity for His estranged brethren. According to the Prophets, and Zechariah prophesies about this in great detail, all nations will gather against Jerusalem seeking its destruction. Jesus returns to save them and is then revealed to them.
4. The sons of Jacob loathe themselves when they see that Zaphenath Paaneah is actually their brother. In Zechariah prophesies that the people of Jerusalem will “look upon Him whom they have pierced, and mourn as one mourns for an only son”.
5. In Romans 11 St. Paul states the acceptance of Jesus by Israel is tantamount to the resurrection from the dead. The submission of Joseph’s brothers is the saving event for the posterity of Jacob which would have perished without acceptance of Joseph’s mercy.
6. Joseph’s brothers bowing to him is the fulfillment of the dreams given to him by the Holy Spirit. Israel is prophesied as the eternal throne of the LORD, and the Covenant made with David must be fulfilled when Jesus returns to deliver Zion at the Battle of Armageddon. As Gabriel told Mary, “He shall sit upon the throne of His father David and reign over the House of Jacob and His kingdom will have no end.” In both instances, the fulfillments of the prophetic signs seem impossible to literally bring to pass, and yet against all hope, God performs miraculous interventions.
7. In both Joseph’s revelation and the revelation of Jesus Christ, the people of Israel and the sons of Jacob are recipients of divine grace, and can make no claim to glory or justice apart from the gratuitous action of God. Both are guilty of treacherous rejection of the LORD’s anointed, and both are delivered at their point of greatest weakness by the grace and mercy of God apart from any merit or desserts.

I hope this helps. I love the account of Joseph because like St. Paul I long for the day when Jewish people embrace our Messiah as their own. Jesus is and always will be the rightful and eternal King of Israel. Soon all Israel will see him as he is, grieve and mourn over such long and obstinate rejection, and finally receive the salvation promised from Genesis 3:15.

Blessings!
Johnny