What Shall be the Signs...Part 3

o      Oil…Wine, what is the significance?

-        OIL - ἔλαιον elaion, olive oil…שמן shemen, fat, oil

-        Matthew 25:1-13 – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.  They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

1.   Ten virgins – called witnesses of the marriage, bridesmaids, companions to the bride, Christians.  At midnight the cry was made to go out and meet the Bridegroom. Who would have made the cry, but the Bride herself?

a.      Psalm 45:14 - She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

b.     All of them slept when they were to be watching and awoke when the cry was made at midnight.  (The fact that they are sleeping may be the reason they are bridesmaids and not the bride, for the Bride is awake, watching, waiting for her Bridegroom)

2.     Lamps – The chief concern of every Christian is to be salt and light in a corrupt world just as the virgins are to maintain their light. 

a.      John 1:9 – That was the true Light, Which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

b.     Matthew 5:13-16 - Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

c.      Philippians 2:15-16 - That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

3.     Oil – The fuel of the Light, that which is required to meet the Bridegroom.  Possibly the realization of Grace

4.     Five wise virgins – Those who are servants of Christ in deed and in truth.

a.      1 John 3:18 - My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

b.     In humility they declined to give their oil to the foolish virgins, else there wouldn’t be enough for any.

c.      They did not particularly enjoy the predicament of the foolish virgins, but offered the best advice they could.

5.     Five foolish virgins – Appear as Christians, but are indeed hypocrites.  They are concerned with looking the part, (they are virgins, they are carrying a lamp) but forget that their chief concern is to maintain the light in lamp.  They had the lamp for show, but nothing in it that would provide light.

a.      Job 21:17 – How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! And how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in His anger.

b.     The day is coming, when carnal hypocrites would gladly be found in the condition of true Christians. Those who now hate the strictness of religion, will, at death and judgment, wish for the solid comforts of it. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death, of the righteous. The day is coming when those who now look with contempt upon humble contrite saints, would gladly get an interest in them, and would value those as their best friends and benefactors.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary

c.      Genesis 7:15-16 - And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life.  And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (Thus shutting everyone else out)

6.     Bridegroom – The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb

a.      Revelation 19:7-9 – Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

7.     Watch – Our instructions are to watch, be ready, with oil in our lamps

-        Luke 10:34 – And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

1.     Used to treat wounds

-        Psalm 45:7 – Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

1.     Here we can see that the oil is representative of gladness

2.     What could be the source of more gladness than the realization of the Lord’s grace.

3.     Think about how glad we are if we get pulled over for speeding, knowing full well we are guilty and the police officer, out of grace, only issues a warning?  How much more gladness are we going to experience at the realization of all the other consequences we had wiped out because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

-        Hebrews 1:5-14 – For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.  But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

1.     “Oil of gladness” same as Psalm 45

-        James 5:14 – Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

1.     Oil is to be used in concert with invoking the name of The Lord to heal the sick

2.     Not only does oil have natural healing properties as seen in Luke 10:34, but here we see supernatural healing properties as well.

3.     We are instructed to use oil when praying for the healing of the sick, how often is this command followed? Does it impact the results?

-        Exodus 27:20-21 – And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.  In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which [is] before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: [it shall be] a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

-        1 Kings 1:39 – And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

1.     Used for the anointing of kings

2.     Maybe yet another reason that the oil is to be spared is because it will be required to anoint the coming King Y’shuah

-        1 Kings 17:16 – [And] the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

1.     The oil did not fail according to the Word of the Lord, what was initially ascribed to this individual circumstance may be related to the corporate as applied to the text of Revelation.

-        Psalm 104:15 – And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart.

1.     Two of these three items are spared

a.      Wine à makes the heart glad

b.     Oil à makes face shine

c.      Bread à strengthens a man’s heart

v    Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

-        Proverbs 21:20 – [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

1.     Just like we see the wise vigins possessed the oil and the foolish did not

-        Ecclesiastes 7:1 – A good name [is] better than precious ointment (oil); and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

1.     Why would a good name be better than oil?

2.     A good name can be equated to righteousness, if a man is righteous of himself he has no need of the grace of God, but there is none righteous, not one.

