Acts 7:9
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him.
The life of Joseph is quoted throughout Scripture by kings, prophets, apostles, and, as we see in the verse above, a deacon. One of the markers of Joseph’s life is the immense suffering he endured, often at the hands of those who should have loved him. This is such a clear foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus Christ. One author observed that Joseph is the most complete foreshadowing of Jesus, sharing over a hundred similarities.
Joseph was betrayed by his brethren. He was sold for the price of a slave. He was cast down, but from the dungeon, he arose to sit on the throne, take a Gentile bride, and eventually fulfill the promises of God to Israel—saving even those who had betrayed him.
But today, I want to focus not only on how Joseph foreshadowed Jesus but also on how his story reflects the path of the Christian life.
The Path of the Cross
Jesus’ journey followed the same trajectory as Joseph’s—and that is the path we are called to walk. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” The Christian life will be marked by suffering, often at the hands of those who should love us most.
In both Joseph’s and Jesus’ lives, envy motivated the betrayal. So don’t be surprised if, in following the Lord, you are envied, despised, and rejected. The reasons for this opposition may vary, but the outcome is often the same: a cross, a pit, a dungeon, or immense suffering.
Both Joseph and Jesus were sold. This is the path we too may walk when others choose to profit from us, using us for their advantage and then discarding us. There will always be a Judah or a Judas, inspired by Satan to exploit and betray. Joseph was handed over to the slave traders who delivered him to Egypt. Jesus was handed over to the Romans to be treated as a criminal. In our own cross-bearing journey, we may find ourselves at the mercy of evil men—lied about, beaten, imprisoned, or even killed. This has been the fate of countless followers of Jesus Christ, including the Stephen, the one who preached our text just minutes before he became the 1st Martyr.
God Was with Them
What a powerful statement: But God was with him.
Yes, Joseph went down to the pit—but God was with him. He was sold into Egypt—but God was with him. He was locked up in prison—but God was with him. Forgotten by men—but not by God.
Yes, Jesus was betrayed—but God was with Him. He was beaten—but God was with Him. He was nailed to the cross—but God was with Him. Even as He descended into the grave, God was with Him. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalms 16:10)
Joseph rose from the dungeon to the throne. Christ rose from the grave to reign forever. What victory!
God Is with Us
Dear Christian, you may be betrayed—but God is with you. You may be cast down—but God is with you. You may be beaten—but God is with you.
One day, whether through the actions of sinful men or the frailty of your earthly body, death will come. But even then, God will be with you. And just as Christ arose, so will you—victorious, to reign with Him!
Oh, what joy! God is with us!
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