In his early years Joseph had a number of significant dreams in which he saw his other family members bowing down before him, Gen 37:6-10.
These dreams were harbingers of the position and work that Joseph would one day engage in with wide ranging consequences and benefits.
These revelations made him the object of his brothers irritation and displeasure. Subsequently at the age of 17 he was sold by his brothers as a slave into Egypt.
However, the Lord was with Joseph and prospered him in Egypt. It seemed as if disaster had struck agains when he was falsely imprisoned having resisted the temptation of Potiphar's wife.
Again the Lord was favourable towards him and 13 years after going down into the land of Egypt he was brought out of prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams when no one else could.
As a result of interpreting these dreams he is made the 'Prime Minister' of all the land of Egypt. Upon being elevated to this honoured position Pharaoh changes Joseph's name to Zaphnath-paaneah.
One meaning that this name has is 'saviour of the world'.
In this he is a type/picture of Jesus Christ. Twice over the Saviour is given this name/title by the Apostle John in the New Testament, John 4:42, 1 John 4:14.
We want to consider Joseph as a type of Christ in this of this name he was given. Consider Joseph as a man
1. Sent on a divine mission
2. In possession of a divine plan
3. Dispensing divine given supplies |