3.     There is only one name that is better than oil and that is the name of Y’shuah

-        Song of Solomon 1:3 – Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name [is as] ointment (oil) poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

1.     Here we see the name of the Bridegroom has a name that is like oil.

2.     As mentioned in the previous verse Christ has the only name that is better than oil and He bestows His oil (grace) on the rest of us who believe on Him.

-        Isaiah 25:6 – And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

1.     Feast - משתה mishteh, masculine noun, feast, drink, banquet

2.     Of fat things - שמן shemen, fat, oil

-        WINE - οἶνος oinos, 1) wine,2) metaph. fiery wine of God's wrath

-        Matthew 9:14-17 - Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?ⁱ but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.  No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.^{ii, iii}

i.       In response to the question regarding fasting and why the disciples of Jesus do not fast.

ii.     How does this response relate to the question posed regarding appropriate fasting?

iii.   New cloth and new wine are of the same substance as the old garment and old wine, but they have not matured to their fullest, so they cannot be used in the same manner.  Likewise the disciples of Christ are of the same essence yet new to the rigors of a disciplined lifestyle.  If fasting or other “duties” are foisted upon them before they fully understand the purpose, the consequences for their spiritual development could be dire.

Genesis 47:1-13

I.                Israel Meets Pharaoh (Genesis 47:1-10)

a.      Genesis 47:1 – Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they [are] in the land of Goshen.

§        Joseph acting as advocate before Pharaoh

§        Could Israel have come directly to Pharaoh and asked for Goshen?  They had no access but through Joseph, much like we have no access to the Father but through Jesus

§        Matthew 10:32 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

b.      Genesis 47:2 – And he took some of his brethren, [even] five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.

§        Another reference to 5, another reference to grace

§        Joseph did not present all 11 of his brothers, but 5.  Similarly the parable of the 10 virgins, only 5 were prepared to go into the marriage. 

c.      Genesis 47:3 – And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What [is] your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants [are] shepherds, both we, [and] also our fathers.

§        Precisely as Joseph had correctly predicted the first question from Pharaoh, Joseph shows that he and Pharaoh are of one mind.

o       John 10:30 - I and [my] Father are one.

o       This principle comes through in many examples today…when two people spend enough time together, getting to know and understand the wishes of the other it’s natural for them to be inclined to think like the other and pursue the wishes of the other.  i.e. Boss, employee relationships, friendships, marriages, siblings, parent/child relationships.  We see Pharaoh also demonstrating his keen insight into Joseph’s wishes by inviting his family to Egypt and offering them land.

o       This seems to demonstrate that Joseph and Pharaoh had more than just a formal relationship, but a close relationship similar to father/son.

§        What is the motivation behind his question?  Pharaoh likely wants to make sure that he is not taking on free-loaders but people who can contribute to his kingdom.  He intends to incorporate them into the kingdom as laborers in his fields, tending his flocks. 

o       We should also expect to use the giftings that God has blessed us with to serve the Kingdom for the glory of God.

o       2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

o       Matthew 21:28 - But what think ye? A [certain] man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

§        Family business

d.      Genesis 47:4 – They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine [is] sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

§        A side note here that doesn’t seem to get noticed by the commentators, Hagar, Ishmael’s mother, was Egyptian and likely returned to Egypt upon leaving Abraham’s house.  The book of Jasher indicates that Hagar was an Egyptian princess and may have returned to royalty back in Egypt.  Is it possible that this Pharaoh was perhaps be a descendent of Ishmael? 

o       Genesis 21:18 - Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

e.      Genesis 47:5 – And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:

f.       Genesis 47:6 – The land of Egypt [is] before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest [any] men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.

§        Proverbs 22:29 - Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

§        Rulers over Pharaoh’s cattle? But shepherds are an abomination to Egyptians?  Why would Pharaoh have flocks?

g.      Genesis 47:7 – And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

§        Blessed him coming in

§        Jacob blessed Pharaoh, Jacob deemed the greater?  Typically the greater blesses the lesser in rank

o       Hebrews 7:7 - And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

h.      Genesis 47:8 – And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old [art] thou?

