O.T. Joseph Introversion

 ~ Introversion of the Life of Joseph ~ 

 

Introduction  ~  The Biblical account of the life of Joseph is recorded in Genesis 37-50.  His life is in many ways a “type” or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ (potential subject for future posts).  What follows is an outline of Joseph’s life.  

 

~1~ The beginning of the Joseph account – 37:2-11

~~2~ Jacob mourns Joseph – 37:12-26  

~~~3~ Reversals of the first born – 38:1-30

~~~~4~ Joseph enslaved in Egypt – 39:1-23

~~~~~5~ Favor and disfavor before Pharaoh – 40-41

~~~~~~6~ Joseph’s brothers journey to Egypt – 42-43

~~~~~~~7~ JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS – 44:1-45:20

~~~~~~6~ Jacob journeys to Egypt – 45:21-46:30

~~~~~5~ Favor before Pharaoh – 46:31-47:12

~~~~4~ Joseph enslaves in Egypt – 47:13-27

~~~3~ Reversals of the first born – 47:28—49:28

~~2~ Joseph mourns Jacob – 49:29-50:14

~1~ The conclusion of the Joseph account – 50:15-26 

 

Note  ~  The origination of this particular introversion is believed to be by Greg Trull.   

 

Comment  ~  Abundant Life Now has previously published introverted outlines (or parallel outlines known as chiasms).  For those who would like to review them here are the links to those prior posts. 

Does History Repeat Itself? ~  Around and around we go! ~ January 25, 2011  

Bible Introversion  ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible ~ April 15, 2017

Bible Hourglass   ~ This Bible Outline Encompasses All Time ~ April 22, 2017

10 Commandments Today, 14of14  ~ Notice the Introversion of the Ten Commandments ~ June 28, 2018

Bible Introversion, 2 ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible, 2 ~ September 10, 2020

EXTRA: 2020 Election ~ Nation’s Historical Cycle Throughout History ~ October 21, 2020

Noah Introversion ~ The Symmetrical Account of Noah ~ January 21, 2021 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

The Gospel in Genesis

~ 4 Individuals Show The WAY ~ 

In Scripture there are many “types” or “foreshadows” of things to come. Some are much clearer than others. A great many of these are pictures of the coming Messiah, some present the Good News of the Messiah, and there are others.

The last 39 chapters of the book of Genesis, covering about four centuries, primarily contain a record of the lives of four men following the great flood. Each illustrates a critical component of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Abram  ~  Abram was called apart from God to be the Father of the nation of Israel. Abram represents God’s great grace in God’s program of divine redemption. We read the account of Abraham in Genesis 12-50. Like Abraham all Christians are called apart for God’s specific purposes in their lives.

Isaac (Abram’s son) ~  In Isaac we see selective calling (election, predestination), of God to an individual.  Isaac’s story is found in Genesis 24-26.

side note:  Do I fully understand the interaction of God’s “election” of individuals and the “free will of man.” No! Many past Christian leaders have also acknowledged this lack of comprehension. One of my favorite quotes is by C. I. Scofied: “In all the Christian centuries men have endeavored to account, philosophically, for the apparent paradox of God’s sovereign election and man’s free will, but none have ever succeeded. Both are wholly true, but the connecting and reconciling truth has not been revealed.”

Jacob (Abram’s grandson)  ~  In the life of Jacob in addition to grace we clearly see justification by faith. Jacob’s story is found in Genesis 27-36.

Joseph (Abram’s great grandson)  ~  In Joseph we clearly see a picture of ultimate glorification. Joseph’s story is found in Genesis 37-50.

side note:  Joseph’s life is also one of the clearest “types” of the coming Messiah—Jesus Christ. It is fascinating to study the parallels between their lives.

summary:  In the lives of these four individuals we see the progressive steps of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Abram’s story we have picture of the separation or calling to God—which is strictly by God’s grace and grace alone. Isaac provides a picture of election or predestination by God of His children—who He knew “before the foundations of the world” would become His children. In Jacob we see that justification is by faith and faith alone—the individual’s part. Finally, in Joseph we have a picture of the ultimate glorification of God’s people which is yet future—the Christian’s future is known and secure. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fear God, 4

~ Joseph Feared God ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “And they said, ‘Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.’

“But Joseph said to them, ‘It is as I spoke to you, saying, “You are spies!”  In this manner you shall be tested:  By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.  Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!’  So he put them all together in prison three days.

“Then Joseph said to them the third day, ‘Do this and live, for I fear God:  If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses.  And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die” (Genesis 42:13-20).

Comment  ~  Joseph feared God which resulted in sensitivity to God’s directions for his life.  The result was great benefits to many others.

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .