Similarities Between Joseph and Jesus

After speaking with a Jewish person you may be surprised to find out the Jews are expecting two Messiah’s but they don’t all realize their Messiahs are really one and the same.

At the end of Yeshua’s first time dwelling on the earth, He was the “Suffering Servant.”  Not only was Yeshua the adoptive son of Joseph the carpenter, He was also very much like the son of Joseph who was the son of Israel (Jacob).

Let’s see just how much Yeshua and Joseph were alike:

Joseph was dearly loved by Isaac (Jacob) and Yeshua was dearly loved by His heavenly father.

Joseph was rejected by his brothers and Yeshua was rejected by His brothers — both His immediate family and the House of Judah.

Joseph was stripped of his coat prior to being thrown in a pit.  Yeshua was stripped of His clothes prior to His crucifixion.

Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers but he came out of this pit alive.  Yeshua was placed into a grave but came out of the grave three days later.

Joseph’s brothers decided not to kill him themselves.  Instead, they turned him over to the Ishmaelites after Judah suggested they sell him for 20 shekels of silver.  The Jews did not kill Yeshua themselves after He had been sold to them by Judas (or Judah in Hebrew) for 30 silver coins because they coerced the Romans to do it for them.

Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife while Yeshua was falsely accused by the high priests and elders.  Joseph suffered in prison for his supposed crime and Yeshua also suffered while in custody.

Joseph was imprisoned (punished) with two men.  One was given back his life and the other was put to death.  Yeshua was crucified with two men.  One was told he would be with Yeshua in paradise (given back his life) but unfortunately, the other man suffered eternal punishment (eternal death) because he failed to repent.

Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him when they came to him for food in Egypt.  Many of Yeshua’s brothers did not recognize Him during His first advent.  They only came to him for what they could get from him.

Joseph’s brothers were afraid when they found out Joseph was their brother.  Yeshua’s brothers will mourn when they look on Yeshua who they pierced (Zech. 12:10).

Joseph provided grain to all of Egypt and the surrounding areas during the famine.  Jesus fed 5000 people in Mark 6 and 4000 people in Mark 8 when they were in places having a small supply of food.

Joseph provided land for his brothers in Goshen and brought them to Egypt.  Yeshua will provide land for Israel when He returns and brings them to Israel from the four corners of the earth.

Joseph had equal power to Pharaoh.  Yeshua has full power and authority of the Father.  He is the Word, the living Torah.

Joseph saved Israel’s physical life when they came to him in Egypt.  Yeshua will save Israel’s physical life again but will also give them spiritual life (gives them eternal life) when they cry out to Him and turn to Him with all of their hearts.

Joseph experienced a separation from his brothers in Egypt while they were in Canaan.  Jesus is now separated from his people while He is in heaven and they are on earth.  In this sense, both Joseph and Yeshua were/are Nazirites.

After his period of separation, Joseph experienced fellowship with his brothers in Egypt and Goshen while he ruled in Egypt.  When Yeshua is no longer physically separated from His people, He will rule and dwell with His people in Jerusalem.

Joseph gave his brothers and father possession of land in the best part of the land of Egypt, in the land of Ramses. Yeshua will give His brothers possession of Israel, the Promised Land.

The second Messiah is the son of David.  Yeshua is often called the son of David in the New Testament because that’s the role the Jews wanted him to perform.  The title was correct but the timing was off.  When Yeshua returns, He will carry out two roles:

• the conquering King (Son of David)
• the blood avenger (Kinsman Redeemer)

During this time, Israel will experience a salvation similar to the Exodus from Egypt.

These parallels show us how the Torah reveals the Messiah to God’s people.  I find these similarities absolutely amazing. How about you?