§        Leviticus 19:32 - Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.

i.       Genesis 47:9 – And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage [are] an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

§        Hebrews 11:13 - These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

o       More than just strangers and pilgrims here in Egypt, but strangers and pilgrims here on earth.

o       Similarly we are all on a pilgrimage, the houses we live in are not our homes, but a tent or a temporary dwelling.  Just like the patriarchs we are on a journey toward the promised land.

§        Psalm 90:12 -  So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.

§        Such an unsettled outward state of life would have served to such a man of God as Jacob was as an excellent type of the spiritual truth that all of a man’s life is but a pilgrimage to the eternal home where we no longer stay for the time being as strangers. ~Leupold

§       Few and evil?

o       It cannot be denied that not one of his ancestors had so many hardships and disappointments to encounter as he, who was compelled to flee from home, was treated wretchedly and deceived by his father-in-law in a strange land, encountered the hostility of Esau, was grieved by the rape of his daughter Dinah and by the murder perpetrated by his sons, Simeon and Levi, was deeply pained by Reuben’s incest, and grieved almost to the point of death by the loss of Joseph and Benjamin, as well as by the death of Rachel. The man can well foretell that his years will not come up to those of Abraham, who became 175 years old, or of Isaac, who reached 180. But that the same spirit animated them as well as him appears from this that he calls their life too a "pilgrimage." ~Commentary on Genesis, H.C. Leupold

o       Job 14:1 - Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.

·        If our days are full of trouble, is it not a good thing that they are few?

j.       Genesis 47:10 – And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

§        Blessed him going out

o       In worldly wealth Pharaoh was the greater, yet Jacob was the anointed of God and Pharaoh recognized that

o       Matthew 10:41 - He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

§        Deuteronomy 28:6 - Blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out. 

II.             Joseph Fulfills Calling (Genesis 47:11-26) 

a.      Genesis 47:11 – And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

§        Psalm 37:19 - They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

§        Ramses – name given later to Goshen

b.      Genesis 47:12 – And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to [their] families.

§        Joseph provided bread

§        Jesus is the bread of life

o       John 6:35 - And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

c.      Genesis 47:13 – And [there was] no bread in all the land; for the famine [was] very sore, so that the land of Egypt and [all] the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.

§        A prophetic picture of last days

§        Amos 8:11 - Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find [it].

Genesis 45

I.                 Joseph Reveals Himself to his Brothers (Genesis 45:1-15)

a.      Genesis 45:1 – Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

§        Joseph fully satisfied that his brothers were truly sorry for what they had done and that their hearts were changed in how they would not abandon their little brother Benjamin, could not restrain himself any longer.

§        Family matters are kept “in-house”

b.      Genesis 45:2 – And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

§        Didn’t have soundproof doors back then

§        Imagine what was going through the brothers’ minds, here is the 2^nd in command of Egypt, alone in this room with us and he suddenly starts weeping.

§        Think about how vulnerable he made himself here, his brothers could have unknowingly done him harm, but he didn’t care, he risked it all.

c.      Genesis 45:3 – And Joseph said unto his brethren, I [am] Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

§        Suddenly he speaks in their native tongue!  Without an interpreter! “I AM JOSEPH”, is there anything that could compare to this?

§        Joseph’s first concern was that of his father

§        “…at his presence…” פנים paniym, masculine noun, “face”

§        Revelation 1:7 – Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

§        Matthew 24:30 – And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

§        Acts 9:4-6 - And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

§        If the guilt was strong before, now it was unbearable!

d.      Genesis 45:4 – And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

§        Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

§        “…whom ye sold into Egypt…” no one could have known this but Joseph!

e.      Genesis 45:5 – Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

§        Psalm 105:17-19 - He sent a man before them, [even] Joseph, [who] was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

§        In order to ensure the birth of THE Messiah

f.       Genesis 45:6 – For these two years [hath] the famine [been] in the land: and yet [there are] five years, in the which [there shall] neither [be] earing nor harvest.

§        Reference point given, 2 years of famine is 9 years after he was appointed governor at age 30, Joseph is 39 years old.

