Genesis 50:22-263. The Dissolution of the Chosen Vessel (Genesis 50:22-26)
This practically closes the patriarchal dispensation. God’ s chosen people are still one seed, but not any longer one person. They have now become a great people, a mighty nation.
The prophetic and hopeful note is very prominent in the account of Joseph’ s death. There is apparently no fear and no terror in his departing to be “ gathered to his fathers.” “ The righteous hath hope in his death” (Proverbs 14:32). We are reminded of the description of Christ’ s death in connection with the departure of Joseph: “ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (or pitch her tabernacle) in hope” (Psalms 16:9).
Likeness between Joseph and Christ
Some claim Joseph to be a type of Christ. A safe rule to follow in typography is as follows: Make no character, institution, or event of the Old Testament a type which the New Testament does not affirm to be such. As illustrations, compare Melchizedek (Genesis 14:1-24) with Hebrews 5:1-14; Adam (1 Corinthians 15:22); Jacob’ s ladder (Genesis 28:1-22; cf. John 1:51). Search for other types in Genesis and corroborate them by the New Testament teaching.
Points of Similarity between Joseph and Christ
1. Beloved of his father (Genesis 37:3, cf. Matthew 3:17).
2. Hated by his brethren (Genesis 37:4-11, cf. John 7:1-7 and Mark 15:10).
3. Interpreter of the will of God (Genesis 37:5-11, cf. John 1:18 and Matthew 11:25-27).
4. Sent to minister to his brethren (Genesis 37:13, cf. Matthew 20:28 and John 1:11).
5. Plan to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:19-20, cf. Matthew 21:38).
6. Sold (Genesis 37:28, cf. Matthew 26:14-15).
7. Innocently condemned, imprisoned with two malefactors (Genesis 40:1-23, cf. Luke 23:1-56).
8. Exalted by the hand of God (Genesis 41:1-57, cf. Acts 2:32-36).
Prophecies of Christ in Genesis with New Testament Fulfillment
How many? Look them up and mark them in your Bible. Illustrations: The promised Savior is to be
5. Of the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15, cf. Romans 16:20; Galatians 4:4).
6. Of the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 28:14, cf. Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:54-55; Acts 3:25; Romans 4:13; Galatians 3:8).
7. Of the seed of Isaac (Genesis 17:19; Genesis 26:2-5, cf. Romans 9:6-8; Hebrews 11:18).
8. Of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10, cf. Matthew 1:2).
The Types of Genesis
“ A type is a divinely purposed illustration of some truth. It may be: (1) a person (Romans 5:14); (2) an event (1 Corinthians 10:11); (3) a thing (Hebrews 10:20); (4) an institution (Hebrews 9:11); (5) a ceremonial (1 Corinthians 5:7)” -Schofield.
There is need of great care in the study of the types of the Bible.
The following have been looked upon as having typical significance:
12. The “ greater light” .
13. Adam (Genesis 2:19, cf. Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:45-47) a type of Christ.
14. Eve (Genesis 2:23-24, cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25; Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 19:7-8) a type of the Church.
15. Coats of skins (Genesis 3:21, cf. Revelation 19:8). Some see in this clothing a picture of the righteousness of Christ, obtained for His saints by His sacrificial death.
16. Abel’ s lamb (Genesis 4:4) as contrasted with Cain’ s bloodless offering has been thought to resemble or point to Jesus’ death as the Lamb of God (John 1:29, cf. Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 11:4).
17. Enoch (Genesis 5:24) translated a type of those who shall be translated at the coming of the Lord (cf. Hebrews 11:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Revelation 3:10).
18. The flood (Genesis 7:1-24) a type of the end of the age (cf. 2 Peter 2:4-12; Matthew 24:37-39).
19. Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18) a type of Christ as the Great High Priest (Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:2; Hebrews 7:23-24).
20. Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16) a type of bondage to law (Galatians 4:24-25).
21. Sarah (Genesis 21:1-34) a type of grace, the “ free-woman” and the heavenly Jerusalem (Galatians 4:22-31).
22. Isaac (Genesis 21:1-34; Genesis 22:1-24; Genesis 23:1-20; Genesis 24:1-67; Genesis 25:1-34), of the spiritual children of Abraham (Galatians 4:28); of Christ as offering Himself freely to death (Genesis 22:1-10, cf. Philippians 2:5-8); in his marriage, as being united with a Gentile bride (Genesis 24:1-67, cf. Ephesians 3:1-21); as the promised seed in whom resided the blessings of the nations (Genesis 12:3, cf. Galatians 3:16).