An overview of Joseph’s life reveals striking parallels in his calling & ministry to the person and work of Jesus. Jesus was the ultimate Messiah stooping low to save His people.  Joseph is an early messianic prototype joining the testimony of Melchizedek as an early king, so to speak, prefiguring the King of Kings Jesus Christ.  A unique aspect of the record of Joseph’s life in scripture is the relative lack of personal sin and human moral weakness highlighted. Instead in the purposes of God, his virtue is prominently displayed to foreshadow the truly sinless Savior.  This being noted, the greatest reminder of Joseph sinfulness and the estate of man since the fall comes to us in our passage today. Joseph has succumbed to the curse. He is dead.
    The great theme of Joseph’s life is messianic ascension. Joseph arises to save & to rule.  Features of Joseph’s exaltation involve everything from his slavery to his testimony of cosmic triumph as gods & nations bow before the anointed son who rules according to the Spirit of YAHWEH. Details involving: temptation, garments, dreams, vocation, dominion, provision, covenant restoration, progeny, royalty, authority, & even the destiny of his bones all serve to underscore the great theme of Joseph’s calling.  Today we consider the major events in Joseph’s life that shape his story, even as they foreshadow the life of Jesus yet to come.
As the book of Genesis closes we are reminded the revelation of God’s plan to save man has just begun