§        Another reference to the number 5 the number of grace, Israel receives the grace of Joseph and Pharaoh with their invitation to come into Egypt

§        Earing – plowing

§        2 years…2 trips to Egypt

g.      Genesis 45:7 – And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

§        Joseph understands that God’s plan for him was not so much tailored to save the Egyptians, but to preserve Israel.

§        Joseph a type of deliverer

o       Deliverance - escape, deliverance

§        Psalm 18:2 - The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

§        Romans 11:26 - And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

h.      Genesis 45:8 – So now [it was] not you [that] sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

§        What a mature understanding…if we could only have the wisdom of Joseph when we encounter tribulation that it is God that allows it and may be bringing you through it for a reason.  Always ask “Why?”

i.       Genesis 45:9 – Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

§        Inform my father Jacob of my intentions

j.       Genesis 45:10 – And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

§        Goshen - גשן Goshen, "drawing near", a region in northern Egypt, east of the lower Nile, where the children of Israel lived from the time of Joseph to the time of Moses.

§        Is Goshen the promised land? Goshen is not even in Canaan

§        As mentioned before, in this story Egypt is representative as a “type” of heaven where Joseph (Jesus) sits at the right hand of Pharaoh (God the Father).  Though the brothers do not physically live in Egypt (heaven) they are given a fruitful land to live until the time that they are to return to the promised land of Canaan (the New Earth), led there by Joshua (יהושוע Yĕhowshuwa`) another type of Jesus (יהושוע Yĕhowshuwa) who will reign with his people.

k.      Genesis 45:11 – And there will I nourish thee; for yet [there are] five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

§        Another reference to the number 5

l.       Genesis 45:12 – And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that [it is] my mouth that speaketh unto you.

§        “I am speaking to you in your native tongue”

m.    Genesis 45:13 – And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

§        Benjamin is to tell of all the glory of Joseph, for he will not speak it of himself.

§        The Bride will tell of all the glory of Christ, for He will not speak of Himself

§        Glory - כבוד kabowd, glory, honour, glorious, abundance

§        Not a statement of vanity,but a statement to ensure his father Jacob that he has been given the power to accomplish everything that he says he will accomplish from v.9-11

o       Matthew 28:18 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

n.      Genesis 45:14 – And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

o.      Genesis 45:15 – Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

II.               Pharaoh Orders Joseph’s Family Brought to Egypt (Genesis 45:16-28 )

a.      Genesis 45:16 – And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

§        Why would it have pleased Pharaoh?

§        Up until this point Joseph’s origin was likely unknown to Pharaoh, but now he is probably made aware of his ancestry and that he is the great-grandson of Abraham who came through Egypt with Sarah about 200 years earlier.

b.      Genesis 45:17 – And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

§        Pharaoh actually orders Joseph “This do ye”

§        Pharaoh gives great liberty to Joseph for matters concerning the execution of his governmental duties, but here Pharaoh shows that he is accustomed to and more than capable of giving orders to his number 2 regarding his personal family matters.

c.      Genesis 45:18 – And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

d.      Genesis 45:19 – Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

§        “Now thou art commanded” à “Now therefore, command them…”

§        wagons - עגלה `agalah, cart, wagon

e.      Genesis 45:20 – Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt [is] yours.

f.       Genesis 45:21 – And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

g.      Genesis 45:22 – To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred [pieces] of silver, and five changes of raiment.

§        Good thing Joseph gave them new garments for they tore their old ones

§        300 pieces of silver…3 is the number of divine fulness

§        5 changes of raiment…here’s the number 5 again, the number of grace. 

§        The number 5 is found 318 times in the bible, the number 318 is significant because that is the number of armed servants Abraham took to rescue his nephew Lot. Biblical Meaning of Numbers, E.W. Bullinger

h.      Genesis 45:23 – And to his father he sent after this [manner]; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

§        10 asses, 10 is the number of divine order, law or instruction…here we have the brothers returning to Canaan with instructions, orders from Pharaoh to gather their father and belongings and return to Egypt. 

o       Note that 2 sets of ten are given likely because the orders were first given from Pharaoh then issued by Joseph

i.       Genesis 45:24 – So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

§        See that you don’t quarrel with each other on the way home

j.       Genesis 45:25 – And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

k.      Genesis 45:26 – And told him, saying, Joseph [is] yet alive, and he [is] governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

