To whom was Joseph first sold?
The following verses indicate to whom Joseph was sold, as some explain that Joseph's brothers sold him first to the Midianites. Was this the case? I don't think so, at least according to the following verses: Genesis 37:27-28 (Verse 27 begins with Joseph's brothers speaking to each other)
>>27 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. 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.<<
*) Joseph's brothers.
Similarities between Joseph and Yeshua
Joseph was innocently envied and hated by his brothers, but the favorite of his father Jacob.
- Yeshua was innocently envied and hated by the priesthood of Israel, but chosen by YHWH.
Joseph was given prophecies that came true. He could also interpret correctly the dreams.
- YHWH revealed to Yeshua several events during his time on earth and future events.
Joseph was nearly killed because of his prophetic dreams, but was sold to the Ishmaelites.
- Yeshua was hated because he taught mercy and truth and was eventually murdered!
Joseph was forced into Egypt because of YHWH's pre-arranged plan of salvation.
- Yeshua had to flee to Egypt with his stepfather Joseph and his mother Mary.
Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery for 20 shekels of silver because of his dreams.
- Yeshua was betrayed by one of his closest disciples, Judas, for 30 shekels of silver.
Joseph did not fall into adultery during his trial and had to suffer for it innocently.
- Yeshua lived a completely sinless life and was eventually nailed to the cross, innocent.
Joseph did not take revenge on his brothers when they had to resort to his help in a famine.
- Yeshua prayed to the Father for mercy on those who nailed him to the cross and to forgive them.
Joseph was exalted next to Pharaoh. (Pharaoh was in this situation a prototype of YHWH)
- Yeshua was exalted after the resurrection. He received all authority in heaven and on earth.
Joseph tested his brothers to make them confess their sins against him.
- Yeshua allows the Devil to test us too to guide us to be worthy to inherit eternal life.
Joseph forgave his brothers for their murderous intent and for selling him into slavery.
- Yeshua forgave Israelites for his suffering, for Israel was and still is the chosen people.
Joseph fed his brothers and their families in Egypt for 5 years, during the famine.
- Yeshua feeds us with His Word and in the Eucharist throughout our lives on earth.
Through Joseph's work, his brothers' families were given the opportunity to live on earth.
- As a result of Yeshua's blood offer, we receive through faith the gift of eternal life in heaven.
Joseph was finally able to meet his father Jacob in Egypt after his difficult life.
- Yeshua was able to meet his heavenly Father after his most painful redemptive work.
Joseph was in Egypt honored in a higher position than his Father Jacob for a time.
- Yeshua received all authority in heaven and on earth, but YHWH will soon take it again.
The reader may find further similarities between Joseph and Yeshua as he reflects. I encourage everyone to consider the similarities between himself and Adonai Yeshua for the following reason:
We are also obliged to do this
Let us take seriously the following teaching of the apostle John! 1 John 2:1-6
>>1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you do not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Yeshua Mashiach the Righteous. 2 And He is the propitiation relating to our sins, and not relating to ours only, but also relating to all the world. 3 And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His commands.
4 The one saying, I have known Him, and not keeping His commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that one. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly in this one the love of Elohim has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 The one who says that he abides in Him must live the same way He himself lived.<<
Let us examine our hearts by asking ourselves the following questions:
- Have we already resisted to the point of blood in our fight against sin?
- Have we already resisted to the point of blood in our fight against sin?
- Do we truly love our neighbors not only with our pious words but also in our actions?
- Is the pain, lack of food and distress of our neighbors also our pain and distress?
- Has Adonai Yeshua been able to save our possessions and bank accounts for His use?
If our hearts answer "Yes" to all four questions, then things are fine. If our hearts answer "No" to some of the questions, then we have reason for true repentance. The Holy Spirit wants to help us to grow into the likeness of Adonai Yeshua and thereby make us worthy of receiving eternal life and a heavenly inheritance!
Let us strive to be worthy of eternal life!
Although the sole basis of our salvation is faith in Mashiach Yeshua, genuine faith in him produces in us righteous works, the doing of which is referred to in many passages of the NT:
2 Thess. 1:3-10
>>3 Brothers (and sisters), we are bound to give thanks to Elohim always concerning you, even as it is right, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each one of you multiplies toward one another, 4 so as for us to boast ourselves in you in the congregations of Elohim for your patience and faith in all your persecutions, and the afflictions which you endure,
5 a clear token of the just judgment of Elohim, for you to be counted worthy of the kingdom of Elohim, for which you indeed suffer; 6 since it is a just thing with Elohim to pay back tribulation to the ones troubling you, 7 and to give you, those being troubled, relief with us at the revelation of the Adonai Yeshua from Heaven with angels of His power.
8 (Then He appears) in flaming fire giving full vengeance to those not knowing Elohim, and to those not obeying the gospel of our Adonai Yeshua Mashiach, (Isa. 66:15; Jer. 10:25) 9 who will pay the penalty: everlasting destruction from the face of the Adonai, "and from the glory of His strength," (Isa. 2:20) 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all those who believe in that Day, because our testimony to you was believed.<<
Luke 20:34-35
>>34 ...Yeshua said to them, The sons of this world marry and (women) are given in marriage. 35 But those counted worthy to obtain that (new) world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage (there)<<
We see from the verses above that our faith, together with our works of love, contributes to our salvation! We are not called to be 'free travelers', but just as we must purchase tickets for all kinds of transportation, so must we pay the price for our faith with our works, too!
Songs suitable for the topic
Please, note: Our Savior's original name in Hebrew is Yeshua HaMashiach HaNotzri
Joseph’s Dream
Never Be Afraid
I’LL WAIT – A Song of Trust & Strength
You raise me up with lyrics
In His Time He makes all things beautiful
P.S. You can check out the interesting stages of my life from the link below. My life has been a great adventure. There have been successes and setbacks. Adonai Yeshua has always helped me!
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