Joseph was highly exalted in Egypt, but Jacob believed he was dead: Christ is now exalted at God’s right hand, but the Jews think he also is dead. Joseph’s brethren did not realise that the great personage they were dealing with in Egypt was their very own brother. Joseph did not immediately reveal himself to them because they had to recognise the enormity of their crime against him and to learn that their treatment of him and his exaltation in Egypt was part of God’s plan of salvation. These events also foreshadowed the way in which Jesus will soon come to Israel as a great saviour, delivering them from all their enemies, but only after their full acceptance of him as their Messiah will it be borne in on them that he is Jesus of Nazareth whom their fathers had crucified two thousand years before. Not only should Jews therefore be prepared for the Messiah’s coming, but all of us also, for it is “unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation”. Hebrews 9:28Waiting for response for Hebrews 9:28
The worldwide famine brought people, including Joseph’s own family, from afar seeking food out of the store houses he had built in Egypt. God had told Joseph’s great grandfather, Abraham, that his descendants would leave the Promised Land temporarily to live in a strange land before returning in the fourth generation Genesis 15:16.Waiting for response for Genesis 15:16 The seven year famine was the means by which Israel was brought down to Egypt. These events also illustrate the greater purpose of the LORD with Israel and the Jews’ relationship with God’s son.