§        Alive - חי chay, feminine adjective

§        Governor - משל mashal, “to rule, have dominion, reign”

l.       Genesis 45:27 – And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

§        The brothers had to humble themselves before heir father Jacob and confess the truth of their dealings with Joseph.  Much easier to do so when they know there is a happy ending…When we tell others of our savior Jesus, we can do so with the confidence that there is a happy ending.

m.    Genesis 45:28 – And Israel said, [It is] enough; Joseph my son [is] yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Joseph and Jesus Comparisons 

Yosef	Ye’shuah
Firstborn of Rachel under supernatural conditions (she was barren)	Firstborn of Mary under supernatural conditions (she was a virgin)
Joseph was a shepherd Genesis 37:2 - …Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren…	Jesus was the “Good Shepherd” John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Sent by his father to find his brothers Genesis 37:14 - And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.	Came for the “lost sheep” Matthew 15:24 – … I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Brothers were envious of him. Genesis 37:11 - And his brethren envied him…	Pharisees envious of Him John 12:19 - The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Joseph wandered the “field” Genesis 37:15 - …behold, he was wandering in the field…	The field is defined as the World Matthew 13:38 – The field is the world…
Was stripped and cast into a pit Genesis 37:23-24 - And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colours that [was] on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit [was] empty, [there was] no water in it.	Was stripped crucified and placed in the tomb Mark 15:24 - And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. Zechariah 9:11 – As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein [is] no water. Matthew 12:40 - For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Tempted 3 times and did not sin: Genesis 39:7 - And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. Genesis 39:10 – And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, [or] to be with her. Genesis 39:12 – And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.	Tempted by satan 3 times and did not sin: Matthew 4:3-10 – And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Sold by his brother Judah Genesis 37:26 - And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit [is it] if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he [is] our brother [and] our flesh. And his brethren were content.	Sold by His disciple Judas Matthew 27:3 - Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders
Was brought out of the tomb and escorted to Egypt Genesis 37:28 - Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.	Arose from the grave and escorted to heaven Acts 1:11 - Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Joseph became a servant Genesis 39:1 - And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.	Jesus became a servant Matthew 20:27-28 - And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Falsely accused Genesis 39:17 – And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me	False witnesses Matthew 26:60 - But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none…
Joseph offered no defense Genesis 39:19	Attempted nodefense Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Joseph encounters 2 fellow prisoners Genesis 40:2 - And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.	Jesus encounters 2 fellow prisoners Luke 23:33 - And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
One of the prisoners was saved and one was lost Genesis 40:21-22 - And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.	One of the prisoners saved and one lost Luke 23:40-43 - But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Joseph was respected by his jailor Genesis 39:21 - But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.	Jesus was respected by the Roman soldier Luke 23:47 - Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
Was elevated to 2nd in command under pharaoh Genesis 41:40 - Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.	Was elevated to the right hand of the Father Acts 2:32-33 – This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Joseph 30 years old when he received his office of - משל mashal Genesis 41:46 - And Joseph [was] thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt…	Jesus 30 years old began his ministry Luke 3:23 - And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli.
Joseph receives a new name Genesis 41:45 - And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah… (treasury of the glorious rest)	Jesus receives a new name Philippians 2:9 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Joseph given a wife Genesis 41:45 - …and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt.	The Lamb given a bride Revelation 19:7 - Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Marriage arranged by Pharaoh Genesis 41:45 (see above)	Marriage arranged by the Father Matthew 22:2 - The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son
Joseph reveals himself to Judah and his brethren Genesis 45:3 - And Joseph said unto his brethren, I [am] Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.	Jesus reveals himself to Judah Zechariah 12:7 - The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.
Joseph saved Israel through Egypt Genesis 45:5 - Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.	Jesus saved all mankind through Israel Acts 13:47 - For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Joseph’s brothers proclaim his glory as instructed Genesis 45:13 - And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.	The disciples go forth to proclaim the Gospel Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
All Israel is gathered in Egypt Genesis 46:5-6 - And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.  And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:	All Israel shall be brought to Jerusalem Isaiah 66:20 - And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.